Briefly… Howzit Bru – MSN launches Men’s channel; Antony Young is Spikes Asia media jury president; It’s almost AMASA party time – be afraid, be very afraid! Third and final IAS Masterclass for 2011; and ComutaNet heats up outdoor this winter.
Howzit Bru – MSN launches Men’s channel
Howzit MSN has announced the launch of a men’s lifestyle channel designed to bolster its content and attract advertisers. The channel – https://lifestyle.howzit.msn.com/ – is being run in partnership with international men’s magazine Shave, and aims to provide the “modern, urban male with fashion, relationship and economic advice as well as entertainment and fitness news”.
“The uptake has exceeded expectation. Readers seem to love the mix of content, and the fact that we have access to international celebrities through the partnership with Shave serves to differentiate us significantly from the competition,” says Howzit MSN editor Justin Zehmke.
“Diversity of channel offerings ensures that we are able to deliver a targeted and focused approach to online advertising. This ensures that products are able to advertise in contextually relevant environments, increasing awareness and impact,” says Digitalmark sales manager, Ian Drummond.
Antony Young is Spikes Asia media jury president
The Spikes Asia Media Jury, which awards excellence in media strategy, planning and execution, will now be chaired by Antony Young, formerly CEO of Optimedia US, incoming CEO Mindshare North America. He takes over from Mark Patterson, CEO of GroupM Asia Pacific, previously announced as Media jury president, who has had to withdraw due to unforeseen work commitments.
A Chinese New Zealander, Young spent seven years working in Asia, initially as regional media director at Saatchi & Saatchi based in Hong Kong, after which he was appointed CEO of Zenith Media Asia launching the media agency network in 1996 and leading its roll out across the region. While under his leadership, Zenith Media was twice named Media Agency of the Year and picked up one of Asia’s first ever Cannes Media Gold Lions.
Young has authored two books: Profitable Marketing Communications and Brand Media Strategy, a book that provides insights into communications planning in the digital age.
Judging will take place in Singapore in September. The winners will be revealed on 20 September. To submit entries, to register to attend or for more information on Spikes Asia 2011, visit www.spikes.asia
It’s almost AMASA party time – be afraid, be very afraid!
Calling all ghouls, naughty devils, witches and Frankensteins out there in the media, marketing and advertising industry – it’s time to get your dancing shoes ready to celebrate the year gone by and help raise funds for the AMASA Learnership programme.
Anyone in the media and industry knows that the AMASA event is one shindig not to be missed. Based on year-on-year success, AMASA’s party, this year themed Halloween is set to be yet another reason to dress up and celebrate.
While the party signals the time of year when hard working advertising and media folk let their hair down, the AMASA party has a complimentary purpose. Funds raised are contributed to the AMASA Learnership Programme (ALP), an industry initiative aimed at curbing the talent shortage. AMASA also asks each individual attending to donate gifts in the form of children’s toys which are delivered to the Little Switzerland Children’s Home in time for Christmas each year.
- Theme: Halloween
- Date: Thursday October 27
- Time: 6pm till the dead of the night
- Venue: Thatchers, Main Road, Lonehill
- Cost: Members – R150, non-members – R200
Tickets include a devilish welcome drink and a ghoulish meal. To book your tickets contact Charmaine at NAB – rsvp@nab.co.za and for sponsorship opportunities contact samum@caxton.co.za
Third and final IAS Masterclass for 2011
The Independent Agency Selection & Search Company (IAS) will be presenting the last in its series of masterclasses for 2011 at the end of August. There will be two different sessions in this masterclass: Client panel – the impact of the agency team in a pitch and Broad Based BEE- latest updates re exempt micro enterprises’. Participants will have the option of attending either or both sessions.
The session on ‘client panel’ will include panel members who will share their anecdotes and experiences in being on the receiving end of agency pitches, across all disciplines and share tips on pitching and putting a team together. The presenters for client panel will include Yvonne Johnston, head of marketing at the SABC and Maureen Mphatsoe, the Group Communications manager at Shanduka Group.
“These professional marketers, both women, through their years of experience at the receiving end of agency pitches will be able to give the agency participants lots of tips on creating pitch teams and maximising pitch presentations,’’ says Johanna McDowell, IAS managing director.
In the second session during the afternoon Deon Oberholzer, CEO of Veri-Com will be talking about the latest updates on the new regulations recently promulgated. This will include information on the process of BBBEE, the elimination of fronting and new enterprise development opportunities.
The masterclass is taking place on August 30 at Institute of Directors (IoD) in Gauteng
ComutaNet heats up outdoor this winter
Warmth, strength and cold-busting are three words that have become synonymous with Med Lemon, South Africa’s number one hot cold remedy. , ComutaNet were challenged to heat the GSK brand’s annual winter campaign to flash point employing the latest outdoor reflective technology to create distinctive Med Lemon BrandMarks.
The artwork splashed on the 3D 6m x 2,5m BrandMarks at 10 of SA’s busiest taxi ranks included a highly reflective vinyl which is illuminated by any artificial light. The emblematic Med Lemon cross as well as other “hot” features in the advert were ignited with reflective feature. This distinctive attention-grabber not only encapsulates the brand’s values but also communicates their understanding of the conditions commuters have to endure while bracing the icy chill in the dusk and dawn travelling times.
