How generative AI’s role will evolve in 2025 as marketers probe its utility
Following a year of backlash to AI-generated ads, marketers are calling attention to back-of-house functions that are results-focused — and less subject to outcry.
Meta’s Threads will soon roll out ads
On Friday, Instagram head Adam Mosseri announced that Meta is beginning a “limited, early test of ads†in the microblogging social-media platform, with “a small number of advertisers†and users in select regions.
Newspaper readers make good podcast listeners, study finds
A new study has found a correlation between newspaper readership and podcast consumption. Adults who have listened to podcasts in the past day as the study was being conducted showed a general market index of 100, according to The Media Audit.
Microsoft is in talks to acquire TikTok, Trump claims
Donald Trump has suggested that Microsoft is in talks to acquire TikTok and that he would like to see a bidding war over the app. When asked if Microsoft was in talks to buy the app, the US president said “I would say yesâ€, adding “A lot of interest in TikTok.
Nielsen to end panel-only ratings that have measured TV for decades
The dominant ratings provider hopes to fend off competitors by pivoting to a bundle that combines its consumer panels with data from smart TV makers and other digital sources.
How DeepSeek did it (by DeepSeek)
The new Chinese AI platform outsmarted billion-dollar giants with just $5.6-million by focusing on strategic innovation, lean operations, and customer-centric solutions, writes DEEPSEEK itself.
Food inflation remains at record low despite slight uptick to 1.7% in December 2024
South Africa’s headline inflation increased to 3% year-on-year in December 2024, slightly above expectations, with a minimal monthly rise of 0.1%. This brought the overall inflation rate for 2024 to 4.4%, down from 5.9% in 2023 and marking the lowest level since 2020.
PWC: Key macro themes and scenarios for 2025
South Africa Economic Outlook January 2025. Ten key messages from this report.
CTIA sees record 3 million international passengers in 2024
Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) has achieved a record-breaking 3 million two-way international passengers in 2024, marking a 10% increase from the previous year.
SABC TV Licence levy for cellphones proposed
The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is on the brink of financial disaster, and controversial solutions have been proposed to transform its funding model and save it from collapse.