********************** BREWER'S DROOP No. 155 Hanging out in the advertising business and now read by more than 30,000 people *************************************** 23 October 2008 # A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME WILL STILL BE A ROSE There's a lot of worrying news around at the moment - the troubled world economy, the Zimbabwe crisis, the falling Rand, recession and redundancies, serious wars in various places and other gloomy issues. Then, of course, we have our own domestic problems like crime, AIDS, shortage of housing, unemployment and poverty. And through all of this, what have we become obsessed about lately? Whether the national rugby team should be called the Springboks or not. What a load of tosh. I fully appreciate that national symbols are incredibly important. But it's a bit like soldiers dying in the attempt to recover "the flag". (Well if I was in a trench and the sergeant said "over you go Brewer and get that flag back" I'm sure my reply would be less than subtle). Luke Watson and Butana Komphela have been threatening to vomit over everything and making inflammatory statements designed only to make "the other lot" seriously angry. I personally couldn't give a toss whether we're called the Springboks or not really. (Honest). We are THE rugby team in the world so the name isn't important. But there are a few issues which I think those that do want to kill it should pause to contemplate. The first point is what kind of message is the "new" (almost anyway) South African government sending out? We're in serious danger of sounding just like the banana republics who become obsessed with changing street names, renaming airports and towns and rubbing-out any reminders of previous rulers. There are a million things more important than this infantile campaign. The second point is that if the National Assembly Sports Committee insists on the national rugby team having 8 black players in every match then how does that affect the morale of the players - especially the black guys? Imagine it. You finally get selected to represent your country in one of the finest teams ever produced in the world and yet, when you run out on to the field, can you stop that nagging doubt in the back of your mind that you're not really here because you're the BEST but just because you're the right colour politically? It must surely seriously cloud the glory of the moment. Worst of all is that if guys like Komphela and everyone else involved carry on the way they are, we're running a big risk of ending up like the Aussies - with our heads so far up our own rectal passage that we lose all sense of sportsmanship. So stop it now. Do something useful with your time - something that will actually HELP the nation, not encourage all its citizens to argue with each other. Us living in the REAL world don't need your crap - and if you don't believe me then hold a referendum. # ADSPEND AS AT AUGUST 2008 (Provided by Nielsen) Gross Adspend was R2.1 billion but there was zero change on August 2007 which suggests that cutbacks are being felt already. Every category is showing annual growth except for Outdoor and Cinema (but Outdoor should see a big boom next year and into 2010). Share of the advertising cake is: TV 41% Print 39% Radio 13% Outdoor 4% Cinema 1% Internet 2% Share by category is: Retail 22% Bus. to Bus. 16% Travel/Leisure 14% Banking 13% Health/Beauty 9% Education(Gov) 7% Beverages 6% Food 4% Household 4% Media Promo 3% Small Display 1% Top Advertisers were: Unilever SA Shoprite Holdings Government National Vodacom MTN Pick n Pay First Rand Bank Standard Bank Nedbank KFC (ABSA has now fallen off the chart) Top sponsorship advertisers MTN, then Vodacom and the rest. If you'd like a copy of the Nielsen power-point presentation then please drop me a line (chris@brewers.co.za) # DSTV After the last Droop I've had some promising feed-back from Multichoice and am hoping to put their perspective forward in my next letter. # INPUT Thanks to all those who sent me suggestions on my thoughts on changing this format. The changes will probably happen quite slowly and will begin with the Droop's own web site. # WHERE'S THE MONEY? A friend forwarded me this letter that someone wrote to their bank: "In view of what seems to be happening internationally with banks at the moment, I was wondering if you could advise me. If one of my cheques is returned marked - 'Insufficient Funds,' - is this referring to me or to you?" Love it. # NEW SAA SITE Hundreds of people send me horror stories about SAA (I wonder why?) but there's not too much I can do. However there's a new site worth looking at. The name tells you what the main aim of the site is. www.saasucks.com # WHO WAS JESUS? This landed on my desk recently and it's bound to upset a few sensitive people - so I apologise in advance (or you could stop reading here). There were 3 good arguments that Jesus was Black: 1. He called everyone brother 2. He liked Gospel 3. He didn't get a fair trial But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Jewish: 1. He went into His Father's business 2. He lived at home until he was 33 3. He was sure his Mother was a virgin and his Mother was sure He was God But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Italian: 1. He talked with His hands 2. He liked wine 3. He used olive oil But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was a Californian : 1. He never cut His hair 2. He walked around barefoot all the time 3. He started a new religion But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Irish: 1 He never got married. 2. He was always telling stories. 3. He loved green pastures. But the most compelling evidence of all - 3 proofs that Jesus was a woman: 1. He fed a crowd at a moment's notice when there was virtually no food 2. He kept trying to get a message across to a bunch of men who just didn't get it 3. And even when He was dead, He had to get up because there was still work to do. Summer's coming and it's going to be glorious. Chris