Media Moves… TheMediaOnline’s weekly round up of industry moves and shakes. Frank van Rooijen on his move to Trinergy. Philani Mgwaba on being editor of The Mercury. Dirk Dijkstra joins Ensight. CSA scores Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Joburg, 2012 account. JWT Johannesburg awarded the Avis digital account. SOS searching for new campaign co-ordinator.
Who’s moved where
This week’s BIG move: Frank van Rooijen on Trinergy
Frank van Rooijen has joined Trinergy Brand Connectors as creative director. With a pedigree that spans some of SA’s best agencies – The Jupiter Drawing Room and Ogilvy among them – Van Rooijen joined Trinergy because “we believe in pulling audiences instead of just pushing communication”. TheMediaOnline asked him a few questions.
• Can you unpack this statement: “We believe in pulling audiences instead of just pushing communication out”. How does that work in practice?
Advertising, as we know it, is struggling to remain relevant to a discerning and dynamic audience. We live in an age where almost everyone has become accustomed to marketing speak and knows and what it marketing speak sounds like and because of this, you have to do things differently. At Trinergy we create experiences that entice consumers to willingly engage with the content, activations and communication that have has been engineered for brand messaging to shine through naturally and unobtrusively.
• What do you see as the leaps you might have to make moving from the ad agency environment to what is a more action-based discipline?
Even though I have worked in more traditional advertising agencies, I have never ever constrained and/or limited myself to think traditionally. I am a firm believer of non-traditional solutions (whatever they might be) and as such, I am always trying to find those. The solution will always present itself, whether it is in the form of an activation or something else. Ultimately that’s what we do; we solve problems for our clients. An important aspect along the way is that we also aim to make the “ad agency – client” dynamic invisible to the consumer.
• What do you see as your key strengths in this position?
Due to my non-traditional advertising background (I attended Art Academy amongst other non-typical advertising studies and I’m also a musician/DJ/producer), I think I have the ability to think differently across multi-platforms and cross discipline. This helps me to look at problems and briefs from unexpected angles and this is definitely that’s also how I inspire my team here at Trinergy.
• What scares the hell out of you?
To be honest, not much. I have a healthy disregard for the impossible!
• Are you a keen sportsman, or armchair sportsman? If so, what sports or sport issue ignite your passion?
I am a keen sportsman indeed. I have always done martial arts in my life. I started with Judo, then moved to Jiu Jitsu, then did full contact Kyokushin karate and am now doing Muay Thai Boxing and boxing. Armchair sportsman-wise I enjoy watching football (being born and raised in the Netherlands, I grew up with it) and I’m getting into rugby now that I live here in South Africa.
• Where would you like to be in 10-years time?
Good question. I do think ahead, but not that far ahead. I guess I would definitely still be in the creative industry trying to make a difference, inspire people and leave my mark behind on this planet.
New editor for 160-year-old The Mercury
Philani Mgwaba has been appointed editor of the KwaZulu-Natal morning daily, The Mercury. He moves over from editing the Sunday Tribune. “The Mercury holds a special appeal for me,” says Mgwaba. “It’s where I learnt my craft as a young reporter, covering every beat in the book, during the manic early ‘90s. It’s been an ambition of mine to come back to The Mercury. Words, reading, newspapers can enrich ones life immensely. I didn’t grow up in a newspaper reading home but the reading bug bit and radically transformed my outlook as a youngster.”
Mgwaba – who hold a Masters degree in Classical Culture from Stellenbosch University – says his plans for The Mercury don’t include seismic changes at this stage. “I am fortunate to be inheriting a diverse and talented team that includes stalwarts with many years of experience and energetic youngsters who have shown huge promise. They understand our target market and its evolving needs.”
A staunch fan of the Sharks, Mgwaba is looking forward to watching his team at the Shark Tank now that Saturday night deadlines are a thing of the past.
New marketing manager to drive Ensight’s global ambitions
Ensight, a leading provider of multichannel marketing solutions, has appointed Dirk Dijkstra as its new marketing manager. His responsibilities at the company encompass marketing and PR, digital marketing strategy, branding, lead generation and social media.
Dijkstra is an internet industry veteran with extensive experience in the online marketing field and in particular with performance-based advertising. Since 1996 he has worked in the UK, Spain, The Netherlands and South Africa for e-commerce firms, media agencies and traditional advertisers as an employee and as a freelancer. He has worked with many big brands, including Vodacom, L’EASY, Unicef, Center Parcs, CardCorp, FBTO, OMD Digital, Omnicom Media Group, PHD and Ad Dynamo.
Aegis Media appoints development director for sub Saharan Africa
Grant Fraser has been appointed development director, Sub Saharan Africa at Aegis Media. Fraser’s key responsibilities will be to drive growth across our all five of Aegis Media’s PowerBrands in Sub Saharan Africa. He will also be tasked with ensuring consistency in skills, as well as to help Aegis manage key client relationships across the region.
Aegis Media has over the last five years acquired 100% in FCM. Fraser has joined Aegis Media from FCM where he was a shareholder and grew the business over seven years into a successful media agency. FCM has had extensive experience across Africa on a number of clients. “Grant’s experience coupled with his extensive success as a business leader has made it possible for Aegis Media to offer him a new role within the Aegis Media Sub Saharan African team,” said Dawn Rowlands.
SA man cracks the nod as Solal Awards 2012 judge
South Africa will be represented on the global jury panel by for the Solal Awards by Doug Mayne, MD of local shopping centre marketing consultancy, Primedia Lifestyle, part of the Unlimited media group.
The International Council of Shopping Centre’s Solal Marketing Awards bring together the very finest retail marketing campaigns across Europe and South Africa.
“Being asked to assist in judging this year is an honour for us and a true testament to the quality of the work we produce. We are excited about the opportunity and look forward to sharing ideas with some of the best marketing talents in Europe during the judging process,” says Mayne, who will be heading off to Barcelona for the awards on March 21.
Etiket goes super sonic in 2012
Two Pendorings, a Loerie, and over 60% growth made 2011 a great year for Etiket, an ‘out-of-the-box’ full service advertising agency. And 2012 has already kicked off with a bang with the appointment of new staff members that include: multiple advertising accolade winner, Morné Strydom, as creative director; Ivan Mabena, as production and traffic manager; and Estee Grobler in the role of junior designer.
“2011 was certainly a great year for Etiket which obviously creates a firm foundation for the coming year. We had so many fantastic projects which makes it quite difficult to pick just a few,” says Tiaan Ras, business development director at Etiket.
New moves at Net#work BBDO
Net#work BBDO has made a series new staff promotions:
· Gabi Goldstein – client service director
· Carla Stanbridge – group account director
· James Nondo – account manager
· Tshego Mashego – account manager
· Napo Tsubane – account manager
FUEL sets 2012 on fire with appointment of Francois Loubser
Online training company FUEL has announced the appointment of marketing industry doyen, Francois Loubser as managing director. This heralds a strategic restructure and new market positioning for FUEL.
New appointment for Brand inc Cape Town
Thomas Campbell has joined Brand inc Cape Town as Assistant Brand Manager.
Who’s won what
JWT Johannesburg wins Avis digital account
JWT Johannesburg has been awarded the Avis digital account for South Africa. “We are delighted to be handling Avis’ complete digital strategy,” says Judy van Dam, MD. “We are now responsible for incorporating and monitoring Avis’s online reputation management and handling its search engine marketing. We will also monitor its digital brand presence and handle all online campaigns which include its media planning and buying, web application development and social media.”
House of Brave to develop Cell C youth engagement programme
House of Brave has won Cell C’s Youth Engagement Programme account after edging out a number of agencies in the pitch. “We are delighted to have a blue chip client like Cell C as part of our burgeoning portfolio of brands and equally so, to be on their current agency roster,” says House Of Brave founder and MD, Andrew Shuttleworth. Cell C’s Mandy Waddington says it was their “big idea thinking, energy and creativity “ that edged out the competition. House of Brave’s first Student Engagement Campaign for Cell C kicks off in March 2012 and runs for five weeks on campuses around South Africa.
CSA takes on African Fashion International
African Fashion International (AFI) has appointed Communication Services Africa, the communication strategist division of Celebrity Services Africa (C.S.A.), as the company’s communication agency of record. “As a result of the outstanding media campaign executed professionally last year for Africa Fashion Week, AFI has again appointed Communication Services Africa to head up the full media campaign for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Joburg, 2012,” says AFI’s global & marketing manager, Allana Finley. Showcasing the best of South African fashion design, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Joburg will be held from March 7-10, 2012 on the rooftop of Hyde Park Corner, Johannesburg.
Brother at your side with brandyourcar.com
Brother, the innovative print and imaging products producer, has selected Unlimited’s moving media division branyourcar.com to generate product awareness on busy national arterial roads until June 2012. brandyourcar.com provides advertisers with the opportunity to have their advertising campaigns carried on privately owned vehicles. Targeting employed LSM 8 – 10 consumers, aged between 16 and 55 who are driving in peak hour traffic in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, brandyourcar.com’s Brother campaign selected high mileage drivers to ensure significant reach for its client.
Cipla renews with X/procure® for sixth consecutive year
Pharmaceutical group Cipla Medpro has renewed its in-pharmacy advertising campaign with Unlimited’s X/procure® for another 12 months. X/procure®’s electronic procurement software enables more than 63% of South African pharmacies to purchase scheduled and OTC pharmaceutical, surgical and front shop requirements directly from wholesalers and distributors.
Greater Than appointed as The Bungalow’s PR partner
Award winning Public Relations agency, Greater Than, has been appointed as The Bungalow’s official PR partner. The agency will be responsible for the full-service PR portfolio for the exclusive restaurant, lounge and bar. Situated in Clifton, Cape Town’s luxury playground, The Bungalow has an extensive menu with a selection of signature cocktails perfect for those balmy summer evenings.
FUEL wins Total’s training account
Blended learning training provider, FUEL, has started 2012 with a series of significant achievements to mark the 10-year anniversary of the business. In February FUEL celebrates a big new client win, having been awarded oil company Total’s retailer training account. FUEL founder and Group MD, Craig Reid, says: “FUEL ensures sustainable communication to all representatives of a brand. This will allow Total to implement its retail strategy from senior management all the way down the ranks to the staff through whom customers experience the brand day-to-day.”
Who’s making moves
Left ignites a post-production Flame!
Local editing house Left has taken a sharp turn towards the future with its acquisition of an Autodesk Flame. “After six years our business is well established and we feel the acquisition of this latest software is the perfect next step in our quest to take our current offering to the next level,” says Left partner and executive producer Jacqui Pearson.
“We have developed rock solid relationships with a variety of clients and have been fortunate to work on some amazing campaigns over the last few years. Our clients trust us and use us on a regular basis and we want to continue to meet all their needs by offering a 360 degree editing service.”
To ensure that Left is able to fully exploit the capabilities of the new software, Flame operator Keno Naidoo was lucky enough to receive in-depth training from guru Paul Marangos, just before Marangos left for the UK. The acquisition of an on-site Flame suite also perfectly complements Left’s solid base of editing expertise that includes the likes of senior editors Saki Bergh, James Hoskings and Willie Saayman.
ComutaNet consolidates media offering
ComutaNet, media owner and an authority on the commuter market, has announced a strategic decision to focus the organisation’s efforts on key media products critical to delivering maximum results for its client base. The move sees the re-alignment of the activations division within the company.
“Our core focus remains media and as such we have taken the decision to reduce the number of activation types offered within the ComutaNet stable. We want to ensure that we focus on only the high quality and innovative type of activations that we have executed successfully in the past. These activation successes have largely been achieved in support of our Rank TV, Comuta Radio, Transit & Static Outdoor media offerings,” says CEO, Howard Plaatjies.
“We will be maintaining a small yet potent support team of activations experts to ensure that any activation and promotional activities required in support of media campaigns are executed with excellence.”
NXT\ Digital Innovation launches new look Media Deck
NXT\ Digital Innovation has announced the relaunch of its innovative and award winning Media Deck. Boasting a fresh new look, the updated platform offers an interface that promises to be user-friendlier, while great new features have also been introduced.
This web-based service takes interactive mobile marketing to the next level. Not only does the deck allow users to send and receive bulk SMS messages, it also supports the setup and management of interactive marketing campaigns, polls, votes and competitions, with pre-defined keywords and short codes.
Designed to sustain remote access, the revised deck gives users the flexibility of accessing their account from any location in South Africa, and at any time of the day. Enabling the creation of common interest communities, the deck supports two-way communication strategies that are based on the real-time content received from customers.
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