Annual ad industry showcase launches

“The advertising industry is part of the communication sector but it is failing to communicate properly among itself and with various stakeholders,” Maggs said.

“That is why we came up with the idea of putting this publication together, where the ad agencies actually showcase their work and tell their stories well enough for everyone to understand.”

First yearly compendium

Titled 2007 The Annual and bearing the SABC-Vuka Sizwe logo at the bottom right corner, the 278-page and white hard-cover book is SA's first yearly compendium of advertising, branding and media.

The publication contains an introduction by Maggs and a series of commentaries from industry bodies such as the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), Association for Communication and Advertising (ACA), Advertising and Media Association of South Africa (AMASA), Marketing Association of South Africa (MASA), The Creative Circle, AAA School of Advertising, Vega Communication School and the SABC.

It also contains SA's ad agencies profiles, media statistics and key media awards for 2007, media owner's profiles (RCP, Comutanet), a comprehensive resume of the industry's awards (Loeries, Pendoring, Market Excellence, Creative Circle), and many more.

Maggs, who edited the publication and declined to say how much the project cost, said that the project has been jointly sponsored by the SABC and Future Publishing, and endorsed by ACA.

“Advances dialogue”

SABC group executive for content enterprises Gab Mampone said: “We are honoured to be a participant in this project. The intervention of this nature advances dialogue and enhances better communication between business partners, stakeholders, audiences and various role players in the media, marketing and advertising sectors.

“Let's continue to find common ground to create dialogue among all the people across these industries in order to fairly help solve matters related to business and development.”

Ten percent from all revenues related to this project will be set aside to fund scholarships in the aim to help train the less unfortunate individuals of the industry, Dr Ivan May of MASA said.

“We can do whatever we feel it is good for the industry, but there must be a serious side of our business.

“We need to think about the less unfortunate of our industry and open our doors to scores of disadvantaged but talented people to learn more about the industry,” May said emotionally.

“We will establish a trust with the purpose of awarding bursaries not only to individuals of the industry but in the wider sphere, and you will definitely help us to identify those individuals.

“Please contribute and support us because we need to share with others,” May pleaded.

For information about the publication, email Marcia Minnaar at .