The Media Online

05/11/2025

As South African retailers prepare for the most lucrative period of the year, key insights show that businesses focusing solely on Black Friday and Christmas are missing out on significant revenue opportunities, says The Digital Media Collective's media director, Caleb Shepard.

Preparation for holiday season shopping is key. Speed testing, checkout optimisation, and mobile experience perfection are non-negotiable.

05/11/2025

Black Friday is not merely a shopping event. It is a masterclass in consumer psychology designed to trigger immediate gratification and and override rational decision-making, says Salem Nyati, consumer financial specialist at Momentum Group.

Black Friday is not merely a shopping event. It is a masterclass in consumer psychology designed to trigger immediate gratification.

05/11/2025

Glynt (previously Tractor Outdoor) has acquired loyalty aggregation app Store (my) Cards’. It has also launchd launched Ignis Labs (‘ignis’), a dedicated technology arm designed to drive innovation, data integration and AI capability across its portfolio. Store (my) Cards creator and tech entrepreneur Byron Rode has been appointed CEO and co-founder of ignis.

Glynt has acquired loyalty aggregation app Store (my) Cards'and has also launchd launched Ignis Labs (‘ignis’), a dedicated technology arm.

04/11/2025

One theme comes up time and again when the sustainability of community media is in discussion: government spending on communication, writes associate researcher at Wits Centre for Journalism's Franz Kruger. 'Though there is wide consensus about the issue, there is little knowledge about the actual patterns and dynamics of government communication spending. And there is too little awareness of the potential dangers, as we argue in a new report, Levelling the media playing fields: Lessons from South Africa.'

There is wide consensus about the issue, but little knowledge about the actual patterns and dynamics of government communication spending.

04/11/2025

From scriptwriting to post-production, artificial intelligence is changing every layer of the film and TV production process. For young African storytellers, this isn’t just a disruption; it is a new beginning, says Zenobia Simelane, head of school at Media City Academy in Johannesburg.

AI can accelerate that growth by lowering costs, improving access, and unlocking creative independence for young storytellers.

04/11/2025

Does marketing influence culture, or does it merely borrow from culture? In truth, marketing and culture influence each other in multiple ways, writes Niko Kougioumtzis, strategist at RAPT Creative.

Does marketing influence culture, or does it borrow from culture? In truth, marketing and culture influence each other in multiple ways.

04/11/2025

The Media Online’s weekly column delivering news of award wins, entries, competitions, dates to note and winners in the media.

The Media Online’s weekly column delivering news of award wins, entries, competitions, dates to note and winners in the media.

04/11/2025

THE MEDIA ONLINE NEWSLETTER l 4 November 2025
* Government adspend is a lifeline for community media
One theme comes up time and again when the sustainability of community media is in discussion: government spending on communication, writes associate researcher at Wits Centre for Journalism's Franz Kruger.
* Redefining African storytelling in the age of AI
For young African storytellers, AI isn’t just a disruption; it is a new beginning, says Zenobia Simelane, head of school at Media City Academy in Johannesburg.
* Culture, pop culture and the marketing mirror
Does marketing influence culture, or does it merely borrow from culture? In truth, marketing and culture influence each other in multiple ways, writes Niko Kougioumtzis, strategist at RAPT Creative.
* Awards Wrap: Entries open for Digital Media Awards, meet Good Hope FM Warrior Woman finalists, Mickey Llew wins global search award
The Media Online’s weekly column delivering news of award wins, entries, competitions, dates to note and winners in the media.
* [SPONSORED] Summer is magic
The summer is magic
Summer teases before it arrives and when it does it is not with an empty cooler box! The same approach needs to be adopted when building a campaign, says MediaHeads 360.

Read it here: https://arena.evlink8.net/public/messages/view-online/sBeEcH3k6biQiW5m/E2IkQOwPTtE79WGn/aU6RlFxFNjzKDF5M

03/11/2025

Grab the popcorn, says Cory Treffiletti, as Amazon and The Trade Desk gear up for war while Meta dukes it out with agencies over AI creative.

These ad wars are companies fighting over what they want, but they are ignoring the simple fact that consumers still don’t like ads.

03/11/2025

The question is: can ethical usage even exist if AI is constantly shaping our behaviour and values? Rethabile Molehe gets to grips with a tricky topic.

If anything, real ethics should be built into AI’s architecture, through accountability, transparent design, and value-driven development.

03/11/2025

It has been a traumatic and deadly decade for journalists, and the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists on 2 November is an opportunity to raise global awareness on justice, safety and freedom for our colleagues. Writing for World Association of News Publishers, managing director of the award-winning AJ+ channels, Dima Khatib, writes on the war against journalists in Gaza.

His death turned Al Jazeera’s newsroom into a mourning hall and sent a clear message: journalists in Gaza were now deliberate targets.

03/11/2025

THE MEDIA ONLINE TODAY l 3 November 2025
* Welcome to ad wars 2025
Grab the popcorn, says Cory Treffiletti, as Amazon and The Trade Desk gear up for war while Meta dukes it out with agencies over AI creative.
* Is ethical AI use already impossible?
The question is: can ethical usage even exist if AI is constantly shaping our behaviour and values? Rethabile Molehe gets to grips with a tricky topic.
* Silence is complicity
It has been a traumatic and deadly decade for journalists, and the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists on 2 November is an opportunity to raise global awareness on justice, safety and freedom for our colleagues. Writing for World Association of News Publishers, managing director of the award-winning AJ+ channels, Dima Khatib, writes on the war against journalists in Gaza.

Read the stories on www.themediaonline.co.za