Media moves… TheMediaOnline’s weekly round up that looks at who’s moved where, which companies have scored what accounts and how to find out what opportunities are out there through our jobs site, powered by Memburn. All the moves in media.
Who’s moved where
Prezence Digital appoints Prakash Patel Chief Executive Officer
Prezence Digital, South Africa’s leading mobile solutions and digital brand strategist, has appointed Prakash Patel as its chief executive officer in a move set to create South Africa’s strongest full service new media agency.
Prezence Digital’s chief technology tfficer, Tim Bishop, says Patel’s appointment creates the perfect digital union: “Bringing Prakash on board means we now offer clients a marriage of skills and services; the most robust technical ability and strategy, together with 360 marketing know-how. In other words an agency that understands your entire marketing plan and has the expertise to deliver digital and mobile solutions that integrate and underpin all of your digital marketing objectives.”
Patel brings more than 18 years of international integrated marketing experience and in particular over a decade of digital experience that includes Strategic Planning, Integrated (online and offline) CRM/eCRM, Website and Database Design & Build, as well as Data Planning and Analysis.
Prior to joining Prezence Digital, Patel successfully set up the full service specialist digital division of an international advertising agency. In less than 18 months, under his leadership the agency received a number of industry accolades including Loeries, Bookmarks, Apex, Assegais, Creative Circle and AdReview newcomer agency of year awards.
Patel says together with Bishop, Prezence Digital’s mandate will be to further grow the digital agency side of the business as well as continuing the agency’s dominance in mobilizing brands across Africa and internationally as one of few South African digital agencies that really has the technical bases covered plus the strategically led creative outputs covering the entire digital landscape and all skills are in-house.
Vanessa Carreira-Coutroulis goes on Adventure Boot Camp
The outdoor fitness programme for women, Adventure Boot Camp (ABC), has appointed Vanessa Carreira-Coutroulis as their national brand ambassador. The former Miss South Africa 2001 is probably best known for her highly publicised and controversial stance during the Miss World 2002 pageant in Nigeria, when she refused to participate in order to boycott the judgement of Amina Lawal, a young woman sentenced to death by stoning for having a baby out of wedlock.
Carreira-Coutroulis’ keen sense of adventure coupled with her enthusiasm for inspiring others through leading by example is what makes her an ideal ambassador for the Adventure Boot Camp brand. As a mother, career woman and health and fitness enthusiast, she not only lives the brand but she is dedicated to creating awareness of the important role health and wellness plays in our lives.
“I have never been a gym person and was looking for a new and exciting workout regime, so the timing was impeccable. As soon as I tried ABC I was totally hooked. Its fun, challenging and I love working out with just a group of ladies. Exercising outdoors is really exhilarating too, even in the middle of winter, which is when I started,” says Carreira-Coutroulis.
Willem Steenkamp becomes senior associate at marcusbrewster
Leading public relations firm marcusbrewster has announced the promotion of Willem Steenkamp to the position of senior associate.
Steenkamp (44) has held the position of senior account manager since joining marcusbrewster in November 2009. He is a specialist writer, media trainer, and crisis and reputation management consultant at the firm.
In these capacities, Steenkamp has provided invaluable strategic input to the agency’s various clients, current and former, including Johns Hopkins Health and Education in South Africa (JHHESA), PLAYBOY South Africa, the Emerald Resort and Casino, BDFM, the various travel and leisure brands of the Travel Corporation, Seeff Property Services, Romans Pizza, KWV, Neo Africa and Absa.
“Willem’s more than two decades’ experience in media and corporate communications reflects the depth of expertise we have in our organisation,” says San Reddy, MD of marcusbrewster. “Not only are we able to leverage long-standing relations with the media, but we are well positioned to unlock strategic value for our clients in a rapidly changing economic landscape.”
Bonang Matheba finds a new home for her brand
Model, video jock, DJ, designer and businesswoman, Bonang Matheba, has found a new home to manage her brand, joining Capacity Relations, a brand and PR activation company. Capacity Relations will now manage her. This comes after the agency bagged itself the Castle Lite summer campaign account, the same brand that is deemed to be bringing Hip Hop Superstar Drake to our shores.
“We are honoured and excited to represent such a dynamic and fabulous brand, being Bonang. We believe that she has already built up such a strong presence out there and we hope to build on this even more by assisting her with the opportunities that will make her dreams come true,” said Sarit Tomlinson, MD of Capacity Relations.
Capacity Relations is a four-year-old agency that has worked with brands like Jameson, Twinsaver, Lifestyle, Duracell and other brands. The agency won a Gold Prism award in March for consumer public relations for Duracell for the World’s Largest Chocolate Bunny Campaign.
Rohenie Naidu joins Mediacom Interactive
Rohenie Naidu has joined Mediacom Interactive as a digital strategist. She teams up with Cherylann Smith, who established MediaCom Interactive at MediaCom in April.
MediaCom Interactive is unique in that it is integrated into the MediaCom strategy department, ensuring that it creates intelligent and seamless solutions. It offers digital services including search, reputation management, social media and mobile.
New accountant for ComutaNet
ComutaNet, leaders in outdoor and interactive marketing to the mass commuter audienc,e has recently appointed a new experienced accountant, whose role will be that of cashbook clerk. ComutaNet welcomes Jessica Singh.
Who’s won what
On the Dot awarded Noseweek contract
On the Dot, the leading media logistics company in South Africa, has been awarded the distribution contract for Noseweek.
Noseweek is produced by Chaucer Publications and is one of the leading business magazines in retail sales in the business and news category. Noseweek is South Africa’s only investigative magazine and features relevant, independent, inside information about business, the professions, politics and society in South Africa. Published monthly, it is essential reading for anyone interested in what is hot and happening in the rainbow nation.
Noseweek partnered with On the Dot to find the best distribution footprint for the magazine. On the Dot will distribute more than 19 000 copies of the magazine monthly. The latest issue of Noseweek is available from 28 September. If you cannot find Noseweek at a retailer near you, please contact On the Dot on 011 401 5980.
“On The Dot will be distributing the magazine in South Africa and surrounding SADC countries and is delighted to have such a strong player in the market on board” said Chris McGirr, commercial manager: magazines at On the Dot.
On the Dot lands Forbes Africa contract
On the Dot has landed the distribution contract for Forbes Africa. Forbes Africa was launched by ABN Publishing to complement their extensive media presence on CNBC Africa across the continent. They want to distribute across a substantial part of Africa to enhance their position as the leading business brand on the continent. The magazine will feature entrepreneurial stories, celebration of wealth and a number of wide ranging business insights.
Forbes Africa partnered with On the Dot to find the best distribution footprint for the magazine. The first edition of Forbes Africa with an initial print run of 37 000 was on the shelves 1 October 1.
“We were delighted to partner with ABN Publishing to launch Forbes Africa, it is the leading business brand and we are proud to be associated with them. Having Patrice Motsepe as their first cover and attending the launch party says everything about their commitment to print media” said Chris McGirr, commercial manager: magazines as On the Dot.
Who’s making moves
Zinto transforms corporate identity, changes name to ZAG
Zinto Marketing Group has been in operation for more than 10years and the brand is embracing change and embarking on a rebrand by refreshing its identity and changing its name to Zinto Activations Group (ZAG). These changes are in line with an internal strategic realignment to ensure that the brand represents a single-minded concept. To date, ZAG has been promoting the business components separately rather than communicating the elements in their entirety and the idea behind the rebrand is to present a consistent look and feel and application of the ZAG brand that is identifiable to the target audience and that communicates an integrated message.
ZAG is a full service below-the-line marketing group that specialises in experiential marketing (brand activation). ZAG develops campaign ideas and concepts from start to finish including; gig rigs, talent management, events and entertainment, stage lighting and sound, brand encounters, brand concerts, brand character creation and management and workplace (industrial) theatre.
Michelle Combrinck, CEO and founder of ZAG concludes “It is the right time for a ‘facelift’ and a fresh way of viewing the world out there in terms of studying consumer purchase and consumption behaviour. Times are tough and people are on the lookout for great quality, fun experiences and value for money.”
Note: TheMediaOnline has a job advertising service. The site is read by media professionals across South Africa. A job posting on the Media Online Costs R342 (incl VAT) and appears for 30 days. It appears both on the Media Online site and Memejobs.com.
https://themediaonline.co.za/jobs/
