Media Moves… TheMediaOnline’s weekly round up. Creative Spark Media to tackle ‘tired’ online advertising. Industry heads join forces at Greater Than. John Gale appointed to the Ogilvy & Mather South Africa Board. Daily Maverick Welcomes Stephen Grootes back into its fold. talkSPORT appoints new sales director. FOX ups Diego Londoño to COO of Africa and Europe. Going the extra mile for cinema. Help your friend find their dream job and earn extra cash. Zippo and Clippa Sales light up South Africa. Pentel selects Brandyourcar.com to promote its EnerGel X brandHuman.kind Launches New Venture: Turbine Brand Revolution. OHMSA Annual General Meeting 2013
This week’s BIG moves
Creative Spark Media to tackle ‘tired’ online advertising
Creative Spark Interactive, a specialist digital agency and publisher of Memeburn.com, has announced the opening of a digital media planning and strategy division, Creative Spark Media, as part of the company’s growth plans to meet the demands of a growing digital industry.
Creative Spark Media, headed up by former Digivox head of media Michelle Pearman adds to the other digital services the company offers, including web, mobile and app development and design, content and social media marketing services.
The company, now 28-people strong, designs and builds digital strategies, websites and applications for a variety of brands including Three Cities, eTV, Ndalo Media (Destiny), DStv, The Media Online, Naspers and a range of other brands.
“We plan to take a fresh approach to advertising in South Africa. Display advertising has become a bit antiquated. We are big fans of display and think it has a bright future, but want to push the boundaries with regards to online media advertising formats, variety of platforms and rich media,” says Kyle Hauptfleisch, head of business development at Creative Spark Media.
He says that online advertising that is successful is both relevant and interruptive: “This is what makes traditional forms of advertising successful, so why do we not see this happening online?”
“We hope to grow Creative Spark Media into top tier agency by focusing on innovation, relevance and ‘out of the box’ thinking without compromising on basics such as service delivery, turn-around times and creativity,” he adds.
“Online advertising is tired. Every day we see the same old thing. As a media owner it would be really exciting work with campaigns that are little different. I am sure that most media owners would agree, the digital industry in South Africa needs to change a gear. Creative Spark Media may just be the next shift this industry needs,” says Hendri Lategan, Burn Digital general manager.
Hauptfleisch and Pearman have worked together previously and are focused on establishing Creative Spark Media as a powerful force in the South African digital environment.
Industry heads join forces at Greater Than
Greater Than, award winning PR & Communications agency headed up by Galia Kerbel, has launched in Johannesburg with industry veteran, Janine Lloyd, at the helm. These two PR powerhouses join forces with a combined 43 years’ experience in the industry, bringing their breadth and depth of expertise to the PR industry.
Lloyd has been in the communications industry for 25 years, having founded and led one of South Africa’s top PR agencies that she sold three years ago. Kerbel has 18 years’ experience in the industry and opened the successful Greater Than agency in January 2006. Both Kerbel and Lloyd have led their respective companies to achieve major success in the industry and have won 20 Prism and industry awards.
“The industry has not seen many big movements over the last few years and we believe this venture will strengthen not only our team but our PR practice areas, making Greater Than an even more formidable force in the industry,” says Kerbel.
Whilst Kerbel’s passion is consumer PR, it is not limited to lifestyle brands; Greater Than is so much more. The agency’s offering, strategic insight and skills in the corporate PR and B2B field are well proven. To illustrate this, Greater Than has been managing Mars Africa’s corporate communications for the past three years as well as its brand PR for six years. Furthermore, MWeb, has chosen Greater Than as its PR partner.
Lloyd brings significant expertise in many industries including ICT, Pharmaceuticals, FMCG, Property, Government and NGO’s. Her experience includes crises communications, reputation management, strategy, positioning, messaging development and planning across the entire communications landscape – both internally and externally.
Both Kerbel and Lloyd have big plans to expand their teams in the social media space. Lloyd comments: “I have met and worked with many PR professionals in the industry over the years and Galia is the best in the industry. It is amazing to work with someone that is on your same wavelength – creatively and strategically – and who has the same values and work ethic.”
Who’s moved where
John Gale appointed to the Ogilvy & Mather South Africa Board
John Gale, managing director of Ogilvy Durban, has been appointed to the Ogilvy & Mather South Africa (O&M SA) Executive Committee (ExCo) Board.
With over 21 years with the Ogilvy group and, more recently, 13 years at the helm of the Durban office, Gale brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to the O&M SA Board.
“Most of South Africa’s industry hubs are concentrated in Johannesburg and Cape Town, and as such enjoy the lion’s share of the country’s advertising revenue. This presents some unique challenges for the industry in Durban,” says Gale. “Given these challenges, and the fact that we are currently in a global economic trough, we are enormously proud to have been able to not only sustain the business, but significantly grow it.”
Growth of the business in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), coupled with some exciting new contracts on the horizon, means that O&M SA, a world-class multinational communications company, has a strong foothold in all three of South Africa’s economic hubs.
Gale has worked on major brands such as Castle Lager, Castle Lite, Hansa Pilsener, Debonairs Pizza, Volvo, Mica, Continental. While at Ogilvy Africa (1998/9), he was primarily involved in managing brands for key clients with business interests and activities in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Daily Maverick Welcomes Stephen Grootes back into its fold
Daily Maverick’s remarkable team of reporters, analysts and commentators challenges and redefines editorial and publishing standards within South Africa’s news landscape. Now the award-winning digital publication has announced that one of its original journalists, Stephen Grootes, is re-joining the Daily Maverick.
Stephen Grootes is the host of the Midday Report talk show on Talk Radio 702 and Cape Talk radio and EWN senior political reporter; his analytical skills and deep insight and understanding of the political and economic South African landscape make him a natural member of our team. We are grateful to EWN and 702 for encouraging this uniquely beneficial partnership.
“Stephen is a wonderful addition to our already impressive team. He is hugely respected and I’m sure our readers will be thrilled to see him back as much as we are,” says Daily Maverick editor Branko Brkic.
On a sad note, the Daily Maverick is bidding “a fond farewell, but not goodbye, to our young disciple Sipho Hlongwane. Sipho has chosen to leave the publication in search of new avenues and fresh writing adventures. We wish him all the best for the future. We will miss his contributions. Until next time, Sipho!”
talkSPORT appoints new sales director
UTV Media (GB) has announced the appointment of Adam Mills as the new Sales Director of talkSPORT and Sport magazine.
Mills has a career in the media sales industry that spans 25 years and joins talkSPORT and Sport magazine from MediaMountain Ltd where he was European commercial director. He has also held senior positions at Admedia Ltd and Carlton Screen Advertising reporting into the ITV Exec Board.
Calum Macaulay, managing director of talkSPORT and Sport magazine, said, “Adam brings a wealth of experience to the sales role. As talkSPORT continues to expand both in the UK and worldwide to offer sports content across multiple platforms, Adam is the perfect fit to lead our sales team in what’s sure to be an exciting and fast moving future. I look forward to having him on board.”
talkSPORT is the world’s biggest sports radio station with over three million listeners per week in the UK alone and is Global Audio Partner of the Premier League. The station is an official broadcaster of the Barclays Premier League, the FA Cup, England football internationals, the Capital One Cup, Aviva Premiership Rugby and is the exclusive UK national radio broadcaster of the 2013 British and Irish Lions rugby tour to Australia. talkSPORT is available on 1089/1053AM, on digital radio, on mobile and online at talkSPORT.co.uk.
FOX ups Diego Londoño to COO of Africa and Europe
FOX International Channels (FIC), News Corporation’s international pay-TV and multi-media business, has announced the appointment of Diego Londoño to chief operating officer (COO) for FIC’s European and African units. Londoño assumes the new post immediately, while retaining his role as president of FIC Italy & Germany.
Based in Rome, Londoño will report directly to Jesús Perezagua, president of FIC Europe & Africa. The appointment adds decision-making responsibilities across pan-European and African programming, production, branding, communications, research and strategy to Londoño’s existing remit. He is tasked with strengthening and expanding the FIC portfolio, ensuring the bouquet delivers top value for affiliates, advertisers and audiences, and exploring new areas of growth for the company.
Prior to his move to Rome, he spent five years in FIC’s Los Angeles offices where he was in charge of all marketing, communication and digital activities for FOX, National Geographic Channel and FOX Kids throughout Latin America.
Going the extra mile for cinema
Professional, approachable and someone who will go above and beyond is Cinemark’s new production manager – Samishni Pillai. Pillai adds a healthy dose of charm and humour to the advertising sales company that represents Ster-Kinekor and selected independent cinemas. With a can do attitude and her ability to always make a plan, she is just one example of the passion that thrives behind cinema in this country.
Responsible for the entire production process, Sam ensures that all campaigns are installed and screened according to contract requirements. She is also in charge of effective management of stock control and ensures that all advertising content is distributed on time so that the company’s production targets are met.
What’s out there
Help your friend find their dream job and earn extra cash
An innovative new online recruitment has launched its services in South Africa. Hiring Bounty is a platform that allows the public to earn extra cash by referring friends and acquaintances to their dream job. This crowdsourced recruitment offering lists vacancies in the marketing, IT and finance sectors, and individuals are incentivised to leverage their networks and connect the right individual to the right job through a pre-determined “bounty” offering.
A company will place a bounty on a position it has listed on the Hiring Bounty website, and should you refer a candidate and that candidate be appointed, you are both paid the advertised bounty.
The business model is based on the concept that referrals produce better candidates than traditional recruitment options, and that your social network has the most current information regarding your skills and career aspirations.
Who’s won what
Zippo and Clippa Sales light up South Africa
Iconic American brand Zippo recently announced it has signed a contract with Clippa Sales, who will be the new local distributor in South Africa. Zippo products are sold in more than 160 countries around the world and have been available in South Africa since 1985.
Richard Finlow, Zippo Senior Business Development Manager, EMEA commented “After meeting and reviewing a number of companies we have selected Winlex, which trades under the name of Clippa Sales, as the unequivocally strongest company to distribute our products in South Africa. We are impressed by their tried and tested distributor model and believe our collaboration will be a successful one.
Pentel selects Brandyourcar.com to promote its EnerGel X brand
Brandyourcar.com, Unlimited’s transit media specialist, came up with an innovative way to promote Pentel’s EnerGel X pens by selecting full-time students at four universities, appointing them brand ambassadors and branding their vehicles with the campaign creative, ‘Love Writing Again’.
“Brandyourcar.com has ensured that the Pentel branded vehicles are highly visible, not only on the road, but also around the university campuses, thus maximising the brand’s exposure, frequency and reach,” says Brandyourcar.com’s Jeff Ostrom.
The campaign objective is to promote Pentel’s popular EnerGel X pens in environments where they can actually be used like WITS, Rhodes, UKZN and NMMU. The campaign will run until the end of June 2013.
Human.kind Launches New Venture: Turbine Brand Revolution
Turbine Brand Revolution, a design agency, has recently launched in association with human.kind advertising. Although the two companies are separate entities, there is synergy where it is most essential, and together the agencies are able to provide a full service offering, from logo and corporate identity design, to full campaign execution.
Already, the design agency has the support of established brands, and having produced work for Supa Quick, Auto & General and Budget Insurance, this design agency is set for bigger and better things, under the lead of managing director, Hugh Norval, and his passion for design.
Who’s making moves
OHMSA Annual General Meeting 2013
Notice to all members of the 11th Annual General Meeting of Out of Home Media SA (OHMSA) to be held on Wednesday, 12 June 2013 at Silverwood Manor, 113 Mount Street, Bryanston at 10am, for the following purpose:
- · To receive a report and feedback from the chairman and the executive director of OHMSA.
- · To respond to questions and suggestions received electronically by no later than Wednesday, 29 May 2013.
- · To vote or approve the appointment of the Executive Committee members
Please note the following in terms of the voting regulations and procedure:
- · Only paid-up members in good standing may exercise a vote.
- · Every full member will have one vote (clause 10.11).
- · Associate Members are not entitled to vote at any meetings of the Association (clause 6.1b).
It is essential to RSVP and by no later than Wednesday 29 May, e-mailing Christelle Mostert at: christelle@ohmsa.co.za.
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.
