iSPY news roundup
8-14 August 2011
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LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS
1. Joburg says billing crisis is over
The City of Johannesburg says it has sorted out the inherent problems with its billing systems, and the billing crisis, which affected thousands of residents for more than a year-and-a-half, has come to an end.
Both Solidarity and the Communication Workers Union have declared wage disputes with Telkom, following the third round of negotiations that took place on Friday.
3. Massmart reveals plan for jobs
Johannesburg – South African discount retailer Massmart, now majority owned by Wal-Mart Stores, said on Sunday it aims to create 15 000 jobs in the next five years.
4. Eskom profits more than double jobs
Eskom said on Monday it had more than doubled its full-year profit owing to higher tariffs and would meet power demand during the peak winter period, despite tight supplies.
LOCAL MARKETING & MEDIA NEWS
5. Managers have to manage; they don’t need to be creative
While producing suitable products and services to meet customer demand always requires creativity and imagination, managers of business operations need primarily to be effective and efficient managers, rather than being creative themselves. Nicholas Watkis unpacks this.
Media agencies may be looking for new ways to make a living. Wicus Swanepoel explains why and who is to blame…
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS NEWS
7. SA retailers face Walmart prices
Walmart’s new 10-week advertising campaign with price cuts at Massmart stores marks a shift in the local retail market that rivals will have to watch.
8. Africa needs middle class urgently
As growth in some sub-Saharan countries hits 6% there is still no large-scale African middle class emerging while China and Brazil reap benefits of resource imports.
9. France, banks agree Greek debt proposal
The French government and banks have agreed on a proposal to make a Greek debt rollover more palatable to creditors, a banking source said on Sunday, confirming a report in Le Figaro newspaper.
INTERNATIONAL MARKETING & MEDIA NEWS
10. Global Ad Spending Remains Resilient — Albeit Somewhat Muted
As 14 million Americans continue to hunt for work, their Congressional representatives are negotiating how much more (or less) money the government will be allowed to spend, presenting a fiscal crunch coming from both ends of the economy.
11. Mexico Leans on PR to Lure Back Tourists
Mexico is undoubtedly a challenged brand. Drug cartels, violence, murder and kidnappings have been grabbing headlines, thus deterring tourists who typically flock to the country for its beaches, Mayan archaeological sites and tequila.
BRAND NEWS
12. Branding in the collaboration economy
Social networking has changed advertising from a broadcast to a more integrated model that’s hinged on a conversation with customers.
SURVEYS, TRENDS & OPINIONS
13. Communication and Marketing Trends for 2011
It might be too early in the year to write this post, but Patti Knight and I had a conversation yesterday about the future of brick and mortar offices and it got me thinking about trends for next year, let alone 10 years from now.
