Symbiotic Media

Publisher of niche publications in Africa.

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Symbiotic Media

www.symbioticmedia.co.za

Symbiotic adj.

The relationship of different organisms in a close association that is mutually beneficial.

Biology

The living together of two dissimilar organisms; the relationship may be beneficial to both (mutualism and symbiosis), beneficial to one without effect on the other (commensalism), beneficial to one and detrimental to the other (parasitism), detrimental to the first without any effect on the other (amensalism), or detrimental to both (synnecrosis).

- Ologies & -Isms, The Gale Group, Inc.

Also: Being dependent; being co-operative or helpful.

Nelson Mandela Day

The overarching objective of Mandela Day on 18 July is to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better, and in doing so build a global movement for good. 

Following the success of Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday celebrations in London’s Hyde Park in June 2008, it was decided that there could be nothing more fitting than to celebrate Mr Mandela’s birthday each year with a day dedicated to his life’s work and that of his charitable organisations, and to ensure his legacy continues forever.

The Mandela Day campaign message is simple: Mr Mandela gave 67 years of his life fighting for the rights of humanity. All we are asking is that everyone gives 67 minutes of their time, whether it’s supporting your chosen charity or serving your local community.

www.mandeladay.com

National Braai Day Song

Heritage Day, 24 September, is a public holiday in South Africa. Citizens are encouraged to celebrate their cultural heritage and the diversity of their beliefs and traditions, in the wider context of a nation that belongs to all its people.

We encourage all South Africans to at some point during 24 September each year on National Braai Day, gather around a fire and braai.

Braaiday album cover

Man In The Mirror From "Joyful Noise" Featuring Keke Palmer

Joyful Noise tells the story of an unlikely partnership between two strong-minded women (Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton) who are forced to work together to save a small town Gospel Choir after budget cuts threaten to shut them down.

Africa's top businesses honoured at Awards ceremony

Africa's leading business figures assembled 7 June 2012 for the fifth annual African Business Awards in London. The popular event for celebrating excellence and achievement in African business took place at the exclusive Grosvenor House with a high level audience of 300 guests that included BBC World News presenter Zeinab Badawi, the minister of trade for Burundi, the minister of commerce for Zambia, and Jean-Louis Ekra, President of the African Export-Import Bank.

It was a SME that stole the show as Innoson, led by Nigerian entrepreneur Innocent Chukwuma, took the most coveted title of African Business of the Year. The new Award for Best Hospitality, Travel and Tourism in Africa was won by Serena Hotels from Kenya.

The Nigerian conglomerate Dangote Group, whose recent expansion and production plans are currently being flagged in the news, won the Investor of the Year Award and received the trophy from Robert Sichinga, Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Zambia.

The prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Manu Chandaria, who has been hailed as "one of Kenya's leading industrialists". Applauded by a standing ovation from the audience, he was given special credit for having built a world class conglomerate and set a benchmark for his peers and for young entrepreneurs across the African continent to follow.

Omar BenYedder, Publisher of African Business magazine stated: "The awards were launched 5 years ago to reward not only successful businesses but those which had a positive impact on their communities and the country or region they operate in, what President Sata of Zambia called 'profit with a human face'. We also wanted to encourage sustainable and inclusive growth. And I feel that the winners tonight have certainly risen to the challenge and are fulfilling these objectives. We have rewarded true pioneers operating on the African continent and we hope they will act as a benchmark for others to follow suit."

Sir Alan Collins, Director General of the Commonwealth Business Council, during a heart-felt speech, emphasised that "Africa is open for business”.

The African Business Awards are organised by African Business magazine and Commonwealth Business Council in partnership with BusinessinAfrica Events. A distinguished panel of judges selected winners in eight categories from a pool of nominees that came from all over the African continent. The winners of the remaining categories were selected by the advisory board comprising of the editorial team of African Business magazine, and experts from the CBC.

Winners: African Business Awards 2012

Winners:
Most Outstanding Woman of the Year
Rachel Zodwa Mabaso, Founder/Managing Director, Mboweni Mineral Resources, South Africa

Award for Innovation
Entrepreneurial Finance Lab, South Africa

Investor of the Year
Dangote, Nigeria

Special Commendation
Olam, Gabon

Award for Environmental Sustainability in Africa
Nedbank Group, South Africa
BTI Millman, Kenya

Best Hospitality, Travel and Tourism in Africa
Serena Hotels, Kenya

Award for Good Corporate Governance
Diageo Africa

Best Corporate Social Responsibility
BHP Billiton

Business Leader of the Year
Egbert Imomoh, Non-Executive Chairman, Afren

African Business of the Year
Innocent Chukwuma (Innoson)

Award for Best Agricultural Development
OCP, Morocco

Country Achievement for Sustained Improvement in Investment Climate
Rwanda

Creative Industry Award
Duro Olowu

Lifetime Achievement Award
Manu Chandaria, Kenya

Viva AFRICA!

Michael Jackson - Man In The Mirror

"Man in the Mirror" was released as a single in January 1988 off Michael Jackson’s seventh solo album, Bad. The video features a montage of footage from various major historic events.

"...I'm Starting With The Man In
The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change
His Ways
And No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
Take A Look At Yourself, And
Then Make A Change..."

Internet meme

The term Internet meme is used to describe a concept that spreads via the Internet. The concept or idea may take the form of a hyperlink, video, picture, website, hashtag, or just a word or phrase. 

Public relations, advertising and marketing professionals have embraced Internet memes as a form of viral marketing and guerrilla marketing to create marketing "buzz" for their products or services. The practice of using memes to market products or services is known as memetic marketing.

“what my mom thinks i do/what i think i do” memes

Microsoft's new Windows 8 logo looks like a window

Microsoft announced that Windows 8 is a complete reimagination of the Windows operating system. Nothing has been left unexplored, including the Windows logo.

Sam Moreau, principal director of user experience for Microsoft, said in a blog post that the new Windows 8 logo redesign was approached with a few key goals in mind:

1. We wanted the new logo to be both modern and classic by echoing the International Typographic Style (or Swiss design) that has been a great influence on our Metro style design philosophy. Using bold flat colours and clean lines and shapes, the new logo has the characteristics of way-finding design systems seen in airports and subways.

2. It was important that the new logo carries our Metro principle of being “Authentically Digital”. By that, we mean it does not try to emulate faux-industrial design characteristics such as materiality (glass, wood, plastic, etc.). It has motion - aligning with the fast and fluid style you’ll find throughout Windows 8.

3. Our final goal was for the new logo to be humble, yet confident. Welcoming you in with a slight tilt in perspective and when you change your colour, the logo changes to reflect you. It is a “Personal” Computer after all.

The new logo is already drawing various levels of criticism on the Web from technology blogs. 

Evolution of Microsoft's Windows logo

Mirror Mirror

The year of 2012 will see two Snow White movie releases competing for the top reflection.

This is the official trailer for Tarsem Singh's upcoming film Mirror Mirror. This is Julia Roberts' second film playing an iconic fairy tale role; two decades earlier, she played Tinkerbell in Hook. 

In the epic action-adventure Snow White and the Huntsman, Kristen Stewart (Twilight) plays the only person in the land fairer than the evil queen (Oscar-winner Charlize Theron) out to destroy her. 

In the end, why choose?

South African Bank Notes to bear Mandela’s image

The South African Reserve Bank is pleased to announce that we are in the process of producing a new South African Bank Note series

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma holds up a banknote bearing the face of former president Nelson Mandela in Pretoria, 11 February 2012. Zuma on Saturday announced the launch of new notes bearing the image of Mandela to coincide with the 22nd anniversary of Mandela's release from prison.

Credit: Reuters/Stringer

International best practise is that the security features of bank notes are upgraded every seven to ten years, particularly given the constant improvements in technology. Such proactive upgrades endeavour to prevent counterfeiting. The current note series was upgraded in 2005, and while the security features remain effective, we decided that it was time to produce a new note series.

In consultation with President Jacob Zuma and the Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan, it was agreed that the new note series will be designed. The currency will have the same denominations, sizes and colours but the front of all notes will carry a specially designed engraving of former President Nelson Mandela. The reverse side of each denomination will have an image of one of the big five.

The redesign is being accompanied by a significant recapitalisation of the South African Note Company (SABN), which is being modernised with state of the art printing equipment. The upgrading also entails significant training and up-skilling of the SABN staff.

11 February 1990 stands as one of the most significant days in the history of South Africa as it is on this day, twenty-two years ago that President Nelson Mandela walked out of prison a free man. The iconic image that will be carried on the Rand, the South African currency that is widely used in Sub-Saharan Africa and traded globally, is a tribute to one of Africa and the world’s greatest leaders and statesmen.

We need to stress that the current notes remain legal tender and there will be a programme of replacement with the new notes over time. It is expected that the note will be introduced towards the end of 2012 and further details will be communicated to the public during the course of the year.

EXCLUSIVE: Charlize Theron Dogs the Fur Trade

by Paula Moore

ARCHIVE: African Mirror inc.

Oscar-winning actor Charlize Theron and her dog, Tucker, seen here in an ad for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, have a heartfelt message for “furry” fashionistas: “If you wouldn’t wear your dog, please don’t wear any fur.”

As Theron’s ad illustrates, the only difference between our “best friends” and animals killed for their fur is how they are treated. And how they’re treated should sicken anyone who has a fur coat or fur-trimmed jacket hanging in the closet. Visit FurIsDead.com to watch the first-ever video exposé of fur farms in China - the world’s largest exporter of fur - and you’ll see what I mean.

During a year-long undercover investigation, Chinese fur farmers were caught on tape roughly grabbing animals by their hind legs and slamming them head-first against the ground, in a crude attempt to kill them. Other animals are bludgeoned with metal rods or wooden sticks. Some animals are killed, some are merely stunned. Many are skinned while they are still alive.

One investigator recorded a skinned raccoon dog, tossed onto a heap of carcasses, who had enough strength to lift his bloodied head and stare into the camera.

Why should this concern fur-wearers in South Africa? Because the globalisation of the fur trade has made it impossible to know where fur products come from. Raw-fur pelts often move through international auctions before being sewn in other countries. Even if a fur jacket was “made” in Europe, the animals were likely raised and killed somewhere else.

If you’re going to wear fur, you should watch the investigators’ video. I promise, you’ll never look at a fur coat the same way again.

Paula Moore, senior writer for PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). 

Lil Wayne - Mirror ft. Bruno Mars

Samsung announces the availability of App for the Orange Africa Cup of Nations

As an official sponsor of the Orange Africa Cup on Nations Gabon-Equatorial Guinea 2012, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., is excited to announce the availability of the ‘Africa Cup of Nations’ App, on the Samsung SA Apps store.

Says Deon Liebenberg, MD of Samsung South Africa: “As Samsung has been a long-time supporter of African football, we felt it only natural for us to invest in such an application; the application will offer fans an opportunity to keep up to date with the latest information and results around the event, with ease and while on the move.”

The application features competitions, galleries, live scores, downloads and fixtures for the 2012 tournament and is available for fans to download for free.

“We are committed to our customers and through this app we aim to offer the best possible enjoyment of the tournament. Fans can now follow the tournament passionately and not miss out as we understand that it is not always possible to catch all the live action. We, at Samsung, are again meeting the needs of our consumers - in this case sports fans - and are providing them with content that not only allows for great entertainment, but fuels the spirit of African soccer,” concludes Liebenberg.

Deon Liebenberg, MD of Samsung South Africa

Mastering Pinterest for Marketing

Over the past few months, you may have heard some chatter about a brand new social network called Pinterest. Not surprising. According to Compete, unique visitors to Pinterest.com increased by 429% from September to December 2011, and the social network already boasts a user base of 3.3 million. Pinterest is only growing in popularity as the hottest new social network, and in December 2011, it made Hitwise's list of the top 10 social networks, currently sitting at #5 and beating out big names like LinkedIn and Google+. And as with any hot new social network that comes onto the scene, marketers are chiming in with, "Can I use it for marketing?" "...and, how?" 

The short answer? Absolutely. The longer answer? Follow the link below to find out how. 

The Ultimate Guide to Mastering Pinterest for Marketing

Creating Remarkable Poetry Through Subtraction - My Modern Metropolis

TIME magazine recently revealed its 30 Must-See Tumblr Blogs which includes the highly creative, user-generated Newspaper Blackout. This blog is the brainchild of Austin-based artist and writer Austin Kleon. The main objective is to display poetry through the omission of words in already printed text. Essentially, it is poetry by way of censorship, executed with the aid of a black sharpie.

Taking published works in the form of newspaper articles, novels, and even horoscopes, this style of "blackout poetry" reveals only carefully selected words to create a new, shorter composition of expression. Often, the poems produced offer a sense of hope and inspiration. At times, they can be depressing but thought-provoking. We love the way this Tumblr reflects how art inspires art.

Creating Remarkable Poetry Through Subtraction - My Modern Metropolis

African Mirror inc. on Facebook

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Animation Festival in Zimbabwe Reflects Growing Industry | Global Press Institute

The second Zimbabwe Festival of African Inspired Animation, held this past weekend in the capital, attracted experienced and young animators from across Zimbabwe. Animators say the budding industry has been thriving on passion and collaboration and has the capacity to supplement other media and preserve culture if it can continue to develop in the future.


Animation Festival in Zimbabwe Reflects Growing Industry

87 Percent of Tablet Owners Using Tablets for Holiday Shopping, Finds Study

Tablets' convenience and browsing ease inspires 44 percent of owners to spend $300+ on holiday gifts via tablets

News Facts:

• According to a survey commissioned by Zmags, the global leader in on-demand rich media merchandising and customer analytics, 87 percent of tablet owners are holiday shopping using their tablets and will spend an average of $325.
• Nearly a third of tablet owners like to shop on their tablets because it is convenient. Twenty-four percent of tablet owners also like how the tablet experience facilitates easy browsing and helps them discover products via retailers' sites, digital catalogs and apps.
• Clothing, toys and luxury categories are quickly joining electronics for strong tablet commerce prominence this holiday season. More than half of tablet owners are browsing for clothes on their tablets, with 38 percent buying them via their device. Toys are browsed by 43 percent of tablet owners, with 38 percent purchasing them on their tablets. Jewellery is not far behind, with several tablet owners admitting to purchasing expensive diamond rings, watches and bracelets using their tablets.
• Tablet owners plan to engage in couch commerce for the long term. Next year, 49 percent of today's tablet owners plan to shop even more using their tablets, whereas only 19 percent of smartphone owners say they will shop more from their smartphones.

Other survey findings include:

• Fifty percent of tablet owners say the couch is their favoured location for shopping but they can also be found shopping in bed (20 percent), at the kitchen counter, in the mall and at coffee shops as well as on public transportation.
• More than half of tablet owners say shopping makes them feel happy and more excited, indulgent and generous than other forms of online, mobile or in-store shopping.
• Tablet shoppers see themselves as savvy spenders (52 percent), spontaneous splurgers (14 percent) and luxury buyers (9 percent).
• Men are bigger spenders on their tablets than women this holiday season. Fifty-two percent of the men estimate they will spend between $201-500 via their tablets, compared to 37 percent of female shoppers.

The survey of 1 500 online shoppers, including 238 tablet owners, was conducted by Equation Research for Zmags. A broader report studying the profiles and behaviors of tablet, smartphone and Facebook shoppers will be released in January 2012.

32% of Businesses Cite ‘Lack of Time’ as Biggest Social Media Challenge

(PRWEB) - Red Rocket Media, a specialist content marketing agency in the UK, surveyed marketing professionals across a wide range of sectors and found that 32% of businesses cited ‘lack the time’ as their biggest social media challenge, closely followed by 28% who cited ‘creating original content’. Others included: deciding what to say (17%), measuring ROI (13%) and engaging with customers (10%).

“The results from this survey very much echo the message we are hearing from our own customers” says Matthew Hopkins, Managing Director of Red Rocket Media. “As businesses embrace social media marketing they are very quickly realising that to get results, you need to invest a serious amount of time in creating original content which will engage your readers: time, the majority of them just do not have.”

When asked about their main social media objective, 35% cited ‘increase brand awareness’, followed by ‘form deeper relationships’ (30%) and ‘generate leads’ (15%). 10% stated ‘increase website traffic’ as their main objective with the remainder being split between ‘enhance search engine rankings’ and ‘create buzz’.

Hopkins added: “More and more companies are cottoning on to the power of social media when it comes to increasing brand awareness. Valuable content such as topic-related news articles connects people and spreads like wild fire as people re-tweet it, share it and comment on it. As long as you publish high quality, original content, there are simply no limits to the reach your brand can achieve on social media.”

Whilst the biggest challenge faced by businesses is a lack of time, it is, however, encouraging that so many are still committed to social media as a long-term investment. Over 50% of those surveyed are now spending 1-3 hours a week on social media activities, 17% are spending 4-6 hours and a surprising 15% are spending over 10 hours.

As far as social media budget is concerned, 41% will be allocating more budget to it in 2012, compared to 49% who plan to spend the same. The rest intend to reduce their spend which is likely to be attributed to the fact that those businesses who do not have the time to properly execute their social media plans naturally aren’t seeing results.

One of the main objectives of the survey was to gain a better understanding of the challenges businesses face when it comes to their social media activities. The findings have formed the basis for a white paper, written by Red Rocket Media, which addresses the five biggest challenges in turn and showcases how content marketing can provide an all-encompassing solution.

Photo SEO: How Optimised Images Can Drive Improved Visibility for Messages

Photo SEO: How Optimised Images Can Drive Improved Visibility for Messages