Media Moves… TheMediaOnline’s weekly round of all the media moves. New news editor for Cape Argus. Simon Camerer joins DStv Media Sales. New board for the Digital Media and Marketing Association. Bonang Mtheba renews Lifestyle contract. SABC promotes SA music via video distribution deal.
Who’s moved where
The BIG move: Yunus Kemp new Argus news editor
Yunus Kemp has been made news editor of the Cape Argus after Natasha Joseph left to join City Press. TheMediaOnline asked him five questions.
What do you see as the most exciting challenges confronting news editors right now?
The core challenge for news editors across mediums will never change: get the best stories first, and consistently. The impact of Twitter and to a lesser extent Facebook has been an interesting dynamic in the news gathering/news breaking process. The challenge is how to effectively leverage these as a source and also as a medium to re-inforce your publication’s brand. Ever shrinking newsrooms continue to make life interesting for news editors, but seeing young, hungry journalists get stuck in is extremely rewarding.
What is your newsroom leadership style?
I am firm, but fair and have been accused of being a slave driver at times. I’ve come through the ranks at the Cape Argus, so there is a familiarity there – I’m always mindful of separating the friend persona from the boss persona.
What do you think are going to be the year’s big stories?
The Protection of State Information Bill, the ANC’s elective conference in Mangaung at the end of the year; how the new Springbok coach fares; how Libya and Egypt cope with transition after the 2011 uprisings; the Eurozone debt crisis; US presidential elections and of course, the Cape Argus’ big make-over.
How do you use social media in newsgathering?
I follow a fair number of news organisations and serial tweeters and I watch my Twitter feed as much as I can. But as with any source, there are checks and balances that have to be applied to verify as accurate whatever information we pick up on social media sites.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
Still believing that newspapers are the best form of media.
Simon Camerer joins MultiChoice as Director of Sales and Marketing
Simon Camerer, previously group executive head of marketing and commercial sales at Cell C, has joined MultiChoice South Africa from February 2012 as the director of sales and marketing. He will report to MultiChoice South Africa CEO, Collins Khumalo.
“Simon has pushed the boundaries at Cell C, both in terms of marketing and product development. We look forward to his contribution at MultiChoice,” said Khumalo.
Global ICT giant Huawei appoints strategic communicator
Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solution provider, has appointed Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa’s President-Elect, Tshepo Matseba as senior Corporate Communication Manager. His brief is to enhance Huawei Technology Africa’s brand in South Africa and the Sub Saharan region through strategic media relations, corporate social investment, and corporate affairs initiatives.
Matseba, an accredited Public Relations practitioner (APR), registered with the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA), was the head of brand & strategic communication at Momentum Group’s Financial Planning division. Prior to this, he was the marketing and communication manager at MTN Group.
New Digital Manager for Mustard Marketing
Mustard Marketing, the rapidly growing boutique marketing agency in Cape Town, has appointed Stan Kobrin (previously of Rapidreams) as head of their digital division.
Kobrin has a wealth of experience in the online industry having worked with clients like Tanda Tula Safari Camp, Tourvest Restaurant Group, Topco Media, Wynberg High Schools, BS3 Technologies, Fine and Country and Soccer Laduma Magazine.
New Executive Committee for the Digital Media and Marketing Association
Members of the Digital Media and Marketing Association (DMMA) voted for their new executive committee at the AGM held in January 2012.
The eight member executive committee (Exco) will once again be chaired by Nikki Cockcroft (Woolworths Online) who also holds the position of the Head of Bookmarks, the DMMA’s digital industry awards.
Jarred Cinman from NATIVE was voted in as the new Deputy Chair. Cinman is a longstanding member of the South African digital industry, having founded one of the first professional web services firms in 1995.
Suzanne Little (MWEB) respected social media marketer and corporate social strategist, was voted in as Head of Marketing. Publishers’ and agencies’ interests will be addressed in separate portfolios, headed by Geoff Cohen (24.com) and Clint Bryce (Quirk) respectively. As one of the founding members of the original Online Publishers Association,
Anastacia Martin (Mail&Guardian) heads the newly created Education and Transformation portfolio – a key focus area for the DMMA in 2012. The measurement portfolio which manages relations with DMMA appointed measurement vendor, Effective Measure is headed by Paula Raubenheimer (Habari.)
Research is headed by Gustav Goosen (SpaceStation) who previously encouraged publishers to submit advertising revenue spend in his role as DMMA Head of Monitoring in 2011.
Additions to Ogilvy Interactive team
Ogilvy Interactive (OI) has welcomed the well-known creative duo Reijer van der Vlugt and Justin Osburn from FoxP2 to its fast-growing team. Keen on expanding their knowledge in the digital space as well as working on large campaigns across the agency, van der Vlugt and Osburn are ready for the challenge.
The duo has received countless awards for their work, ranging from Cannes Lions for Drive Dry and Masterlock to plenty of Loerie and Clio awards. Van der Vlugt was also awarded a Gold Loerie for Young Creative of The Year 2010.
Adrian Varkel, head of Ogilvy Interactive comments, “OI provides the perfect platform for van der Vlugt and Osburn to be involved in integrated digitally driven campaigns, being able to see their ideas transform under one roof from start to finish.”
New Faces at Brand inc Johannesburg and Durban branches
Joining their Johannesburg branch, design and advertising specialists Brand inc has employed Samantha Ford in the capacity of junior graphic designer and Charity Maphosa as their front of house receptionist and PA to all directors.
Designer Luke Wilhelm who started out at the Johannesburg branch, has since relocated to Brand inc Durban in the capacity of senior graphic designer, where other Durban based clients too.
CRM specialist for NXT\Digital Innovation
Award-winning full-service digital solutions agency, NXT\ Digital Innovation, has appointed Jonathan Abrams as its mobile marketing and digital CRM specialist.
Who’s won what
VWV partners with SAB
Global brand experience agency, VWV Group has been appointed by South African Breweries to produce a documentary that showcases its societal leadership role within the country. The project will be concluded later this year.
Cloudy but with a real chance of sunshine for Networx PR.
MynextMail (Pty) Limited, a dedicated cloud-based technology specialist headquartered in Johannesburg, has connected with Networx PR. Networx will spread the word about MnM’s smart business e-mailing solutions for Governments and businesses through a Pan-African campaign targeted initially at the entrepreneurial and SMME business markets.
Networx aims to showcase how MynextMail, on the premise that communications are the cornerstone to success and prosperity, can “help Africans do business better”.
Stand 66 Appointed by Taursus Gold
VWV’s set construction partner, Stand 66, has been awarded the design and construction of the Taurus Gold stand at this year’s Mining Indaba. This is the second project Stand 66 has landed at the 2012 mining expo to be held in Cape Town in February.
Who’s making moves
New moves at Lifestyle
Bonang Matheba, Lifestyle’s brand ambassador, has had her contract renewed by the brand who signed SA’s social media, Radio & TV Queen Bonang Matheba as the official brand ambassador last year. The brand truly made a difference in helping young girls in disadvantaged areas and aims to continue to make a big impact on these girls’ lives on a bigger scale this year as well as adding even more value by introducing two esteemed experts to the brand.
“As women we are faced with many challenges, from body changes to relationships and social pressures. Many young women do not have the guidance and advice that they need to be able to work through these life changes,” comments Amanda Dlamini, Brand Manager of Lifestyle.
“Last year we introduced the Carry Yourself with Confidence campaign to address these concerns in various disadvantaged schools; we also established a growing online presence, where thousands of girls get personal and general advice on our Facebook and online site. We are delighted to have two leading experts join the team as consultants on our Girl Talk section“,
Psychologist Debbie Bright and Gynaecologist and Obstetrician Dr Lalloo, who will share their expertise of advice after many years of private practice.
AIRCO and SABC announce video distribution agreement
The Association of the Independent Record Companies of South Africa (AIRCO) and the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), have announced a historic milestone for the music association, its members and the public at large.
The Chairperson of AIRCO, Mr. Dodo Monamodi, announced that on 13th December 2011, the SABC and AIRCO signed a long awaited distribution agreement.
“The agreement’s primary purpose is to enable AIRCO to avail its members’ and non-members music products for broadcast on SABC platforms (TV and digital). In return, the SABC will pay AIRCO an appropriate amount for the benefit of our members and non-members and distribution to those whose products are used by the SABC at any given time in all theirTV and digital platforms.
“This SABC/AIRCO deal provides us with an opportunity to be an official collection and distribution agent for all Southern African Independent recording labels’, sound recordings royalties as well as to play a crucial role in the music business to arm the Independent Recording Labels with music business knowledge, “said Monamodi.
The SABC’s Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Ms. Lulama Mokhobo says, “This agreement means the corporation will have access to more local music videos and artists. In turn it will create space for aspiring local musicians and provide them with the required exposure and also assist in advancing their fledgling careers.”
According to AIRCO, the economic downturn, coupled with music piracy and unauthorised file sharing, has negatively affected the businesses of Independent Recording Labels making it difficult for most of them to stay in business.
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