Media Moves… TheMediaOnline’s weekly round up. Independent Media announces editorial appointments, deputy editor. Andrea Rademeyer back at the helm of Ask Afrika. M-Net reveals first 12 M-Net Magic In Motion interns. OFM signals changes to presenter line-up. Sport sales aficionado joins The SpaceStation. Net#Work BBDO wins the lotto. Livewired PR wins two major tech brands. Hansa Pilsener appoints Ogilvy Cape Town. Burson-Marsteller announces key strategic partnership in Nigeria. CG Consulting expands Johannesburg office. Hero plugs into the global code market. Isobar & Carat SSA win Bronze at the Global Dentsu Aegis Network Innovation awards. Mbabane Swallows set to fly high with Inyatsi Construction sponsorship. Euronews and Inter Media Group sign Co-operation Agreement
Who’s moved where
Independent Media announces editorial appointments, deputy editor
Independent Media has announced wide-ranging editorial appointments at the Cape Times. Aziz Hartley has been appointed deputy editor of the Cape Times, where he started in the newsroom 35 years ago. His task was to bring to the newsroom documents and minutes of meetings and briefings in Parliament, before being given his editorial break by long-time Cape Times news editor, Colin Howell.
Other key appointments made today were that of former Cape Times soccer writer John Goliath, who has been appointed rugby writer and Ashfak Mohamed, a political science graduate, who has been appointed acting news editor.
Independent Media has recognised the importance of strengthening the editorial team of the Cape Times. In addition to the above appointments, the following key permanent positions have also been announced: Lisa Isaacs, Carlo Petersen, Francesca Villette, Nicolette Dirk, Siyavuya Mzantsi and Sandiso Phaliso.
“Our appointments reflect recognition of talent and experience and is in line with our commitment to a transformed newsroom,” said editor Aneez Salie.
Andrea Rademeyer back at the helm of Ask Afrika
Andrea Rademeyer, CEO and founder of Ask Afrika, has recently moved back to South Africa from Austria where she has been living for five years. The Ask Afrika Group has shown strong double digit growth and Rademeyer will be directing the strategy and structure to meet the reputational growth.
Over a period of almost two decades, Ask Afrika Group has grown to be the largest independent South African market research company and is well known for delivering strategic and large scale field projects and for creating benchmarks for industry
Ask Afrika has grown from strength to strength in the last few years and expanded and built upon its two main annual benchmark surveys and awards, the Ask Afrika Icon Brands® and The Ask Afrika Orange Index™. In March 2015 it will launch Kasi Star Brands® an offshoot of Icon Brands® that focuses on the township market.
Ken McArthur, chairman of Ask Afrika, has retired and Rademeyer will be taking over his responsibilities.
M-Net reveals first 12 M-Net Magic In Motion interns
M-Net has announced the names of the 12 interns selected for the inaugural M-Net Magic in Motion Academy, after months of anticipation, applications and deliberations, at The Venue in Sandton. The M-Net Magic in Motion Academy is a 12-month long accelerated work readiness programme for 12 interns, under the umbrella of M-Net’s rebranded corporate social investment (CSI) initiative, M-Net Magic in Motion, launched in 2014.
They are:
- Sandisiwe Aluta Qupa (AFDA JHB)
- Palesa Rathebe (AFDA JHB)
- Yalezo Njuguna ( UJ)
- ThembaTwala (WITS)
- Ignatius Shongwe (AFDA JHB)
- Reitumetse Mataboge (AFDA JHB)
- Thembalethu Mfebe (UCT)
- Kabelo Ramputa (Boston Media House)
- Mbali Zulu (UJ)
- Lele Dinte (AFDA JHB)
- Mark Madai (AFDA CT)
- Sivela Mgudu (CPUT)
Entry into the M-Net Magic in Motion Academy was structured on accredited universities and institutions submitting their top achievers, having met the criteria of being a B-average student, and in the final year of study towards a three year film, television or media qualification. M-Net Corporate Affairs Director, Kershnee Govender says, “It is through the dedication and commitment from the universities, we received the highest calibre of students for the first intake. We were overwhelmed at the response we received – after a nation-wide call to entry, we received over 200 applications.”
OFM signals changes to presenter line-up
OFM, the sound of central South Africa, will introduce changes to the already popular on-air presenter line-up in April with new shows, engaging innovations and a few new voices.
“We have a rich history of great talent who has worked in our studios. In March we say farewell to legends of central South Africa radio,” says Nick Efstathiou, OFM general manager. “However, we welcome a few new voices to OFM and are excited at the innovative changes to some of our programmes that will bring a refreshing new dynamic to our product offering for our listeners and our clients.”
Yolanda Maartens will be joining André Kunz as co-host of the Breakfast Special weekdays from 6am. Presenter Cyril Viljoen will move from after midnight to take over from 12pm. Isabel Venter and Samantha Wrightson will host the 09:00 to 12:00 programme.
The evergreen James Kilbourn will present Before Dawn weekdays from 05:00 to 06:00. A new recruit, Zelda Goetz will present midnight to 03:00 from Monday to Friday. Another new voice to the station is Duncan Bayne, who will join the Siesta team weekdays from 15:00 to 19:00 as a producer. He will replace Enriko Klopper, who will continue presenting weekdays from 19:00 to 22:00. Enriko will be joined by another new voice, Lerato Leila, who will bring a feminine touch to the show. Lerato will also get the party started on Saturdays from 19:00 to midnight.
The Jeremy Mansfield Radio Show will join the OFM line-up on Sundays from 19:00 with Pieter Venter presenting the innovative ‘This Week on OFM.co.za’ from 21:00. The show is aimed at highlighting the engaging, informative and entertaining content the on-air team place on South Africa’s fourth largest radio station webpage.
Sport sales aficionado joins The SpaceStation
The SpaceStation have announced the appointment of Basil Fortuin as channel sales manager for their sports portfolio, which includes leading digital publications Sport24, SuperSport and KickOff, reaching over 1.1 million local web unique browsers* monthly.
Fortuin joins the team with extensive commercial experience on sporting publications including, most recently, as the senior account manager for Soccer Laduma and National Sales Team Leader for KickOff magazine.
“The SpaceStation are industry leaders in digital sales and I am thrilled to be joining their brilliant team” says Fortuin.
Discovery Networks appoint commercial director for Africa
Discovery Networks Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA), a division of Discovery Communications have announced the appointment of Debbie Brady as commercial director for Africa, based in Johannesburg.
The appointment follows a period of sustained growth for Discovery’s business in the region and marks its continued expansion into South Africa and beyond.
Reporting into James Gibbons, SVP & Country Manager, Emerging Business, Discovery Networks CEEMEA, Brady will be responsible for the coordination of Discovery’s operations in Africa, acting as the primary point of contact for day to day operations and business development for the market, as well as strengthening relationships with existing partners including DStv.
“South Africa in particular and Sub Saharan Africa in general are key growth markets for Discovery and we are very excited to have an expert on the ground” said Gibbons. “We believe that making the most of opportunities in Africa requires local expertise and a tailored approach. With Debbie on board as our newly appointed Commercial Director, with her wealth of experience and knowledge of the market, we will be best placed to take our African business to the next level.
Brady will be partnering with the functional heads in Discovery’s offices in London and Warsaw, facilitating growth in the South African market and overseeing the smooth operations of Discovery’s business in the wider region.
Who’s won what
Net#Work BBDO wins the lotto
Net#work BBDO has drawn the winning number with the announcement of the newest piece of business to join the fold – the South African National Lottery operator, Ithuba Holdings (Pty) Ltd.
Speaking of the appointment BBDO Group managing director Boniswa Pezisa says that Net#work BBDO were selected out of a process of eleven then finally four agencies in this highly contested pitch. “This is an incredible opportunity for the agency to tackle the challenge of restoring the National Lottery to its former position as a respected South African institution.”
“I’m a firm believer in creating your own luck and we went into this pitch with a passion to create something special for the National Lottery brand – it felt like the whole agency stood up and presented,” says Pezisa.
Pezisa says that she believes that the quality of strategic thinking in the presentation coupled with the agency’s depth of consumer understanding stood the agency apart in the pitch process. “We’re extremely excited to get stuck-in and re-invigorate the National Lottery in South Africa.”
Livewired PR wins two major tech brands
Livewired Public Relations has won two major global accounts recently, namely Aspect Software and Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise.
Both companies work within the tech industry, however sit in different fields. Aspect Software is a global provider of customer contact solutions, has its global headquarters in North America and is a privately held company with approximately 2000 employees. Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise with headquarters in France and 2 700 employees worldwide, is a leader in communications, networking and cloud solutions for businesses of all sizes, serving more than 500 000 customers across the globe.
“These two accounts add to our Global Brand Portfolio, which already holds the likes of Philips Sound and Trina Solar (currently the world’s largest solar company). We look forward to growing these brands within South Africa as their primary markets, and then the rest of Africa as secondary markets,” says Lucinda Boddy, MD Livewired PR.
Hansa Pilsener appoints Ogilvy Cape Town
Hansa Pilsener, the well-loved South African beer brand, has appointed Ogilvy Cape Town as its new above-the-line (ATL) agency as of April 2015.
In early 2015, Hansa Pilsener put the ATL business out to tender across a number of agencies and announced that after an extensive pitch process, the Cape Town Ogilvy office will commence work on the account as of next month.
“We are looking forward to working with Ogilvy Cape Town who have done great work across a number of SAB brands over the years. We are excited to work together towards building brand love among our Hansa consumers,” said Sarvesh Seetaram, general manager of Hansa Pilsener.
“We would like to thank Lowe & Partners Cape Town for the passion they have poured into Hansa over our eight year partnership and the memorable work they have created”.
Who’s making moves
Burson-Marsteller announces key strategic partnership in Nigeria
Burson-Marsteller, a leading global public relations and communications firm, today announced the launch of CMC Connect Burson-Marsteller in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria. The announcement marks the further strengthening of the long-standing relationship between the two companies, and brings the total number of Burson-Marsteller branded operations across the continent to 29.
This follows the earlier announcement in February 2014 of 27 branded operations, and the subsequent launch of Brainchild Burson-Marsteller in Uganda in November 2014. The full Burson-Marsteller Africa network covers 53 of the 55 countries on the continent.
In addition, after building a very strong partnership on a non-exclusive basis over a number of years, Burson-Marsteller today announced the signature of an exclusive affiliate agreement with Blast Communications covering the Indian Ocean Islands including Mauritius, where the company has its hub office, Madagascar, the Seychelles, the Comoros Islands and Reunion. The announcement of Back Communications in Angola joining the Burson-Marsteller Africa network on an exclusive affiliate basis rounded off the announcement.
CG Consulting expands Johannesburg office
Strategic business data and marketing company, CG Consulting, has expanded its Johannesburg office. Louise Robinson, sales director of CG Consulting, says the company is perfectly placed as a gateway to doing business in Africa, and the expansion of the offerings provided by the Johannesburg office is a strategic move, aimed at facilitating this even further.
“CG Consulting is a one-stop business data, research and advisory service, and we specialise in corporate data for sectors in South Africa and the African continent as a whole, including Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and Morocco. The addition of new services within the Johannesburg office means we are perfectly situated to meet the needs of both our local and international customers.”
In addition to providing new and additional revenue streams for its clients through market research, lead generation and data profiling, CG Consulting has added sponsorship sales and other marketing services to its offerings. The company now provides a complete database and marketing touchpoint solution, offering investors the details of decision makers across Africa as well as the necessary background and other knowledge required to enable them to effectively make contact with the right people.
Hero plugs into the global code market
Full-service South African marketing agency, Hero has announced the launch of its new company, Hero Plugins. The business takes it place alongside Hero Films, launched in 2014, in a suite of independent companies with Hero as the majority shareholder. With a digital team with an 18-year track record of impressive credentials and diverse, quality work, Hero Plugins was the logical next step for an agency that has been expanding surely and steadily over the past years.
“We have been not only designing, but building unique WordPress websites and mobile apps for our clients for years,” says Gideon Nieuwoudt, Hero’s head of digital design and UX. “Because we customise every website to meet each client’s individual’s requirements, and because we have the deep skills in-house, we are really experienced at conceptualising and creating quality, high performance WordPress plugins. It makes good sense for us to take these fantastic plugins to the international market.
HeroMenu is the new business’s flagship offering. This fully responsive ‘Mega Menu’ plugin for WordPress sites enables professionals and amateurs alike to quickly and intuitively create slick and professional menus.
Isobar & Carat SSA win Bronze at the Global Dentsu Aegis Network Innovation awards
Dentsu Aegis Network Sub-Saharan Africa has announced that both network brands, Carat Division and Isobar, have won bronze at the Global Dentsu Aegis Network Innovation Awards for Best Use of the Dentsu Aegis Operating Model.
This accolade was awarded for the exceptional integration that the Dentsu Aegis Network team displayed in working across the group’s agencies – Carat Africa Division, Isobar and iProspect.
With over 900 entries submitted for the Dentsu Aegis Innovation Awards in 10 categories, the awards really showcased the Networks finest work.
The entry was for the Guinness Africa campaign, which sought to re-position the brand in Africa, to increase the brand’s appeal to Generation (Gen) Y Africans.
Mbabane Swallows set to fly high with Inyatsi Construction sponsorship
Well-known Swaziland soccer team, Mbabane Swallows, will be sponsored by local construction firm Inyatsi Construction during 2015. The title sponsorship was officially launched on Thursday 12 March and the event was attended by the Prime Minister
Dr Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini, Minister of Sport, Culture and Youth Affairs Mr David Ngcamphalala, as well as various other government ministers.
Mbabane Swallows participates in the Premier League of Swaziland with a number of local wins under their belt as well as appearances in the Africa Confederation of African Football. The team is regarded as one of the country’s best.
Euronews and Inter Media Group sign Co-operation Agreement
Euronews and Inter Media Group have reached a co-operation agreement aimed at developing and reinforcing the Ukrainian version of Euronews.
The agreement, which includes technical and content exchange, was approved by the Euronews Supervisory Board in Paris and has been officially signed at the beginning of March, making the Inter Media Group an exclusive strategic partner of Euronews in Ukraine.
Under the agreement, the Ukrainian Euronews team will be based in Lyon and Kiev. This team will produce a 24/7 Ukrainian version of Euronews, broadcast worldwide, as well as expanded content aimed at the Ukrainian market. The local development plan includes the additional hiring of journalists and audio-visual professionals in Kiev.
Euronews and Inter Media Group have implemented their partnership with immediate effect and will build it up gradually.
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