Outcry over decision to can Face the Nation
SABC releases show statistics in support of its decision to axe Face the Nation.
Contagious Radar 2026: Key trends set to shape culture and marketing From the rise of nostalgia to the loneliness disconnect and the death of aspiration
Contagious Radar 2026 dives into the key trends shaping UK culture and marketing and how brands can adapt to meet evolving consumer needs. The Contagious Radar 2026 identifies key cultural and technological trends that will impact the marketing industry in the year ahead.
Social media updates and new features to know this week
LinkedIn is rolling out new tools, including an AI interview feature for Hiring Pro. Meta warns EU advertisers of rising costs due to digital service taxes, and X is reworking its verification process after user complaints — with updates also coming to Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and WhatsApp. Here’s what matters most.
Netflix show made in South Africa hits number 1 worldwide — renewed for another season
Netflix released the second season of its live-action adaptation of the beloved One Piece anime on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, most of which was filmed at Cape Town Film Studios in South Africa. According to data from Flix Patrol, the show’s second season has proven highly popular among global audiences.
AI will soon run an entire ad campaign
Advertisers have criticised Google’s ad automation, and now generative AI is taking it further, automating the entire ad supply chain, with a new agentic platform using “neuro-contextual intelligence” to plan and activate media campaigns.
Ivan Moroke joins Ann Nurock at Relationship Audits
Ivan Moroke, a respected marketing leader and strategic advisor, until recently the CEO of Kantar, is joining Ann Nurock as an executive director at Relationship Audits SA.
News media ‘trusted in theory but not in practice’ as agencies and advertisers remain wary of brand safety
The News Alliance surveyed media agencies and advertisers, finding that brand safety concerns are still causing hesitation to include news on media plans, despite research showing advertising on news doesn’t have adverse effects on brands.
South African shoppers prioritise value amid changing purchasing patterns
South Africans are not making fewer purchases overall, but they are making different purchases, such as using smaller baskets, travelling more frequently, and selecting brands more carefully.
Google preparing for AI agents to leave the building
Pinterest said that its report reveals a cultural shift away from perfectionism and reinvention, and toward brands, foods and experiences that enhance self-expression, comfort and positive vibes. As per Pinterest: “People want to feel good about their lives in 2026, not upend them.”
UK programmatic DOOH investment to rise by 41%, study forecasts
This growth outpaces the 32% projected for 2024, signalling rising advertiser confidence. VIOOH’s State of the Nation report shows pDOOH is now firmly mainstream in the UK, appearing in 34% of campaigns over the past 18 months, up from 31% in 2024.