Jon Cherry
As seen in:
MSN,
MSN Canada,
MSN UK,
The New York Times,
Yahoo Life,
El País,
The Independent (UK),
Yahoo Canada,
Yahoo News New Zealand,
Yahoo Singapore
and
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Jon Cherry
Intense hysteria and profound confusion
We are living through a time of intense hysteria and profound confusion. Nothing seems to make logical sense and those in charge are either offering simple solutions to complex issues...or, are just flat-out lying to all of us for their own personal gain. In a February 2026 business intelligence report, that we compiled and published, we focused on the phenomena of 'Hypernormalisation', which was also the theme of one of Adam Curtis' most popular films: “We live in a strange time.
Fully invested
The word 'invest' comes from the Latin word investire, which literally means "to clothe, cover, or surround". When somebody is invested, what we're conveying is that they are intimately connect in their relationship with something; like ownership of an asset (investment)...or an idea. If an idea is invested in, that idea can be thought of as being a part of the make up of that person. They adopt it as their own and fight hard for its survival.
If in doubt...do nothing
There is a creeping cultural phenomenon happening within many companies that can best be described as 'an obligation to be busy'. The behaviour has its foundations in an unchallenged obsession with measurement. And one of the crudest measurements that is relentlessly pursued is productivity (the amount of work completed over a period of time). Because of this, the quantitative mesurement of 'busy-ness' is almost univerally a blunt objective.
The TMRW talk | Workshop 17, Newlands, 23 October 2026
The TMRW Futures Consultancy was created to help decision-makers navigate uncertainty. In line with this mission, TMRW will host underwater cinematographer Roger Horrocks, whose work includes My Octopus Teacher, Our Planet and Blue Planet II. In his talk, The Craft of the Encounter, Roger will share how he mentally and physically prepares for uncertainty. Questions the session will aim to explore include: How can an organisation build its confidence in the face of uncertainty and change?
Behaviour is a function of environment
We feel compelled to whisper while standing in the cavernous expanse of a church. We try to be quiet while browsing through books in a library. At a music festival you need to speak loudly if you want somebody else to be able to hear what you are saying and moving your feet in rhythm with the music is advised if you don't want other people to think you hate their favourite DJ. Behaviour is often something that emerges in direct response to environmental conditions.
What to do about fun
'Fun' is a recurring theme on this site. We think about fun often, probably because it's tricky to know what to do about it. We're all very well aware that in the presence of having fun, people display an enormous capacity for staying power, creativity and positivity. If there is fun to be had, most will be incredibly motivated to be a part of that fun. Some will even contribute to the continuation of the party with their energy and time.
Checkers put their competition into a tricky sticky situation
It's rather amusing how the South African financial press speculate about the possible revival of the once-prestigious competitors of Shoprite Checkers, without fully-calibrating this 'possible revival' in context of what else is going on in the sector. Any plausible supermarket marketshare gain by brands other then Shoprite Checkers...will obviously need to come as a result of taking sales away from Shoprite Checkers.
Maggy Lou's is always full
On the corner of St John's and Main Road in Sea Point is an all-day cafe called Maggy Lou's. As far as we know, there's just this one cafe. And it's always packed with customers. Well logically you can point to the great location, lovely food, friendly staff, interesting decor, killer sound track... all of these things contribute to the Maggy Lou's vibe. But mostly the place just feels unbothered, relaxed and quietly confident in what it offers. The experience is what sells it.
EPA scraps power plant emissions limits in sweeping rollback
Mill Creek Generating Station, a coal-fired power plant in Louisville, Kentucky, is seen on Feb. 14, 2026, in Elizabeth, Indiana. President Donald Trump and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin revoked the EPA's 2009 "endangerment finding," which concluded that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases endanger human health and the environment and underpin federal efforts to regulate emissions.
Dolly Parton was also a great moat builder
The world's greatest investor...the Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffett, is a big fan of investing in a business with a good moat.
The new film (A24) and fashion (Dior) partnership
Have we mentioned our current world building obsession here before? If not...let it be widely known...we are currently transfixed by developments in something called world building; and now fuelling this addiction is an announced partnership between A24 and Dior (now headed up now by Jonathan Anderson). “This is the start of an exciting partnership built around artists and storytelling.
What to make of the closing of two iconic South African businesses
The recent news of business closures, particularly in the Western Cape, is heartbreaking: A nearly 200-year old shoe factory in Clanwilliam is to close. A fruit canning factory in Tulbagh is closing down, putting a significant proportion of people in the town out of work. In the case of both of these stories, the future prospects of entire towns are now at risk and civil society is understandably outraged. But in both cases, the glaring truth also needs to be acknowledged.
Copyright laws are not alone in restricting South Africa's creative economy
You don't need to spend long in South Africa before you are presented with the brutal realisation that South Africans are some of the world's most gifted human beings. And the potential of South Africa's creative economy isn't just a drum we love to bang on. The Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), Daren Tang, was in Pretoria this week and made particular mention of South Africa's global competitive advantage in its creative outputs.
Building a brand evolves into something more extreme
It's never been a better time to be an architect of alternate realities. For the price of an old secondhand car, you can literally buy media production equipment these days that's the same quality standard as what was used to create Toy Story 3. In lockstep with this easier access to quality production outcomes, the art of impactful brand building has also been taken to a whole other level.
Democratic candidate for Ohio governor accosted at county fair
Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former director of the Ohio Department of Health, Dr. Amy Acton, speaks to supporters during a rally on April 28, 2026, in Cincinnati. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images/TNS) An armed individual lunged at Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, at a county fair on Sunday, drawing swift condemnation from her Republican opponent and Governor Mike DeWine.
Democratic candidate for Ohio governor accosted at county fair
Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former director of the Ohio Department of Health, Dr. Amy Acton, speaks to supporters during a rally on April 28, 2026, in Cincinnati. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images/TNS) An armed individual lunged at Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, at a county fair on Sunday, drawing swift condemnation from her Republican opponent and Governor Mike DeWine.
Democratic candidate for Ohio governor accosted at county fair
Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former director of the Ohio Department of Health, Dr. Amy Acton, speaks to supporters during a rally on April 28, 2026, in Cincinnati. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images/TNS) An armed individual lunged at Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, at a county fair on Sunday, drawing swift condemnation from her Republican opponent and Governor Mike DeWine.
Democratic candidate for Ohio governor accosted at county fair
Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former director of the Ohio Department of Health, Dr. Amy Acton, speaks to supporters during a rally on April 28, 2026, in Cincinnati. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images/TNS) An armed individual lunged at Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, at a county fair on Sunday, drawing swift condemnation from her Republican opponent and Governor Mike DeWine.
Democratic candidate for Ohio governor accosted at county fair
Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former director of the Ohio Department of Health, Dr. Amy Acton, speaks to supporters during a rally on April 28, 2026, in Cincinnati. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images/TNS) An armed individual lunged at Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, at a county fair on Sunday, drawing swift condemnation from her Republican opponent and Governor Mike DeWine.
Democratic candidate for Ohio governor accosted at county fair
Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former director of the Ohio Department of Health, Dr. Amy Acton, speaks to supporters during a rally on April 28, 2026, in Cincinnati. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images/TNS) An armed individual lunged at Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, at a county fair on Sunday, drawing swift condemnation from her Republican opponent and Governor Mike DeWine.
Democratic candidate for Ohio governor accosted at county fair
An armed individual lunged at Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, at a county fair on Sunday, drawing swift condemnation from her Republican opponent and Governor Mike DeWine. Acton was speaking to a small group of people inside the Mahoning County Democratic Party tent at the Canfield Fair outside of Youngstown when there was a commotion that interrupted her speech. Two people were knocked to the ground. but Acton wasn't injured.
Democratic candidate for Ohio governor accosted at county fair
Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former director of the Ohio Department of Health, Dr. Amy Acton, speaks to supporters during a rally on April 28, 2026, in Cincinnati. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images/TNS) Jon Cherry TNS An armed individual lunged at Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, at a county fair on Sunday, drawing swift condemnation from her Republican opponent and Governor Mike DeWine.
Democratic candidate for Ohio governor accosted at county fair
Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former director of the Ohio Department of Health, Dr. Amy Acton, speaks to supporters during a rally on April 28, 2026, in Cincinnati. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images/TNS) TNS An armed individual lunged at Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, at a county fair on Sunday, drawing swift condemnation from her Republican opponent and Governor Mike DeWine.
Democratic candidate for Ohio governor accosted at county fair
Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former director of the Ohio Department of Health, Dr. Amy Acton, speaks to supporters during a rally on April 28, 2026, in Cincinnati. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images/TNS) Jon Cherry TNS An armed individual lunged at Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, at a county fair on Sunday, drawing swift condemnation from her Republican opponent and Governor Mike DeWine.
Democratic candidate for Ohio governor accosted at county fair
Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former director of the Ohio Department of Health, Dr. Amy Acton, speaks to supporters during a rally on April 28, 2026, in Cincinnati. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images/TNS) An armed individual lunged at Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, at a county fair on Sunday, drawing swift condemnation from her Republican opponent and Governor Mike DeWine.
Democratic candidate for Ohio governor accosted at county fair
An armed individual lunged at Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, at a county fair on Sunday, drawing swift condemnation from her Republican opponent and Governor Mike DeWine. Acton was speaking to a small group of people inside the Mahoning County Democratic Party tent at the Canfield Fair outside of Youngstown when there was a commotion that interrupted her speech. Two people were knocked to the ground. but Acton wasn't injured.
Democratic candidate for Ohio governor accosted at county fair
Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former director of the Ohio Department of Health, Dr. Amy Acton, speaks to supporters during a rally on April 28, 2026, in Cincinnati. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images/TNS) Jon Cherry TNS An armed individual lunged at Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, at a county fair on Sunday, drawing swift condemnation from her Republican opponent and Governor Mike DeWine.
Democratic candidate for Ohio governor accosted at county fair
An armed individual lunged at Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, at a county fair on Sunday, drawing swift condemnation from her Republican opponent and Governor Mike DeWine. Acton was speaking to a small group of people inside the Mahoning County Democratic Party tent at the Canfield Fair outside of Youngstown when there was a commotion that interrupted her speech. Two people were knocked to the ground. but Acton wasn't injured.
What's going on in South African clothing retail?
The current business news headlines featuring the names of some of South Africa's largest clothing retailers, are concerning. Truworths concedes that it is facing 'a cautious customer'. Truworths annual sales slip to R21.8bn in cautious retail market The performance comes as South African retailers continue to operate in an environment where consumers remain increasingly selective about discretionary spending, placing greater emphasis on value and the perceived worth of purchases.
Whatever happened to...
Here's a fun way to pass time: think about things that at some point in time were labelled 'the next big thing' and then wonder with curiosity about whatever happened to them. What you're wondering about here are things that were clearly overhyped that never really changed the world in the ways that so many online 'experts' had so confidently forecast they would. Here are some of our examples: Whatever happened to... the Metaverse?
ASICS Trail presents good reasons to visit the Western Cape
It feels like we're saying this every week, but the popularity of running is becoming out of control. Try go for a leisurely Prom trot at 07h12 on any Saturday morning and you will be joining a throng of running groups (some who look rather official, but most very much social) fighting for space to move and joining a long queue for the obligatory Plato flatwhite afterwards.
What exactly is perfume?
When buying a bottle of perfume, what exactly are you paying for? A scent. A signature. Or a story? Imaginary Authors is a fragrance brand that believes they're selling stories rather than simply shipping bottles of pleasant smelling liquid to people. At Imaginary Authors, our mission is to conjure and create memories. Through innovative fragrances and creative storytelling, we hope to unlock memories you’ve long forgotten and inspire the creation of exciting new ones.
The future of...
In conversations that we've been having recently with various people who work in different categories, there is certainly a strong sense that South African futures are shifting. Thanks to a number of converging global and regional forces the future South African landscapes of law, finance, retail, agriculture, mining, renewables - along with other sectors - are undergoing significant change.
Surprise, surprise - South Africa is one of the most challenging places in the world to be an entrepreneur
In news that will only surprise people with nice corporate jobs - where you're paid to attend cocktail parties and draw a monthly salary - a recent report confirms what every South African entrepreneur already knows all too well: South Africa is a terrible place to try to start and grow a business.
Opportunity is everywhere if you know how to look
What's often misunderstood about the value of developing a strategic practice, is that a lot of business leaders think that foresight and strategy are just alternative ways of doing planning, or putting together to-do lists. Strategy ends up as an annoying annual activity (we all it pageantry) that entrenches the continuation of the status quo.
Back-to-School Germs: How to Keep Kids From Bringing Them Home
The first weeks of the school year bring more than homework and new backpacks. Shared desks, cafeteria tables and constant close contact turn classrooms into a fast track for colds, stomach bugs and respiratory illness. Back-to-school germs can’t be avoided entirely, but a few simple habits can cut down on what kids bring home. Parents don’t need special products or complicated routines. Pediatricians and public health experts say the same short list of practices does most of the work.
Back-to-School Germs: How to Keep Kids From Bringing Them Home
Simple habits like handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes can help keep back-to-school germs from following kids home. The first weeks of the school year bring more than homework and new backpacks. Shared desks, cafeteria tables and constant close contact turn classrooms into a fast track for colds, stomach bugs and respiratory illness. Back-to-school germs can’t be avoided entirely, but a few simple habits can cut down on what kids bring home.
Why kids health experts say fever-free for 24 hours is the baseline before returning to class
Every school morning brings a kids’ health decision that arrives with limited information. A cough. A warm forehead. A stomach that felt fine at bedtime. Parents have to make the call fast, and getting it wrong means either a miserable day in class or a needless absence. Federal and pediatric guidance can narrow the choice. The rules focus on specific symptoms, how a child is actually feeling and whether they can get through a normal school day.
Why kids health experts say fever-free for 24 hours is the baseline before returning to class
Knowing when to keep a sick child home and when it’s safe to return can help families navigate school-day illnesses with confidence. Jon Cherry Getty Images Every school morning brings a kids’ health decision that arrives with limited information. A cough. A warm forehead. A stomach that felt fine at bedtime. Parents have to make the call fast, and getting it wrong means either a miserable day in class or a needless absence. Federal and pediatric guidance can narrow the choice.
Why kids health experts say fever-free for 24 hours is the baseline before returning to class
Knowing when to keep a sick child home and when it’s safe to return can help families navigate school-day illnesses with confidence. Every school morning brings a kids’ health decision that arrives with limited information. A cough. A warm forehead. A stomach that felt fine at bedtime. Parents have to make the call fast, and getting it wrong means either a miserable day in class or a needless absence. Federal and pediatric guidance can narrow the choice.
Getting into a state of flow
A ruminating mind is ill-equipped to deal with a high-performance environment. Entertaining a mental back-and-forth, while actually needing to respond to split-second changes in context is best done while in a state of flow. For example, elite athletes don't consciously think about their actions while performing. Rather they are capable of accessing a kind of physical intelligence where the mind tends to fade into the background and action becomes unthinkingly intuitive.
Kentucky man sentenced for threats against Rep. Thomas Massie and U.S. senator
Rep. Thomas Massie speaks with supporters after his concession speech on May 19, 2026, in Hebron, Kentucky. Massie, who has served Kentucky's 4th Congressional District since 2012, conceded his loss after the most expensive US House Primary in history against Trump-endorsed candidate Ed Gallrein. A Kentucky man was sentenced to more than two years in prison on Aug. 14 after making threats of violence against lawmakers, including U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie.
Why strategy fails
We've all been there, done that. We've all sat in the ‘inspirational strategy workshop’, led by a great facilitator. We've spent the time (and money), said all the right things...made all the notes of said things that seemed right. It ended with energy and much hope, but six months later...nothing has changed. All that promise and hope for change and you end up right back where you started. Why does strategy fail? Why is real change so stubbornly elusive? Well... think of a company like this...
Commentary: Americans won't let COVID be erased from our memories
A woman who has just received her Moderna COVID-19 vaccine sits in the post-injection observation area in Bates Memorial Baptist Church Feb. 12, 2021, in Louisville, Kentucky. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images/TNS) Sculptor Amanda Matthews arrived at the Kentucky COVID Memorial earlier this month prepared, ready to repair her work.
Free Post-it notes?
Those that know us, know that we love physical stationary as a mechanism to think clearly. Pens (usually Uniball), paper (A1 sheets), Post-its (only the originals please) all form part of the IRL-toolkit that we lug around with us to workshops and gatherings. Some people laugh at this obvious dependancy on dated technology, but we're not alone; the global demand for old school media is strong and amongst youngsters...growing.
Merrell and the urban birdwatchers
In case you hadn't noticed, people are beyond stressed and burnt out. To counteract the affects of living in a city, where toxic work culture demands ever more from us and nature often feels a million miles away, a simple outdoors (originally birdwatching) collective called Flock Together was founded in 2020 by Ollie Olanipekun.
The sheer audacity of it
Imagine dreaming a dream so big that others take offence to just how big it is. The sheer audacity of it, it's very existence, shocks people so much that you are labeled rude and disrespectful. Your flagrant disregard for the status quo, your contempt for industry 'best practice' earns you scorn and a quite chortle in polite company. Starting a venture with the intention of matching the status quo is a guaranteed recipe for generating a yawn.
Wow-Effekt des Alls - Warum Himmelsphänomene so faszinieren
Man sieht es nicht, wenn der Mond sich der Sonne nähert. Plötzlich gibt es eine kleine Einkerbung am Sonnenrand, die sich immer mehr ausweitet - und dann ist sie weg, die Spenderin fast allen Lebens. Millionen Menschen werden zum Himmel schauen, wenn die Sonne am 12. August einen kurzen, intensiven Moment lang komplett vom Mond bedeckt ist. "Es ist ein kleiner Weltuntergang zum Gruseln", sagt der Berliner Psychologe Peter Walschburger.
Wow-Effekt des Alls - Warum Himmelsphänomene so faszinieren
Freie Presse bei Google bevorzugen Menschen, die eine totale Sonnenfinsternis erleben, schildern das auch nach vielen Jahren noch merklich beeindruckt. Warum fasziniert uns das Phänomen so sehr? Berlin. Man sieht es nicht, wenn der Mond sich der Sonne nähert. Plötzlich gibt es eine kleine Einkerbung am Sonnenrand, die sich immer mehr ausweitet - und dann ist sie weg, die Spenderin fast allen Lebens. Millionen Menschen werden zum Himmel schauen, wenn die Sonne am 12.
Map Shows Where Americans Could Pay More as Insurers Cut Coverage
At Least 4 Dead As Heavy Rains Flood Kentucky. A home with flood debris and broken windows is seen on June 28, 2026 in Richmond, Kentucky. Homeowners insurance has become significantly more expensive and much harder to find in recent years as insurers continue pulling back from the most vulnerable areas of the country, according to a new report by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Jon
Contact Jon, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack