Penquin, one of South Africa's leading advertising agencies, has announced that it celebrated a remarkable year in 2023 marked by agile creativity,...
Read MoreLocal brand and communication agency Penquin has announced that it has secured a total of five accolades at the Scopen's 2023 / 2024 Agency Scope...
Read MoreIn the fast-paced landscape of marketing, one trend is poised to take centre stage in 2024 – inclusive marketing. As the world becomes more...
Read MoreIn the ever-evolving landscape of marketing, staying attuned to the preferences and behaviours of different demographic groups is crucial for...
Read MorePenquin celebrates an impressive milestone in 2023: 23 years of being at the forefront of the South African marketing landscape.
Read MoreWhether you are a small-time entrepreneur or the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, video marketing is an important tool in your online arsenal. The best...
Read MoreIn a world where time is short and there are so many options available, it takes more than pricing for retailers to get ahead of the competition....
Read MoreAs a brick and mortar business owner, one of the key aspects that may concern you is how to attract customers to your physical storefront. In today’s...
Read MoreLooking to improve your website performance? This article is for you. Guest writer, Ralph Rich shares his top tips for brands looking to optimise...
Read MoreMost businesses are harnessing the power of social media nowadays, but what can you do to reach people who don’t care about social media?
Read MoreBuilding a good relationship as an agency with a client or customer is not always easy. However, it is essential as it builds trust and helps you...
Read MoreBrand building undeniably results in long-term gains for brands and products alike, and marketers should consider reinvesting in brand awareness like...
Read MoreSocial media is undoubtedly a big contributor to big data, but what can marketers do with the information they get from social media platforms and...
Read MoreIt’s crucial for marketers to build brands they love, but is this always possible, and what do you do if you need to work on a brand you don’t...
Read MoreThere are many marketing agencies in South Africa. But, should you choose an integrated marketing agency or specialist agency to suit your overall...
Read MoreWe often find it hard to step out of our “comfort zones” and enter our “growth zone”. Our Client Service Account Director, Michele Rogers takes you...
Read MoreYour social media department works hard to establish your company’s presence online, but it’s all in vain if nobody shares your content.
Read MoreAs South Africa once again enters another devastating wave of COVID, corporates are once again gearing up to continue with hosting their events and...
Read MoreWe firmly believe that it’s only with a strong framework and a good strategy that you can make some amazing marketing. Here’s the low down on media...
Read MoreIn light of the Covid-19 pandemic, one thing has become increasingly clear for digital marketers everywhere – your customers want to know what your...
Read MoreThere are a few things that separate a decent brand manager and marketer from a dismal one. Pernod Ricard, one of the largest producers of...
Read MoreSMEs have a tough time as it is: the economic hardships of lockdown forced almost half of them to close down, illustrating how vulnerable they...
Read MoreA good marketer recognises that to continue to grow long term, a business needs to start building a brand. This is achieved through an integrated...
Read MoreWhat is inbound marketing and what are the advantages of combining the inbound methodology with your digital and traditional marketing campaigns to...
Read MorePenquin worked with Suzuki South Africa to launch the all-new Ertiga in 2019, and it caused quite a stir in the South African motoring community. We...
Read MoreRunning a traditional marketing campaign is a lot of work, but nowadays companies have even more options to think about when it comes to digital...
Read MoreAn integrated marketing approach not only means establishing relationships with your clients but also building long-lasting partnerships of trust and...
Read MoreShould you run a campaign to increase brand awareness, or should your marketing focus on the products you actually sell? We dig into the advantages...
Read MoreWhat are our key takeaways from Web Summit 2020 and what does it mean for your business?
Read More2020 was a roller coaster ride if ever there was one. Marketers had to navigate their way through uncharted territory - trying to remain relevant,...
Read MoreIf you're wanting to achieve your business goals, here's three key insights from Web Summit 2020 that you can implement as part of your marketing,...
Read MoreMost businesses need creative marketing to get a message across to their target markets, but how can gamification assist in reaching more consumers...
Read MoreThe tectonic plates are shifting under our feet, but what world are we left with? The Penquin team makes some educated guesses about the future of...
Read MoreVirtual events became “the new normal” in 2020. We navigated through the COVID storm and learned a lot of lessons along the way. While live events...
Read MoreCOVID and South Africa’s downgrade to junk status has placed a lot of strain on the local and global economy. With marketing budgets being...
Read MoreHow do you approach your marketing strategy – especially during tough economic times? Do you believe it’s best to have something always ticking away...
Read MoreWhat are the benefits of outsourcing your marketing efforts? I’ve worked with Penquin for many years, but they pulled out all the stops when...
Read MoreWith so many metrics available across various analytics tools, how do you know which ones are important for the overall ROI of your business today?
Read MoreYou’ve been working for months planning a magical in-person event, but the unexpected check-in of the COVID attendee has left you with big decisions...
Read MoreNeed to improve your marketing ROI? Here are 5 quick win strategies marketers can use to ensure you deliver the best possible results without...
Read MoreMove over Millennials, Generation Z is set to take over. The generation buzzword for the longest time has been the all-too-familiar ‘Millennial’ -...
Read MoreWorking from home can sometimes be a real challenge, especially if you need to brainstorm ideas with your creative team and crave face-to-face...
Read MoreThinking about joining the Penquin family? Here are eight common onboarding questions we get asked by our clients.
Read MoreWant to make your media efforts work for your brand during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond? Here’s what you need to do to get the most bang for your...
Read MoreThe role of the marketing manager has changed considerably in 2020. How can you continue to deliver outstanding results for your business during a...
Read MoreChoosing the best agency to help you with your marketing efforts can be difficult. And we’re proud you’ve taken this crucial step and are ready to...
Read MoreQuick wins are great to boost morale but they can be a hindrance to your business growth - here’s how to tell when to strive for a quick win and...
Read MoreWill an outsourced or in-sourced marketing solution help your business hit its targets? We examine the competency, capacity, and costs of these two...
Read MoreThree of Penquin’s team members headed to Lisbon to attend the most innovative tech conference in 2019. Here are 7 takeaways you can use in 2020 to...
Read MoreAnother Super Bowl has come and gone, and boy, did we enjoy analysing the (rather short) ads. Some good, some bad - here’s a list of the ads we think...
Read MoreThis is no “due diligence” post - cyber security will be our biggest challenge in times to come! Make sure you can trust your agency with your data.
Read MoreFull-service marketing agencies in South Africa don’t often cater to small-to-medium enterprises. But that shouldn’t deter you from trying to find an...
Read MoreFrom craft beer to beauty products, South Africa is home to many small artisanal businesses. Here’s a round up of some of our favourites - and why...
Read MoreINBOUND is not just a business conference - it’s a life-changing experience. Here are some key takeaways from Ryan and Mel who attended this year’s...
Read MoreWebSummit is an immersive technology conference hosted in Lisbon, Portugal and attended by thousands every year. Here’s our team’s highlights, and...
Read MoreMedia buyers, media planners, and media strategists are all equally valuable to marketing success. We firmly believe that it takes a strong...
Read MoreSmall can be powerful, especially in the digital age. If you’re wondering how a small business can compete with global giants like Amazon and...
Read MoreInfluencer marketing can extend your social reach (or laser-target your message), but only if the influencer you partner with is a good fit for your...
Read MoreFully independent, full-service marketing agencies in South Africa are few and far between. Our independence is the fuel that drives us to provide...
Read MoreOur team recently attended INBOUND19 in Boston, USA. Here’s a round up of the best social posts and key takeaways from the event.
Read MoreOften, we find that the terms used when speaking about websites can be quite difficult to wrap your head around. And so, we've listed 10 need to...
Read MoreA vital task for any manager is to learn how to delegate and run an efficient team… but how to best do this tricky task?
Read MoreCompany culture has never been more important than it is today. Company culture pushes us to think about the way we work while allowing us to do...
Read MoreWhether you use traditional pen and paper or jot it down on your tablet, having a checklist will always lead to better productivity.
Read MoreMarketing has evolved significantly over the years and so have clients’ expectations of marketing agencies. Here are six main expectations that are...
Read MoreSocial media is a tough game today, but there is some pretty inspirational stuff out there. Here are our favourites.
Read MoreDo you want to take a closer look at your marketing strategy but not sure where to start? How about nailing one of the keys to success - your brand...
Read MoreEvery winning integrated marketing strategy has to include the right elements of the marketing mix. To help you do this, you can use the four P’s and...
Read MoreBriefing is an essential part of the relationship between client and agency. This handy article is written for clients to help guide the briefing...
Read MorePenquin MD, Veronica Wainstein, takes a look over her shoulder at what worked and what didn’t in 2018, and gazes into the crystal ball for 2019’s...
Read MoreOur MD, Veronica Wainstein, headed to the WebSummit global conference in Lisbon. Here are her key takeaways.
Read MoreWe recap some of our highlights from the year - from Comic-Con to our company re-branding.
Read MoreBefore asking for sponsorship fees from brands, media owners should consider the cost of the products being sponsored - this in itself is a form of...
Read MoreAll of your departments need to work together to create strong, integrated campaigns - here's why and how to do it better.
Read MoreWe all know persistence is an important part of sales, but there are lines salespeople often cross. Find out how you can still grow your sales...
Read MoreA communication strategy is essential for a good marketing strategy - but it isn’t a marketing strategy itself. Our MD, Veronica Wainstein, explains...
Read MoreMany companies are way too focused on themselves! I went to an INBOUND 18 session that focuses on businesses going back to solving for their customer.
Read MoreSocial media community managers deal with the worst! Here are some tips for you - the every day consumer - on how to message brands on their social...
Read MorePenquin worked with Suzuki to launch the Ignis, a new crossover to join the South African market.
Read MorePhoto from Reload Media One can learn so much from the INBOUND conference that it can be a bit overwhelming! I’ve rounded up my key takeaways from...
Read MoreWhy should you care about sending your customer a birthday email? Let’s see what the stats say!
Read MoreImagine if you could grade your client service team at your advertising agency, giving them a report card on their service. What would you score...
Read MoreOur new look is s**t hot, there’s no denying it. Here’s what Penquin’s Panda has to say about his new crib, new website and re-ignited passion for...
Read MoreThe client service provided by your agency has some major advantages - are you using them to their full capacity?
Read MoreWhat do hamburger menus, blue sky thinking and pilots have to do with marketing? We can’t blame you for thinking marketers are from Mars, that’s why...
Read MorePartnering with the right agency can deliver astounding results for your business. Here’s how you can tell if your current marketing strategy is...
Read MoreWhy does a tight brief play a crucial role in delivering exceptional creative? Follow the journey of a brief from concept to creation, and find out...
Read MoreNobody enjoys conflict but unfortunately it’s part of life. There are, however, several ways to help defuse a conflict situation, and even turn it...
Read MoreNobody knows your business as intimately as you do, that’s what makes the onboarding process so important. Onboarding allows your marketing agency to...
Read MoreThe digital wave is hitting Africa, will your brand keep up? Veronica Wainstein, Penquin’s MD, spoke at the Future Ad Africa 2018 conference and here...
Read MoreDo you know how much work it takes to write quality blog content and articles? At Penquin, we write our own content and have been running our blog...
Read MoreImage source: Real Gist From Amazon’s Alexa losing her voice, to Doritos’ #ladychips debacle here’s our list of our favourite (and not so favourite)...
Read MoreOne thing our MD, Veronica Wainstein, has learnt is that it is in vulnerability that you learn to show your strength. I clearly recall early in...
Read MoreIf the thought of mingling with a room full of strangers sends shivers down your spine, you’re not alone. Here’s some advice from Penquin’s MD,...
Read MoreWhat do brands offer their consumers? Business Unit Director, Rhein Weitz, looks into what brands have to offer and how they should offer it. ...
Read MoreFrom chatbots to dark social, what trends do you think will dominate the marketing landscape in 2018? Find out what the Penquin experts predict is...
Read MoreA lot has happened in the past 12 months. We're taking a look at what we originally predicted for 2017, to see if our predictions came true.
Read MoreOur MD, Veronica Wainstein, talks about the importance of creating a culture that allows failure in your company. We have all heard the motivational...
Read MoreSouth Africa had a challenging economic year, but despite our downgrade to junk status, Suzuki's market share grew. Here’s how they did it…
Read MoreOur social media manager, Nicole Glover, dives into some misunderstandings about social media teams and 6 FAQs you should know the answers to. Until...
Read MoreAs promised, I’ve gathered my thoughts on the second theme that emerged for me from the #INBOUND17 conference. This theme seemed to carry itself...
Read MoreHow do you push your team to be more creative? It might sound counter-productive, but a good process could help! Pairing the word ‘process’ when...
Read MoreMarketers across South Africa are all asking how junk status will affect your marketing expenses. Here’s some tips to help you stretch your budget...
Read MoreIt’s hard to keep up with ever-changing social media image dimensions. Bookmark this cheat-sheet to quickly and easily resize your images across...
Read MoreIt’s one thing when you have data to measure the success of your marketing strategy, but it’s often difficult to put a number to creative content....
Read MoreThis week two of our teammates were in Boston, where they attended INBOUND17, the world's biggest inbound conference, hosted by HubSpot. Our client...
Read MoreLinkedIn is more than just a place where you find opportunities; it’s a place where opportunities find you.
Read MoreThis week HubSpot is hosting the world's premiere inbound marketing event - INBOUND17. Veronica Wainstein, Penquin MD, shares her experiences of the...
Read MoreLearn the best tips and tricks for live-tweeting events like a pro.
Read MoreSub-Saharan Africa has the fastest growing mobile market in the world, according to the annual GSMA Mobile Economy Report (2017). Here’s what you...
Read MoreMarketing integration is more important than ever, merging the physical and digital worlds to create a consistent, memorable brand image. Here’s...
Read MoreGetting hacked can have devastating effects on your business and reputation. Here’s how you can protect your social media profiles from malicious...
Read MoreOnce known as the pound sign, the # is now the most popular method of categorising content on social media. Here’s how you can use hashtags to...
Read MoreEmbracing change can be scary but agility, in the form of small incremental changes, is the key to success. Here’s how you do it...We’re lucky enough...
Read MoreProgrammatic media is disrupting and restructuring traditional advertising. Here’s how you can amplify your brand’s message using these three...
Read MoreBrand activations are the best way to get your new product into the hands of consumers, creating brand awareness in an engaging environment.
Read MoreIs it possible to up the success rate of your sales team? This post has some tips on how to close a sale, using integrity and authenticity. ...
Read MoreCollaborating with a marketing agency can free you up to shine in your core role. Getting to grips with the complex and challenging world of...
Read MoreIf your marketing department is beginning to look like the cast from The Walking Dead, it’s probably time to consider outsourcing to an agency.
Read MoreSales and marketing absolutely need to be aligned; here’s how best to integrate the two in the digital space. The title of this post is a bit...
Read MoreThese days, marketing budgets are tight and every cent spent needs to be accounted for. That makes calculating a correct ROI (return on investment)...
Read MoreHere we look into the benefits of strategic brand partnerships (co-branding) and how they can be used to get maximum marketing campaign traction. ...
Read MoreIt’s been nine years since I was introduced to Suzuki Auto, and my friends and family can attest to the fact that I’m completely besotted with this...
Read MoreImage source: Galore Take a look at the rise of social media as mass media in society and how the Kardashians leveraged social media to build their...
Read MoreLili Radloff, editor of Women24.com, shares her advice on how to hire a social media team. You’ll struggle to find a serious brand or company today...
Read MorePenquin’s MD, Veronica Wainstein, writes about her rise through the glass ceiling and the challenges other women face doing the same. I’ll be frank...
Read MoreFinding the right candidate for your marketing department can be a long and tricky process. Here’s a few tips to help you weed out the talent from...
Read MoreAn integrated marketing strategy communicates your messages over different platforms in a carefully chosen, customer-facing way and cuts through the...
Read MoreUse the 80/20 rule to win your customer’s trust and loyalty by adding value through useful and engaging content, instead of just punting products. ...
Read MoreWith a simple shift in mindset, Laura Vanderkam shows us where we’ll find that illusive time to do all the things that make us happy. Between being a...
Read MoreMarketing shouldn’t work in a silo in any company, but in many cases this is exactly what happens. Unfortunately, this problem can be exacerbated if...
Read MoreTake a trip into the mind of a procrastinator to understand what makes us put off preparing that presentation - at least until tomorrow. We’ve...
Read MoreThe challenge of aligning sales and marketing is tenfold when your marketing services are outsourced – even if the outsourced team is packed full of...
Read MoreYour staff are your best brand ambassadors. Here are a few ways to motivate your team, increase productivity and create a great company culture.
Read MoreIf you heard that print was dead, you heard wrong. Print ads are still the most trusted form of advertising, despite the popularity of digital media.
Read MoreSetting up a simple business website is the biggest favour you can do yourself in today’s predominantly digital age. Here are some website essentials...
Read MoreIs using themed holidays in your marketing campaigns delightful, or a little too cheesy? Have a look at seven of the most original Valentine’s Day...
Read MoreSo, let me guess. Your marketing efforts started strong. You knew your funnels inside out and back to front; and they worked for you too. Calls to...
Read MoreThere is no doubt that an event planner’s job is probably one of the most exciting and the most stressful of all the vocations out there. No two ...
Read MoreBrand awareness via social media platforms is of utmost importance, but everyone always wants to see results before they have a solid social media...
Read MoreUse the Penquin event management checklist to run your next event smoothly. Managing an event can be overwhelming when you have no constructive plan...
Read MoreWhat is Inbound marketing, and how has the digital revolution given rise to marketing you’ll love? Inbound marketing was “born” in 2006, when...
Read MoreYou’ve heard it all before - video is the future and it’s taking content marketing by storm. Though intimidating to most marketers, videos are well...
Read MoreIf you’re new to PPC advertising and don’t know where to begin, bookmark this blog post. Approaching your first pay per click (PPC) campaign may...
Read MoreWorking 24/7 is all too easy when work emails and company Whatsapp groups bleed over into your personal ‘off’ time, but never giving yourself a break...
Read MoreArtificial intelligence is the next Industrial Revolution and it’s already making inroads in marketing. You probably don’t realise it, but you’re...
Read MoreStarting an online brand presence in a meaningful way is an intimidating task, but an essential one that can open many sales doors for businesses. ...
Read MoreEach year we start off with bigger, better plans at making this the best year for our businesses’ marketing. But are we just doing more of the same...
Read MoreSouth Africa is one of the fastest growing global markets and is growing quite rapidly in the digital space. According to the Social Media Landscape...
Read MoreMarketing trends are constantly in flux, but some in-depth reporting gives us a look at what to expect going forward.
Read MoreInbound marketing is an exciting new marketing frontier that works to influence potential customers from the research stage of their buying journey...
Read MoreThe success of a digital campaign can only truly be determined with real measurements in place. With the amount of data available on digital...
Read MoreAdvertising has the ability to shape perceptions, to make a difference and - yes - even to change the world! Advertisers are trying to sell a...
Read MoreWith content marketing on the rise, one of the biggest challenges for marketers is coming up with new and interesting content ideas that sets you...
Read MoreKeeping up with a busy schedule and staying ahead of the game at the same time, can be a little tricky for today’s marketer, and podcasts have...
Read MoreIt’s not uncommon in this day and age for people in various industries to work as hourly workers, and marketers log their time by the hour. Many...
Read MoreSocial media and digital have completely taken over the way in which people consume media (and advertising). Because of this, advertisers have...
Read MoreWith the tons of holiday content available online, we decided not to bombard you with marketing and advertising tips and tricks this year, but...
Read MoreIn years gone by, communicating and interacting was face-to-face, or by post and landline. Anything else just didn’t exist. Today we are reachable...
Read MoreImagine readers consuming your adverts with the same enthusiasm as articles and other content - that’s the idea behind this new thing called native...
Read MoreIn 2015, the holiday season saw US consumers alone spending $56.42bn on e-commerce sites. Cyber Monday (the Monday following Black Friday) that year...
Read MoreHave you ever wondered why you struggle to make decisions or fear the unknown? Why do you live for that last minute adrenaline rush or find it hard...
Read MoreAfter reading thousands of articles on how to be more productive, we’ve discovered there are only a few ways to achieve this elusive goal in today’s...
Read MoreA lot of marketing is about the long game, but here are 5 easy actions you can take right now to make a difference to your marketing ROI.
Read MoreThe term unpleasant design sounds a little strange, and seems like an oxymoron. How can design be unpleasant? And moreover, how can it be unpleasant...
Read MoreThe number one thing we hear from clients nowadays is they’re having difficulty understanding what their customers need and want, and knowing this...
Read MoreBuilding an engagement strategy sounds like a Herculean task and, often, it is. However, if you break your business down into the simplest building...
Read MoreSocial media is a large and confusing world, and a lot of brands get a lot of things wrong. Here’s what not to do, and how to do it right.
Read MoreIn a recent article, Kenny Hemphill of MentalFloss.com questioned whether working from home actually makes you more productive or creates more...
Read MoreWith the takeover of digital, online shopping and now virtual reality (VR), shoppers barely have to leave their homes to get the full shopping...
Read MoreEvery year the creative industry gears up to attend the Oscars of advertising - a series of awards rewarding creative excellence in advertising. Ad...
Read MoreAre you struggling to increase your website traffic in an increasingly competitive online world? Well, maybe you haven’t thought of the easy things...
Read MoreWelcome to modern marketing: where content is quick, competitors are many and time is a commodity very few marketers have. In years gone by, ...
Read MoreIs your press release not getting the traction you hoped? Here’s how to write one in the digital age. People don’t consume information like they...
Read MoreDo you know your way around marketing ling, or are you still wet behind the ears? Take our quiz to find out!
Read MoreMaking Email Your Productivity Super-Sidekick in 5 Steps A lack of productivity in the workplace is usually blamed on email overload, and the...
Read MoreFor years, women have struggled with juggling family responsibilities and high power jobs. But is having a family, taking care of household chores,...
Read MoreWhat are Millennials? Put simply, it’s the group of people who were born between 1980 and 2000 and have somehow been lumped together into the...
Read MoreMarketing your brand is about more than putting a price to your product; it’s about connecting with your audience and selling them on what your brand...
Read MoreDynamic Johannesburg advertising agency, Penquin, celebrates 16 years of success. Sixteen years ago, around the time everyone was stressing about...
Read MorePodcasts (short audio files) are a great way to stay up to date with industry news, trends and the marketing sphere, since they are so easy to...
Read MoreIt’s important to plan, organise and manage your efforts when it comes to various projects. However, this can go wrong very quickly when not well...
Read MoreIf you’re finally clued up on Millennials, we’ve got news for you. There’s a new kid on the block: Generation Z, and they’re creating quite a stir. ...
Read MoreThe amount of information available at the click of a button is overwhelming. We tend to get bombarded by must-read content, webinars, blogs and...
Read MoreCustomer experience has changed considerably since the digital world has transformed the way we think, experience and make decisions. Gone are the...
Read MoreIn the hunt for helpful articles on great customer experience, it’s hard to find articles that don’t have headings like this: “Deliver Outstanding...
Read MoreDistribution is the key difference between a bestseller and dud, or a random pic becoming a meme. In inbound marketing, great content might be the...
Read MoreSince the turn of the century, South Africa’s internet penetration has exploded from less than 10% of the population having access to the...
Read MoreYou can’t ignore the Internet, and believe us, neither will your customers. From research to actually purchasing a product in the ‘offline’ world,...
Read MoreThese days, it’s foolish to think that customers will watch a TV ad and immediately trot to the store, bank card in hand. The buyer's journey is...
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