"A quick guide to successful pitching; packaging trends for 2015" - MarkLives - OPINION

Interview: A quick guide to successful pitching

by Herman Manson. Johanna McDowell, the MD of the Independent Agency Search and Selection Company (IAS), has a storied career in South African advertising. We caught up with her to ask about the secrets to successful pitching, managing client chemistry sessions, how important awards are to winning business and why using pitch consultancies doesn't mean marketers are abdicating their responsibilities.

Packaging, product, design & food trends for 2015

by Louise Marsland. New packaging, product, design and food trends in the FMCG market for 2015 will revolve around consumer demand for fortified foods; packaging that provides functionality; and ethical product sourcing and manufacture.

Dissident Spin Doctor: Seven things I learnt in 2014

by Emma King. The previous year was a big one for me. I made the jump and started my own business - and, of course, with such a massive change, came massive learnings. So, without being deadly serious, here are some of the things that I learnt in 2014

Ad of the Week: Takealot of this DIY Christmas Special with Suzelle

by Oresti Patricios. Suzelle DIY is a "Bitesized Do-It-Yourself Webseries" conceived by filmmaker and animator Ari Kruger and illustrator/designer Julia Anastasopoulos. In December 2014, online retailer Takealot.com used the holiday season and four episodes to promote the brand, as well as its wish list feature- and I think it's a very clever association.

2014 Big Reads on MarkLives:

• The creative work you made time to read about in 2014

• The 10 best-read marketing stories of 2014

• The 10 best-read adland stories of 2014

• The 10 best-read tech stories of 2014

• The 10 best-read media stories of 2014

Regular reads:

• #AdoftheYear with Oresti Patricios: Best South African Ad of 2014 - #getmeto21

• Shelf Life with Louise Marsland: Best product, packaging & design launches of 2014

• #MagLoveTop10 with MediaSlut:

• Best international magazine covers of 2014

• Worst magazine covers of 2014