Africa’s economic reset requires moving from ambition to execution
The Africa Commerce Convergence Summit keynote address identified four elements that must converge if the continent is to achieve a meaningful economic reset.
REMOTE WORKING
Agency SMEs: tools to thrive in a hybrid world
By our News Team | 2021
The world has got used to remote working, but do creative agencies have the best solutions in place to manage it?
If marketing and creative agencies are going to have staff working remotely – with all the benefits that brings – do they have the best solutions in place to expand their own businesses?
In March last year, companies suddenly found that working from home had gone from being a perk to a necessity. And within an average of 11 days (according to consulting firm McKinsey), they’d put new processes and systems in place to make it happen. So, the question becomes whether the solutions adopted in the pandemic will still be fit for purpose afterwards?
Hybrid: Photo by HubSport blog
Remote working at an agency
This situation is particularly challenging for creative agencies, because so much of what they do relies on collaboration within and across teams. This is exacerbated among smaller agencies by the tendency for them to be operating siloed management systems for different areas of activity: project management, collaboration, finances and CRM (customer relationship management), for example.
These are the problems enterprise software company Silversoft aims to address within the agency space. With success in the South African advertising industry, Silversoft has now expanded into the UK.
“A small agency can run on Google Sheets or Excel with an appropriate accounting system. But when that team starts to scale, there is an inherent need for a strong time-tracking solution, and often another separate solution for managing resources. This is often bolstered by further solutions for managing clients, projects, tasks and deliverables,” says Iain Ravenhill, sales director, UK and Europe at Silversoft.
“By the time the agency is 20-plus people [strong], it’s not uncommon to see a myriad of platforms strung together to create visibility of their work.
“If C-level executives now understand that they can trust their staff to work remotely, then we provide them with a platform. This platform helps them maintain control of their business while giving their team the creative latitude to do what they do best in the way that suits them best,” Ravenhill explains.
Source: The Drum
Momentum Group appoints chief marketing and communications officer
Vongani Mageza brings more than 20 years’ experience across financial services and FMCG) companies such as FNB and Diageo.
AI and algorithm-led engagement among the challenges facing marketers
AI agents will influence shopping, algorithms will supersede social connections, and the clip economy will change how brands connect.
Absa bank launches pan-African campaign with athlete Eliud Kipchoge
The brand partnership includes a new TV commercial featuring Kipchoge, digital storytelling, wellness initiatives and community programmes.
How traditional trade is being reimagined, but remains ‘traditional’
Modern retail in Africa is still dwarfed by the traditional trade. Marketers who dismiss this relationship-heavy retail model do so at their peril.
How luxury brands become a source of meaningfulness for employees
Research finds brands don’t just sell products. They can also provide employees with stories through which they feel their work is meaningful
Redefining honesty in a crisis: Why truth alone is not enough
Honesty must be demonstrated through transparency, accountability and action – shaping both reputation and future trust following a crisis.
Lesotho bank’s culturally intelligent campaign beats bigger rivals
In the funeral plan category, where most advertisements look like an obituary, Standard Lesotho Bank opted to ‘sell the cow’, not the policy.
AMC magazine brings latest news and insights for Africa’s marketers
Strategic Marketing for Africa, the publication for deep-thinking African marketing professionals, is not to be missed.
Global study of marketers and agencies is coming to Kenya for first time
CEO of Scopen says the expansion into East Africa is a natural progression following the success of the research in South Africa.
Huge African and Caribbean trade potential can be unlocked, study finds
Report says around 80% of Africa’s annual goods export potential to the Caribbean remains untapped.