The Times Creative Ad Challenge has just closed for 2015 entries after weeks of successful and daring advertising. This annual challenge has been the platform for some bold and satirical content this year with an influx of brave tactical ads.
While agencies have been called out for plucking at political feathers, Stephan Haw, editor of the Times says how refreshing it is “to see companies using tactical ads as an opportunity to stay current and move with ‘the times’.”
Drizit, a Durban based cleaning company, entered an ad themed around King Goodwill Zwelithini and xenophobia. This audacious move resulted in the company being criticised for bad taste. Drizit’s managing director, Greg Parton, took the comments like water off a duck’s back. He stated that the ad was ‘tongue in cheek - a play on words’ and nothing more.
By the same token, Dial Direct was called out for making an indirect reference to a recent driving incident with DJ S’bu being reproached for a traffic violation. Their header “Sbu, avoid more fire” has lit a blaze of its own with the DJ.
The Times Creative Challenge, in association with the Loeries, closed entries on the 22nd of May. All entries can still be viewed at www.timescreativeads.co.za.
The Sunday Times Literary Awards are always a highlight of the book lovers’ calendar. This year’s shortlist was announced on the 16th of May with national fanfare in press and social media.
A combined total of 10 books were listed for the Alan Paton Award for non-fiction and the Barry Ronge Fiction Prize. Ben Williams, Sunday Times books editor said "This year, the prize money for the awards has been increased to R100 000 each, which underscores the Sunday Times commitment to promoting the best of our literature." The bar has been raised and so have the stakes.
The shortlisted books for the Alan Paton Award for non-fiction are:
The shortlisted books for the Barry Ronge Fiction Prize are:
Professor Bill Nasson, chair of the Alan Paton Award judging panel, said this year’s shortlisted books “open a wide window upon lives being made and also re-made in South Africa. Admirably imaginative in their grasp of chosen subject matter, they are rigorously robust and humane.”
The main winners will be announced at Summer Place, Johannesburg on the 27th of June. For full details of this year’s event, judges and nominees visit www.bookslive.co.za.
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