OPINION

"#AgencyFocus: HDI respositions • Adland’s bland state" - MarkLives

And other top advertising, media and marketing news, analysis and opinion on the website this week, including…

#AgencyFocus: Youth marketing agency comes of age, repositions

by Carey Finn. As major player in the youth marketing sector, HDI Youth Marketeers, enters its 22nd year, the agency is changing tack.

By Invitation Only: Bland strategy — the state of contemporary advertising
by HJ Lombard. In Cannes, everything might appear rosé but, outside the French Riviera, we can see the writing on the wall

Fair Exchange: Tough times for brands — stop the panic

by Erna George. You’ve just lost market leadership, your volume is down 10% and your competitor’s just launched a winning range at a discount… Panic, persevere or prevail?

Adnalysis: Brand strategists, don’t blink
by Bogosi Motshegwa. Things and ways of doing things keep changing all the time, and there’s always a better way. This is true for brand marketing, too.

The Martini Shot: The importance of freeing the bid, SA-style
by Bobby Amm. While our overseas contemporaries are more focused on female directors getting more opportunities, South Africa’s history means the challenge of promoting greater diversity is a lot more complex.

#TheInterlocker: Solving issues • Skills • Advice • Digital PR • BBBEE
by MarkLives. Jessica Yellin, Michelle Cavé, Tanya Kovarsky and Maciek Dubla each share something they believe their PR peers would benefit from reading. Cian Mac Eochaidh also gives some insight into BBBEE.

Regular Reads

Cover Stories: Art Africa, Cabaret Voltaire, Emergence, ESPN & TIME
Shelf Life: Superbalist beauty • More crazy Thingamajigs • RedRock jerseys
SA TV Ratings: SA TV Ratings: e.tv — primetime top 20 for Jun 2018

On the Radar

CT Publicis agencies move to Harrington St
CX agency launched by Megan Power
Media24, HuffPost end SA partnership
eMarketing handbook celebrates decade with 6th edition
#Bestread on MarkLives: 1622 Jul 2018
#Bestread on MarkLives: 915 Jul 2018

Go to MarkLives.com for breaking news, exclusive industry opinioncompany news and jobsOne subscription form, three newsletters: sign up now for the twice-weekly MarkLives newsletter, including Ramify headlines; The Interlocker, our new monthly comms-focused mailer; and/or Brands & Branding, coming soon! Follow MarkLives on TwitterFacebookGoogle+LinkedInPinterest and YouTube. Find an agency that matches your project needs! Ramify.biz — connecting marketers, agencies and service suppliers free of charge in South Africa, Namibia, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda. Free listings and premium profiles available.