Mark, Author at owlhurst.com

Emerald Speed Fest!

July 29, 2019
by Mark

Experience the thrill and exhilaration of the latest motorsport lifestyle event, Emerald Speed Fest. Hear the power and feel the speed at Emerald Resort & Casino from 27 to 29 September 2019.

With up to R500 000 in prizes and R50 000 to Master of the Mile, the Emerald Speed Fest will provide three full days of motoring action to the biggest petrolheads, speed freaks and 120 competitors as high-performance race cars, supercars and modern road-cars compete against the clock on a 1,6km winding asphalt strip.

“Witness the battle for the Master of the Mile as 120 competitors compete in 12 action-packed classes,” says Tanuja Gangabishun, Marketing Executive at Emerald Resort & Casino. “This is the first time that we are hosting this unique motoring event at the Resort and it’s all about a weekend of fast cars, adrenaline, the sound of tyres and the roar of exhausts.”

Race days are on Saturday the 28^th and Sunday the 29^th of September. Event goers will be able to get up close and personal to all the action as the pit areas will be open to the public. The weekend will include public catering areas, classic car displays, motoring related exhibitors and family orientated entertainment.

Tickets are available from Computicket.

Online: R135

At the gate: R150

Children (Aged 2-12): R20

Scholars (Aged 13-18): R50

Pensioners: R50

Children under 2 free of charge

“We welcome competitors and the public to Emerald Resort & Casino and look forward to an amazing weekend of racing,” concludes Tanuja.

For all up to date information on events, promotions and happenings at Emerald Resort & Casino, visitors are encouraged to stay close to their Facebook and Twitter pages, or guests can visit www.emeraldcasino.co.za for more information on any of the events mentioned here.

Emerald Resort & Casino.

Tel: 016 982 8000

Website www.emeraldcasino.co.za

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Emerald.Resort.Casino

Twitter: https://twitter.com/emerald_resort

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emerald-resort-&-casino/

Fortune Favours Brave(r) Brands

July 26, 2019
by Mark

Arisha Saroop, Business Unit Manager The MediaShop Durban

At our recent Media Landscape session entitled ‘Content that Works’ which delved into brands creating more engaging and relevant content from most of what consumers are subjected to daily, a particular example of a how a brand proudly stood up for representation made me sit up and reaffirm some brand affinities held close to my chest.

Coca Cola Brazil recently took the homophobic idiom ‘Essa Coca e Fanta’ which literally translates to ‘That Coke is a Fanta’, and turned it into an empowering campaign, filling cans of Coke with Fanta Orange. It was relevant, engaging, inclusive and purely organic – and it delivered one billion media impressions with zero media spend, turning one hurtful slur into a slogan of Pride.

Brave right? With so many conservative groups lobbying against the LGBTQ community only a big brand can be this brave; big enough to not injure their market share or upset their loyal conservative’s right?

Well no not really, with Gay Pride month just passed it seems that more and more brands, big and small, are jumping onto the Rainbow bandwagon to render support and connect with those that back the crusade. They’re doing so by creating themed campaigns and merchandise and donating proceeds from sales to LGBTQ associations. Global examples of brands such as Magnum, Nike, DKNY, Uber and Tiffany & Co demonstrate that brands from different genres can easily adapt to changing environments.

Even social media platforms are becoming more inclusive. Instagram has added new rings for users that use a Pride hashtag in their stories, Facebook has Pride themed rainbow frames and filters and Snapchat tasked creators to design Pride themed landmarks like the Flatiron building in New York.

Brands are seeing the impact of embracing this revolution as they grow loyalty and increase return of investment by reaching out to one of the fasting growing markets that has a global buying power of almost $1 Trillion.

In October 2017, a LGBTQ Ad Format Effectiveness study was released completed in conjunction with Nielsen and a social media company that surveyed 800 LGBTQ participants. The study basically reconnoitred the efficacy of themed advertising to this market by comparing the effectiveness of inclusive marketing campaigns vs generic advertising from the same brands.

Granted this study was executed off a small sample, but the learnings are massive. Two crucial fundamentals are evident as tweeted by the co-founder and president of Hornet.com: “Buyer intent was 40% higher and willingness to recommend was 66% higher”.

Globally we are seeing a change in advertising, and back home brands are slowly gearing themselves up for the LGBTQ market. Examples include the Unheard Voices radio and digital campaign (2018), Chicken Licken’s “Dad I am …” (2019) and the very extra Harold courtesy of Netflorist.

Unfortunately fear, ignorance and stigma are still the main contributors to brands not being fully inclusive, but in a country as diverse as ours, representation of our rainbow nation should come easy…right?

Here’s a brand challenge for our marketers – be brave, be inclusive, be representative – fortune favours It.

The Largest International Steelpan and Marimba Festival takes place right here in Jozi!

July 18, 2019
by Mark

Education Africa brings together like-minded people from all corners of the world to participate in arguably, the largest and ever-growing International Marimba and Steelpan Festival in the world. The festival kicks off at St Dominic’s Catholic School for Girls in Boksburg on 27 and 28 July 2019.

“Marimba playing has certainly been growing in South Africa and it is really exciting to witness and be a part of this growth,” says Joan Lithgow, Marimba Specialist and Director of the International Marimba and Steelpan Festival. “It is particularly evident when looking at the ever-increasing numbers of competitors that take part in the annual festival.

It is only through tremendous efforts made in the past decade by various marimba and steelpan manufacturers, individuals, educational institutions and NGOs that marimba and steelpan playing have become sought-after activities by youth of all socio-economic backgrounds in South Africa.”

Marimba playing is popular all over the world. In some parts there are marimba bands similar to the ones we find in South Africa while in other parts we find orchestral marimba ensembles that concentrate on classical and light music repertoire. Steelpan ensembles too are found all over the world and are a great source of entertainment to all who listen to them.

Music remains inextricably linked to culture and should form part of a child’s holistic education. As such, Education Africa has embarked on the establishment of Marimba Hubs. This uniquely African instrument is incorporated into any curriculum with relative ease. “Currently we operate 17 hubs across South Africa,” confirms Lithgow. “Besides the benefits on the learners, the establishment of Marimba Hubs creates job opportunities as a number of potential marimba facilitators are trained in each hub of which several will be chosen to train the learners.

The annual festival is the culmination of a year’s work where trainers and learners display all their talent and diligence that has been put into creating incredible pieces of music,” concludes Lithgow.

“We look forward to welcoming the world back to our amazing country as the 8th International Marimba and Steelpan Festival kicks off at the end of the month.”

Education Africa International Marimba and Steelpan Festival:

Where: St Dominic’s Catholic School for Girls, Kruger Street, Boksburg

When: Saturday, 27 July 2019, 08h00 – 21h30

Sunday, 28 July 2019, 08h00 – 18h00

Cost:

R225 per spectator at gate for a two-day Festival Passport which includes admission to all workshops and all performances.
R125 PER DAY: includes admission to, and participation in, all workshops and attendance at all performances.
R70 per adult per day – admission only to the competition venue.
R50 per school going child – admission only to the competition venue.

For more information visit www.internationalmarimbafestival.org or call Education Africa on (011) 685-7300.

Education Africa DNA:

Established in 1992, Education Africa strives to reach and uplift the poorest of the poor. This non-profit organisation aims to assist disadvantaged South Africans in their quest to obtain a quality, relevant education in order to ensure that they are in a position to become global citizens and a competitive, productive element in the local job market. With the continued help and support of dedicated volunteers and sponsors, they continue to fulfil their mission statement: to deliver relevant, quality education to the poorest of the poor.

Don’t be so hard on yourself, South Africa

July 18, 2019
by Mark

Gareth Grant, Business Unit Manager at The MediaShop

We as South Africans can be pretty tough on ourselves. Just look how fickle we can be when it comes to supporting our beloved national sports teams. How dare the Springboks or Proteas lose a match? The same can be said for many other areas in which we can get rather passionate and heated about. We are exceptionally hard on ourselves, and often without merit.

I was fortunate enough to have travelled abroad in April and again in June, to what we down this end of the continent and the rest of the world would refer to as a first world country. Well yes, I guess that is the true definition, however, in many aspects South Africa is streets ahead!

In April, my wife and I drove about 3 500kms around Germany, a first world country smaller than the Northern Cape. Yes, Germany would fit into the Northern Cape with a bit of space left around the edges. It is a beautiful country, however, the more we drove, the more I got to think how beautiful, yet underrated South Africa is. We have beautiful mountains, even higher than the beloved German Zugspitze. We have beautiful rivers and amazing wildlife, possibly some of the best in the world. Our road network is far superior, even to that of the under rated Autobahn in my opinion. With this said, why are we still so negative about the amazing country which we call home? Why do we slate ourselves so much?

I recall one experience when I was making a purchase, and I kid you not, the person behind the counter whipped out one of those old credit card machines in which you would lay down the card, put a piece of paper over it and then push and pull that handle over the card. I think I last saw one of those when I was an eight year old kid and my mom was doing grocery shopping.

In that moment I recall turning to my wife and saying, “did you just see that?” It dawned on me just how far ahead we are in so many aspects to that of the rest of the world – something we don’t seem to celebrate or to get.

Take our banking infrastructure as an example. Look at the likes of our online, money transfer and app functionality, in most cases these far better than anywhere else in the world. The likes of DStv and the channels and programming that they provide, is phenomenal in comparison to what I have experienced globally. Then, let’s not forget as people how diverse we are, yet again, another plus that we have to any other nation out there. There are some exceptional entrepreneurs, inventors and businessmen that have been born in our beautiful country. Look at the likes of Patrice Motsepe and Elon Musk. I want to encourage you to read the blog post that Louise Hefer wrote last month: https://www.mediashop.co.za/blog/digital/item/302-fostering-diversity-of-thought

As Louise points out, diversity is also a massive strength of ours as a country, but one that we don’t always seem to take advantage of and use in our favour. Why is that? Have we become programmed to have a negative outlook? I would love our media houses to focus on the positive stories, the good that we as a country have to offer, as opposed to always focusing on the negative. After all, we have a lot to celebrate.

As we make our way into the second half of 2019, let us as a collective make the most of what lies ahead. Let’s focus on all the positive aspects in order to make a meaningful difference.

It is only in this that we as a country will realise our true potential, and move forward to greater things that we as a nation can deliver on. Come on South Africa, let’s back one another!

Birthday bonanza begins at Emerald!

July 18, 2019
by Mark

This year, Emerald Resort & Casino is turning 21! As the celebrations start, Emerald loyalty cardholders get the opportunity to play for a brand-new VW Polo or a fantastic VW Tiguan.

Running until 25 September and being Emerald Resort & Casino’s birthday month, the Birthday Bonanza casino promotion is easy to enter just by earning points. For the first time the Resort’s Diamond cardholders qualify for their own dedicated draws.

“The only difference during this birthday Casino promotion is that we are creating even more opportunities to win!” explains Tanuja Gangabishun, Marketing Executive at Emerald Resort & Casino.

For every 50 points earned Green and Gold cardholders will receive one draw ticket and play for a brand-new VW Polo. Draws take place every Wednesday at 13h00 on the casino floor where three Green and Gold cardholders will be drawn and another four at 21h00.

Diamond cardholders will earn one draw ticket for every 100 points accumulated during any given week and can set their sights on the VW Tiguan in the final draw. Three Diamond winners will also be drawn at 13h00 every Wednesday and again at 20h00.

Guests can qualify for the final draw multiple times. Every 1000 points earns one ticket to the final draw, happening on 25 September 2019 where the vehicles will be given away to two lucky gamers.

“Besides the two vehicles, we will also be giving away R449 000 in cash, R516 000 in FreePlay, R30 000 in hotel stays and food and beverage vouchers totalling a massive prize value of R1 531 000,” confirms Tanuja.

“Stay tuned to our social media platforms for exciting celebrations, opportunities, events and prizes as we head into our 21^st year.”

Emerald Resort & Casino.

Tel: 016 982 8000

Website www.emeraldcasino.co.za

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Emerald.Resort.Casino

Twitter: https://twitter.com/emerald_resort

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emerald-resort-&-casino/

Emerald Resort & Casino is a licensed gambling venue. Winners know when to stop. Only persons over 18 are permitted to gamble. National Problem Gambling Counselling Toll Free Helpline 0800 006 008.

Amazon beats Google in the eRetail search

July 17, 2019
by Mark

Michael King: Head of Reprise Digital South Africa, an IPG Mediabrands company

When thinking ‘search’, you’d be forgiven for assuming that Google leads the pack. A global study has shown that consumers begin their retail related searches on Amazon first (46%) followed by Google searches (34%). That may seem surprising considering that Google has traditionally dominated the online product search space – that is up until a few years ago when Amazon grew exponentially and became the front runner for retail related searches.

Between 2015 and 2018 Amazon grew from 46% to 54% with Google declining from 54% to 46%. Amazon is so popular that the site has grown 46% per annum with ad spend on the site reaching $6.3 Billion. These are impressive figures indeed, especially over such a short period of time.

Consumer purchasing behaviour has undoubtedly changed over the past few years with more and more people (87% in 2018) beginning their product searches on a digital channel vs 71% in 2017. If we look at local online behaviour here in South Africa we can absolutely see the same pattern emerging.

There’s no clear indication (yet) that Amazon will reach South Africa’s shores but this is telling consumer behaviour that retailers should be cognisant of. It’s interesting to note that as an example, Takealot has had been growing at a compound rate of 107% over the last few years, and by all indications e-retail behaviour in South Africa is following the same kind of trend.

It’s certainly an interesting space for brands to be playing in.

Reprise Digital SA DNA

Reprise is a digital-first agency, and everything we do is rooted in understanding how consumers interact across apps, sites, IOT-devices, bots, search engines, and social platforms. We uncover your audience based upon their digital fingerprints – and build a media approach to help transform your business digitally. Reprise has the ability to fuse smart digital approaches for our media agency partners in smart and sophisticated ways.

Small and start up media agencies pay the cost for payment terms

July 17, 2019
by Mark

By the Advertising Media Forum (AMF)

The media industry in many markets stares down a barrel of uncertainty. The eco-system of publishers, broadcasters and media agencies face cash-strapped crossroads and the South African context is no different. Here, our local junctures of change are exacerbated by the need to inject growth by establishing new media agencies, despite a low funding base, rising talent pool crisis and critically, the shifting state of payment terms.

Dire deal on start-up table

As an industry we face the imperative to seed and grow 100% Black-owned media agencies. This not only requires substantial start-up capital, but a system that enables these businesses to go beyond survival to a thriving future. Yet, the bottom line is that as the global economic outlook becomes increasingly gloomy, marketing procurement departments look to save money and marginalise cost.

One of the default ways to achieve this is through pushing out payment terms applied to media agencies. Clients are insisting on paying media agencies later and later, with some global clients trying to enforce payment terms of between 90 and 150 days. If not addressed systemically, this cashflow-inhibitor will prevent small and medium-sized agencies from keeping the doors open .

Do the media maths

To understand the dynamics behind this issue, we first need to understand the scenario facing media agencies. Standard industry practise is for clients to pay their agencies on 30 days, after which the media agencies pay the media owners on 45 days. The interest revenue earned by the agency during the 15 days, is an essential income stream to successfully run these people-centric businesses.

Consider a hypothetical situation:

A client that spends R120 million annually has exposure of roughly R10 million per month. Based on historical payment terms, the agency will pay the media owner’s January invoice in the middle of March (45 days later). They will only receive payment for this media at the end of June. By the time they receive the payment for January, they have incurred further debt for three more months (February, March and April). As a result, the media agency will have paid out R40 million in media, to the media owner, before the client pays them the first amount.

What is not factored in the above sketch is the potential loss of interest revenue with paying the media owner on time, and getting paid late by the client. Add to this the required VAT payments on the 25^th of each month, which further impact cashflow availability. The reality is that most media owners still require payment from media agencies within the 45 days. This means that in some instances, the media agency has to “float” the client’s debt with the media owner for up to 105 days.

Forecast for a local future

The present media buying remuneration cycle is simply not sustainable and is debilitative for a start-up or small entity. It is counterintuitive to industry growth, with the nett effect being that the only agencies able to “float” such accounts are large, multinational agencies with global support. This, in turn, seriously hampers the development of 100% Black-owned media agencies.

In addition, clients don’t always pay in full and on-time, at the agreed-upon 150 day mark, which again makes it harder for non-globally-owned agencies to sustain themselves.

In some cases the media agencies will pressurise the media owners to also carry the delayed payment terms. In other words, the media agency will only pay the media owner once they receive the money from the client. This, in turn, has a massive impact on media owners as newspapers have to pay printers, radio stations must pay their DJ’s, and outdoor owners need to pay their landlords.

It’s a vicious circle when the media agency (client) is paid in a cycle that in unbalanced, impacting their payment turnaround to media owners. As a result the only media owners who can work with such demands are the ones with deep pockets and yet again, small local media owners are compromised due to the late payment situation.

It is a zero-sum game as things currently stand, and there are no winners, especially not the media industry. The game could change for the good of all, if clients and media agencies get around the table to find a solution; one based on a mindset that seeks to maintain balance and support new growth for all at the table.

After all it is ultimately brands which either live or die in the eco-system of the media.

About the AMF

The Advertising Media Forum (AMF) is a collective of media agencies and individuals including media strategists, planners, buyers and consultants through whom 95% of all media expenditure in South Africa is bought. The AMF advises and represents relevant organisations and aims to create open channels of communication and encourage and support transparent policies, strategies and transactions within the industry.

For more information on the AMF, visit amf.org,za.

The 8th annual Education Africa International Marimba and Steelpan Festival is here!

July 9, 2019
by Mark

When it comes to music it’s not just about the auditory sense! Studies show that listening to music can benefit overall well-being, help regulate emotions, and create happiness and relaxation in everyday life. In addition, marimba playing helps improve fine and gross motor skills, language development, focus, memory, maths skills, discipline and teamwork and plays a major part in building self-esteem and confidence.

“This year, close on 90 different schools and institutions will be descending at St Dominic’s Catholic School for Girls, Boksburg, on the 27^th and 28^th July 2019 for the eighth Education Africa International Marimba and Steelpan Festival and will see over 2000 participants with kids travelling from as far as Zimbabwe, Botswana and Nigeria,” says Joan Lithgow, Marimba Specialist and Director of the International Marimba and Steelpan Festival.

Education Africa launched its International Marimba and Steelpan Festival (The Festival) in 2012 to create an awareness worldwide of the educational value that marimba playing has while also creating an international platform for our marimba and steelpan players in South Africa to perform on.”

The Festival has become one of the largest of its kind in the world and takes place annually in Boksburg over a period of two days. It is fully inclusive and caters for people from all walks of life including deaf and special needs bands. Over the weekend, marimba and steelpan bands take part in various competitions divided into age sections and various categories. A prominent feature at The Festival includes fringe events which feature guest performances and approximately 90 workshops.

“500 disadvantaged children are also being looked after over the weekend, with The Festival sponsoring meals, some accommodation and transport,” says Lithgow.

In order to facilitate the tightly timed competitions, two sets of adjudicators have been selected with each including international and extensive local experience. Adjudicators include five-time Grammy ballot-nominee, Jason “Malletman” Taylor, Sasha Sonnbichler, Nobathembu Yvonne Raedane, Naledi award winning Musical Director, conductor, arranger, composer and educator, Eddie Clayton, Mokale Koapeng and SAMRO award winning composer, Dave Reynolds.

The Festival comprises six sections for Primary Schools, High Schools and Open Bands split between small and large ensembles and within each, a number of categories include Battle of the Bands, In the Mix, Strictly Classical and Proudly South African/African Prestige Bands.

“We would like to take the opportunity to thank our sponsors, especially Business Arts SA (BASA) and the SAMRO FOUNDATION for their continued support. We’d also like to thank the educators and we applaud the considerable effort and hours of learning and practice that each musician has put into their instrument of choice,” concludes Lithgow. “We look forward to another spectacular weekend of incredible music, learning, friendship and camaraderie.”

Education Africa International Marimba and Steelpan Festival:

Where: St Dominic’s Catholic School for Girls, Kruger Street, Boksburg

When: Saturday, 27 July 209, 08h00 – 21h30

Sunday, 28 July 2019, 08h00 – 18h00

Cost:

R225 per spectator at gate for a two-day Festival Passport which includes admission to all workshops and all performances.
R125 PER DAY: includes admission to, and participation in, all workshops and attendance at all performances.
R70 per adult per day – admission only to the competition venue.
R50 per school going child – admission only to the competition venue.

For more information visit www.internationalmarimbafestival.org or call Education Africa on (011) 685-7300.

Education Africa DNA:

Digital marketing in a third world country

July 5, 2019
by Mark

Makgotso Sekete, Media Strategist at The MediaShop

As a third world country, traditional media is our main method of communication with radio, television and OOH the highest consumed mediums across various markets in South Africa. But digital is growing at a rapid rate and is enabling huge brand integrations.

Digital marketing has brought consumers closer to brands and news than ever before. The online directory has replaced the telephone book. Business advertisements are available online 24/7 to potential customers across borders. According to Statista, South Africa has a population of 58 million people but due to the expensive cost of data, only 31.1 million South Africans have access to the internet with 28.9 million people accessing it using their mobiles. Digital marketing in South Africa has increased at a rate of 35% and certain trends have increased in popularity which will have to be taken into account like Black Twitter.

The growth of digital advertising in South Africa exceeds the current global growth. In a study conducted by Adobe, at least 59% of customers in South Africa take greater interest in classified ads that are published in digital media than classified ads aired on TV or radio.

In comparison to first world countries that have internet penetration of 95%, SA’s is low. With this being said, television, radio and OOH touch points are consistent in delivering mass awareness objectives. These more traditional platforms are freely consumed because the high cost of data is a barrier especially for citizens on the bottom of the pyramid (BOP).

With that said, not only are millions more people accessing the internet than ever before but they are doing it in different ways. Online marketing is the way of the future and stats show that it can provide companies with superb advertising for lower prices and with even better results – proven. Businesses, both large and small, are taking the internet by storm and connecting the power that digital marketing has to offer for marketing, sales and customer engagement. With digital marketing skillsets, small businesses are finally able to level the playing field against larger corporates.

Infrastructure is of course a massive consideration to provide digital accessibility to the overall South African population however as an emerging economy, SA has covered a lot of technological ground lately. We should keep our eyes on those ahead of us, be on the lookout for trends and developments of internet marketing strategies globally.

Congratulations to Emerald’s Readathon winners!

July 4, 2019
by Mark

Want to know one habit that ultra-successful people have in common? They read. A lot! With this in mind, Emerald Resort & Casino recently hosted an annual school Readathon to give back to the community.

“To assist schools and encourage reading in the local Sedibeng area, the Readathon challenge is aimed at schools from the Vaal District West and East who are selected to participate in the competition,” says Tanuja Gangabishun, Marketing Executive at Emerald Resort & Casino.

During the month of May, schools were selected to participate in the Readathon according to categories: Foundation phase: Grade 1-3, Intermediate phase: Grade 4-6, Senior phase: Grade 7-9 and FET Phase: Grade 10-12. The top four schools were selected from each phase, with the winners each claiming R10 000 for their school to go towards refurbishment or the purchase of school equipment.

Congratulations to the following winners – in the Foundation Phase: Roshnee Primary School

Intermediate: Batloung Primary School, Senior Phase: Dr Molefi Oliphant Secondary School and FET Phase: Mohlodi Secondary.

“We were privileged to hear motivational speaker, Dr Eva Seoke, born and bred in the Vaal and matriculated from Riverside High School, speak to us and the kids on the day,” said Tanuja. Eva achieved her Bachelors of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Witwatersrand and is currently working in the department of General Surgery at Sebokeng Hospital.

“The underlying theme is that if people want to be educated, successful and have a brighter future, their reading skills need to be learnt early in life,” comments Tanuja.

“Many of our local schools require financial assistance and we will have discussions with the principals of the winning schools to determine their most pressing needs and assist with these,” concludes Tanuja. “We enthusiastically support our local community and look forward to creating a brighter and more successful future for the kids and long-term assistance for these institutions that teach the future of our country.”

Emerald Resort & Casino.

Tel: 016 982 8000

Website www.emeraldcasino.co.za

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Emerald.Resort.Casino

Twitter: https://twitter.com/emerald_resort

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emerald-resort-&-casino/

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