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The South African computer manufacturer Mecer recently released a new advert, celebrating three decades of producing local products.  But the ad - which features a three-letter local swearword - has not gone down well. In fact, at least one person is saying it may be the worst commercial ever released in South Africa.   The South African computer manufacturer Mecer recently released an advert celebrating thirty years of producing local products. It features a crew of singing and dancing people (presumably employees) in a factory, celebrating local manufacturing and everything South African, from the Springboks to Nelson Mandela. At one point, the lead singer raps...

28 February, 2019 /

Advertising is the lifehood of capitalism and, in South Africa, the majority of brands aim at black consumers. But in the latter part of 2018, there were many complaints from this demographic about the way stereotypes, gimmicks and humour were used. To get an insight on the state of advertising in the country, the Mail & Guardian spoke to black creatives about what caused the misrepresentations. Tebogo Malope prefers the title of storyteller to those of director, writer or cinematographer. Some of his most recent directing work includes music videos, such as Kwetsa’s Spirit, Nakhane’s Clairvoyant, the Telkom television campaign (with Kwetsa)...

14 January, 2019 /

After an extensive search, Nedbank has appointed the successful agencies selected to work on its through-the-line, sponsorship and digital marketing communication strategies, effective 2019. Award-winning brand and communication group Joe Public has retained the bank’s through-the-line account, with Levergy managing the sponsorship account and Digitas Liquorice the digital creative account. These agencies have strong to BBBEE credentials, their diversity aligns to Nedbank’s procurement strategy and they’ve proven to have the correct culture fit to meet the bank’s business objectives. “The diversity of these agencies will enable us to entrench the Nedbank narrative, expand our client reach through effective and targeted digital strategies, remaining...

07 January, 2019 /

The way most brands engage with black consumers is wrong, says a top PR man, who argues that agencies should invest more time in getting to understand their market and audience and less time in getting to know their clients.   [caption id="attachment_1660" align="alignnone" width="750"] Bonke Shipalana[/caption]     A prominent public relations practitioner has hit out at the brand communications industry, claiming few agencies really understand black people. In a frank discussion with the FM, Bonnke Shipalana, CEO of The Communications Firm, says: "The majority of South Africans were born in an era where their voices were restrained by the apartheid system. Unfortunately, after 24...

23 December, 2018 /

So I wrote to Tiger Brands and they replied. See below. To whom it may concern I recently saw your latest promo online where a consumer won R1000 because she produced an Ace Maize Meal packet to an "Ace Maize Meal agent". Great! No problem as we all like winning, cash as they say is king. What I find offensive is how that consumer, a lady, someone's mother, was made to dance (like in most commercials targeted at black consumers), like a brainless idiot. Is this how Tiger Brands sees its black consumers? What happened to "customer is king, in this case "Queen"?...

10 December, 2018 /

[video width="854" height="480" m4v="http://www.blackagencies.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/amareviews.m4v"][/video] Introducing the first AMAREVIEWS feature. A platform about in depth Creative Interrogations, Strategy, Insights, the Behind the scenes of the behind the scenes. We will be discussing, debating, agreeing, disagreeing and most importantly, having fun talking about our labour of love in the industry of Creative Advertising and Black Demographic Movement. Here’s a sneak peak of the trailer, full video coming soon…send us your comments tell us what you think. You can read more on the this link  ...

16 November, 2018 /

ISSUED BY: FCB AFRICA FCB Africa is celebrating several recent B-BBEE milestones that, once again, highlight that the group is one of only a handful in the industry that doesn't pay lip-service to the word "broad" in the phrase "broad-based black economic empowerment". As one of South Africa’s largest marketing and communications agency groups, FCB Africa’s B-BBEE initiatives have, since the outset, acknowledged the need for diversity and flexibility. The most recent milestone on its ongoing transformation journey was when its broad-based shareholder (The Maharishi Institute) was able to fully pay off its loan well ahead of projections, thanks to FCB group’s strong...

16 November, 2018 /

Posted By: TMO Reporter A billboard with the wording, ‘100% Black Owned Advertising Agency. Some things are better at 100%”, using an image of a cup of black coffee, is not racist, the Advertising Standards Authority has ruled. The BWD Advertising billboard, on a footbridge spanning across the M1 South approximately one kilometre north of the Marlboro Drive off-ramp in Johannesburg, was the subject of a complaint lodged by a member of the public in February. After a two-month investigation, the ASA directorate said transformation processes, such as B-BBEE, were the result of government policy, and were aimed at improving the overall wealth and prosperity of...

16 November, 2018 /

by MarkLives (@marklives)  Avatar has been awarded the Caltex above-the-line account. The business will be shared between its Johannesburg and Cape Town agencies. This is the second major account win announced by the agency this year, following hot on the heels of the the integrated agency business win for global fashion retailer, H&M, in South Africa. “Our journey with Caltex started two years ago, when we were appointed as their digital agency, to now being appointed as the brand’s full-service agency,” says Mthunzi Plaatjie, Cape Town managing director. “It was a tough three-way pitch but our team’s experience, creative excellence and integrated approach won it for us.” “We are...

15 November, 2018 /

by Herman Manson (@marklives)    The Nedbank advertising account has gone out to pitch. “In adherence with principles of good governance, we can confirm that a number of Nedbank accounts\services are out to pitch, including creative, both ATL and BTL,” confirms Khensani Nobanda, Nedbank group executive, marketing and corporate affairs. “As the process is currently underway, we are not in a position to provide further detail due to confidentiality issues; however, further information will be provided in due course. We have enlisted the services of an independent service provider to rollout the process from a governance perspective. The process is due to conclude...

15 November, 2018 /