#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 are increasingly allocating budget to WhatsApp to capitalize on its conversational nature and high engagement. The next issue of MarkLives MEDIA will shift focus to outdoor advertising trust among South African consumers.
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...
#ThisWeek on MarkLives MEDIA: Nick Grubb on Kagiso Connect • #NextWeek: WhatsApp in the Media Mix
Kagiso Connect CEO Nick Grubb announced the company’s strategic move beyond its radio roots into insurance, lifestyle services, and data analytics. The shift reflects broader ad‑spend migration toward diversified, performance‑driven channels. Grubb highlighted that these new verticals will leverage the firm’s...
#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...
#OnTheRadar: Luckin Joins Boundless
Fran Luckin has been appointed co‑chief creative officer of independent agency Boundless, joining Roanna Williams. Luckin departs VML South Africa, where she helped rebuild the firm after recent mergers, and brings a reputation for marrying creative excellence with human‑centred storytelling. The...
#ThisWeek on MarkLives MEDIA: Being Bruce Whitfield • #NextWeek: Real-World Brand Experiences Return
Veteran broadcaster Bruce Whitfield is launching a new News24 business series that will interview South Africa’s economic leaders and explore growth sectors. The program aims to provide in‑depth analysis and elevate public discourse on the country’s post‑pandemic recovery. Meanwhile, KLA’s...
#ThisWeek on MarkLives MEDIA: Media24’s Shift Toward Performance-Led Publishing • #NextWeek: Being Bruce Whitfield
Media24 announced a strategic pivot toward performance‑led publishing, consolidating advertising, content marketing, and data analytics into a single commercial engine. The platform is built to deliver measurable campaign performance rather than relying solely on traditional inventory metrics. By unifying these...
#MasterclassNotes: Why Distinctiveness Is Now a Priority for Marketers, Agencies
At the 2025 AdForum Worldwide Summit, marketers declared agency distinctiveness a top priority. Research cited shows brands that invest in differentiation grow 170% faster than the market. Agencies such as Wonderhood, Publicis, Samy, Dept, and others showcased clear positioning, brave...
The Jingle Is Dead — Long Live Sonic Language
South African marketers are still treating audio branding as a simple jingle, while global brands have moved to multilayered sonic ecosystems that include adaptive stems, voice personas and spatial mixes. Fintech leaders such as Capitec are already deploying full sonic...
#ThisWeek on MarkLives MEDIA: Innovations Rewriting Media Rulebook • #NextWeek: WPP SA Media Incubator
This week MarkLives MEDIA highlighted six South African media leaders discussing the innovations that reshaped the industry in 2025, ranging from AI‑driven content creation to programmatic television buying. The upcoming issue will feature an exclusive interview with Merissa Himraj, WPP Media’s...
#TheMarketer: What SA CMOs Would Advise Their Peers
South African CMOs shared hard‑won advice, urging peers to pursue bold, visionary moves that redefine brands rather than chase incremental tweaks. They stress protecting a brand’s emotional truth, granting marketers freedom to experiment, and blending creativity with data‑driven insight. Consistency,...
#TheMarkAwards 2026: New Partnering for Growth Award
The Mark Awards 2026 has launched a standalone Partnering for Growth Award to spotlight client‑agency collaborations that generate sustained business growth. Independent Agency Search & Selection (IAS) will sponsor the award, with CEO Johanna McDowell emphasizing its alignment with IAS’s focus on...