So it's back to the grind as many of us return to our respective workplaces in drips and drabs. Here at Bizcommunity, we're going at full throttle as of today, with most of our staff reporting back to the office. I can assure you that there are some exciting times ahead in the marketing and media industry. 2012 has come and gone with all its successes and challenges, but most of all - the learnings! As the new year slowly opens up it's doors to new possibilities, let's work together and embrace those opportunities that lie ahead. Here's wishing all our readers, old and new, every inch of success for 2013! As we bring you the very first newsletter of 2013, here are just some of the stories that you may have missed out on since our last newsletter of 2012:

MTN reveals latest global brand campaign

MTN re-launches MTN Play portal

World's press welcomes African Parliament Resolution to promote press freedom

iROKING partners with Eskimi, launches new site We've also compiled a 2012 Most Popular lists for Bizcommunity Africa which includes the most popular articles, those that drew the most comment as well as the most-read contributors. Here's to the start of a great new year! Evan-Lee Courie @evan1985
PS Responses to this column welcomed in our ed's column archive. Send all your Africa marketing news to africanews@bizcommunity.com, exclusive opinion pieces to contributors-africa@bizcommunity.com and international news to internationalnews@bizcommunity.com; also take a look at our guide "How to contribute to Bizcommunity, from op-ed pieces to news". Don't forget to follow @Biz_Africa on Twitter and join us on Facebook!