UK marketing budgets flatlined in Q4
Total overall marketing budgets in the UK were unchanged in the final quarter of 2025, according to the latest IPA Bellwether Report, and are expected to grow only slightly in the 2026/27 financial year.
#BizTrends2026 | Provantage CEO Jacques du Preez: 5 Key (D)OOH / DOOH trends to watch
Here are five key Out of Home (OOH) and Digital Out of Home (DOOH) trends to watch this year.
Global content spend to grow 2% to $255B in 2026, streaming up 6%
Global streaming spend is forecast to rise 6% to $101bn this year, reaching about 40% of total content spend, according to Ampere Analysis—outpacing overall content growth of 2% to $255bn.
This Week in social media: All the updates you need – 19/01/2026
Hello, social friends! This week’s updates include numerous AI-powered tools for TikTok Shop creators and advertisers. YouTube is also rolling out more features to help creators with audience targeting from a desktop. Let’s take a closer look at how these improvements can steer your social strategy in the right direction.
Surge in South African e-commerce: Top brands drive 47% growth in 2025
According to a recent study be Omnisend, e-commerce orders across all channels in South Africa grew 47% in 2025, but that growth was uneven, with the top 5% of brands generating 44% of total order growth.
How to explain flat traffic when SEO is actually working
AI Overviews are reshaping organic attribution—learn which metrics matter and how to clearly communicate SEO impact to stakeholders. Flat traffic? Don’t worry—flat doesn’t mean failure anymore.
Plans to crack down on podcasts in South Africa
The South African government is considering regulating podcasts as it finalises the Draft White Paper on Audio and Audiovisual Media Services, with Minister Solly Malatsi noting they currently fall outside the Electronic Communications Act.
OpenAI moves on ChatGPT ads with impression-based launch
ChatGPT ads are coming soon, offering advertisers early access to a new impression-based placement inside conversational AI. OpenAI is preparing to launch impression-based ads inside ChatGPT as early as February, marking a faster-than-expected step into advertising.
Outdoor advertising crackdown in South Africa’s richest city
Musah Makhunga, the CEO of the Johannesburg Property Company (JPC), said that unlawful structures are a big problem in the city. He explained that these unlawful structures compromise public safety, disrupt infrastructure, and deprive the City of much-needed revenue.
Heineken Beverages recognised as a Top Employer for 2026 in South Africa and Africa
Heineken Beverages has once again been recognised as a Top Employer for 2026 in South Africa by Top Employers Institute and, for the first time, has achieved Top Employer certification for Africa. The company has remained in the national Top 10 ranking.