South African innovation consultancy enhances services for long-lasting business impact Johannesburg, South Africa 22 March 2018:  iShack Innovation Consultancy, leading technology and marketing consultancy, has redefined its website and product portfolio to provide enhanced solutions and services to its clients. With a proven track record and exemplary client list, the company now provides hands-on consulting expertise across both online marketing and innovation engineering.

“We are committed to providing a digital customer advisory service that’s designed to fit in with our client’s business objectives,” says Richard Bensted, Managing Director, iShack Innovation Consultancy. “We provide a full-service consultancy with highly skilled professionals and we focus on maximising client return on investment.” The online marketing division of iShack Innovation Consultancy focuses on strategic advice, advanced search engine optimisation, Google advertising and social media advertising. The innovation engineering division focuses on mobile application development and enhancement, artificial intelligence, blockchain tech

nology, exponential technology consulting and enterprise software engineering. Each division delivers measurable results to clients, crafting tailored solutions that focus on the challenges and pain points experienced by business.

“We are committed to supporting the growth and expansion of your business,” concludes Bensted. “Through our use of exponential technologies, innovation and digital consulting, and our extensive expertise in SEO and digital advertising, we can help you to reach more customers, expand your brand and take your business to new levels and into new markets.” iShack Innovation Consultancy has an impressive client list that includes Abland, TUHF Limited, Dodo Shoes, CTU Training Solutions, Bidserv Industrial Products, JLL, One on One Productions and Cliff Central, and High Street Auctions.

The company was started by two South Africa entrepreneurs, Richard Bensted and Wayne Berger, and the freshly designed website and portfolio reflect their awareness of the new digital landscape and the demands it places on the business. To find out more about iShack Innovation Consultancy visit https://www.ishack.co.za/ or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About iShack Innovation Consultancy
iShack Innovation Consultancy has been providing clients with exceptional service, solutions and innovative ideas for more than ten years. Established in 2005, the agency has a long list of well-known clients and success stories that showcase how both Richard Bensted, Managing Director, and Wayne Berger, Chairman – the founding entrepreneurs – have focused on client service, deliverables and measurable return on investment. To find out more about iShack Innovation Consultancy visit www.ishack.co.za, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 082 823 8618.   provides a range of solutions and services that are ideally suited to subscriber-based companies in Africa. Our comprehensive portfolio of services and our extensive technology-driven expertise help companies streamline their business

For more press information or images please contact:Tamsin OxfordCoffee This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   

Emerging markets are playing an increasingly important role in the global economy, and yet research on marketing in emerging markets remains in its infancy.  The Emerging Markets Conference Board (EMCB) is a global initiative brought about to address this. 

Every year, the EMCB brings together some of the most respected minds in marketing, globally  – academics and practitioners, as well as doctoral students - to share their insights on marketing in emerging economies.This year, Wits Business School (WBS) in South Africa is proud to host this prestigious four-day event.

“The goal of the annual EMCB conference is to advance the understanding of marketing in emerging markets and facilitate collaboration on emerging markets research.  It offers stimulating discussion amongst thought leaders from around the globe who are engaged in emerging markets research,” says Professor Steve Burgess, Marketing Professor at Wits Business School.   “We are delighted to be given the opportunity to host the EMBC 2018 and equally pleased that so many leading South African and international scholars are donating their time to track and session chairs during the conference.”

Burgess’s co-chair of the conference is renowned marketing scholar Professor Naresh Malhotra from the Scheller College of Business at Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) and founder of the EMCB.  In addition, a number of highly respected international faculty will be speaking at the conference, including Professor Jan-Benedict E.M. Steenkamp, University of North Carolina (USA), Professor Charles R. Taylor, Villanova University of Business in Pennsylvania (USA), Professor Ruth Bolton, Arizona State University (USA) and Professor Rajiv Vaidyanathan, University of Minnesota Duluth.

The conference, on 6 and 7 April, will be preceded by the doctoral colloquium on 4 and 5 April.

“The conference is intended to be transformative.  Doctoral students conducting research in emerging markets, especially Africa, and their supervisors will have the opportunity to attend doctoral seminars presented by the people that they read about in textbooks and in leading journals,” says Burgess.

The Conference has also attracted a number of high-profile marketing faculty from South Africa, Ghana and Dubai to chair tracks, or breakaway sessions.  Tracks include a diverse range of topics, including brand management, communicating across the digital divide, services marketing and retailing, marketing strategy and analytics, consumer psychology, and relationship marketing, social connectedness and consumer networks, among others.

“It’s an exciting area of research. The majority of humanity resides in emerging markets and, in this next generation, it is reasonable to conclude that more half of the world’s economic development will take place there. New research is taking us into new directions that embrace a more diverse set of assumptions and worldviews,” notes Burgess.

For South African marketing practitioners, the EMCB 2018 will be a golden opportunity to engage with top marketing authorities from around the world and be a part of the development of new ideas, knowledge and research.

For more information about the conference, visit www.embc2018.co.za.

For the sixth consecutive year, BIC® has embarked on its school roadshow, and this year, the stationery brand is continuing its efforts towards improving the quality of education in our schools with the message: ‘If You Can Dream It, You Can Be It’. 

Part of BIC®’s educational roadshow across KwaZulu-Natal, is a school art competition that recognising young talent, called the BIC® Art Challenge. The competition encourages learners to tap into their creative skills bringing excitement to the school classroom and awarding prizes to the winners.  

The activation is managed by The Zinto Marketing Group, specialists in creating new platforms for brands to engage with the youth market and contribute to socially conscious initiatives. The roadshow encourages learners to stay in school and work hard to reach their full potential. The brand activation agency has been involved in the education segment for the past 17 years and its info-tainment platforms are supported by the Department of Education.  

The Stationery Marketing Manager at BIC®, Ronette Kishun, says; “The hope is to build a groundswell of support through the initiative by encouraging the public to continue to donate stationery items towards lesser-resourced schools. Every purchase of specially marked stationery at local supermarkets will make a difference to help BIC® reach its target of 1.3 million pens this year.” 

“The show cleverly incorporates pop culture and the brand character ‘BIC® Boy’ who imparts key educational messages through a format that learners can engage and interact with.

The performance is presented by young and aspiring actors and dancers who have the ability to convey the message that by working together, we can achieve greatness,” Kishun further adds. 

BIC® is appealing to learners, parents, corporates and the broader public to get involved and foster a culture of learning in South Africa. Join the BIC® movement and show your support by helping to make a difference in the lives of over a million lesser-resourced learners. 

For more information, visit http://www.za.bicworld.com. Alternatively connect with them on Instagram or Twitter. For more information on Zinto visit the website: www.zinto.co.za

In South Africa, approximately half of the population is under the age of 25. Due to the size and buying potential of the youth market, the segment is of great significance to brands planning to stimulate new demand and reach and engage with a highly diversified collective of young sub-cultures.

Miguel Correia of The Zinto Marketing Group comments, “Research conducted by our team of field marketers indicates that South Africa’s youth want authentic, meaningful experiences and interact with real people in their homes and communities. For this reason, youth marketing has become more about engagement and dialogue and less about pushing product information and talking at them. We realised this trend and adapted our approach and marketing efforts to keep pace with youth culture through active and dynamic engagement and carefully constructed, interactive promotional drives.”

Brand activation can be used to create new approaches and unexpected, chance encounters between brands and young consumers. An experiential showcase gives youngsters the opportunity to interact with (and be part of) the consumer journey. Correira highlights trends for marketers to consider when targeting the youth market in South Africa:

Participatory culture

The evolution of consumer to creators and disseminators of information means the youth view themselves as extensions of important and popular brands and that they have played a role in creating connections and forming perceptions of well-known brands. The interaction is personal, and rather than imposing product information on them, they expect brands to facilitate authentic connections and real experiences.

Truth seekers

Real relationships are important to the youth and brands’ consumer promises must be perceived as open, honest and transparent. With an abundance of brands, communication and touchpoints competing for their attention, the youth is growing increasingly sceptical of advertising and media messages and marketers’ attempts to capture their loyalty.

The young people are socially aware and will not support brands that contradict their personal values and beliefs – attributes  such as integrity, truthfulness and trust are held in high regard and they will not support brands that are perceived as dishonest or do not live up to expectations.  It is important to achieve a more authentic role in these consumers’ lives using technology and social platforms but understand that young consumers will expose any false claims using  the same communication channels and  networks to make their ‘voices’ heard.

The power of connection – driving brand and peer engagement simultaneously

Not only is technology a true enabler for Millennials – connection and experiential appeal extends beyond digital mediums and the ability to share with peers and others around them, it also creates a sense of belongingness and relationships within the community.

From a marketing perspective, the brands that have been most successful in capturing young consumers’ attention and imaginations are those that have leveraged and facilitated the sharing of experiences utilising young consumers’ voices and participation.

For more information about Zinto, visit www.zinto.co.za

ContactCentreWorld.com, the Global Association for Contact Centre and Customer Engagement Best Practices and Equilibrium Business Lab, a South African BPO & Contact Centre Consultancy recently announced a strategic partnership to help bring the South African and Global Contact Centre World closer together. 

The partnership gives the South African BPO and Contact Centre Industry access to a global network of close to 200,000 industry professionals, unrivaled tools and resources to develop the skills, industry knowledge, experience and recognition programs. The partnership recently launched ContactCentresSA.com and its Top Ranking Performers National Awards. This exclusive award program. gives local industry professional an opportunity to compete against the best in South Africa and the globally through ContactCentreWorld.com.

Raj Wadhwani, President of ContactCentreWorld.com: "We have seen the industry in South Africa grow substantially in skills and sophistication. The passion of the people is infectious and we are delighted to partner with Equilibrium Business Lab to help grow and develop the industry further. We have worked with Naz Salie, founder of Equilibrium Business Lab over the past year and are excited by the plans she and her team bring to the South African industry". 

Naz Salie, Managing Director of Equilibrium Business Lab and previous South Africa Industry Head for BPESA: "We are honored to be part of an alliance that will enable Equilibrium Business Lab to deliver world class solutions to our industry and complement the existing support structures in South Africa. 

About ContactCentreWorld.com
ContactCentreWorld.com is the world's premier on-line resource for the call and contact Centre industry. This article is one of hundreds available on-line to registered members. Our resource is updated every working day and includes content from every corner of the world. If you are not a registered member go to www.ContactCentreWorld.com and register today. 

Raj Wadhwani  President, ContactCentreWorld.com www.contactcenterworld.com  

About Equilibrium Business Lab
Equilibrium Business Lab provides businesses operating in the BPO & Contact Centre Industry with business development, marketing and branding solutions. Working hand in hand with business teams, develop cutting-edge, actionable and sustainable strategies. Equilibrium brings together a complimentary mix of business skills, creative talent and a passion to for developing sustainable relationships. 

Naz SalieDirector – Equilibrium Business Lab
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Johannesburg, 14 August 2017 In an industry where a mere 3% of directorship is held by women, Keshia Patchiappen is paving the way for women of colour with her dynamic, strategic approach to the realm of digital marketing and communications. Keshia has experienced a stellar career trajectory, rising from an intern to CEO through 11 years of experience across all advertising platforms.

Keshia initially took on a law degree, but by her second year of studies she had fallen in love with her second major - Communications. She completed her studies at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal in 2007, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media and Communications, English, Drama and Performance. Thereafter, her humble beginnings in the communications industry took place at Olivia Jones Communications in Durban, where she worked as an intern. Keshia then moved up to Johannesburg and began her tenure at The Creative Council as a Campaign Manager in 2008.

By the next year, Keshia had moved to Ogilvy as an Account Executive. During her five years here, she climbed through the ranks to Senior Account Manager and worked on brands such as Ford, SAP and Motorola.

Keshia joined Riverbed as an Account Director in 2014, and it was here that her flair for strategy, entrepreneurship and new business development flourished. She attributes her growth and passion for integrated communications solutions to her mentor, Monalisa Zwambila, Riverbed’s owner and director and all-round marketing and communications maverick. While at Riverbed, she worked on major accounts such as PPC and Nestle.

Keshia was appointed as a director and CEO of Condriac Digital Communications in March of 2017. She was drawn to Condriac because of the agency’s processes and attention to detail. She says the following, “Agencies often try and fit a square shape into a round hole; but at Condriac we’re different – we’re looking at individuals who don’t have specific qualifications but a certain mindset, a love of data, creativity and passion.” Keshia believes that diversity works hand-in-hand with creativity, and under her watchful eye, the Condriac team has grown from 4 to 22 people since April 2017.

Keshia is passionate about revolutionising the way in which brands are marketed in the digital space, and is extremely focused on the inclusion of data in cohesive Public Relations and Communications strategies. Data is central to all of Condriac’s strategies across the board in order to create tailored solutions to client’s unique needs. Keshia’s tenacity, creativity and thorough knowledge of the industry allows Condriac to continue to break new ground and provide clients with an invaluable competitive edge.

About Condriac

Condriac Digital Communications is a full-service communications agency that specialises in programmatic lead generation, public relations and web development. “We’re in the business of bridging the gaps between consumers and brands”.

The Condriac Digital Communications team will help you ensure that your brand remains engaging and relevant at an ever-evolving digital landscape, shaping your online footprint to meet the needs of demanding and digital-savvy clientele. Condriac follows the data, creating calculated, data-informed content, strategically placed online through social media and search engine optimisation, supported by targeted digital media to drive new and existing audiences in order to generate predictable and repeatable results.

The South African socio-political climate is currently undergoing rapid change and this has far-reaching effects on business. The recent cabinet reshuffle has adversely impacted the economy, with two leading financial agencies being forced to downgrade the credit and trading status of our country. This change in status quo has decision-makers in various industries tightening their belts, and it begs the question: What can businesses do to remain relevant, and to thrive in these tough economic times?

Unfortunately, marketing budgets are often the first internal expenditure to be pruned. Research, however, has proven that brands that have survived previous economic slumps and recessions are those that have continued to market themselves and have thus remained part of the decision purchasing cycle. It is imperative, then, that businesses, that wish to remain in the forefront of consumers’ minds, continue with their marketing endeavours. 

The heart of your business’ success lies in marketing. Most aspects of your brand depend on successful marketing. The overall marketing umbrella covers advertising, public relations, promotions and sales. Traditional advertising, being one of the longest standing forms of publicity, has certain drawbacks, and is slowly giving way to the rising popularity of “the internet of things”. 

Traditional marketing means are becoming increasingly expensive and a lot more onerous to measure than digital marketing. Purchasing television, radio, or printed ads tend to be pricey, and often doesn’t have concrete ROI’s or measurable statistics. Difficulty in measuring the conversion rate of your ads, for example, creates a challenge in gaining a good understanding of the ad’s efficiency and the results they offer. Traditional media also employs a forced strategy, whereby a product is forced onto the consumer, even if they are not necessarily seeking the product or service in the first place. Initially, digital marketing and a social media presence were thought to be a “phase” that would dwindle over time. However, the converse has happened, and the industry is not only surviving, but it’s thriving. 

More and more it is noted that these platforms are rolling out more capabilities of individualising marketing communications. They boast a plethora of insights and statistics, which in turn leads to a greater return on investment. This is one of the most compelling reasons why your brand should not be caught dead without some sort of marketing tactics deployed online. 

Digital marketing is far more cost efficient in comparison to traditional marketing. Online ads are flexible, meaning that a business can switch a strategy mid-campaign, based on results obtained. It allows you to analyse where the interest of the consumer was captured or lost by viewing exact results, such as, the number of page visits, the number of times your page was visited, call tracking and even footage of what the consumer did while visiting your site. Adspend on digital campaigns can be as minimal as a few thousand Rands per month, allowing smaller business entities to compete with big businesses and even popular brands. 

Social media has amplified brands’ digital messaging endeavours. Social media marketing companies have made a significant splash in recent years, gaining huge revenues for their clients by connecting them with large, previously unexplored customer bases. 

The number one way to socialise in today’s society is through social media. Having an online presence leads to increased customer service; it is an accepted norm for consumers to head to the internet first before they pick up the phone to call in. With online marketing, businesses have the added advantage of socialising with groups or individuals, affording them the opportunity to specifically target their ads. Brands can direct their marketing strategies to specific countries and states. More granular targeting strategies are now available to include demographics like gender, interests, or even the type of device they utilise. These ways of targeting your ads can inform marketing strategies as to how an audience consumes information, and in what direction they should take their campaign. 

Digital marketing is imperative for a brand to remain relevant amidst turbulent socio-political times. It provides a range of opportunities, including increasing brand impact. Any marketing objective is to have potential customers learn about your business, discover your brand and recognise it in the future. A digital presence allows this. By employing targeted advertisements, it increases the chance of sales by showing ads to people who are most interested in your product. 

The internet is “always on”, and by creating relevant and engaging content a brand opens itself up to connecting with, and enticing, current customers as well as making valuable touch points with potential clients. A business needs to create customer relationships in order to drown out the competitors and advertising noise. By engaging with them frequently on social media, one builds trust and more importantly generates brand loyalty. Social media and digital marketing provide the perfect breeding ground for brands to remain visible and generate awareness of business offerings, regardless of the marketing budget. 

Written by Sheri Govender , Junior Account Manager at Condriac Digital Communications

About Condriac
Condriac Digital Communications is a full-service communications agency that specialises in programmatic lead generation, public relations and web development. “We are in the business of bridging the gaps between consumers and brands“.

At Condriac Digital Communications the team will help you ensure that your brand remains engaging and relevant in an ever-evolving digital landscape, shaping your online footprint to meet the needs of an increasingly demanding and digital-savvy clientele.

Condriac follows the data, creating calculated (data informed) content, strategically placed online (social and SEO) supported by targeted digital media to drive new and existing audiences in order to generate predictable and repeatable results. 

For more information click here: http://agency.condriac.com 

Issued by:                 Zaida de Jager - Marketing Manager at Condriac Digital Communications
Email:                       This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Cell:                          083 625 7503

By Miguel Correia, marketing manager of established brand activation, entertainment and event company, The Zinto Marketing Group

The term stokvel originated from local stock fairs in the Eastern Cape in which five to 50 members of colleagues, family and friends pooled resources to trade livestock with English settlers. 

Today, the stokvel acts as a saving society where money is collectively shared in agreed amounts among members belonging to the same shopping basket. A weekly, bi-weekly or monthly contribution makes up a joint investment ‘kitty’ where savings are generated for the benefit of the group. The money is used to pay for everything from burials and celebrations to school fees and groceries.  

This method has a very effective way of ensuring that low-income consumers are getting bang for their buck and that their hard-earned cash is buying them quality and quantity at the best possible price. 

Understanding stokvels

A stokvel can be started by anyone from the community but members are usually carefully selected by invitation and based on honesty, openness and trust. The underlying thread is conviction that all selected members will reinvest their monies once they have received their pay out. The accumulated money/savings are drawn by members in rotation or in time of need. Stokvels can also act as an informal 'banking industry' where members deposit money into a savings brokerage while still being able to take out loans at an affordable interest rate. 

Reaching the stokvel marketThe stokvel market represents a place in which all purchases are made under great scrutiny by opinion leaders who have the buying power and influence to sway the purchasing choices of a larger group of consumers. To get opinion leaders to buy in, marketers need to use (create if necessary) communication channels that respect and incorporate traditional South African thinking and values, reaching consumers on a more personal level.

A method that has proven to be very effective to this segment of the market is experiential marketing and/or brand activation; the consumer’s real experience of a brand, product or service which drives sales and increases brand image and awareness. Gaining a large share of voice through consumer-based outlets in targeted communities can help create a sense that the brand is at the forefront. This is a valuable tool for building brand loyalty and can persuade customers to follow through on an intended purchase.

Stokvel Open Days or Store Parties at wholesalers take place nationwide from September to December each year and are effective ways of reaching thousands of stokvel members. These days are set aside to inform, educate and entertain members in a fun and easy-going manner; sampling opportunities are vast as well as competitions and giveaways which create ‘talkability’ and hype about brands and the companies that manufacture them.

For more information about main market activations visit www.zinto.co.za

Johannesburg, 1 December 2016 – A crowd of hip-hop dancers and performers gathered at Leeuwkop Prison Juvenile Rehabilitation Centre to show their support to young prison inmates. In line with World Aids Day, The Zinto Marketing Group (Zinto) gave an educational talk on practicing safe sex as well as the importance of HIV testing and antiretroviral treatment.  

The outreach programme also seeks to empower the youth as part of a rehabilitation programme aimed at supporting young prisoners while they are serving their sentences. As the initiative is driven by inmates, success relies solely on the contributions and sponsorships received from external parties.  Zinto donated the sound, stage and production for a showcase of talented singers and energetic dancers.

The performances by Self Made Dancers, Floor Rise, Keegan and Twyz encouraged unity among the prisoners. The juvenile prisoner’s choir also delivered a breath-taking rendition of ‘Nomvula’, originally written and performed by singing sensation Nathi Manka.  

The campaign forms part of Zinto’s corporate social investment where they are actively involved in the upliftment of young imprisoned youth by integrating them for a day with ordinary young citizens who make a living through the performing arts and address the issue of social reintegration.

Michelle Combrinck founder of Zinto says, “Zinto is hugely involved in social reintegration through hip-hop dance and performance which encourages young people not to get involved in crime, drug or alcohol abuse but to focus their energy on dance and any other art form as a means of achieving a natural ‘high’”.  

Zinto focuses on youth development by employing many young and upcoming artists, actors, dancers and performers by developing their expertise and experience so that they have the necessary skills and tools to grow themselves into established brands. Through music, dance, the spoken word and industrial theatre many of Zinto’s road shows communicate a message of healthy living and success through the arts.    

The ceremony ended with a candle-lit memorial service in respect of the late Nkosi Johnson who passed away from Aids at a young age in 2001. 

 For more information about Zinto, visit www.zinto.co.za

Out of 153 pupils at Dinoto Technical Secondary School, 100 percent achieved entry to write final examinations. The principal of the school, Mr TJ White gave credit to the hard-working learners and Global Maths, an organisation specialising in assisting learners from disadvantaged communities from Daveyton.  

The principal of the school recently posted a plea for sponsorship, requesting the assistance of local businesses and influential people from the community to help the school host a Grade 12 Farewell in celebration of these learners’ determination to succeed against all odds.  

“Daveyton is a community characterised by hardship where the majority of learners often drop-out before the final year. Challenging life circumstances, such as teenage pregnancy, alcoholism, drug abuse and domestic and gender-based violence and gangsterism coupled with poverty are among the social hardships that these youngsters encounter daily. But the pupils of 2016 have shown that regardless these challenges, striving for greatness and work towards improving their living conditions and future prospects has untold benefits,” said Principal White.    

He extended gratitude to the sponsors who supported and contributed to the success of the event, “If it were not for their generous assistance, donations and sponsorships, the ceremony would not have been possible. Our appreciation goes to Zinto Marketing Group and all the contributors who made the event possible.”  

Zinto provided the platform: sound and staging on the day to create a truly memorable experience with a performance by the schools dance group for the Grade 12 pupils.  

Comments Michelle Combrinck, founder and head of special projects at Zinto, “We wanted to offer our encouragement to these young learners, whom we know education is the tool to changing lives, and is a strong focus of our youth orientated business. Since inception, we have sourced first-time job seekers living in underprovided communities, to bridge the divide to gaining experience while looking for other work opportunities or to provide a springboard to establish their own business. We champion youth who want to become active job seekers and opportunity creators as youth unemployment remains a crisis.”  

For more information about Zinto visit www.zinto.co.za or contact Michelle Combrinck on 011 553 1000