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)...

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...

[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  ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

By:  LUYOLO MKENTANE JOHANNESBURG - A creative and dynamic duo have teamed up to tap into the multi-billion rand promotions industry in South Africa and create much-needed employment for young unemployed youths. Childhood friends Tshepiso Malefane, 27, and Tshepo Ngwenya, 29, who grew up together in dusty streets of the sprawling Soshanguve township in Pretoria, are co-founders and directors of promotions firm Creative Brands Studio.   They established the company in 2014 and stress that since its inception it has grown from strength to strength.   Malefane holds a business management qualification from the Tshwane South College, a short course in corporate development from the University of...

One of my favourite accounts I’ve ever worked on was for the SABC during the World Cup. Feel it! It is here! — Groovin Nchabeleng Groovin Nchabeleng is an award-winning South African advertising and marketing guru with over 25 years industry experience. He is the current executive chairman of the Blueprint Group, a 100% black-owned advertising agency that has been in existence for over 18 years. Groovin is former CEO and shareholder of Leo Burnett South Africa/MMS Group, a division of Publicis Worldwide, the third largest communications group in the world with 65 000 employees in more than 83 countries. With more than R1 billion in...

Written by  Mimi Gauteng based digital marketing agency Stilt Media are making waves as one of the few completely black women owned and led agencies in the current South African marketing and advertising landscape. The agency is already disrupting the typical client/agency relationship by using technology and data to add real value and return on investment to clients’ bottom lines. Founded in 2015, Stilt Media headed up by Marketing Director Mimi Mphaphuli and Managing Director Tina Manyanya. Both women come from impressive leadership and management backgrounds, with Manyanya having headed up her own department at Publicis Media and Mphaphuli having lead a department at Ogilvy. The...