‘Start something' with Global Access
Global Access has recently adopted the phrase ‘start something' as its positioning statement in a recent extensive rebranding exercise. The management team, headed up by Rick Grantham and Ronnie van Wijk, decided in April this year to re-examine the positioning of the company in the marketplace, and to apply some traction to the business after their acquisition some two years ago. 6 Oct 2008 11:07

The final countdown - becoming a killer freelancer
[Tiffany Markman] Okay, okay - it's finally here... Part III in my series on ‘How to become a killer freelancer'. This is the scary bit: the business planning gargoyle that looms over your head; the tax gremlins that keep you awake at night; the BEE hobbits at the bottom of the garden; the time-keeping jungle. So allow me to turn on some lights for you, and let's banish the beasties. 6 Oct 2008 09:30

No logo, no brand? Not necessarily... - Brands & Branding
Let's play a quick game of association. I call out the names of several brands, and you tell me the first picture that comes into your mind. Ready...? Nike, Adidas, Gucci, Levi, Mercedes. 1 Oct 2008 16:56

Building blocks for gaining customer trust - Brands & Branding
Building customer trust is a business necessity and the focus should not be whether to commit resources, but rather how to most effectively commit resources to build customer trust. 30 Sep 2008 11:21

South Africans lauded at Asia Brand Congress
Five South African brand professionals were presented with brand leadership awards at the recent Asia Brand Congress for their work in Asia and also Africa. The Asia Brand Congress is all set to embrace the discipline of branding worldwide, to become a global brand event by 2009. 30 Sep 2008 09:52

Logos are the diamonds of corporate branding - Brands & Branding
If Design Indaba guest speaker several years ago, Fernando Gutiérrez, is right and logos are pieces of corporate jewellery, then this front-end of any larger branding effort is a treasure to invest in and get right, for the longer-term gain should outweigh the spend upfront. 29 Sep 2008 17:25

A launch with a Twist
What if a story you were following online ended with a radical twist that came to life on the streets of your city? That's exactly how South Africans were introduced to Twist, the new contemporary fashion brand from Woolworths. 29 Sep 2008 08:10

Top international awards for Alliance Group
INDIA: This week, at the 17th International Asian Brand Summit held in Mumbai, India, Ronen Jackson, marketing director of South Africa's leading asset sales and services company, the Alliance Group, scooped the 2008 Young Marketing Professional of the Year, as well as the Brand Leadership Award. 26 Sep 2008 10:29

Why brand values can be so destructive - Context Brand Consultants
Perceptions define an individual's reality - making it essential to manage how a brand is perceived. Brand values play a critical role in managing brand perceptions. There are pitfalls, however. Here is an actual case study detailing the consequences of badly managed brand values - and the solution. 25 Sep 2008 16:32

Interbrand announces the 2008 Best Global Brands - Interbrand Sampson
Google, Apple, Amazon.com, Zara and Nintendo are among this year's top gainers in Interbrand's annual ranking of The Best Global Brands, and not surprisingly, financial services giants Merrill Lynch, Citi and Morgan Stanley are among the companies that have slipped dramatically down the list. 23 Sep 2008 16:23

The insight edge - Added Value
[Sue Ellen Hoffman] Insight has become a tired word in marketing. Marketers have become frustrated because too often they are dished up research rather than insight. The fact is it's easy to do research but difficult to get insight. Frustratingly, this is exactly the reason it is so potent. 23 Sep 2008 16:05

Brands & Branding promises answers to current brand questions - Brands & Branding
After October 23rd this year, South African marketers will have all the answers to the questions they have about branding in the current economic and social environment, as well as answers to questions they may not have even thought of asking. 23 Sep 2008 12:23

New chief executive for Interbrand Sampson Group - Interbrand Sampson
Doug de Villiers has taken over the new role of Chief Executive of Interbrand Sampson Group. Founder and former Chief Executive, Jeremy Sampson assumes the role of Executive Chairman. 22 Sep 2008 18:05