Media Moves… TheMediaOnline’s weekly round up. Lategan to head up Memeburn’s Burn Media. New editor in Ride saddle. Ogilvy Public Relations (JHB) appoints Public Affairs head.Sbu Mpungose resigns as editor of Cosmopolitan South Africa. ACA announces resignation of chairman, Nina Morris steps in.VWV Group appoints Terry Behan. Seacom appoints Byron Clatterbuck as chief commercial officer. New Gautrain and airports manager for Continental Outdoor. John Brown Media expands Edgars portfolio with digital win. OwenKessel wins LG Electronics South Africa account. Greatstock adds South African Tourism to their client list. Positive Dialogue wins iHealth Meals. Three ex-TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris Employees break-away to form new global agency. DLA Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr and Spoor & Fisher enter into strategic agreement
Who’s moved where
This week’s BIG move: Lategan to head up Memeburn’s Burn Media
Popular technology and digital media analysis site with a focus on emerging markets and technologies, Memeburn.com, has announced the creation of new division Burn Media, to be headed up by its recently-appointed general manager, Hendri Lategan.
Memeburn’s relatively young sister brands, Ventureburn.com and Gearburn.com, will form part of the new division. Ventureburn, the company’s latest addition, explores startup news for emerging markets, while Gearburn focuses on gadget and game reviews.
Lategan was previously Memeburn’s commercial manager and has been part of the operation almost since its inception, playing a critical role in the site’s growth. The sites are headed up editorially by Michelle Atagana, the managing editor of Memeburn who was recently named one of Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans 2012.
Memeburn, now just over two-years old, is rapidly climbing the Effective Measure’s ‘Top 100 sites in South Africa’ list, currently standing at number 52 for local and international readership. In just over two years the site has reached more than five-million page views. Burn Media’s collective sites currently enjoy a readership of around 300 000 unique visitors.
Lategan said the company is gearing up to take advantage of new high-fidelity advertising opportunities offered on tablets, in what he sees as a “convergence” between print and digital advertising. Memeburn’s new, upcoming iPad which has been in development for a year will take full advantage of this and offer some innovative new formats, including stunning full page adverts.
New editor in Ride saddle
Ride has a new editor at the helm. Cycling enthusiast Tim Brink, highly regarded in the cycling fraternity and the publishing industry, steps into the role from 1 October, publishers RamsayMedia have announced.
Brink returns to his first love after a stint as editor of Automobil, a sister title in the RamsayMedia Custom Publishing stable. Prior to that he was editor of Classic and Performance Car Africa.
“We’re saying a very sad farewell to Adèle Tait, who has been editor of Ride for the past nine years,” said Robyn Daly, group editor of RamsayMedia Custom Publishing. “She’s been deep in the trenches with her readers and developed a very loyal following. Ride has always been for people who are passionate about South African cycling. Tim will continue in this tradition. He eats and sleeps bicycles; that’s what makes a great niche publication editor. We have high hopes for the brand under his watch.”
Brink said he was keen to add his expertise to the Ride team. “The magazine has built up great momentum under RamsayMedia’s banner, expanding on 15 years of loyal and devoted readership. Ride is the South African cyclist’s perfect partner: intelligent, good-looking and passionate about cycling. With our pool of well-respected contributors, deputy editor Jazz Kuschke and our talented design team, delivering on all three aspects is going to be a fun ride.”
Sbu Mpungose resigns as editor of Cosmopolitan South Africa
Vanessa Raphaely, editorial director of Associated Magazines, has announced the resignation of editor, Sbu Mpungose.
“It is with great regret that we have to announce that Sbu Mpungose has resigned as editor of Cosmopolitan South Africa,” Raphaely, said. “We wish her well and thank her for the time she has spent here.” Mpungose has been editor of Cosmopolitan for the past year and will leave the magazine to pursue personal interests.
Ogilvy Public Relations (JHB) appoints Public Affairs head
Tshepo Sefotlhelo has been appointed business director overseeing the public affairs practice at Ogilvy Public Relations. The team services clients such as the South African Post Office and Pikitup.
With expertise in media relations, crisis communications and reputation management, Sefotlhelo brings Ogilvy PR 15 years of career experience that spans the likes of major brands, such as Multichoice, Cell C, Marcus Evans and OUTsurance.
ACA announces resignation of chairman, Nina Morris steps in
Following the recent resignation of Wayne Naidoo from Lowe and Partners SA as well as the Association for Communication and Advertising (ACA), the ACA is proud to announce that Nina Morris – CEO of morrisjones was elected interim chairperson of the ACA Board.
Morris served as vice chairperson of the ACA Board for a number of years. In terms of the Association’s Articles of Association, the Board of Directors including the vice chairpersons and chairperson are elected annually at the Annual General Meeting. Morris will therefore serve as chairperson of the Board until the next AGM which is scheduled to take place at the end of 2012.
“We are tremendously grateful for Wayne’s contribution to the ACA and the profession as a whole, and wish him everything of the best for his future endeavours,” said CEO, Odette van der Haar.
Morris adds, “It is unfortunate to say farewell to Wayne, however we wish him everything of the best and value the contribution he made to the ACA during his tenure.”
VWV Group appoints Terry Behan
Award winning brand experience agency, the VWV Group, has appointed Terry Behan as CEO of its EMEA division (Europe, Middle East and Africa). Behan has extensive work experience in these areas and is a perfect fit for VWV’s expansion plans.
VWV has been studying and analysing various growth options. Its first international expansion was into the United States of America where it established offices in 2004. Today VWV has offices in Chicago, Illinois and Dallas, Texas. VWV’s next area of presence-driven expansion is into selected sub-Saharan African markets.
After thorough examination of key strategic options, formalising its footprint on the African continent was an easy conclusion for the agency. This follows extensive work VWV has done in several African countries for clients such as Samsung, Afritel, MTV, Redd’s, and Nando’s, to name a few.
Behan said, “I’ve always admired VWV as an organisation and am excited to be working with the agency. My role at VWV will be to broaden its geographical footprint and to establish a global agency structure. I believe that clients on the continent are crying out for a more sensible, creative, and strategically structured way of engaging with their target audiences – something that VWV can deliver on.”
Seacom appoints Byron Clatterbuck as chief commercial officer
Seacom, the pan-African ICT enabler, has announced the appointment of Byron Clatterbuck as its chief commercial officer (CCO) with immediate effect.
An industry veteran with more than 15 years’ experience in the telecommunications industry, Clatterbuck has held a number of senior international executive positions during his career, most recently as President of Tata Communications’ Global Service Provider Segment, a company operating the largest private subsea cable system network in the world.
Before that, Clatterbuck held senior executive positions at BT, Level 3, and REACH. Commenting on the appointment, Mark Simpson, SEACOM’s CEO, said: “The Seacom system has changed the African ICT landscape, and it is now time for us to continue this transformation by driving new services and capabilities into Africa’s service provider marketplace. Byron’s global experience in working with customers and partners in the wholesale market will be key for us as we grow our service and revenue portfolio.”
New Gautrain and airports manager for Continental Outdoor
Daniela Tommasi has joined Continental Outdoor Media as the company’s Airport and Gautrain Manager. Tommasi has 10 years of airport advertising experience in particular and has been acknowledged for growing and maintaining national airport inventory sales at Primedia Outdoor and at Airport Media (now owned by Avusa).
“Working with the Gautrain outdoor advertising portfolio is going to be a significant growth opportunity for me, considering the expanding commuter networks in South Africa. I think the airport and Gautrain market is similar – there is ‘dwell’ time which creates many exciting advertising opportunities for brands. There is nothing more invigorating that watching the movement of people in terminals and on platforms,” said Tommasi.
Who’s won what
John Brown Media expands Edgars portfolio with digital win
John Brown Media, part of a global leading content agency, has secured development of the Edgars Club website and associated digital platforms.
“We are truly excited to be working with the dynamic Edgars Club team in providing digital solutions that connect Club members in a very real way with the Edgars brand, thus helping build super fans. This will coincide with the launch of the new-look Edgars Club magazine and its extensive member offerings,” said John Gardner, head of digital at John Brown Media.
Started more than 20 years ago, Edgars Club provides exclusive benefits, products and services to over a million members. John Brown Media has published Edgars Club magazine and Edgars Club MAN magazine, along with Edgars Club supplements and catalogues since April 2011. The Edgars Club digital win sees the extension of an e-zine John Brown has been producing for Club on a far greater scale, incorporating all aspects of the Edgars Club offering.
“This latest win is the product of great client relationships and our understanding of how important digital content is becoming to our clients. We have substantially invested in growing our digital department so that we can deliver groundbreaking digital solutions across multiple platforms as our client’s content needs evolve,” added Gardner.
OwenKessel wins LG Electronics South Africa account
After a three-way pitch the team at OwenKessel has announced the win of the LG Electronics South Africa account. This is another recent win for OwenKessel and a significant one, as the agency is tasked with driving home the LG brand message of versatility, quality and accessibility.
“LG defines itself with a superior product offering and OwenKessel has been presented with the fantastic opportunity of bringing the functional, emotional and social benefits of those products to life in the lives of their consumers,” says OwenKessel’s CEO, Felix Kessel. “This is exactly the challenge OwenKessel loves, getting down into the trenches with client partners to solve the challenges through the entire value chain. Finding synergy across these levels will unlock the real power of LG’s brand in South Africa.
Greatstock adds South African Tourism to their client list
Greatstock has signed its third term contract with South African Tourism.
“We are so excited to continue working with South African Tourism; it is benefitting us both locally and internationally, comments Margi Sheard, MD of Greatstock.
Ian Utermohlen of SA Tourism said Greatstock offers exactly what they are looking for in terms of great service and the very best visuals.
Positive Dialogue wins iHealth Meals
Positive Dialogue Communications, a specialist Public Relations and Social Media consultancy based in Cape Town, has been awarded the iHealth Meals account, a Cape Town-based corporate catering and meal delivery service that offers customised healthy eating plans.
Food Manufacturing Technologist and founder of iHealth Meals, Christian Matuz, confirms that it was Positive Dialogue’s integrated traditional PR and social media approach that set it apart from its competitors. “It was necessary for us to select a partner that would be able to also assist us in growing awareness of our brand through traditional as well as social channels. Positive Dialogue Communications was able to combine a traditional PR offering with an engaged social media approach, exponentially increasing the reach of the campaign and thus confirming our decision.”
Who’s making moves
Three ex-TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris Employees break-away to form new global agency
A new creative agency, Conversation LAB, has opened its doors in Umhlanga, Durban and Brighton, UK. Led by Kevin Power with 18 years global advertising experience, including BBDO London, Publics London, Marks and Spencer, the agency boasts local co-founders Tamerin Borland and Jonathan Oliff (who, with Kevin, hail from TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris) and London creative director Christian Anstice. The result is Conversation LAB – an agency that is unique in thinking and operation.
“The advertising industry is at an inflexion point – some agencies are embracing change but many are not. We believe a completely new type of agency is needed to win in the age of conversations,” says MD and co-founder, Power.
Conversation LAB is structured like a social network with four co-founders (three based in Durban and one in UK) and a collective of some of the brightest creative talent from around the world, allowing it to offer South African clients best-in-class specialists.
“And with the way technology has evolved, we no longer need to be in the same room to make things happen,” added Jonathan Oliff, Head of Innovation.
Conversation LAB’s diverse collective includes an internationally published children’s book writer and illustrator (Olivia Villet), an acclaimed architect (John Royal) and an award-winning press photographer (Richard Shorey). These and others will be able to work alongside London creatives like Danny Potter and Luke Sherwin White (with a few Cannes Lions to their names) and Simon Villet (nine Loeries and a D&AD).
Main Angel Publishing expands digital division
After years of focused commitment to the print publishing industry, Main Angel Publishing has spread its wings to embrace the digital revolution through the official launch of its digital division, Main Angel Digital Publishing.
Besides print publications and online publications of the basic page-flip variety, Main Angel has expanded its service offering to include the development of highly engaging, fully interactive multi-media publications (magazine-type apps) to be distributed across a number of platforms.
Essentially Main Angel Digital is now able to create custom digital publications, as well as convert existing print media into highly interactive digital versions, compatible with all major tablet devices and operating systems.
Through this move Main Angel effectively offers its clients the opportunity to publish existing publications and future marketing material to tablet devices.
“With a team of experts and the latest technology at our disposal, Main Angel Digital Publishing transforms the everyday print publication into a rich media digital experience, thereby assisting clients to increase their reach and readership, generate more online and offline revenue, lower production and distribution costs, and run an environmentally greener operation,” According to Main Angel digital director, Fiona Mosca.
DLA Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr and Spoor & Fisher enter into strategic agreement
DLA Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, one of South Africa’s largest full service corporate and commercial law firms, has announced that it has entered into a strategic agreement with Spoor & Fisher, the country’s leading IP boutique law firm.
Under this arrangement, Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr’s clients will be able to tap into Spoor & Fisher’s market leading intellectual property capabilities and have access to prominent legal minds in the area of intellectual property.
According to Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr CEO Brent Williams, the agreement will provide their clients with a full spectrum of intellectual property advice and services on the continent and internationally.
