The latest news on media moves and appointments. Who is going where, when, how and why they’re moving on.
New editor for Shape magazine
Tracy Melass, former editor of Psychologies magazine, is the new editor of Shape magazine. Melass’ debut issue as SHAPE editor will appear in August 2011.
In her 15-year career in journalism, Melass has worked at an impressive variety of news dailies and glossies, both in South Africa and the U.K. She comes to SHAPE from Psychologies Magazine, where she served as editor since 2006. Previously, she held the position of Deputy Editor at O, The Oprah Magazine, as well as senior editorial positions at ThisDay newspaper and Style Magazine.
“I feel enormously privileged to take over the helm at SHAPE,” says Melass, “and relish the opportunity to grow this prestigious brand and its community of passionate, loyal readers.
said Liezl de Swardt, General Manager at the Women’s Interest Division of Media24 Magazines adds that Melass is well versed in the operational and commercial realities of producing a magazine, and “very importantly, understands the power of social media and the need for a brand to stretch across multiple platforms.”
O Magazine shines with new beauty editor
O, The Oprah Magazine appointed Chereen Gibson as its new beauty editor. Chereen is currently the beauty editor at Woman&Home – a position she has held since January 2010. Chereen will officially take up her new role from May 1 and will initially be based in Johannesburg.
“I am always excited by the prospect of working with a fresh, new talent who is sure to bring something unique to our magazine,” says Samantha Page, editor of O, The Oprah Magazine. “O magazine aims to put beauty in perspective for the O woman, offering her beauty intelligence and practical solutions, and Chereen has the drive and motivation to put this thinking into action.”
Chereen is enthusiastic and passionate about beauty, “I am excited by the prospect of producing high-quality articles packed with glamorous, yet practical and relevant content.”
AMASA votes for new committee
The Johannesburg Advertising Media Association of South Africa (AMASA) has announced its 2011/2012 committee, as voted in by members of the advertising, media and marketing industries at its annual AGM held recently.
The nominees who received the highest number of votes and secured a seat on the AMASA committee are: Dustine Tobler (TGI), Gia Conte (Primall Media), Karen van Wyk (ComutaNet), Lea van Coller (Ramsay Media), Lyn Jones (Continental Outdoor), Michelle Randall (United Stations), Paul Clarke (Provantage), Ryan Williams (nota bene), Samu Mahkatini (NAB), Sifiso Pule (Ads24), Wayne Bischoff (Spectrum Mobile).
Lyn Jones was voted in as AMASA Johannesburg’s new chairperson and Lea van Coller as vice chairperson. “It’s an honour to continue AMASA’s mandate of providing education to the Media Advertising industry. We have a really strong and committed committee this year and will certainly keep the flag flying high,” said Lyn. “There is much fun and hard work ahead of us, however we look forward to celebrating AMASA’s 40th year in existence!”
In terms of the constitution, Chairman Brad Aigner (FGI) steps down as chairman and automatically retains a seat on the committee for the forthcoming year.
Compleat Golfer appoints national sales manager
Compleat Golfer has announced the appointment of Jesse Henney as National Sales Manager for from 1 May.
A keen golfer, Henney brings a wealth of media knowledge and experience to the job; he was adsales executive with sister titles CAR and Leisure Wheels for four years. Prior to that he was regional sales manager at Touchline Media and accounts executive at Future Publishing.
Henney will be a welcome addition to the team and his “expertise and relationships at agency level” a great asset to the brand, said publisher Craig Wilson.
mediamark MD to hand over the reins
Mediamark’s board of directors have announced that they have received and accepted the resignation of Graham Willcock, managing director of the group of companies encompassing radmark, digitalmark, tvmark and qmark. Graham has occupied the position for the past three years, but will be leaving later this month to pursue new opportunities.
Mediamark’s board complemented Graham for the successful transformation of the exclusive radio sales house into mediamark, a diverse operation with internet, research and TV capacity. Mediamark’s current chairman, Andrew Manderstam, comments “Graham’s contribution to the company has been highly constructive. He leaves mediamark well prepared to meet the new challenges of the digital age and should be congratulated on a mission well accomplished.”
Jerry Singh, mediamark’s financial director, will act as MD until a replacement is found.
New MD for Absa’s AllPay
Absa has announced the appointment of Edmund Jeneker as the managing director of AllPay. AllPay Consolidated Investment Holdings (Pty) Ltd, established in 1997, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Absa Group Limited. The heart of AllPay’s business has been the mobile payment of social grants and the improvement of the quality of life of communities in targeted markets, by providing financial and other services through innovative solutions.
Prior to joining Absa, Jeneker held various managerial positions in companies such as Deloitte, Grant Thornton and the World Bank. He is currently completing his M.Com degree at the University of the Western Cape.
Isilumko Media adds more people power
Isilumko Media has recently added the expertise of Sheryl Allan (Jhb) and Dayne Stern (CT) to their management team. Isilumko Media’s mantra is “People Powering Brands” and this is evident internally too, in the acquisition of these two new appointments.
Based in Johannesburg as Isilumko Media’s new client service and operations manager; Sheryl Allan brings 20-years of combined industry experience in events, public relations and experiential marketing to the table. Allan will undoubtedly enrich the Isilumko Media team through her passion and guidance; powered by her vast experience and inherent understanding of experiential marketing.
Dayne Stern, based at head office in Cape Town, joins Isilumko Media as business development manager. This Rhodes University graduate has a strong background in journalism and psychology. His career started in the hospitality industry where he moved up the ranks to management level at a renowned wine agency in the Western Cape. Stern’s unique character and a wealth of knowledge in the sales arena are valuable additions to the Isilumko Media team.
Groepe to buy Via Afrika Publishing Group
Media24’s board of directors announced that Francois Groepe, currently chief executive officer of the Media24 group, made an offer to lead a buy-out of the schoolbook publishers, Via Afrika Education.
Francois said: “after nearly eight happy and successful years in various senior management roles in Media24, the last three years as chief executive officer, I am excited to embark on this new challenge with the Via Afrika Education management team with whom I worked especially closely over the past year. Having come to the conclusion that to be successful Via Afrika Education is best positioned as a standalone business, I have decided to embark on a journey towards becoming a social entrepreneur. There is no more important contribution we could make to the future than innovation for success in education. I am privileged to work with a proven team in the only 100% South African educational publisher.”
And in short…
Nkuli Mabandla has been appointed as a legal advisor at Kagiso Media.
Michèle Pienaar has joined Wine magazine as adsales executive.
CAR has appointed Jay Devenish as Leisure Life adsales executive.
Anton Willemse has joined the RamsayMedia Custom Publishing division as account executive for Automobil.
