2025 Communications Trends and the Rise of the Fractional Communications Leader
By Laura Rapson, PR and Communications Lead at Stardust Global In recent years, fractional executives have become a familiar part of the business landscape. Fractional CMOs, CFOs and CTOs offer senior strategic expertise without the overhead of full-time employment. Increasingly, a new kind of consultant is joining their ranks: the fractional communications leader. In South […]
5 Trends Shaping Modern Marketing: Reflections from a Fractional CMO
Written by Brigitta Long, Founder and Fractional Chief Marketing Officer at Stardust Global As fractional Chief Marketing Officers working across South Africa and internationally, we have the privilege of helping organisations build, fix, and scale their marketing and communications functions. What stands out most as we reflect on the work we executed over the past […]
How to Ensure Marketing and Business Goals Move in Sync
In today’s fast-moving business environment, marketing cannot operate in a silo. Gone are the days when creative flair and brand visibility were enough to justify a marketing team’s value. Now, marketing must prove its role as a growth engine — one that is strategically aligned with the broader business objectives. When marketing and business goals […]
Why Marketing Belongs at the Boardroom Table
And Why CEOs Should Care Now More Than Ever In today’s market, operational efficiency is the bare minimum. It’s expected. No CEO earns applause for simply running a tight ship. The real differentiator, the currency of relevance and competitive edge, lies elsewhere: in how visible your brand is, how clearly it stands apart, and how […]
Gifts to the Market: Creating Value Beyond Revenue
In a world where businesses compete for attention, trust, and loyalty, a gift to the market stands out as a powerful way to build meaningful relationships with your audience. Unlike traditional marketing tactics that subtly push toward a sale, a gift to the market is something an organization offers freely—with no strings attached. It creates […]
The Underrated Power of Marketing Principles
Marketing principles are one of the most undervalued tools in a company’s strategic arsenal. While businesses invest heavily in campaigns, branding, and digital strategies, few take the time to develop well-thought-out marketing principles that can serve as a guiding light for every marketing-related decision. When done right, marketing principles provide clarity, consistency, and strategic direction, […]