You are betraying future generations if you pass this law

Posted on 09. Dec, 2011 by Graham in Avusa Media News

Hundreds of people gathered outside Parliament’s main gates in Cape Town to mark Black Tuesday, for voting on the controversial Protection of State Information Bill through the National Assembly

Almost all those taking part in the Right2Know Campaign protest were dressed in black. Some had sealed their mouths with black tape. Many carried posters.

“Those who vote for the bill are criminals themselves”, “We demand the right to know”, “Black Tuesday” and “Censorship is the New Black” were among the messages held aloft.

Protesters managed to lower the flags to half mast on two of the four poles at the Plein Street entrance to the parliamentary complex before police intervened. The police then sealed off the area below the poles with tape.

Mondli Makhanya, chairman of the SA National Editor’s Forum (Sanef), told the crowd that MPs who voted in favour of the bill were betraying future generations of South Africans.

The House started its sitting at 2pm on Tuesday.

Makhanya warned of civil disobedience against the measure, should it be enacted.

“If need be, there will be people who go to jail because they will have broken an unjust law,” he said.

Later, some protesters started dancing in the road and police closed off part of Plein Street.

Tourists on the open top deck of one of the city’s red tour buses all grabbed their cameras and took pictures as they drove past.

One protester, wearing a Bob Marley T-shirt, said: “One of his first hits was Get Up, Stand Up For Your Rights. That’s why I’m here”.

AMARA 2011 results Recruitment and HR professionals lauded

Posted on 16. Nov, 2011 by Graham in Avusa Media News

Avusa Media Annual Recruitment Awards celebrate backbone of SA’s economy

Monday, 14 November 2011, Cape Town: In honour of the leaders within the recruitment and HR industries who help transform and bolster South Africa’s economy, Avusa Media hosted its second Avusa Media Annual Recruitment Awards (AMARAs) – a formal affair held at Scarlet Ribbon in Stoneridge Mall.

“Recruitment and HR professionals can easily be regarded as the backbone of our local economy,” says Natalie Stephan, Head of Trade Marketing and CRM at Avusa Media. “They help drive the transformation and growth from the ground up – across the length and breadth of South Africa, yet they receive little or no admiration for their part in the greater picture.”

Identifying the lack of recognition recruitment and HR professionals receive from their peers as well as the industries they drive and help mould, during the month of September 2011 Avusa Media called upon the public and industry leaders to nominate both their private and public sector candidates worthy of winning an award in their respective category at the 2011 AMARAs.

“The results gathered from the 2011 AMARAs nominations are testament to the work that has been done to encourage those in recruitment, business and advertising to nominate worthy candidates in each category whilst also promoting the recruitment and HR professions,” adds Stephan. “It’s evident from the nominations received that more and more industry leaders are aware of the impact recruitment and HR professionals have on their businesses.”

The winners announced in the Private sector categories are:

• HR Director of the Year (Private)
  Dr Barney Delport at Nationwide Security Holdings (Pty) Ltd. – SMADA Group
• Recruitment Officer of the Year (Private)
  Ilze Johnston at Anglo American Platinum
• Most Creative Recruitment Advertisement of the Year (Private)
  Ayanda Mbanga Communications for Shoprite
• The winners announced in the Public sector categories are:
  HR Director of the Year (Public)
• Dan Vukela at Department of Environmental Affairs
  HR Officer of the Year (Public)
• Anker van Tonder at Eskom Holdings
  Most Creative Recruitment Advertisment of the Year (Public)

Human Communications for National Treasury
Nominations for the Recruitment Advertising Agency of the Year and Recruitment Solutions Agency of the Year awards were open across both the Private and Public sector and saw Ayanda Mbanga Communications and DAV Professional Placement Group trumping the competition respectively.

Last but not least was undoubtedly one of the most deserved wins on the night – that of the Publisher’s Award which went to recruitment stalwart Paul Brand of The Niche Agency in Johannesburg.

“Paul is one of the leading recruitment professionals the industry itself has had the honour of recruiting,” explains Enver Groenewald, general manager of Advertising Revenue and Strategic Communications at Avusa Media. “Besides his outstanding reputation within the industry, Paul also seamlessly demonstrates what true dedication and passion for one’s profession really looks like.”

The full list of winners – listed in order of first, second and third place – follows:

HR Director of the Year (Private)

1. Dr Barney Delport at Nationwide Security Holdings (PTY) LTD – SMADA Group
2. Robert Goff at Sanlam
3. Philip Grobler at Deloitte & Touche

Recruitment Officer of the Year (Private)

1. Ilze Johnston at Anglo American Platinum
2. Belinda Coetzee at DAV Professional Placement Group
3. Shantal Singh at Clientèle Life

Most Creative Recruitment Advertisement of the Year (Private)

1. Ayanda Mbanga Communications for Shoprite
2. Human Communications for BIC
3. Human Communications for Lonmin

HR Director of the Year (Public)

1. Dan Vukela at the Department of Environmental Affairs
2. Anton Grobler at the University of South Africa
3. Njabulo Mashigo at the National Treasury

HR Officer of the Year (Public)

1. Anker van Tonder at Eskom Holdings
2. Chuene Nong at Limpopo Department of Agriculture
3. Shirley Tjiane at Land Bank

Most Creative Recruitment Advertisement of the Year (Public)

1. Human Communications for the National Treasury
2. he Working Earth for Denel
3. Gear Advertising for University of Zululand

Recruitment Advertising Agency of the Year

1. Ayanda Mbanga Communications
2. Human Communications
3. Strategy Recruitment Marketing

Recruitment Solutions Agency of the Year

1. DAV Professional Placement Group
2. Morvest Human Capital Management
3. HMD Staffing Services

Publisher’s Award
Paul Brand at The Niche Agency

Avusa Media LIVE received accolades from its peers in the digital world.

Posted on 16. Nov, 2011 by Graham in Avusa Media News

The annual Bookmarks Awards took place in Cape Town on Thursday, 10 November.

In the Product Awards category, which covers all forms of digital marketing and user experience, Times LIVE came home with a bronze Bookmark for Publisher: Mass Appeal. No Gold Bookmarks were awarded in these categories.
Times LIVE’s’ sister website Sowetan LIVE got bronze in the Editorial craft award section.

Avusa Media LIVE was nominated for “Best editorial team” along with News24 and Daily Maverick. There was no winner in this category.
The Bookmarks Awards “recognise the very best in Digital – the pioneers, the change-agents, the ones that make a difference and raise the industry standard.”
These awards focus on measurability and performance – “so really it’s our readers we have to thank. Without you we wouldn’t have done it.”

SHOPRITE TAKES TOP HONOUR: 2011 The Times Sowetan Retail Awards announces SA’s top retailers

Posted on 14. Oct, 2011 by Graham in Avusa Media News, Headlines and Opinions

Now in its fourth year, the 2011 The Times Sowetan Retail Awards celebrate the distinctive mark South African retailers make on the local landscape. The ceremony, which took place on Thursday, 13 October 2011 at Shine Studios in Braamfontein, was a showcase of not only South Africa’s retail top brass but also a who’s who of TV and radio personalities, musicians and actors.

Echoing the ceremony’s theme – Retailers on Display – Shine Studios was transformed into a virtual retail experience, which included live mannequins, bold splashes of colour, shop front window displays and even custom-made merchandise designed for the event.

Overseeing the ceremony, Enver Groenewald, general manager of Advertising Revenue and Strategic Communications at Avusa Media, presented awards to big-name brands in categories representing the length and breadth of South African retail outlets, including those in Household Appliances, Supermarkets and Hypermarkets, Furniture, Telecoms, Jewellery, Wholesalers and Sit-Down Family Restaurants, to name only a few of the 20 categories awarded on the evening.

The annual survey, commissioned by Avusa Media and conducted by TNS Research Surveys, showcases results compiled from around 4 000 responses by local respondents and reveals which brands score the highest in the categories:

-       Brand familiarity

-       User brand experience and/or non-user brand perception

-       Brand presence and/or size

The coveted Grand Prix Award for Top Retailer in South Africa was awarded to Shoprite, the 2010 winner of the same award and a brand that has consistently landed itself within the top three in this category: a testament to the brand’s innovative brand campaigns.

Shoprite scooped one more award for Supermarket and Hypermarket of the year after rating very high with regards to overall customer experience. Simply put, the brand with the slogan lower prices you can trust, always remains ever-conscious of the economic strains faced by South African consumers and is passionate about delivering quality fast moving consumer goods as well as customer experience and remaining loyal to its customers, and it shows.

“Consumers are beginning to emerge from the effects of the recession looking at a more active shopping consideration set,” adds Neil Higgs, senior advisor and head of innovation at TNS Research Surveys. “The recession itself may have made people more enquiring and willing to try different outlets in search of best prices as well as better selections, and has acted as a mass disruption event for many people, shaking their previous habits.”

Game took home the top Household Appliances award, Makro was once again rewarded with the Wholesalers of the Year award; and Woolworths took the top Home Accessories and Décor award; scoring very high in terms of non-user brand perception and was cited by respondents as a highly aspirational brand. In the same category, Boardmans took second place, followed by a tie third place win for Edgars and Mr Price Home.

One of the most hotly contested categories, the Telecoms Stores award went to MTN Store, thereafter Nokia Care and Vodashop.

Holding on to its first place position, which it had held for three consecutive years, Clicks was followed by Dischem in second and Red Square in third place in the Health and Beauty category.

No retail awards ceremony would be complete without honours being bestowed on the top names that ensure South Africans are never far behind the latest local and international fashion trends. Woolworths repeated its 2009 win, taking an award for top Women’s Clothing, with Edgars and Truworths taking second and third place respectively.

The Men’s Clothing award went to Edgars, followed by Woolworths in second and Truworths in third place.

In the Shoes category, Spitz was awarded first prize, and Totalsports took podium position in the Sport Apparel and Equipment category.

Adding to their awards, Woolworths also took top honours for Children’s and Baby’s Clothing as well as placing third in the Retail Grand Prix award category.

“Retailers are not only the backbone of our consumer-driven society but are also the source of countless jobs in our economy,” says Natalie Stephan, Head of Trade Marketing and CRM, Avusa Media. “A ceremony such as the 2011 The Times Sowetan Retail Awards offers Avusa Media with the perfect opportunity to honour the brands that are a part of all our lives in one way or another. It’s most importantly an evening of celebration: for winners and nominees alike.”

The full list of results and winning brands (listed in order of first, second and third place):

-       Household Appliances

• Game
• Hi-Fi Corporation
• Clicks

-       Home Accessories and Décor

• Woolworths
• Boardmans
• Edgars and Mr Price Home (tie for third place)

-       Supermarket and Hypermarket

• Shoprite
• Pick n Pay (Supermarket/Hypermarket/Family Store)
• Spar/KwikSpar/Super Spar

-       Wholesaler

• Makro
• Trade Centre
• Rhino Cash & Carry

-       Liquor

• Tops at Spar
• Trade Centre Liquor
• Makro Liquor

-       Family Sit-Down Restaurant

• Spur
• Wimpy
• News Café

-       Furniture

• Geen & Richards
• Morkels
• House & Home

-       Jewellery

• Sterns
• American Swiss
• Galaxy & Co.

-       Electronic, Computer and Gadget Category

• Game
• Makro
• Hi-Fi Corporation

-       Tyre and Auto Fitment Centres

• Tiger Wheel and Tyre
• Dunlop Accredited Dealers
• Conti Partner

-       Entertainment Category

• Musica
• Game
• Makro

-       Hardware and Building

• Cashbuild
• Builders Warehouse
• Build It

-       Telecoms

• MTN Store
• Nokia Care
• Vodashop

-       Health and Beauty

• Clicks/Clicks Plus
• Dischem
• Red Square

-       Sport Apparel and Equipment

• Totalsports
• Nike Store
• Reebok Store

-       Shoes

• Spitz
• Green Cross
• Nine West

-       Children’s and Baby’s Clothing

• Woolworths
• Edgars
• Ackermans

-       Men’s Clothing

• Edgars
• Woolworths
• Truworths

-       Women’s Clothing

• Woolworths
• Edgars
• Truworths

-       Gauteng Shopping Mall

• Maponya Mall
• Eastgate Shopping Centre
• Sandton City

-       Retail Grand Prix Award

• Shoprite
• Pick n Pay
• Woolworths

AVUSA Media Shines at Regional Journalism Awards.

Posted on 14. Oct, 2011 by Graham in Avusa Media News

28 September 2011. One of the country’s most powerful men is in hot water and faces being suspended over a property scandal that rocked South Africa, following a painstaking investigation by two investigative journalists.

Now the work of Sunday Times reporters Stephan Hofstatter and Mzilikazi Wa Afrika has been recognised, with both winning a Vodacom Regional Journalism Award for a hard hitting exposé of police chief Bheki Cele’s lease deals worth R1.7 billion. The story led to an investigation by the Public Protector and a board of inquiry by police top brass.

With the final regional winners of the 2011 Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards now announced, Avusa Media’s photographic and journalist talents have again emerged victorious, as its staff and titles continue to set the South African news agenda. The media group garnered a number of awards across all the categories — scooping coveted accolades within photography, general news, features, online journalism and specialist news divisions.

The Bheki Cele police rental deal report in the Sunday Times took top honours in the General News Winner (Print) category for the Northern/Southern region.

Avusa’s Eastern Cape stable also excelled in the Eastern Region awards, as The Herald received awards in five categories and the Daily Dispatch four; while Devi Sankaree Govender (Sunday Times Extra) took top honours in the Kwazulu-Natal region.

Commenting on the successes enjoyed by Avusa journalists, Avusa Media editor-in-chief Mondli Makhanya said: “A newspaper or magazine really is a reflection of the staff behind it; from superior investigative work from journalists, to the quality of imagery from our photographers, and the many talented people within sub-editing, layout, administration and sales.”

“We are always pleased to have our staff recognised for their contributions and look forward to further accolades for the teams; as we await the outcome of the National Awards Ceremony later this year.”

Portia Maurice, Chief Officer, Corporate Affairs at Vodacom said: “From the feature stories to the exposés, this year’s entries really reflected the changing fabric of South African society and the range of social challenges we have to confront as a society – from identity fraud, service delivery, HIV and Aids to corruption.”

The National Awards ceremony for the 2011 Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards will take place in Johannesburg in November.

AMARA Call for Entries

Posted on 08. Sep, 2011 by Graham in Avusa Media News

Avusa Media recognises the need to identify and celebrate leaders within the recruitment and HR industries – those who help drive transformation and bolster the growth of organisations across the length and breadth of South Africa.

Heeding this call, nominations for the second 2011 Avusa Media Annual Recruitment Awards (AMARAs) open online from Monday, 29 August 2011 to Friday, 7 October 2011.

Submitting individual nominations via www.amara2011.co.za – for both public and private sector recruitment professionals and agencies – is quick and simple.

For private sector nominations, the categories are:

• HR Director of the Year
• Recruitment Officer of the Year
• Most Creative Recruitment Advertisement of the Year

In the public sector, the categories are:

• HR Director of the Year
• HR Officer of the Year
• Most Creative Recruitment Advertisement of the Year

Categories that fall under both sectors are:

• Recruitment Advertising Agency of the Year
• Recruitment Solutions Agency of the Year

Enver Groenewald, general manager of Advertising Revenue and Strategic Communications at Avusa Media, explains the split: “In 2010 it was understood that recruitment agencies as well as advertising agencies are not partisan to either the private or the public sector; equally supporting both sectors. It was thus decided to create separate categories for individual leaders in each sector; leaving the playing fields open for the agencies to battle it out or for top spot within their categories.”

“Encouraging those in recruitment, business and advertising to nominate worthy candidates in each category promotes not only a positive awareness of the profession but also positively develops the recruitment and HR professions,” says Natalie Stephan, Head of Trade Marketing and CRM at Avusa Media.

Expanding on the original Sunday Times and The Times Career Awards, which ran for over 25 years, the growing need to recognise the leaders within recruitment was identified. “Recruitment is the backbone of any industry yet it is in itself an industry not sufficiently honoured, which is why the AMARAs were born in 2010,” adds Stephan.

A judging panel made up of top recruitment professionals will assess each submission and select overall winners. Results will be announced during the month of November at a gala event to be held in Johannesburg.

For more category information, judging criteria, entry information as well as nomination terms and conditions, visit www.amara2011.co.za or contact Mandy Phiri, on 011 280 3256 or PhiriM@avusa.co.za

Find out more about The Times | Sowetan 2011 Retail Awards

Posted on 08. Sep, 2011 by Graham in Avusa Media News

These awards were established by Avusa Media daily newspaper brands ‘The Times’ and ‘Sowetan’ in 2008 to recognise innovation and growth within the retail sector and to offer retailers insight via the independently conducted research from the consumers as to where and why they ranked as favourite retail Brands.

Now in its 4^th year, The Times Sowetan Retail Research is again conducted by TNS Research Surveys. This is the foremost body of research on how retailers have fared in this economic climate, based on an independent study of consumer ratings.

The research is conducted on a national level, in the metropolitan and non-metropolitan regions of South Africa. Each year the survey is refined to ensure it remains relevant.  In 2011 TNS SA spoke to 3 500 people to paint a representative view of people’s opinions about 20 retail categories including groceries, clothing and lifestyle accessories based on brand familiarity, brand user experience and brand presence or size. The Retail Grand Prix is awarded to the overall top scoring retailer in the survey.

Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony that has become a signature annual industry event. This year the theme of the event held in Johannesburg is ‘Retailers on Display’ and it will showcase the favourite retail brands at the breathtaking Shine studios in October.

Avusa Media will be publishing the results in its premier 2011 Retail supplement on Friday, 14^th October in The Times and Sowetan and on Sunday, 16^th October 2011 in the Sunday Times. The supplement also affords retailers an ideal opportunity to display their brands with only the best in the industry as voted by consumers.

Anyone interested in advertising in the 2011 Retail Awards Supplement can contact:

Marc Middlecote

Chief Sales Officer – Retail

Direct Tel: 011 280 3609   /   Cellphone: 083 299 7514

OR

Nadeem Joshua

Chief Sales Officer – Retail

Direct Tel: 011 280 3266  / Cellphone: 082 458 7228

All for one and one for all

Posted on 22. Aug, 2011 by Graham in Avusa Media News

As part of an ongoing drive to offer clients better service and more choice, Avusa Media has combined the administration, sales and marketing units of its newspaper offerings with that of its magazine brands.

With increased transparency across various titles, Avusa Media is now able to offer advertisers a broader scope of placement opportunities and a more holistic view of possible advertising options.

Avusa Media’s newspaper stable includes Sunday Times, The Times, Sowetan, Sunday World, The Herald, Saturday and Daily Dispatch, Avusa Media Community Newspapers and Weekend Post.

Its magazine titles consist of ELLE, ELLE Decoration, Stuff, SA Home Owner and Avocado.

ELLE With 42 editions worldwide, ELLE is the world’s biggest selling fashion magazine which boasts 21 million readers. Now 15 years in South Africa, it is the only dedicated fashion and beauty magazine in the country. ELLE is sexy, stylish and spirited. It attracts the best brands, is read by the market with the most potential, and is the most definitive guide on fashion and a fashionable lifestyle.
ELLE Decoration South Africa Twenty-five editions of ELLE Decoration South Africa have been published and distributed across six continents. With a readership of 8.9 million, it is considered the world’s best-selling homes magazine. It is also touted as the only interiors magazine with a fashion heritage and a truly global perspective. Published eight times a year (every six weeks) by Avusa Media Ltd under licence to Hachette Filipacchi Medias Group, DECO showcases the best of South African design to a broad international audience .
Stuff Stuff is the world’s leading gadget magazine, the best source of information about technology for every aspect of life – leisure, work, sport, fashion – and how it fits into the reader’s life. Stuff is about the excitement of shopping, the joy of finding the best deal and the thrill of opening the box. It makes information available in a format suitable for beginners and absolute tech enthusiasts alike.
SA Home Owner SA Home Owner is one of South Africa’s leading local home, décor and lifestyle magazines. It is an aspirational coffee table-quality guide to everything related to home and décor in South Africa, from architecture and interior design to construction, gardening and lifestyle.
Avocado Avocado is an all-in one guide to fabulous food, fine wine and fun entertaining for anyone and everyone who loves food. Its editorial content comprises a lip-smacking collection of information that includes well-planned food and beverage recipes, foodie news, restaurant and beverage reviews, food lovers’ travel, entertaining, the hottest cooking gadgets and appliances, kitchen trends, and much more. Avocado/Avokado is available in both English and Afrikaans.

To find out more about or advertise in any of these leading magazines, contact

•             ELLE: Annicia Manyaapelo – manyaapeloa@avusa.co.za

•             Stuff: Priscilla Thompson – thompsonp@avusa.co.za

•             SA Home Owner or ELLE Decoration: Robyn Lambert – lambertr@avusa.co.za

•             Avocado: Kugandrie Moodley – moodleyku@avusa.co.za

2011 Work in Life survey

Posted on 07. Jul, 2011 by Graham in Avusa Media News

According to the 2011 Work In Life Survey, there has been an 18.9% increase in the number of despondent job seekers – highlighting the dire need to address unemployment and assist South Africans in the job seeking process.

The 2011 Work in Life Survey, which presents recruiters as well as marketers with important insight into the mindset of the SA working sector, is conducted as an in-paper questionnaire in the Business Times, The Times, The Herald, Sowetan, Daily Dispatch, Weekend Post and Sunday World, and as an online questionnaire posted on websites such as the job portal CareerJunction.

With the express aim of unpacking the survey results – as well as extending assistance to the South African private and public sectors, as well as recruitment and human resources professionals at the coal face – Avusa Media recently hosted breakfasts in Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg.

The results, presented by Avusa Media Market Research Manager, Lynette Benjamin and Senior Market Research Strategist and Composer, Hendrik van Blerk, include the following pertinent findings:

• The latest statistics show that the level of employment has levelled off between 13 and 13.1 million, down 6.5% from the approximate 14 million employed at the end of 2008¹. Similarly, 25% of the South African labour force remains unemployed, with the highest rates registered in Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape, and the lowest in Limpopo¹.
• Approximately 114 000 new job seekers entered the market between the end of the fourth quarter of 2010 and the first quarter 2011¹, and the number of despondent job seekers has increased by 18.9% over the last year to 2.2 million¹.
• At 82%, the recruitment pages in newspapers are still the most popular resource when looking for employment – The Sunday Times Careers supplement continuing to dominate the arena.
• The Internet continues its upward trend with 7 in 10 job seekers utilising it to search for jobs. CareerJunction leads this space, followed by Careers24. Social media platforms were measured for the first time this year and results indicated that 17% of respondents have used it to look for a job.
• The use of technology in the recruitment process is also increasing. Almost 80% say they don’t mind applying for jobs online, while two thirds prefer responding to job ads by means of email.
• Political and racial issues are still seen as being highly influential in the job market, with 70% seeing racism as a major factor. Fifty six percent of respondents believe BEE candidates receive preferential consideration for positions and 46% believe they get better remuneration and benefits.
• Respondents to the 2011 Work In Life Survey strongly indicated they want to see a synergy in thinking between the people of South Africa and the government with regards to job creation and decreasing unemployment.
• Echoing these sentiments, and as highlighted in President Jacob Zuma’s 2011 State of the Nation Address, the government’s mandate to create more jobs outlines various plans and economic policies, which promise to increase job creation in South Africa, with billions of Rands set aside to aid industrial development and job-creation initiatives. Government has also made a call to all South Africans to investigate how they can assist in creating job opportunities not only for themselves but for others, and continues to focus its energies on the issue of job creation to ensure that it meets the employment needs of all South Africans.

Equipped with the data provided by the 2011 Work In Life Survey, recruiters, head-hunters and marketers are able to stay one step ahead when facilitating the national effort to drive employment and recruitment. By better understanding job seekers’ habits and preferences, the national effort to drive and grow employment and recruitment in South Africa makes generating results and job placement a far less daunting task.

Sunday Times Generation Next 2011 Awards

Posted on 07. Jun, 2011 by Graham in Avusa Media News

See full list of winners below this article

Kyalami’s Theatre on the Track was host to the much anticipated seventh annual Sunday Times Generation Next 2011 Brand Survey Awards ceremony. The event, which took place on 24 May 2011, was a star-studded affair with the likes of Menzi Ngubane, star of local soapie Generations; hip hop celebrity Kwesta; and the much-loved DJ Cleo in attendance.

The venue was transformed into a gamer’s paradise with all manner of games and toys from modern times to those from yesteryear available for young and old to indulge in.

It wasn’t all fun and games though with the top brass of local as well as international brands – such as Blackberry, Coca-Cola and MTN – anxiously awaiting the results from this year’s youth survey.

The survey – a veritable font of knowledge for those looking to maintain their finger on the pulse of the local youth market (between the ages of 8 and 22) – revealed that today’s youth – dubbed Generation Y – has literally modified the Facebook ‘like’ function for use in everyday life.

With more technology at its fingertips, Generation Y – more so than any generation before it – has its young urbanites passionately broadcasting its opinions and views across all manner of issues and topics by means of social media platforms.

“Any brand looking to strategically break through into the youth market first and foremost needs to know what the youth ‘likes’,” says General Manager of Advertising Revenue and Strategic Communications at theSunday Times, Enver Groenewald. “As the buying force of tomorrow, youth need to be much more validated as consumers: they have the potential to make or break a product or service,”

Thus the newly-generated term: ‘like-a-nomics’.

Amongst various trends, the survey points to a prominent year-on-year increase in tech consumption amongst the youth, and although a given for some it does, however, denote this particular market’s preference for products and services that are simultaneously functional, multi-purposeful and affordable.

For this reason, the Blackberry smart phone – with its widespread appeal – has gained enough clout in the eyes of Generation Y to scoop this year’s Coolest Brand Overall title.

Citing Blackberry Messaging (BBM) as one of the primary reasons for naming the Blackberry the ‘coolest’ brand is a first for HDI Youth Marketeers, which annually conducts and consolidates the urban youth market research. The Blackberry also took top honours in the ‘Coolest’ Cell Phone and ‘Coolest’ High-Tech Gadget categories.

Repeat winners include ABSA as the ‘Coolest’ Bank, Pick n Pay as the ‘Coolest’ Grocery Store and 5FM as the ‘Coolest’ Radio Station. Newcomers in the top five rankings include Jay Jays, Avon, 8.ta and Top Gear in their respective categories.

Additional insights from the study show how young urbanites consume media and how media influences their broader lifestyle habits.

Living in what can be described as brand-cluttered environment; young urbanites have acquired the capacity to dismiss branded content that doesn’t appeal to them immediately. They tend to consume bite-sized portions of information as opposed to copy-heavy content.

Also, these Millennial consumers might not yet be able to drive a car, but they’re almost certainly convinced they can take control of their media experience and marketers are ill-advised to connect with them in a way that undermines this.

Relevance is also very much top of the list, with the youth unequivocally demanding that in order for brands to entice them they need to really know them.

Today more than ever in the history of consumerism, consumers – irrespective of age – are more empowered and equipped to instantly make their opinions heard by their peers.

Click here to view photos from this event