The Confidence Quotient: Why Brands are Betting on Self-Esteem

Confidence is the word on everyone's lips — and brands are listening. Emma Mendes from media update explores the surge in confidence-driven marketing, what drives this trend and how brands can tap into its power to connect authentically with audiences.

ChatGPT Enters the Ad Game: Everything Marketers Need to Know

Venelize de Lange from media update breaks down how ChatGPT is introducing advertisements, shifting from search to conversation-led brand discovery, and what this means for marketers and AI-driven marketing strategies.

Tech on Trial: Redefining Responsibility in the Age of Digital Addiction

Venelize de Lange from media update unpacks Meta and Google's recent lawsuit, examining concerns about addictive platform designs and what tighter algorithm regulation could mean for audience growth strategies, ethical amplification and the future of digital publishing.

Balancing Global Scale and Local Insight: A Q&A With Koji Sekiguchi

What does successful brand leadership look like today? media update's Venelize de Lange chats to Koji Sekiguchi about the lessons he learnt from a global career in marketing leadership.

The Stephen King IT Factor: Mastering Narrative Power in PR

Stephen King's memoir, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, is a treasure trove of advice that goes beyond fiction. King's insights offer a roadmap for publicists and PR agents to craft articles that resonate with audiences — and boost visibility. Emma Mendes from media update shares tips to help you elevate your PR game utilising King's wisdom.

Redefining Attention in the Creator Economy: A Q&A With Pieter Geyser — Part One

Venelize de Lange from media update spoke with Pieter Geyser about the future of media strategy, what drives ROI and how brands can harness creator content effectively.

Shrugging Off Tariffs: The Strategy Behind SA's Record Agricultural Exports

Venelize de Lange from media update unpacks how SA's record agricultural exports (despite declining US demand) highlight the importance of adaptive strategy, audience insight and diversified market positioning.

The South African Freelancer Conundrum: How Much Do I Charge? — A 2026 Update

Venelize de Lange from media update unpacks how South African freelancers can navigate pricing in 2026, by looking at updated benchmarks, common mistakes and practical strategies for setting sustainable rates.

From South Africa to Europe: The Strategy Behind Mr Price's R9-Billion NKD Acquisition

Venelize de Lange from media update examines Mr Price's R9.66-billion NKD acquisition, exploring what the retailer's European expansion reveals about scaling value brands, localisation and the growing role of data-led marketing execution.

Violence, Desensitisation and the Media's New Reality

Venelize de Lange from media update looks at the growing normalisation of violence across mainstream media, considering how long term exposure is reshaping audience sensitivity and challenging traditional approaches to ethical reporting.

Die Papier Promises a Fresh Voice for Afrikaans Readers

The contemporary news ecosystem faces an era where many media outlets are pivoting away from print operations and shifting entirely toward digital platforms. However, Novus Media (part of JSE-listed Novus Holdings) is making a daring statement to reaffirm authority in the perseverance of print media, as considered by media update's Kiara Ferreira and Venelize de Lange.