Media Moves… TheMediaOnline’s weekly round up. Digital Authority appointed as new head of analytics and insights at MEC. Lindelani Buthelezi new deputy editor of Isolezwe titles. African News Agency (ANA) staffs up. Webfluential merges with Retromedia, Kirsty Sharman heads it up. HHP unveiled as host of XXI South African Music Awards. Francis Dufay takes the reins of Jumia in Côte d’Ivoire to lead the growth of e-commerce. Positive Dialogue wins three new clients. Agency founded by Red & Yellow graduates pioneers behavioural marketing in SA. Mercedes-Benz is again proud to be a Global Sponsor of the Masters Tournament
Who’s moved where
Digital Authority appointed as new head of analytics and insights at MEC
Alan Morrissey has joined MEC, the fifth largest media agency network in the world, as the company’s new head of analytics and insights in April.
Morrissey, who is the former MD of Effective Measure, has over 10 years of media experience in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Europe, Middle East and South Africa, with expertise in digital audience measurement and web analytics.
According to Erica Gunning, MD of the South Africa MEC Group, “Alan will help MEC drive transformational marketing solutions through the connection of technology, data, insight and content.”
Morrissey is passionate about all things digital and relishes gleaning insight from both quantitative and qualitative measurement across all media. He believes that brands should be asking for ROI and educated in digital. He says, “Brands are shifting ad spend to digital rapidly. As they do this, they need to know that their agencies are spending their ad money wisely.” He is also fanatical about ensuring that ad spend in South Africa is measured and reported accurately to reflect the real share by media channel.
a service that reports on digital campaign effectiveness (ROI) and impact which was a first in South Africa. In addition, he was involved in merging Effective Measure data with AMPS in Telmar to aid in cross media planning.
Lindelani Buthelezi new deputy editor of Isolezwe titles
Working for over 12 years in the hub of South Africa’s most read daily vernacular newspaper, Isolezwe, has equipped Lindelani Buthelezi with all the skills to be calm under pressure and to always expect the unexpected. Buthelezi, who has just been appointed deputy editor of Independent Media’s trio of Isolezwe publications in KwaZulu-Natal, joined the company as a general reporter in 2002 and gradually worked his way to the position of news editor of Isolezwe in 2009.
Buthelezi has seen the publication through its different stages of development and understands its nature and the target market. Today he is an integral part of Isolezwe, and his rise through the ranks to the position of deputy editor is testament to his perseverance and hard work.
Independent Media executive chairman Dr Iqbal Survé congratulated Buthelezi on his appointment. “Recognising and developing talent and rewarding hard work are intrinsic to our transformation strategy at Independent Media,” Survé said.
African News Agency (ANA) staffs up
The recently launched African News Agency (ANA) has been on a recruitment drive and has employed a range of journalists to beef up its ranks – including many former Sapa staffers
The ANA team includes Sapa veterans around South Africa such as Chantall Presence and Emsie Ferreira from SAPA’s Parliamentary Bureau, Jonisayi Maromo from SAPA’s Pretoria Bureau, SAPA’s news editor Thembela Kamanga and correspondents Gertude Makhafola and Molaole Montsho, SAPA’s sports correspondents Michael Sherman and Herman Gibbs, as well as a network of regional correspondents which includes the SABC’s former Senegal Bureau Chief Crystal Orderson.
The new service service includes a comprehensive diary service for subscribers, as well as access to the extensive Associated Press, Xinhua and DPA international news wires for ANA subscribers. There will also be a PR service to which clients can subscribe to send out their media releases and statements.
Webfluential merges with Retromedia, Kirsty Sharman heads it up
Webfluential, the powerful platform that connects brands with consumers through credible influencers, has merged its South African business with Retromedia, the digital media buying service, appointing Kirsty Sharman to assume overall leadership of the new entity. Webfluential South Africa will now incorporate all staff members from both organisations.
“This merger is in response to the market reality that influencer marketing and paid media are much more powerful, and secure stronger campaign results when combined. It therefore made business sense to merge Webfluential and Retromedia into one integrated organisation offering complementing services,” says Sharman.
As a result of the merger, Webfluential has extended its overall product offering to include the three core components of paid digital media: premium display, influencer marketing and paid media on social channels. This offering completes the typical campaign funnel of brand awareness, endorsement, and ultimately sales, for brands targeting specific online audiences.
Having led the successful rollout of Webfluential in South Africa, Steven Murray will now focus on extending the company’s reach and sales in London, Kenya and Nigeria, simultaneously expanding in-country teams in these markets. Founder Murray Legg will lead the strategic direction of Webfluential’s global operations.
HHP unveiled as host of XXI South African Music Awards
Social media has been abuzz over the past few days… who exactly is the enigmatic Agent XXI who’s been teasing us ahead of the XXI Annual South African Music Awards on Sunday, 19 April 2015? Well, he’s now stepped out of the shadows and we can reveal that it’s none other than HHP.
Hip Hop Pantsula (aka Jabba, aka Jabulani Tsambo) will be taking to the stage as the official host of the XXI South African Music Awards at Sun City, and he now has an extra alias to add to his list of nicknames: Agent XXI.
The internationally acclaimed Motswako rapper will be keeping the Superbowl audience and television viewers entertained between performances and awards presentations at the glittery ceremony, and what makes the occasion particularly special is that the Mafikeng-born musician will be doing so in his home province, the North West.
Francis Dufay takes the reins of Jumia in Côte d’Ivoire to lead the growth of e-commerce
The e-commerce leader in Africa formalises the appointment of Francis Dufay at the head of its subsidiary in Côte d’Ivoire. This announcement follows the appointment of Fatoumata BA with whom Dufay led Jumia Côte d’Ivoire since April 2014, to the position of managing director at Jumia Nigeria having arrived in April 2014 as co-managing director.
Dufay will be responsible for driving the expansion of the first e-commerce website in Côte d’Ivoire. The French born who took the reins of the startup in a context of consistent growth intends to consolidate this trend and to position Jumia (https://www.jumia.ci) as a major player in retail. Best products, best prices and customer satisfaction constitute his leitmotivs.
Dufay cut his teeth at the consulting firm McKinsey & Company where he remained for four years. Specialist in e-commerce strategy for Europe and sub-Saharan Africa, he joined Africa Internet Group in 2014 within JUumia Côte d’Ivoire.
Who’s won what
Positive Dialogue wins three new clients
Cape Town based Public Relations and Social Media consultancy, Positive Dialogue Communications, is proud to have been appointed to represent three prestigious new clients;
The Westin Cape Town, a leader in wellness and hospitality for more than a decade with 200 hotels and resorts in nearly 40 countries and territories.
The Discovery World Triathlon Cape Town which forms part of the International Triathlon Union’s (ITU) popular World Triathlon Series attracting many thousands of participants and spectators to 10 of the world’s most iconic cities over a period of seven months.
Efinity, Media24’s state-of-the-art ecommerce fulfilment service.
Tracy Jones, managing director of Positive Dialogue Communications says: “After an extensive pitch process, we are thrilled to be working with our new clients and look forward to delivering high impact campaigns with measurable results.”
Who’s making moves
Agency founded by Red & Yellow graduates pioneers behavioural marketing in SA
David Perrott and Sebastian Thompson, both 24-year old graduates of Red & Yellow, have launched a specialist behavioural economics consultancy called Gravity. Believed to be one of the first agencies of its kind in South Africa, Gravity uses the principles of behavioural economics to help marketers meet their business objectives.
The two Capetonians were exposed to the concepts of behavioural economics during a marketing and communications post-graduate course at Red & Yellow. Here, they completed a course that included Skype lectures by international behavioural economics guru Rory Sutherland of Ogilvy & Mather UK.
“Red & Yellow inspired us with its module about behavioural economics, led by Peta Broomberg,” says Thompson. “Sitting with Rory Sutherland on Skype and asking him questions made us excited about the potential of behavioural economics in South Africa.”
Adds Perrott: “Behavioural economics is changing the global marketing landscape, but South African companies have not been sure about how to apply it to how they communicate. Lots of people are talking about it, but few seem to be building business processes around behavioural economics. We saw this as an opportunity and started the business in November 2013, whilst we were still studying at Red & Yellow.”
Gravity’s first client was The Big Issue – many others have followed. The agency did a pro bono campaign that aimed to help homeless people sell more of their Big Issue magazines. By observing how drivers at intersections interacted with Big Issue vendors, Gravity drew up a strategy to help them improve revenues.
Mercedes-Benz is again proud to be a Global Sponsor of the Masters Tournament
From 9 to 12 April, the world of golf will turn its attention to Augusta, Georgia, where the world’s best players will contest the first major of the year in a bid to win the legendary Green Jacket. Mercedes-Benz is again proud to be a Global Sponsor of the Masters Tournament in 2015.
“The partnership with the Masters Tournament is of particular importance for Mercedes-Benz’ involvement in sport,” says Dr. Jens Thiemer, vice president Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars. “The Masters is a unique event, holding an iconic place in the world of sport. This major gives Mercedes-Benz an opportunity to focus on the shared values of fascination, perfection and exclusivity. So we’re very pleased to be partnering with the Tournament now for the eighth year.”
Eager fans can visit https://www.facebook.com/MercedesBenzGolf to find interesting and useful information, photos and videos on the Mercedes-Benz brand ambassadors. For the first time, there are also dedicated channels on YouTube: www.YouTube.com/MercedesBenzTV and Instagram: https://instagram.com/MercedesBenz.Golf
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