The Confidence Quotient: Why Brands are Betting on Self-Esteem

Confidence is the word on everyone's lips — and brands are listening. Emma Mendes from media update explores the surge in confidence-driven marketing, what drives this trend and how brands can tap into its power to connect authentically with audiences.

Hiring Beyond Borders: The Debate Over Foreign Academics at South African Universities

Parliament's warning to universities over foreign academic hiring has reignited debate in the higher education sector. Venelize de Lange from media update explores how the issue is shaping public narratives.

From GQ to Billboard Africa: A Q&A With Nkosiyati Khumalo

Billboard Africa's Editor-in-Chief, Nkosiyati Khumalo, chats with Venelize de Lange from media update about editorial strategy, audience engagement and fostering talent in African media.

What Startups Get Right (and Wrong) About Marketing: A Q&A With Alex Jukes

Venelize de Lange from media update chats with Alex Jukes about how marketing strategies are evolving alongside culture, the challenges startups face when introducing new technologies and why brands should rethink their reliance on third-party platforms when building audience relationships.

How South African Tourism Is Driving Domestic Travel: A Q&A With Mashoto Mokgethi

Domestic tourism remains key to South Africa's travel economy. Venelize de Lange from media update spoke to Mashoto Mokgethi about travel campaigns, affordability initiatives for South African citizens and how travel trends are measured.

What Your Media Metrics Might Be Missing

Are your metrics telling the full story? Venelize de Lange from media update explores why moving beyond vanity metrics is key to understanding true audience engagement and refining content strategy.

Why Competitor Benchmarking Should Be Part of Every Marketing Strategy

Venelize de Lange from media update explores why competitor benchmarking is essential in the marketing industry and how leveraging competitor insights can help brands strengthen their position in an over-saturated marketplace.

Walmart's SA Expansion Shows Why Retail PR Must Move Beyond Promotions

As Walmart deepens its footprint in South Africa's retail sector, Venelize de Lange from media update considers what this global expansion signals for local PR strategies and earned media storytelling.

Redefining Attention in the Creator Economy: A Q&A With Pieter Geyser — Part Two

Venelize de Lange from media update speaks to Pieter Geyser about creator marketing strategy in South Africa, from procurements growing influence to attention-based pricing and sustainable creator revenue models.

From Customer Complaints to National Headlines: Your Brand Reputation Outlook in 2026

From Checkers chicken controversies to proper criminal raids, Venelize de Lange from media update looks at how digital media news exposes high risk reputational issues for brands, demonstrating the importance of proactive media monitoring.

The South African Freelancer Conundrum: How Much Do I Charge? — A 2026 Update

Venelize de Lange from media update unpacks how South African freelancers can navigate pricing in 2026, by looking at updated benchmarks, common mistakes and practical strategies for setting sustainable rates.

Human Rights Day as a Lesson in Inclusive Marketing

As Human Rights Day approaches, Venelize de Lange from media update explores how inclusive marketing reflects the values of equality and dignity, and why brands that prioritise representation and accessibility are better positioned to build trust and long-term relevance.

Die Papier Promises a Fresh Voice for Afrikaans Readers

The contemporary news ecosystem faces an era where many media outlets are pivoting away from print operations and shifting entirely toward digital platforms. However, Novus Media (part of JSE-listed Novus Holdings) is making a daring statement to reaffirm authority in the perseverance of print media, as considered by media update's Kiara Ferreira and Venelize de Lange.

Putting Confidence in a Bottle: A Q&A With Anisa Ramdass

As confidence marketing gains momentum, media update's Emma Mendes chats with Anisa Ramdass about how leveraging self-assurance in branding, and embedding confidence into every product message, is paving the way for more authentic brand storytelling.

Why "Good News" Still Wins Audiences: A Q&A With Tyler Vivier

Venelize de Lange from media update spoke to Tyler Vivier about the role of positive storytelling and how it holds its place in media.

ChatGPT Enters the Ad Game: Everything Marketers Need to Know

Venelize de Lange from media update breaks down how ChatGPT is introducing advertisements, shifting from search to conversation-led brand discovery, and what this means for marketers and AI-driven marketing strategies.