This July and August, the Creative Circle Full Circle 2026, in partnership with Ster-Kinekor, hosts a selection of jury members, as they take the audience inside the jury rooms, through an inspiring showcase of the top trends, insights and award-winning work from Cannes Lions.
A report from the IAB and Guideline found that many marketers view interactive capabilities as crucial to investment in the channel.
E-tv and Openview owner, eMedia, has announced the launch of a free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service, Openview Stream. It said the platform was developed in partnership with RunnTV, the broadcaster’s strategic over-the-top (OTT) and FAST technology partner.
Marketers are struggling to reap the full benefits of their steep investments in measurement, including when it comes to budget decision-making, according to a new report from Ebiquity and the World Federation of Advertisers.
PwC’s latest Entertainment and Media Outlook expects digital to account for 74% of all local ad spend by 2029, with internet advertising reaching R51.7-billion and retail display and paid search among the fastest-growing formats of all, says Caitlin Perry, Head of Marketing, Flow.
eMedia announced a strategic content licensing partnership between its free-to-air broadcaster, E-tv, and American streaming giant Netflix. “The collaboration will see select E-tv original productions made available to Netflix audiences across Africa, extending the reach of local storytelling beyond linear television,” eMedia said.
AI won’t be a panacea in advertising, Digitas North America CEO Amy Lanzi says, comparing the current hype to the rise of programmatic advertising, which failed to fully automate processes. Lanzi says AI could improve workflow and data analysis, but human creativity remains essential for compelling storytelling. “I think the minds and complexity of humans make great stories that you are attracted to,” Lanzi says. “I’m not using the word creative. I’m using stories.
But using hindsight to inform your future plans means better foresight, too. That’s the idea behind Blueprint, a campaign-planning tool built on over a decade of past campaign data. Advertisers can buy an individual platform or brand’s proprietary data off the shelf, but it can be challenging to find a way to “daisy chain them all together.”
Across panellists at this year’s IAB Commerce and Retail Media Summit, more consistency and standardisation is gaining momentum, and industry leaders agree common definitions, metrics and measurement frameworks are essential to build trust. But they’re equally clear: Complete standardisation is unrealistic.
SA’s cinema industry is also adapting. In addition to PLF cinema options, Ster-Kinekor and NuMetro continue to refine their footprints and invest in more tailored experiences, such as luxury-format offerings and children’s cinemas. Independent cinemas are also holding their own, finding creative ways to make the cinema experience memorable. While this has always been a content-driven industry, the environment in which audiences experience movies matters enormously.