Tag Archives: brands

South African bottled wine sales decline in UK

One of South Africa’s largest wine export countries is facing a decline in sales due to the strong Rand and the slow recovery of the UK economy.

Wines of South Africa (WOSA) CEO Su Birch said that bottled wine sales from South Africa were declining as local producers no longer can supply wines “at the low price points demanded by the supermarkets”.   Birch added that the local wine industry had prepared for these fluctuations by diversifying into other markets, reports Business Report.  In addition, top end wine sales are still growing in the UK, given their success in international wine competitions.

UK importers are also buying South African wine in bulk, to bottle in their country, leading to a sharp growth in demand for these cheaper wine brands.   South African wine sales have diversified, to include not only the UK, but also Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Belgium, the USA and Canada.   In the past 10 years wine sales to the USA have grown five-fold. 

South African wines are diversifying, to the benefit of exports, with “more producers than ever, more brands, more labels, more competitions, more medals”, said Wineland magazine editor Cassie du Plessis.

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.comTwitter: @WhaleCottage

Keeping the World Cup ‘gees’* alive

Dr Nikolaus Eberl is a German brand marketing consultant, author of “Brand Ovation: How Germany won the World Cup of Nation Branding”, and guided the “internal branding” for the 2010 World Cup.   He has written an inspiring article, describing how one can get over the World Cup blues, and keep the wonderful memory of the 2010 World Cup alive.  I publish it below as he wrote it:

“Based on my personal experience ever since the 2006 World Cup, here are the top 10 tips on how to beat the 2010 blues:

  1. Make the 2010 anthem Waka Waka your new ringtone – this way, you will feel Ayoba! every time your phone rings
  2. Keep flying the flag, both on the car and in the office – it will brighten your day and make for sweet memories.
  3. Keep wearing the shirt, especially on Football Fridays – and the next time when Bafana enters the pitch is only a few weeks away;
  4. Replay the highlights of 2010 – savour the best moments of the world cup, the opening goal by Tshabalala against Mexico, the wonder kick by Van Bronkhorst against Uruguay and the goal rush by the German machine against Maradonna and Messi;
  5. Keep the habit of “public viewing” – and keep in mind that 2011 is a big sporting year: the Cricket World Cup kicks off on 19 February 2011, the Rugby World Cup will be held in New Zealand 9 September – 23 October, and the FIFA Womens’ World Cup will be held in June/July next year;
  6. Kick the ball – wherever you are, join your local soccer team, be it at the office, the church or even the shebeen, and start playing the beautiful game. There is little more exhilarating than the adrenaline rush when scoring the winning goal!
  7. Blow the vuvuzela and don the makarapa: already the vuvuzela and makarapa have become the most popular gift items for the visiting fans and can be heard and seen all over the world. Keep expressing your love for the game!
  8. Support your local team: now is the time to buy a season ticket for your local team and follow them around the country in the quest for football glory – this way you will revisit all the stadia and enjoy the true fan experience of being in the grandstand rather than sitting home alone;
  9. Get ready for Banyana Banyana: chances are good that the South African women’s team could win this year’s African Women’s Championship to be held in South Africa in October 2010 and thus qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011 in Germany. Get behind Mzansi’s best women!
  10. Join the Bafana Bafana Fan Club at www.bafanafanclub.com and save up for Brazil 2014!

And, whatever you do, remember the 2010 slogan “Ke nako!” – now is the time to carry forward the new found spirit of ayobaness and show each other that Madiba was right when he called South Africa “a Nation of Champions”!

Source: www.Bizcommunity.com

The advertising agency Draftfcb is campaigning for a month long extension to the World Cup “gees”, to maintain the national pride that has resulted from the World Cup.  It is requesting brands of South Africa, as well as South Africans, to “Fly the Flag”, and to make the end of the World Cup a new beginning.

*’Gees’ is the Afrikaans word for ‘spirit’ or ‘vibe’.

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com