eMarketing Trends|Verbal Acrobatics & Graphic Gymnastics

Dr John Ledger – Associate Professor of Energy Studies, University of Johannesburg looks at 2010 as the year of biodiversity and what that means for all of us:

Energy ideas

• After 2010 how are we going to cope with household and business energy needs? Get hold of a solar water heater
• Look at the possibility to invest into a small systems to use sun energy
• You need to convert your lighting to energy efficient lighting
• Wood – use wood burning stoves rather than open burning fires

Environmental ideas

• Respect water and how we use it
• Education is at the basis of everything – need future generations to understand how fragile our planet is
• Support Eco warriors – the people that work tirelessly for the environment
• Johannesburg Zoo – a jewel in this city, support it and likewise establishments

Lebo Biko – Managing Director, BBDO Consulting identified 5 Marketing Trends and 5 Opportunities looking towards 2010.

5 Marketing Trends and Ideas

• Consumers new value equation from impulse and indulgence to value and simplicity
• Brands will have to redefine and re-articulate their essence
• Business should be marketing: yet marketing is not always business
• Definition of consumer equity will need to take into consideration the intangibles – more on meeting unmet needs
• Giving is the new taking and sharing the new giving

5 Marketing Opportunities for 2010

• The 2010 FIFA World Cup has immense opportunities for both country and brand – build next 1994 moments
• The soccer spectacular will build legacies for brands that are not just external- great opportunity to motivate staff
• Brands that connect with soccer will build a new emotional connection with their existing and potential market
• Accelerate the brand externally towards measurable results, legally – use the 2010 as springboard

Keys to success for 2010 and beyond

• Be prepared for the most unlikely events
• Think the unthinkable
• Focus on value but never forget values
• Have a story to tell
• Be adventures
• Be proactive
• Be revolutionary, incremental changes is backward changes

According to Prof John Simpson (Director, Unilever Institute for Strategic Marketing, UCT) consumers behavior lacks quite considerable from what economist tell us is the current state of the economy. So although there are talks about the recession being almost over consumers don’t experience that, in fact the complete opposite. Specific research on how consumers are experiencing the recession will be important for marketers especially looking to 2010. Specific groups have been identified, looking specifically at LSM 5-10 that is making up 80% of spend:

Strugglers are low on confidence and low on financial flexibility
Struggling to survive which has great bearing on what products and brands they buy. Most of them spent money on food. Highly resourceful to stretch their money – bargain hunters. Low Brand loyalty. Have also influenced culture, can’t share anymore.

Pre-family
Brands are very important to them, all about me and me. Don’t compromise on brand image

Young Family
Being hit very hard, sacrifice a great deal. Going more and more towards house brands. They are developing intense dislike of shopping. Looks at the future rather than today.

Older Black Middle Class
Brand is still important, not going to give up anything, brands are still important. Self image and brand are very important.

Prime Timers
Lifestyle spending money on, and to try and improve on it. Not going to change my lifestyle.

Virtuosa had the privilege of attending The Bookmark Awards 2009 held at Movida nightclub in Lonehill, Johannesburg. Fresh oysters, cocktails and oddly named energy drinks were the order of the evening, complete with a body painted girls and Alex Jay as the host for the awards.

It’s fantastic to see that the quality of digital work coming out of South Africa is growing at a rapid rate and exciting to be part of this ever changing industry. In my opinion the Digital Marketing: Microsite category showcased some phenomenal work, the interactive world of the Cell C ‘createme’ campaign by Gloo Digital Design & Wicked Pixels and customizable characters of the ‘Feed your Ego’ Campaign by Hello Computer were inspirational. As well as the clever ‘Idea Bounty’ by Quirk featured in the Digital Marketing: Social Media category. For a full list of the events winners and work check out the Bookmark Awards 09 website.

We look forward to competing in next years awards and contributing to an industry that clearly has a bright future. Check out our great pictures from the event!

Arrrrrr!!

Avast! ’tis international talk like a pirate day 19th September.
One day in the year you can walk around with a stuffed parrot on your shoulder, talking like pirate! Or not… but it’s still a ton of fun =)

Check out the official Talk Like a Pirate Day website!

If you want to join the fun, simply include the following piece of code at the bottom of your page!

• <script src=“http://l.yimg.com/d/lib/ydn/js/pirate1252961643.js”></script>

Check out the blog post on the Yahoo Developer network for more info.

Piratize this Blog Post

Sun International – David Coutts – Trotter, Chief Executive

History of our brand – Sun International as organization formed in 1983 when Southern Sun was in the process of spliting the brand.  During the mid 90’s the casino industry become a very challenging business with illegal slot machines throughout the country. From there on the industry evolved to the regulated industry it is today.

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Although many of you will be fairly familiar with the members of the panel discussion at the upcoming Journal of Marketing Breakfast Debate, I still thought it a good idea to take a look at each individual and their specific background. Read the rest of this entry »

The software giants are up to it again. Blackberry launched this ad a few months ago and then Apple’s clever response has made for some fun viewing. Great to see some competitive advertising, enjoy these short video clips. Read the rest of this entry »

A packaging change by PepsiCo illustrates social media’s growing influence on corporate marketing. Just another example of how consumer behavior is changing the world. With a huge stage called the internet to voice opinions, upload video content and share with friends and foes the opinions they harbor, the citizen journalist can be a dangerous enemy to make.

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Although I use to be a  buyer of various magazines and enjoyed kicking back with a good read my habits have changed a lot since I spend so much time online these days. There is however one magazine that I do spend my cash on every month which is the Finesse.

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