In the world of communications the terms publicity and public relations are often used — and although they are two sides of the same coin they each serve different purposes. This infographic will delve into the key differences between publicity and public relations.

Sesame Workshop has named Dr Onyinye (Onyi) Nwaneri Managing Director for South Africa. She will be responsible for leading Sesame Workshop's South African operations and long-term growth strategy into Africa, leveraging the strength of the locally produced Takalani Sesame and broadening the Workshop's commitment within the country.

Shell Downstream South Africa has announced the recipients of their national bursary programme designed to support scholars from underprivileged backgrounds.

It's the time of year when we apply our learnings from the past 12 months to shape the next 12. Our prediction for 2025 is that we'll ride in on 2024's coattails. And, far from being ragged and tatty, 2024's coat is remarkably well-maintained, says Kevin Welman, Director at ByDesign Communications. 

Regine le Roux, Founder and Managing Director of Reputation Matters, says that when it comes to reputation management, values are non-negotiable. Values drive behaviour, shape your brand and ultimately determine your reputation. Reputation is the collective perception held by your stakeholders — whether accurate or not, their perception becomes their reality. 

Havas Red South Africa, the PR arm of Havas, has announced the acquisition of Novartis as a new client. Novartis and Havas align as organisations, both committed to making a difference in people's lives and impacting communities.

The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Africa has partnered with the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management in support of the mental health and well-being of PR professionals. As members of the Global Alliance, IABC Africa members will benefit from the collaboration with the World Health Organization's (WHO) QualityRights. 

SPAR has announced that it has once again partnered with Bata Shoes to give children in need a 'Start Like No Other'. By offering 500 000 pairs of Bata foundation phase school shoes for just R70 — available to customers who spend R350 or more and swipe their SPAR Rewards card — the initiative aims to provide children with the tools they need to thrive.

The Mustadafin Foundation has announced the launch of its annual stationery drive. This drive is a beacon of hope for young learners. Through this initiative, the foundation is helping to equip children with the tools they need to embrace education, break the cycle of poverty and paint a brighter future for themselves and their communities.

During a time when communication, including public relations, can reach larger audiences with smaller efforts, it is easy for PR pros to lean in the direction of global campaigning to save resources. However, certain benefits of localised campaigning are irreplaceable and can change the game significantly for brands.