Marketing & Selling

The recent Checkers "Simple Truth" campaign, featuring British chef Jamie Oliver, Springbok rugby stars Pieter-Steph du Toit and Trevor Nyakane, and former Carte Blanche anchor Devi Sankaree Govender, has sparked discussion. The debate extends beyond marketing to governance.

Despite the digital revolution, customers still crave something profoundly human: empathy, understanding, and connection. As AI becomes more embedded in customer service, the challenge is not just technological – it’s emotional.

Not long ago, watching television was a shared ritual. Families gathered around the same screen, tuning in to the daily soaps or the Sunday night 8 pm movie. Today, the experience has become deeply personal. Each viewer chooses what to watch, when to watch and even which ads they see. For marketers, this shift is not just a technology change; it is a change in attention. And attention is the currency that drives modern advertising.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere, but understanding is scarce. The challenge lies in a lack of context, capacity and people who know how to use AI not just to create content, but to create impact. This is central to supporting Africa’s creative boom.

With the global economy going through uncertain headwinds, making business decisions on all fronts has become more difficult. A decision that could result in a multi-million rand outlay for the company has never been easy. Given the constant need to drive efficiency in the current economy, the pressure to generate Return On Investment (ROI) is relentless

The term “cultural relevance” is all the buzz. But is it truly culturally relevant when a brand simply hops on the latest meme, references the current big sports moment or issues a token nod to whatever is trending? This approach feels like the brand version of dropping in for a quick photo and then leaving. It is similar to being a cultural tourist, but in a digital context.

In 2025, the retail sector had grown by 4.2% year-on-year. The e-commerce sector is expected to reach R225 billion, reflecting a 150% increase over the past five years. Omnichannel retail capabilities, supported by personalisation, customer data analytics, AI-powered recommendations and automated inventory and storage solutions, help companies gain commercial ground and customer trust in a highly competitive environment.

To celebrate 65 years of providing trusted insights, we have released a new study that uncovers what truly influences the choices South Africans make when they spend their money. The South African consumer unveiled reflects a shift in behaviour that goes beyond price and focuses on emotion and trust.

In the B2B technology sector, the old Public Relations (PR) playbook has become obsolete. The days of measuring success by the sheer volume of media mentions are long gone. Today, an effective modern tech PR strategy is not just about getting your name into a headline. It is about strategically building undeniable brand authority until you become the headline. This marks the difference between pushing and being pulled.

The African diaspora is one of the fastest-growing communities in the world. The United Nations estimates that more than 170 million people of African descent live outside the continent. Among them is me, a South African living in the Netherlands. My personal journey reflects how diaspora identities continually reshape the way brands are perceived across continents.