Media & Marketing
The future of influence: risk, data and the human-AI creator duo
AI influencers are here to stay. This creates exciting opportunities for collaboration that blends efficiency, creativity and authenticity
By Casey Mantle
Apple, Microsoft, Google, Amazon and Nvidia are the five most valuable brands globally
A strong brand drives demand, supports premium pricing, attracts and retains talent, increases resilience during uncertainty and provides confidence to investors
By Lynette Dicey
Is there still a place for creative agencies in 2026?
Not so long ago, asking whether there is still a place for creative agencies would have been considered a provocative question. As the relationship between agencies and brands shifts, it now feels practical
By Matthew Arnold
Why South African brands are finally taking storytelling seriously
The commercial case for storytelling as a strategic capability is clear: stronger brand equity, improved marketing efficiency, higher lifetime customer value, clearer employer brand and talent attraction, and greater resilience during crises
By Deirdre King
Inside Africa: for marketers, authentic local knowledge is vital
From city to city African culture may vary so much that a general knowledge of the region may not be enough for marketers to achieve success
B2B marketing in 2026: fewer words, more meaning
Consumers are not persuaded by broad claims, and length alone does not make communication good. The most effective B2B messages explain complex ideas simply
By Candice Burgess-Look
What is the outlook for trust and privacy in 2026?
Organisations need to invest in deepfake detection or advanced privacy technologies to retain people's trust
Unilever’s plan to build consumer trust through influencers and faster execution
Unilever’s appointment of Leandro Barreto as CMO marks a strategic pivot for the company
MATTHEW ARNOLD | Is there still a place for juniors in an AI-powered workplace?
As AI gets integrated into our workflows, the creative industry needs to get intentional about growing talent and preserving human ingenuity
By Matthew Arnold
Trends shaping the use of AI to improve customer experience
SPONSORED |AI is transforming customer service, but adoption is lagging. Telviva unpacks what’s holding firms back and where the tech can deliver the most value
IAB announces its inaugural digital rankings
Excellence across South Africa’s digital ecosystem has received recognition in the Bookmarks Digital Rankings 2025
The commuter market helps drive South Africa’s retail growth
The daily commuters on 15-million taxi trips, as well as those regularly travel on buses and trains, are responsible for a significant proportion of national spending on FMCG and offer a huge opportunity for retailers and advertisers
Marketing in 2026: when creativity, community and governance take back control
2026 will bring a reset after 2025, during which the speed and volume of AI have been the focus pf marketing. Real creativity, meaningful communities and values people can trust will come to the fore
By Deirdre King
When did bots become the customer?
Hyper-personalisation driven by predictive analytics, AI-powered voice and visual search and conversational interfaces are merging to transform marketing
By Elaine van Wyk
The rise of alternative information services and their effect on budgets
Alternative platforms such as discussion forums and newer social networks are drawing more user attention and affecting where marketing funds are allocated
By Lynette Dicey
