#ClicksnTricks: What the End of the Click Means for Brands
Google’s AI Mode, announced at I/O 2026, turns search into a largely clickless experience by surfacing answers inside the platform. Semrush data indicate 92‑94% of AI Mode sessions end without a click, eroding the traffic‑driven model that has powered SEO and ad revenue for decades. Brands now need to redesign websites as machine‑readable verification sources, shifting focus from traditional keyword rankings to structured data that AI can cite. This evolution gives rise to “generative engine optimisation” (GEO), where visibility is measured by inclusion in AI‑generated answers rather than clicks.
#ThisWeek on MarkLives MEDIA: Why Streaming Is a Media Must-Buy • #NextWeek: Rise of SA’s Value-and-Quality Consumer
Streaming has shifted from a niche experiment to a core component of South African media planning. Media buyers now allocate a sizable share of ad budgets to over‑the‑top platforms, driven by rising broadband penetration and consumer demand for on‑demand content....
#MediaViews: As Ads Get Uglier, Is OOH Wearing a New Suit?
Out‑of‑home (OOH) advertising is experiencing a resurgence as brands chase authenticity and data‑driven targeting. Consumers tired of glossy digital ads are responding to raw, “ugly” billboards that feel tangible and unskippable. New measurement tools like the OMC ROAD audience data...
As Execution Becomes Commoditised, Trust Becomes the Differentiator
As AI tools make media execution faster and cheaper, agencies risk becoming interchangeable. Industry leaders argue that the decisive edge now lies in trust, strategic alignment, and deep partnership rather than price or speed. By focusing on big‑picture objectives and...
#OnTheRadar: New McCann COO, BUD
McCann Joburg elevated Brendo‑lee Tobias to chief operating officer and promoted Malefa Motutswe to business unit director, reinforcing its “Truth Well Told” positioning. The South African advertising community mourned the deaths of veteran producers Iris Vinnicombe, Oliver Nurock and marketer...
#ThisWeek on MarkLives MEDIA: Murder, Mystery & Marketing • #NextWeek: TFG Media on Magazine Growth
South African audiences are gravitating toward true‑crime content across streaming, audio and television, creating a new, highly engaged viewer segment. Brands are racing to tap this niche, recognizing that true‑crime fans exhibit strong loyalty and a willingness to interact with...
#MasterclassNotes: Understanding Influence Marketing
Johanna McDowell hosted an online masterclass in April 2026 for South African marketers, drawing over 100 blue‑chip attendees. Three agencies—Clockwork, Publicis/MSL, and CoolR—each delivered 20‑minute showcases on influencer marketing tactics, pitfalls, and case studies. Scopen Africa data revealed influence marketing now...
#ThisWeek on MarkLives MEDIA: OOH & SA Consumers • #InTwoWeeks: Murder, Mystery & Marketing
KLA research shows South African outdoor‑advertising (OOH) enjoys the strongest trust among older, male and middle‑income consumers, and that this confidence translates into higher cross‑channel engagement. The data suggests billboards are a credible touchpoint for audiences 45 and older, with...
#OpEd: Brand Loyalty Programmes Drive Growth — the Maths Disagrees
Marketers in South Africa cling to loyalty programmes despite evidence they barely move growth. The latest Truth & BrandMapp whitepaper shows 82% of consumers belong to an average of 10.3 programmes, yet brand allegiance is eroding. Academic research, from Reichheld’s...
#ThisWeek on MarkLives MEDIA: WhatsApp Open Rates Hard to Ignore • #NextWeek: OOH & SA Consumers
WhatsApp is emerging as a powerhouse marketing channel, delivering roughly 98% open rates and strong conversion metrics that eclipse traditional email campaigns. Experts caution that the platform’s effectiveness hinges on disciplined execution, including strict opt‑in practices and tailored messaging. Marketers...
How AI’s Rewiring Brand-Agency Relationships
Artificial intelligence is turning the agency‑client dynamic from a transactional grind into a strategic partnership. As AI automates routine revisions and production, the remaining value lies in human insight, brand positioning and measurable business impact. This shift is polarising the...
#OnTheRadar: Top Appointments at Stellantis SA, McDonald's SA
Stellantis appointed Sizwekazi Jekwa Mdingi as head of communication and corporate social responsibility for South Africa, tasking her with aligning local messaging and community impact with business goals. McDonald’s South Africa named Keegan Alicks as its new chief marketing officer, signaling a push...
#BurningPaper: The SA Advertising Landscape — a Dialogue with Claude
South Africa’s advertising market is projected to expand at a modest 3.5% CAGR through 2029, lagging behind peers like Nigeria and Kenya. A structural mismatch sees 62% of the country’s entertainment and media spend devoted to basic connectivity, leaving far...
End of the Billable Hour — How AI's Reshaping the Value Model of Ad Agencies
The advertising industry is moving away from the traditional billable‑hour model as generative AI lowers production costs and forces agencies to prove value through outcomes. A World Federation of Advertising study shows 80 % of brands are uneasy about agencies’ AI...
#OnTheRadar: Bradshaw Joins Spar South Africa
John Bradshaw has been appointed group chief marketing officer of Spar South Africa, effective April 2026. The former Pick n Pay omnichannel head and ex‑Pepkor executive will steer Spar’s marketing strategy, emphasizing growth, AI, e‑commerce and loyalty. Bradshaw highlights the retailer’s unique model...