Do you watch video’s online? If you answered yes, you are not alone. Over eight million South Africans regularly use the Internet and many of them watch, comment on and share videos. Chantal Storbeck, from Groundup-Media, writes to us about the role videos play in the social media strategy and share with us the Cotlands Toy Library video.

Experts are astounded at how quickly access to, and usage of, social media is growing. WorldWideWorx in June last year stated that social media has broken barriers in South Africa. The report revealed that social networking in South Africa has crossed barriers of age, with the over-sixties being the fastest growing age group on Facebook. Grannies are sharing videos, comments and messages with their grandchildren daily.

This year’s PRISM Awards evening topped all others for panache and style. The Who’s Who of the industry turned out in their finery to celebrate the best campaigns and industry players of 2012.

The winner of the 2013 overall PRISM Gold Award was Ogilvy Public Relations Johannesburg for its ‘Add Hope: Journey of Hope’ campaign on behalf of KFC/Yum South Africa (YUM! Restaurants International). This consultancy triumphed over 55 other public relations consultancies, corporates and other in-house public relations departments who submitted almost 200 campaigns for the coveted Award. This public relations-led campaign was exceptionally integrated. It saw traditional, digital and social media work seamlessly with above-the-line and activations. The Journey of Hope took KFC from being a thought leader to a thought doer. It allowed KFC to use the power of storytelling to connect those living with hunger with consumers who are often removed from this reality. More importantly, the campaign has, and will continue to enable the brand to tell more stories that magnify hope - authentic stories that Add Hope. “This campaign showed an excellent understanding of the client’s problems and opportunities with their entry truly reflecting the campaign and all its merits!” commented Marilyn Watson, convener of the PRISM judges’ panel and one of the judges.

At a breakfast hosted in conjunction with the Wits Business School (WBS) this morning, the Johannesburg Press Club (JPC) formally handed over its Newsmaker of the Year Trophy to the Public Protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela. The Award was made to her and the Office of the Public Protector at the end of 2012 but, today, was the first opportunity in the past year that it formally could be handed over.