The Weight of What We Publish — The Editor's Note

As we enter the month of July, Emma Mendes from media update reflects on the enduring value of press freedom, editorial responsibility and Nelson Mandela's legacy, exploring why thoughtful journalism remains essential to informing communities, fostering trust and strengthening democracy.

Debating Our Way Out of Marketing Growth

Debating has become more of a performance than about understanding opposing perspectives — and marketing may be making a similar mistake. Venelize de Lange from media update considers how by comparing performance-driven debating to consumer-facing messaging. 

Creating Meaningful Consumer Connections — A Q&A With Murat Gebeceli

media update's Venelize de Lange talks to Murat Gebeceli about how cross-functional intelligence — from retail performance to partner feedback — is used to guide marketing decisions and improve execution across Sony's diverse MEA markets.

Brand Loyalty as Subscription — The New Retail Battleground

Today consumers have endless market options — and brands are finding that customer loyalty cannot be taken for granted. media update's Venelize de Lange considers how retail businesses are adapting their strategies to stay top of mind. 

The New Rules of Brand Building: A Q&A With Alex Goldberg

How does a brand keep attention and stay relevant? Venelize de Lange from media update asks Alex Goldberg for his insights on creativity as a business advantage.

Why Does Everything We Read Sound the Same?

It's more than just AI replacing human voices; the writing world seems to have shifted from experimentation to conformity. media update's Venelize de Lange considers whether readability and optimisation are eroding originality. 

The Business of Modern Storytelling: A Q&A With Jessie Mei Li

media update's Venelize de Lange spoke to Jessie Mei Li about the realities of storytelling in a digital first world, the ongoing conversation around authentic representation and data's role in dictating what audiences see on their screen. 

SPAR's Yoghurt Recall Highlights the Hidden Risks of Private-Label Products

Venelize de Lange from media update looks at how SPAR's yoghurt recall emphasises unique challenges retailers face when their own brand name is on the packaging. 

The Science of Attention — What Marketers Need to Know About Dopamine

Venelize de Lange from media update considers what neuroscience teaches marketers about consumer attention through looking at their dopamine fluctuation when exposed to different marketing strategies.

Launching Print in 2026: A Q&A With Nicky McArthur

Venelize de Lange from media update talks to Nicky McArthur about the decision to launch a new print magazine in 2026 and how this move challenges industry assumptions about print's decline in value. 

Club Med’s South African Journey Reaches a Major Milestone

Club Med has officially made its long-awaited South African debut. media update's Venelize de Lange considers how the global hospitality brand is positioning itself within the country's tourism sector. 

How Streaming Has Rewritten the Rules of Sports Advertising: A Q&A With Leslie Adams

Venelize de Lange from media update talks to Leslie Adams about how changes in media consumption and technology are influencing sports advertising.

Publishing the Modern Magazine: A Q&A With Nicky McArthur

media update's Venelize de Lange talks to Nicky McArthur about independent magazine publishing, how editorial work endures in a changing media landscape and what it will take for print to thrive in the years ahead.

How the Springboks and Bafana Bafana Are Rewriting Fan Engagement

Venelize de Lange from media update considers what the 2026 Bafana Bafana and Springbok campaigns reveal about the role of supporters in modern sports marketing. 

Raising a Nostalgic Youth — The Editor's Note

From vintage aesthetics to classic sitcom reruns, nostalgia is constantly shaping youth culture. Venelize de Lange from media update considers why so many young people are romanticising a pre-digital life. 

Why Brands Continue to Chase Industry Recognition

Award ceremonies — the moment of validation for brands. Venelize de Lange from media update looks at how brands can easily miss the opportunity to convert industry recognition into meaningful media visibility and audience insights. 

Why Your Brain Still Craves Print Media

When was the last time you sat down and read something without a notification interrupting you? Venelize de Lange from media update looks at the science behind print media's appeal in a world of distracting screens. 

In Defence of Niche Publications

In an era defined by rapid technological change, some publications are succeeding by focusing on something surprisingly simple. Venelize de Lange from media update explores why. 

Browsing — The Consumer's Latest Product

Venelize de Lange from media update takes a look at why apps that sell the illusion of a product are successfully gaining users on their platforms, and what that consumer behaviour tells us about the future of the marketing industry. 

The End of "Search" — Pick n Pay's In For a Penny, In For a Pound AI Venture

Venelize de Lange from media update considers how Pick n Pay's newly launched in-app AI assistant shapes the South African digital retail space and why this move could re-establish the retailer's competitive position in the local online grocery market.