Media Moves… TheMediaOnline’s weekly round up. Barnard Beukman is the new editor of Beeld. East Coast Radio and the Sunfoil Dolphins celebrate renewed partnership. Urban Brew Studios employee to judge the International Emmy Awards. Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa announces $1 million fund for local media. Ask Afrika moves to new premises
Who’s moved where
Barnard Beukman is the new editor of Beeld
Barnard Beukman (52) is the new editor of Beeld, taking over the role on 1 December. Beukman worked at Media24 for many years both in editorial as well as on the business side of newspapers.
Beukman started his career in journalism in 1989 at Oosterlig. He later joined Die Burger and during his eight-year tenure he reported on education, worked in production and was part of the parliamentary team. From November 1997 he was director in the parliamentary office of the leader of the official opposition for a year. He was appointed assistant editor at Rapport in 1998, where he served as editorial bureau chief in Pretoria. In 2003 Beukman moved from editorial to the business side of newspapers with his appointment as regional publisher for RCP Media. He was appointed as general manager of Beeld and Rapport in 2009 and represented Media24 on the boards of Mooivaal Media and Capital Media.
Beukman left Media24 in 2013 to gain experience as an entrepreneur and started his own public relations company. His qualifications include a senior management certificate from the University of Pretoria business school, a certificate in leadership in business planning from the University of the Witwatersrand business school and he completed the Naspers leadership course at Stellenbosch University’s business school.
Beukman says he is excited about the prospect and the privilege to serve as editor of a prominent newspaper such as Beeld.
“Media24 is at the cutting edge of the worldwide shift of news to electronic platforms but firmly believes that newspapers still have a critical role to play in news strategy and society. I believe it is important that readers from a wide spectrum feel at home and welcome with the newspaper, and that they should find the news offering stimulating.”
Who’s won what
East Coast Radio and the Sunfoil Dolphins celebrate renewed partnership
Two brands synonymous with KwaZulu-Natal’s unique lifestyle offering have celebrated a renewed partnership. East Coast Radio and the Sunfoil Dolphins announced details of their strengthened synergy at a media breakfast at The Platinum Club, Sahara Stadium Kingsmead.
“We believe there is a strong synergy between the two brands. Both are passionate about KwaZulu-Natal and both are fun but both of us are serious about what we do,” says East Coast Radio’s general manager, Boni Mchunu. “We look forward to working closer with the Sunfoil Dolphins, and having a stronger brand presence at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead. We want to get back to the days of full stadiums, a wonderful family and fun atmosphere for all the home matches.”
The partnership sees East Coast Radio’s logo included on official Sunfoil Dolphins’ kit. The station will have access to players at all times and will also broadcast from the Sahara Stadium Kingsmead during key matches.
“This is an important milestone for the Sunfoil Dolphins,” says the team’s CEO, Pete De Wet. “East Coast Radio has been a loyal partner of our franchise for many years and I am very pleased that we have extended this relationship. This support goes a long way towards ensuring that our fans are up to speed with everything that is happening at the Sunfoil Dolphins.”
Who’s making moves
Urban Brew Studios employee to judge the International Emmy Awards
Urban Brew Studios has congratulated one of their drama directors, Herbert Hadebe, who has been selected as an International Emmy Awards juror. Hadebe travelled to New York City to judge the ‘Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Drama’ as part of the prestigious television awards.
With over 15 years’ experience in the film and television industry, Hadebe currently works on two drama series for Urban Brew Studios, Mzansi Magic’s Zabalaza and e.tv’s Gold Diggers. He was nominated as an Emmy juror by the National Film and Video Foundation, which as a partner and member of the International Emmy Awards enables the South African Film and Television Industry to participate in the judging.
Hadebe is honoured at being given this opportunity. “I’m so looking forward to being exposed to the so-called ‘anchor’ of film and television in the world. In my role as juror I will be looking for an actor who is able to connect and effortlessly manipulate the viewer’s emotions.”
Urban Brew’s CEO Trish Taylor says, “Herbert is a man of stature within the industry, so this honour is well deserved. Not only has he been nominated numerous times for the SAFTA’s Best Director in a Television Soap, while working on Rhythm City, he has also since been a SAFTA’s judge.”
Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa announces $1 million fund for local media
Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa (BMIA) has announced the creation of a $1 million fund to build capacity for civil society community media organisations in three countries – Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa. These organisations should be working to advance a deeper understanding of business and financial journalism, social justice, innovation and data to support transparency, accountability and good governance across Africa.
“Within Africa there is a large and growing community media sector linked to enterprises, civil society, and educational institutions, as well as NGO’s that focus attention on issues of transparency, accountability and governance,” said BMIA director, Erana Stennett said. “The BMIA seeks to implement this programme element to include provincial, local and community media aimed at rural and lower income audiences. Through its diverse offerings, BMIA seeks to support a more informed citizenry about business, financial and public policy issues, and particularly by strengthening community media and relevant civil-society organisations.”
The BMIA Community Media Fund is a component of the Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa (BMIA), a pan-African programme launched by Michael R. Bloomberg last year, to strengthen media capacity, promote innovation in the sector and improve access to high-quality data and information on the continent.
Ask Afrika moves to new premises