Despite a tough global economic environment, brand in the financial services, fast food and retail and media sectors have demonstrated resilience and emerged among the top in brand value at least according to reports. That resilience has been matched with innovative strategies to win more customers and successful pricing strategies.

According to a recently released report by data, insights and consulting company Kantar, the most valuable South African brands in 2023 have a total combined value of $31.6bn. First National Bank (FNB) has emerged the top brand with a brand value of $3.4bn as the financial services category emerged as the largest in this year’s Top 30, featuring 11 brands and a total brand value of $13.6bn.

In another research dubbed The 13th, Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands survey, DStv, MultiChoice Group’s broadcast service, has been named the third Most Admired African brand for this year.

When both African and international brands are included in the list, DStv places 40th among the Most Admired Brands in Africa, with MTN topping the list at 11, Safaricom/M-Pesa at 14, Dangote at 27 and Zambia’s Trade Kings at number 38.

In news making headlines in the tech space, Digital advertising firm Aleph has announced the launch of a new global cross-border payments and credit underwriting unit, Aleph Payments.

Aleph connects 22,000 advertisers in 130 primarily emerging countries with the world’s leading digital tech platforms such as TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Snap, Spotify, Uber, Meta, Microsoft, Twitch, and Google among others.

KPMG and Microsoft have announced a significant expansion of their global relationship that will reshape professional services across a number of business-critical areas including workforce modernization, safe and secure development, and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions for clients, industries and society more broadly.

New Media digital solutions division Swipe iX has developed a GPT-4-enabled tool that unlocks the creative potential of AI.

StoryStation.ai harnesses the award-winning content marketing agency's storytelling experience and tech expertise, empowering businesses with limited marketing budgets to generate their own high-quality content.

In advertising, SeenThis, the adaptive streaming technology specialist, has announced a strategic partnership with Carbon1 in South Africa. This collaboration aims to empower South African brands by delivering faster, high-quality digital advertising while significantly minimising carbon emissions.

The World Out of Home Organization has boosted its representation within the global industry by signing up a further ten new members in Africa and from across the world.

The new intake comprises eight national media owners, one national media agency and one OOH service provider/ supplier.

And in industry appointments, Marketing agency Tradeway has announced the appointment of Noxie Ntsoane as regional CEO for KwaZulu-Natal. The company says the appointment reflects its dedication as an agency to serving its customers nationally, as well as the importance and potential of the region as a key focus for growth.

Jacques Shalom recently joined Digital marketing and PR agency Clockwork as Chief Creative Officer. Jacques has an extensive industry background, having worked in advertising for over 20 years.

Bob Koigi is an editor at Marketing Report Africa

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