About Us

Affinity Publishing is proud to announce the 2011 edition of Brands and Branding.

This comprehensive annual has been widely regarded as the leading source of branding information in South Africa for almost two decades. However, publisher Ken Preston says readers can look forward to an even more colourful and instructive publication in the future.

“Like all brands, Brands and Branding must remain refreshed and relevant,” he explains. Readers will have noticed many incremental changes over the past 17 editions, however the book is now entering an exciting relaunch phase that will introduce a new narrative style and scene-setting visuals.”

Preston says the most significant change to the publication will see Brands and Branding assume the role of an active champion of brands and branding.

This is critical, given the changing nature of brands. Brands have evolved to a point where, from once being a logo for a product or company, they are a complex abbreviation that encompasses reputation, value, choice, quality, innovation, competition, consistency, responsibility and so on.

In this new incarnation, they are able to make a meaningful and valuable contribution to society, not to mention the economy.

This is where Brands and Branding has a role to play, according to Preston: “We want to help correct outdated and often inaccurate assumptions, and promote the vision of a sustainable future where, as fundamental vessels of value, brands extend this value to South Africa’s economy, the environment and society as a whole.”

Online Brand Resource

Responding to calls to extend the depth and frequency of information provided by the annual Brands and Branding publication – South Africa’s marketing ‘bible’ – Affinity Publishing developed the Brands and Branding website as a online brand resource, servicing all brand owners, marketing professionals and the education sector.

The brand portal is designed to facilitate the sharing of news, insights, methodologies and metrics, as well as highlight great brands from South Africa and globally,  thereby encouraging the marketing discipline to reach its full potential in South Africa. As you’ll soon discover, the Brands & Branding site features a range of useful and interesting content including:

• Top line thinking from key industry leaders
• Brand profiles and case studies, including best practice methodologies
• Personality profiles on what makes key marketing leaders tick
• Archived articles spanning a wide range of branding topics
• An online shop were you can buy all Affinity publications
• The results of numerous research projects in the branding arena
• Trend spotting identifying new ideas, influences and innovations in the world of business and brands
• Personal blogs from South African Marketing leaders
• The brand link directory, which we ask brand owners to check for accuracy, with an invitation to provide additional details
• The directory is intended to assist communication and avoid the confusion and expense resulting from name duplication or incorrect ownership information

One of the strengths of this online brand resource is that it is an independent media offering with no commercial links to the provision of brand, marketing or communication solutions. This makes it the ideal host for industry thought leadership and as such, perfectly positions the Brands & Branding website as an independent brand knowledge resource for marketing professionals.

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