How Taylor Swift’s Showgirl Era Turns Criticism into PR Strategy

Taylor Swift's newest album, The Life of a Showgirl, drew sharp criticism after its release, but her response offers key lessons in reputation control. Venelize de Lange from media update looks at how Swift is navigating the backlash with narrative management, transparency and timing.

From TikTok to Township Radio: The Power of Code-Switching in South African Media

Code-switching isn't just casual chats — it's shaping South African media. Venelize de Lange from media update unpacks how creators and broadcasters use multiple languages to sound real, reach wider and build trust. 

Travel Journalism in South Africa: A Guide for Aspiring Travel Writers

From the bushveld to the coast, South Africa is full of stories waiting to be told. Venelize de Lange from media update unpacks how travel writers can tell captivating stories that go beyond the postcard view.

Adapting the Publicist’s Newsletter for the AI Era

With inboxes becoming more overloaded as the days pass, PR pros must rethink their newsletter strategy.  Venelize de Lange from media update explores how publicists can keep newsletters relevant — from designing for AI summarisers to creating authentic, human-focused content that earns attention.

How to Handle Last-Minute Event Cancellations: PR Takeaways from the Cape Town Marathon

What happens when an event gets cancelled hours before the gun is fired? Venelize de Lange from media update gives you a guide to handling last-minute cancellations by using the recent Cape Town Marathon controversy as a case study.

The Art of War in Marketing [Infographic]

Are you looking for new and effective ways to one-up your competitors? Emma Mendes from media update is breaking down how you can elevate your marketing techniques while keeping your competitors on-edge. 

End of an Era: Northern Cape's Last Independent Community Newspapers Close Their Doors

Noordwester Uitgewers, the publisher of cherished local papers like Noordwester and Oewernuus, has ceased operations, striking a poignant blow to South Africa's community media. Kiara Ferreira from media update explores the factors behind this closure and what it means for the future of journalism.

Marketing Conferences Coming to South Africa in 2025 to 2026

Want to be in the know with everything marketing related? Venelize de lange from media update rounds up the must-attend marketing conferences coming to South Africa 2025 to 2026 so you can stay in the loop.

Travel PR in 2025: Digital Hacks Every Pro Should Know

With the digital age, everything has changed — including the travel industry. Venelize de Lange from media update unpacks how PR pros can use digital hacks, data and storytelling to elevate travel campaigns in a post-pandemic world.

Why Investing in People Is Your Strongest Marketing Tool

How much does employee compensation really matter when it comes to your marketing strategy? media update's  Venelize de Lange  explores this question by looking at former CEO of Gravity Payments, Dan Price's, radical move to raise employees' salaries by cutting down his own.

Five Common PR Faux Pas and How to Avoid Them

PR slip-ups can happen to even the most experienced professionals. Venelize de Lange from media update unpacks five common PR faux pas and how to dodge them before they derail your next campaign.

The Seven Ps of Marketing Explained

Ever heard of the seven Ps of marketing? Venelize de Lange from media update breaks down each P and explores how modern brands can leverage them for more strategic marketing.

How to Harness the Power of Rest: A Journalist’s Guide to Sustained Performance

In a non-stop newscycle, rest can feel like a luxury — but performance research tells a different story. Venelize de Lange from media update explores why journalists who prioritise rest often produce their best work.

Answer Engine Optimisation: How to Prepare Your Marketing for the Chatbot Era

With AI chatbots and voice assistants now being the primary way people search, marketers need to adapt their content to stay visible.  media update's Venelize de Lange explores Answer Engine Optimisation and how marketers can use it in a time where AI decides which answers audiences see.