QR code: African Mirror inc.

A reflection of the times! What are QR codes and how can they help your business? 

Quick Response codes (QR codes) are the trademark for a type of matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code) first designed for the automotive industry. More recently, the system has become popular outside the industry due to its fast readability and large storage and sharing capacity compared to standard barcodes. The code consists of black modules (square dots) arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded can be made up of virtually any kind of data. 

QR codes have in recent years become common in consumer advertising, marketing and packaging because of the access to smartphones and other scanning devices.

QR code to African Mirror inc. home page

The Marmalade - Reflections Of My Life

GlobalTravel Card Launch

American Express recently launched the American Express GlobalTravel Card in South Africa.

The American Express GlobalTravel Card is the first prepaid card product for American Express in South Africa, the first on the African continent, and its fourth prepaid currency card internationally. The Card is available at American Express Foreign Exchange Service branches nationally.

The American Express GlobalTravel Card is a reloadable Prepaid Travel Card available in three currencies - US Dollar, Euro and Pound Sterling - that provides superior features and benefits compared to other prepaid currency products currently on the market. These benefits include access to the American Express Global Assist service, the receipt of a free Backup Card at purchase, free Card replacement services, as well as access to emergency cash. Additionally, all travellers choosing the American Express GlobalTravel Card are able to enjoy American Express’ exclusive Cardmember events and special merchant offers overseas via the American Express Selects program.

Why is American Express launching a prepaid American Express GlobalTravel Card in South Africa?

American Express has been innovating and leading the way in prepaid products globally. After successfully launching prepaid travel products in Australia, Brazil and the United States, the fourth prepaid card launch destination is South Africa.

Ian Barrable, Director UK, South Africa and Global Encashment, Global Payment Options, is clear in his enthusiasm about the launch: "Launching this Card in South Africa is an important milestone in the GlobalTravel Card’s expansion worldwide. Being the first prepaid card in the EMEA region, it expands the regional footprint of the GlobalTravel Card franchise. Furthermore, we are very proud that the Card stands as the first prepaid card issued by American Express that is distributed in Africa. This unique payment solution is an important evolution in our relationship with South African travellers, and reflects the strong partnerships we have established in the market since 1995, and will continue to have for decades to come."

American Express believes the GlobalTravel Card will provide South African travellers with access to unique features and benefits. South African travellers will now have access to a product that is safer and easier to use, offers free emergency assistance and access to exclusive Cardmember benefits.

Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with them on facebook.com/americanexpress

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..."

First UNWTO Report on LGBT Travellers Highlights Economic Benefits for Tolerant Destinations

A benchmark affiliate report has been published by the United Nations World Tourism Association (UNWTO) in partnership with the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association. The Global Report on LGBT Tourism was released in January 2012 and found that destinations offering a tolerant culture were reaping the benefits of increased travel to - and spend by - gay travellers.

The report cautioned against making assumptions about this market, as sexuality is not necessarily an indicator of socio-economic status or leisure choices. Although difficult to accurately measure the impact of gay tourism, sources in the USA attribute 5% of tourism spend to the LGBT market. In Cape Town, this is thought to be 10-15% of all tourists.

Progressive attitudes in countries such as South Africa, Argentina, India, Spain, Mexico and South Korea have attracted the LGBT market in droves. The wedding market for this sector is a big driver and the LGBT sector appears to have bucked the recession trend bringing higher than average spend to their holiday destinations. In addition, the advent of same-sex marriage laws have meant that many gay couples are now travelling with children and spending in the family market.

Generally savvy in digital media, LGBT travel is influenced by social media and digital or actual word of mouth. Cape Town is a favourite with gay travellers for its matchless beauty, diverse lifestyle, colourful people and large local gay population. South African events such as Gay Pride, The Pink Loeries Mardi Gras, the Out in Africa Film Festival, MCQP and Mr Gay South Africa are further reasons for LGBT travellers to choose SA as their destination. The UK’s Guardian recognised Cape Town as ‘One of the Ten Most Popular Gay Destinations in the World.’

Destination marketing associations who were successfully attracting the LGBT market were working proactively at gay-targeted expos and fairs but were also aligned with equal rights organisations that promoted tolerance. Says the International LGBT Travel Association, “reaching out to LGBT travellers in an informed, authentic manner is essential”. In particular, LGBT travellers were sensitive to destinations who were only interested in their money.

In 2011, a total of 76 countries in the world still made homosexuality illegal and of these, five still find it to be punishable by death. The UNWTO points out that the struggle for gay rights is a human rights struggle.

Global Report on LGBT Tourism

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