Media Moves: Herman Lensing takes charge at SARIE KOS. Chris Kabwato takes over as executive director of Sanef. Endemol Shine Africa appoints Helga Palmer as the new MD. Kagiso Media strengthens its commercial operations with strategic appointments. ECR renews partnership with House & Garden Show. Oxigen partners with world renowned sports psychologist. Student Village and Webfluential unite with killer influencer marketing offering. Penquin MD acquires majority shareholding. Alliance Media partners with the Tears Foundation. Turner expands its kids’ distribution to East Africa with Boing.
This week’s BIG move: Herman Lensing takes charge at SARIE KOS
A decade ago SARIE launched SARIE KOS to fill an obvious gap in the market for honest Afrikaans food with a fabulous modern twist. The magazine was an instant winner and with its 50th issue coming up, soon things are about to be spiced up.
Current SARIE food editor and well-known television personality, Herman Lensing, will now also hold the reins of SARIE KOS. Lensing, recently nominated by Mail & Guardian as one of 200 young South Africans to watch and the author of two popular recipe books, will be the inspiration behind the magazine brand’s exciting new 360 food offering.
“His love of food and exceptional creative touch will be tangible throughout the new quarterly stand-alone issues of SARIE KOS, another new TV programme on DStv/VIA, daily digital contributions for SARIE.com (including food videos), seasonal workshops where foodies can share and learn, and every issue of SARIE,” SARIE reported in a statement.
SARIE KOS under Lensing’s direction will focus on food hot and happening and celebrate the trusted favourites we cannot live without. It will tell stories of local food heroes shaping our culinary scene (not forgetting favourite international foodies), provide ideas for easy weekend entertaining and quick weekday solutions. Recipes for healthy eating and special dietary requirements (focusing on diabetes) will not be forgotten.
Who’s moved where
Chris Kabwato takes over as executive director of Sanef
Chris Kabwato has been appointed executive director of the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) effective as of 1 January 2017. He replaces Professor Mathatha Tsedu.
With a career spanning more than 20 years, Kabwato brings on board a wealth of knowledge, experience and a burning passion for the protection of media freedom. His name is synonymous with Highway Africa at Rhodes University, where he oversaw programmes designed to equip Africa’s journalists with the latest technical skills and created an understanding of the role of the media in policy reform. The long-standing and strong partnership between Highway Africa and SANEF will continue, with Kabwato continuing as organiser of the 2017 conference.
“We are delighted to have Chris on board,” said SANEF chairperson Mahlatse Gallens. “Over the past two decades he has honed his skills as a strategic planner and fundraiser. Most importantly for us at SANEF, his passion for media freedom and commitment to protecting the independence of the media while ensuring that quality journalism thrives will contribute immensely to strengthening SANEF and our democracy.”
Penquin MD acquires majority shareholding
Long standing staff member Veronica Wainstein has been appointed managing director and acquired a majority shareholding in Penquin. Co-founders Grant Leishman will take on a non executive role while pursuing interests in the US and Darren Leishman takes on the CEO role of sister company Spitfire Inbound Marketing.
“While we have a new management structure in place our clients can be assured of our continued high standards of service,” says Wainstein. “We practice (and implement) everything that we preach and at Penquin it has always been about growing people organically and looking internally first for any promotion.”
Leishman says Penquin has always believed in owner managed businesses and particularly independent agencies. “Veronica has worked with us for the past nine years and we’re absolutely thrilled how she’s moved through the ranks into the role of MD so seamlessly and with the backing of the team and our clients.”
With the promotion comes a change of ownership. Wainstein has acquired the majority of Penquin shares with the remainder being split between Grant, Darren and five key staff members.
Endemol Shine Africa appoints Helga Palmer as the new MD
Endemol Shine Africa, creators of some of the biggest TV productions such as Big Brother, Isidingo, Survivor and the Clash of the Choirs, has appointed Helga Palmer as managing director.
“We are very pleased with Helga’s appointment,” says executive chairman, Moeletsi Mbeki. “She is a highly skilled professional who has a long and proven track record within the television industry. Her experience in business affairs and entertainment production, places Endemol Shine Africa under strong leadership and paves the way for further growth.”
The decision to appoint Palmer was based on her thorough understanding of the business, her extensive knowledge of the
Group’s catalogue and her more than 20 years’ experience in the industry.
She first worked with Endemol South Africa before becoming a Commissioning Editor at M-Net in 2003, she then returned to the company in 2011. Since then she has played a key role in Endemol Shine Africa’s business, overseeing areas including the Creative Department and Strategic Partnerships, and launching some of the company’s most successful long running scripted hits.
Kagiso Media strengthens its commercial operations with strategic appointments
Kagiso Media has announced some staff moves and new appointments it says will strategically strengthen its commercial operations.
Tshepo Setshedi joins as chief financial officer; Megan Marinus assumes the role of commercial director and Werner Lindemann moves from group commercial director at Kagiso Media to managing director of Mediamark, the media sales house for the Kagiso Media Group. The appointments become effective in November last year.
These moves follow the appointment of Shireen Jaftha back in August 2016 as integrated media specialist, reporting to Mark Harris, Group CEO of Kagiso Media.
“Kagiso Media is well positioned to have a successful 2017 and this is largely due to the strategic placements we’ve executed. We’re excited to have the skills in these key positions and are confident that they will further strengthen Kagiso’s foothold as a leading media group in Africa,” Harris says.
Who’s won what
ECR renews partnership with House & Garden Show
In 2017 the East Coast Radio House & Garden Show will wow audiences from across the country for a record 37th consecutive time, bringing with it a host of innovations. The company has renewed their title sponsorship with KZN’s radio station, East Coast Radio, taking the relationship into its 14th consecutive year.
“East Coast Radio is excited to renew its partnership for a further three years with this premiere lifestyle event in KwaZulu-Natal,” says East Coast Radio’s general manager, Boni Mchunu. “Over the years, the show has provided inspiration to, and a platform for, people from all over KZN to come together to experience the best lifestyle-offerings under one roof. We’re proud to be associated with an event that aligns perfectly with our 2017 focus which is to celebrate the people, places, and things that make the province of KZN great”.
In addition, Durban’s own Cairey Baxter-Bruce joins the team as show director. She brings considerable know-how from her time at Decorex. She has travelled extensively to Verona, London, Birmingham, Paris and New York in search of the cutting edge in today’s décor and design market. “The ECR House & Garden show is an institution,” said Baxter-Bruce. “I can’t wait to bring a fresh edge and exciting features to a show that’s been a South African benchmark for so many years.”
Oxigen partners with world renowned sports psychologist
Oxigen has signed a sponsorship deal with renowned sports psychologist, Dr Jannie Botha. Effective immediately, Botha will be representing the brand communications and sponsorship agency, as their official brand ambassador.
The co-operation will affect all of Oxigen’s national and regional communication campaigns. Dr Botha is already very familiar with the company having consulted with Oxigen on various aspects of business psychology and performance. His passion is working with companies and universities and he has previously worked with clients that include individual sportsmen, companies such as ABSA, Old Mutual and Sanlam, and universities across the country.
Oxigen founder LJ Swart says operating in the sponsorship management and brand positioning space means that the Oxigen team knows what it means to find the right fit. “We are very meticulous on who we choose to partner with as we have a clear vision for the business and business growth. Operating in both the corporate space and sport space exactly as Oxigen does, Dr Botha was a perfect fit.”
Who’s making moves
Student Village and Webfluential unite with killer influencer marketing offering
Student Village has partnered with Webfluential to grow SA’s youth influencer marketing capabilities, enabling targeted engagement between brands and Afrillennials (African Millennials) with influencer potential. With Student Village’s extensive youth networking capabilities, Webfluential will now offer an even more targeted influencer variety, enabling brands in their youth specific marketing efforts.
According to Marc Kornberger, director of Student Village, “The collective strategic focus of the partnership is to offer a globally superior tech platform to empower brands in the accuracy of their influencer marketing efforts.”
Together the brands are also aiming to create an opportunity for young, up and coming influencers to establish themselves and use the platform as a launch pad. With celebrities having been brands’ first focus to reach the youth previously, brands will now be able to target students through their significant peers as well.
“The youth market provides a perfect opportunity for brands to engage with their audiences through effective influencer marketing campaigns,” says Murray Legg, co-founder of Webfluential. “Millennials spend so much time on social networking sites and online via their phones, creating an ideal setting for people to influence people. We feel that Student Village is a perfect partner to execute on campaigns of this nature and add value to the brands and customers that they serve.”
Alliance Media partners with the Tears Foundation
Alliance Media has thrown its weight behind the TEARS Foundation by offering media space to increase the awareness of the Foundation’s causes.
The TEARS Foundation provides crisis intervention, advocacy, counselling, and prevention education services for those impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault and child sexual abuse. Confidential services are provided to victims at no charge and are available to female and male children, adolescents, adults, and elders.
The campaign ran during December and will continue again in the April Easter break. The TEARS Foundation recognises these months as significant, as rape, sexual violence and domestic violence increase drastically at these times.
For more information on the TEARS Foundation, see www.tears.co.za or dial the free helpline on *134*7355#.
emoji company GmbH announces agreement with Sony Pictures Animation on The Emoji Movie
emoji company GmbH and Sony Pictures Animation (SPA) have announced that they have entered into a licensing agreement with regard to emoji company’s registered emoji® trademark. The agreement covers the use of the term “emoji” in connection with SPA’s worldwide merchandising program for SPA’s upcoming comedy feature The Emoji Movie, coming to theatres 11 August 2017.
Both parties will offer their unique sets of icons and characters and target different markets.
“We are happy to enter into this agreement with Sony Pictures,” says Marco Huesges, CEO of the emoji company. “There will be no confusion in the marketplace since SPA’s products will be from their original and proprietary The Emoji Movie motion picture content while the emoji company is offering its own developed icons with the classic look & feel known from the Unicode.”
Cape Town celebrates Year of the Rooster with Hisense and China’s Ministry of Culture
In a month-long epic cultural celebration, global electronics leader Hisense South Africa is partnering with the PRC (People’s Republic of China) Ministry of Culture to sponsor the Happy Chinese New Year festival happening at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town in January 2017.
Having been organised in several countries worldwide since 2010, this is the first time that the festival is being held in South Africa, and serves as a wonderful opportunity for South Africans to learn about and engage with interesting aspects of the Chinese culture.
The festival will showcase a number of sensational Chinese activities such as exhibitions, folk customs and traditional In their recognised charitable fashion, Hisense is also sponsoring a movie charity show on the 20th of January, the official opening day of the festival. On the day, 100 disadvantaged learners from various primary schools in Bonteheuwel, Windermere and Manenberg areas have been invited to attend the show to enjoy a Chinese cartoon film. Hisense will be kitting the learners out with school bags and much needed other school items.
The Happy Chinese New Year festival taking place at the V&A Waterfront is a fantastic opportunity for all to learn about and embrace the Chinese culture in a fun and celebratory way.
Turner expands its kids’ distribution to East Africa with Boing
Turner, expert in family entertainment, has announced the expansion of Boing Africa – a successful, cartoon-based entertainment channel, into new African territories following its initial launch in May 2015.
Turner is partnering with AzamTV, one of the largest, fast-growing digital satellite platforms in East Africa. As of the 1 January 2017, Boing Africa is now available to all of AzamTV customers, known for its commitment to the family audience, from the basic package in uncharted African territories for Turner, namely: Kenya, Malawi, Uganda and Tanzania.
With its non-exclusive deal strategy, Boing Africa will continue to increase the accessibility of its kids content to local African households, with the ambition to extend its offering to nearly every African home.