Dentsu SSA doubles down on business transformation with key appointments

In an era where 80% of senior leadership teams lack alignment on digital strategy, dentsu sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is doubling down on its 'Growth Transformation' mission. We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Ansa Leighton-Buys and Matthew Landon to our Business Transformation (BX SSA) division.

Mobile-first shopping dominates as SA’s e-commerce surges

As South Africa’s e-commerce landscape continues to mature, 2026 is shaping up to be a year defined by keener value expectations, mobile-first behaviour and experience-led shopping.

The agentic shopper is running the cart. Can you keep up?

Southeast Asia’s eCommerce economy is booming, but cart abandonment remains a major challenge. Despite the region’s internet economy nearing US$330 billion by 2025, Asia Pacific records some of the world’s highest abandonment rates at 75%–87%, well above the global average of 70%.

This Week in social media: All the updates you need – 02/02/2026

Welcome to a new week of social updates. LinkedIn is providing more ways for users to show their AI literacy and skills with a verified identifier. This could boost employment options and help legitimize any upskilling or training you’ve been working on. Let’s take a deeper look and see what else has improved.

Caxton Media: The 5 trends shaping SA media in 2026

Trends covered - Let’s get phygital/ Treatonomics hit the sweet spot/ Connectioneering turns ‘mehs’ into must haves/ First-party flex: get to know your customers IRL/ Cultural intelligence – the new brand currency.

How Pepsi is taking the fight to Coca-Cola at the Super Bowl and beyond

The marketer is continuing a revived Pepsi Challenge around its Pepsi Zero Sugar brand, and its big game ad features an icon from Coke’s advertising.

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Media Loop is your one-stop shop for staying informed in the ever-evolving South African media and marketing landscape. We provide news, analysis, and insights for industry professionals, keeping you up-to-date on the latest trends, awards, and key players shaping the market. Our aim is to be your trusted partner in navigating this dynamic space, offering valuable resources and fostering connections within the South African media and marketing community.

LOCAL MEDIA NEWS

Dentsu SSA doubles down on business transformation with key appointments
February 9, 2026
In an era where 80% of senior leadership teams lack alignment on digital strategy, dentsu sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is doubling down on its 'Growth Transformation' mission. We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Ansa Leighton-Buys and Matthew Landon to our Business Transformation (BX SSA) division.
Bizcommunity
Mobile-first shopping dominates as SA’s e-commerce surges
February 9, 2026
As South Africa’s e-commerce landscape continues to mature, 2026 is shaping up to be a year defined by keener value expectations, mobile-first behaviour and experience-led shopping.
Bizcommunity
The agentic shopper is running the cart. Can you keep up?
February 9, 2026
Southeast Asia’s eCommerce economy is booming, but cart abandonment remains a major challenge. Despite the region’s internet economy nearing US$330 billion by 2025, Asia Pacific records some of the world’s highest abandonment rates at 75%–87%, well above the global average of 70%.
Marketing Interactive
This Week in social media: All the updates you need – 02/02/2026
February 9, 2026
Welcome to a new week of social updates. LinkedIn is providing more ways for users to show their AI literacy and skills with a verified identifier. This could boost employment options and help legitimize any upskilling or training you’ve been working on. Let’s take a deeper look and see what else has improved.
PR Daily
Caxton Media: The 5 trends shaping SA media in 2026
February 9, 2026
Trends covered - Let’s get phygital/ Treatonomics hit the sweet spot/ Connectioneering turns ‘mehs’ into must haves/ First-party flex: get to know your customers IRL/ Cultural intelligence – the new brand currency.
Bizcommunity
How Pepsi is taking the fight to Coca-Cola at the Super Bowl and beyond
February 9, 2026
The marketer is continuing a revived Pepsi Challenge around its Pepsi Zero Sugar brand, and its big game ad features an icon from Coke’s advertising.
Marketing Dive
AI, zero-rating drive SABC Plus platform expansion
February 9, 2026
The SABC is stepping up its digital strategy with SABC Plus, introducing artificial intelligence (AI), gamification and expanding zero-rated content across the streaming platform. This is in an effort to make public broadcasting more accessible, engaging and inclusive, it says.
IT Web
A reckoning looms for influencer marketing in 2026 – report
February 9, 2026
The findings from the SAMY Marketing Trends 2026 report, reveal that investment is rising in the channel but with a clear caveat from the C-suite – demonstrate clearer performance, integration and return on investment.
Media Shotz
Survey results show SA consumers prioritise self-care and personal confidence over fashion trends
February 9, 2026
84% of South Africans use fashion and personal care to boost confidence and well-being, not vanity — KLA/YouGov survey.
Bizcommunity
Fine Music Radio sharpens focus with revised line-up
February 9, 2026
"Our purpose is clear: to champion jazz and classical music in a way that is relevant and sustainable. This line-up allows us to focus our resources, strengthen consistency on-air and create space for future growth, while remaining true to FMR's identity."
Media Update
GenAI ads perform as well or better than those made by people
February 9, 2026
Despite the fear that AI-generated ads will sacrifice quality for speed, a new study has found that advertising made with the technology can match the performance of ads created by people and, in some cases, even better it.
Warc
TikTok and Instagram ban in South Africa examined
February 9, 2026
Digital Law Company founder and CEO Emma Sadleir says a ban on social media use by young South Africans would be a good idea, but she doesn’t believe it would be effective. Sadleir stated that unless South Africa gets brave enough to block such platforms from operating locally unless they comply, no such ban would be effective. “That’s the only big stick we’ve got.
MyBroadband
ROI alone – no longer a sufficient measurement metric
February 9, 2026
Return on investment (ROI) alone cannot provide adequate support to guide media investment decisions. Marketers need more as artificial intelligence gets complicated, and analysing data happens in real time, according to data released today.
MediaPost
Publicis pulls clear – strong Q4, rising dividends, but analysts warn not to read this as an industry recovery
February 9, 2026
Publicis isn’t just growing faster than the rest of the global ad holding companies; it may also be redrafting the rules of what a scaled agency model looks like in an AI-first market.
Mi3
Trust in TV grew faster over past four years than any other medium, research reveals
February 9, 2026
In a world of deepfakes, bots and post-truth politics, it’s not surprising that consumers are seeking shelter in trusted environments where accuracy is everything, and facts are back in fashion. Regulation and verification have never been sexier.
The Media Leader
VML reveals our 100 trends set to transform the market and drive growth in 2026 and beyond
February 9, 2026
Trends covered – Culture/ Technology/ Travel + Hospitality/ Brands + Marketing/ Food + Drink/ Beauty/ Retail/ Health/ Innovation - download your copy today.
VML
The Loeries Official Rankings 2025, Joe Public dominates top spots
February 9, 2026
Find The Loeries Official Rankings 2025 here.
Bizcommunity
The ‘OMNi-fication’ of community radio advertising
February 9, 2026
For years community stations survived on the mercy of contributions from good Samaritans to stay afloat. But community matters more than the “poor cousin” tag, given the relationship they have cemented with listeners over the years. Its survival and success depend on its ability to report and verify clients’ advertising, offering comprehensive reporting, much to the delight of media planners and strategists.
The Media Online

GLOBAL NEWS

Dentsu SSA doubles down on business transformation with key appointments
In an era where 80% of senior leadership teams lack alignment on digital strategy, dentsu sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is doubling down on its 'Growth Transformation' mission. We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Ansa Leighton-Buys and Matthew Landon to our Business Transformation (BX SSA) division.
Read More
Mobile-first shopping dominates as SA’s e-commerce surges
As South Africa’s e-commerce landscape continues to mature, 2026 is shaping up to be a year defined by keener value expectations, mobile-first behaviour and experience-led shopping.
Read More
The agentic shopper is running the cart. Can you keep up?
Southeast Asia’s eCommerce economy is booming, but cart abandonment remains a major challenge. Despite the region’s internet economy nearing US$330 billion by 2025, Asia Pacific records some of the world’s highest abandonment rates at 75%–87%, well above the global average of 70%.
Read More
This Week in social media: All the updates you need – 02/02/2026
Welcome to a new week of social updates. LinkedIn is providing more ways for users to show their AI literacy and skills with a verified identifier. This could boost employment options and help legitimize any upskilling or training you’ve been working on. Let’s take a deeper look and see what else has improved.
Read More
Caxton Media: The 5 trends shaping SA media in 2026
Trends covered - Let’s get phygital/ Treatonomics hit the sweet spot/ Connectioneering turns ‘mehs’ into must haves/ First-party flex: get to know your customers IRL/ Cultural intelligence – the new brand currency.
Read More
How Pepsi is taking the fight to Coca-Cola at the Super Bowl and beyond
The marketer is continuing a revived Pepsi Challenge around its Pepsi Zero Sugar brand, and its big game ad features an icon from Coke’s advertising.
Read More

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