Media Moves… TheMediaOnline’s weekly round up. Ebizradio.com amplifies their reach with Tuluntulu. New senior appointment at Odgers Berndtson Sub-Saharan Africa. Trace appoints Leo Manne, senior VP for Southern Africa. Independent Media announces senior editorial promotions. Senior Promotion at marcusbrewster Jhb office. Leading tech agency joins VAS Africa and AfricaCom as media partner in Africa. AppRiver signs partnership agreement with Africa’s Dax Data. Dentsu Aegis SSA is Amplifi-ing opportunities. VIDI Partners with Vodacom & Samsung-App ONTV for greater viewing pleasure. Careers24 partners with the first Future of HR Summit and Awards. The Black Snow Group adds a Public Relations division. A crisp new look for the Lime Envelope.
This week’s BIG move: Ebizradio.com amplifies their reach with Tuluntulu
www.ebizradio.com, Africa’s business audio stream platform, has teamed up with Tuluntulu – an application designed to stream video and now audio on low-bandwidth connections in developing markets.
www.ebizradio.com was launched in late 2011 as the first dedicated business audio stream platform to share business and lifestyle insights across Africa and the globe. As the African continent is a mobile first market, it made logical sense to provide the market with an easy to access and low data usage platform so that people in business or wanting to go into business could easily connect to information on business and business trends locally and globally.
“Joining up with Tuluntulu was the next logical step in our expansion as we had already seen huge growth in Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana and knew that working with a collaborative partner providing technology that would allow growing audiences to stream or download business insights – using as little data as possible – was the next logical step,” says Ingrid von Stein, Founder and CEO, www.ebizradio.com
Tuluntulu is a mobile content and advertising / messaging platform targeting audiences with African focused content. The app can be used to reach people globally via their smart phones or tablets and can be downloaded for free from the Google Play and iOS App stores.
Who’s moved where
Trace appoints Leo Manne, senior VP for Southern Africa
Trace has welcomed media and broadcast expert Leonardo Manne as the newly appointed senior vice president for the Southern African region.
Having successfully expanded his level of expertise by transcending his unique skill-set from community radio to national radio and ultimately broadcast television, Leonardo Manne has worked his way through the media industry developing specialised knowledge about reading, reaching, and relating to South African audiences. With 20 years of experience in the South African broadcast space, Manne looks forward to moving onto a global stage overseeing all Trace’s media related operations.
“I have always embraced any opportunity in my career that has allowed me to work with and create great media brands, especially in the context of a rapidly changing television and entertainment environment. Moving to this great global brand gives me an opportunity to share a lot of what I’ve learnt, but most importantly learn from the individuals and the vast knowledge base within the local and global TRACE team,” Manne said.
Independent Media announces senior editorial promotions
Independent Media has announces several senior editorial promotions at
Pretoria News. They are Jos Charle as deputy editor, executive editor (day editor), Tania Stapelberg; executive editor (production editor), Damian Paterson; and news editor, Kennedy Mudzuli.
“This is great news for our team. I believe that each team member with their unique skills and experience, would have a positive impact on the newspaper’s future,” said Val Bojé, editor of Pretoria News.
Executive chairman of Independent Media, Dr Iqbal Survé, in congratulating the staff members on their promotions said, “Part of our growth strategy is to nurture and develop talent and excellence. This is a fine example of staff members being rewarded for their talent and dedication. I wish them continued success”.
Senior promotion at marcusbrewster Joburg office
Integrated PR and strategic communications agency marcusbrewster has promoted its Johannesburg bureau chief, Monica van der Spuy, to the position of business director. Van der Spuy (nee Braganca) was the account director responsible for the Robertsons SkyDine campaign which took gold at the annual PRISM Award ceremony for PR Excellence last month.
“Monica joined marcusbrewster two years ago after senior stints at Cerebra and Ogilvy PR. She has subsequently built on those foundations to develop into a leading industry talent,” said the firm’s chairman, Marcus Brewster.
“In the entertainment industry they refer to a triple threat as a performer who can sing, dance and act. In Monica, we have similar star power: a consummate professional with proven strengths in strategy, implementation and social. Her commitment to excellence, her clients and the agency make her an asset to the business. With her additional qualifications in Digital PR, she has a great vision of where marcusbrewster is headed in the years to come as well” says Brewster.
Van der Spuy will continue to head up the Gauteng office of marcusbrewster, but will additionally assume a larger strategic management and developmental role across the business itself, while also finding opportunities to grow marcusbrewster’s offering for both new and existing clients like takealot.com, SAP and SAIT.
New senior appointment at Odgers Berndtson Sub-Saharan Africa
Modise Makhene has been appointed as a principal at Odgers Berndtson Sub-Saharan Africa. He brings extensive business development and client relationship management experience.
Before joining Odgers Berndtson, he was the South African CEO of international advertising and communications firm JWT. He was also on the boards of Mindshare, a WPP media company and was a vice chairman of the Advertising and Communications Association of South Africa.
Odgers Berndtson Sub-Saharan Africa is a global executive search firm with over 200 worldwide partners and more than 50 offices in 29 countries.
Who’s won what
Leading tech agency joins VAS Africa and AfricaCom as media partner in Africa
DUO Marketing and Communications, a specialist B2B Tech PR and digital marketing agency will be a media partner for this year’s VAS Africa and AfricaCom conferences.
“As a digital PR consultancy servicing technology clients, it makes sense for us to partner with the leading mobile and telecoms conferences on the annual events calendar. These conferences are core to our market and the customers we serve,” says Judith Middleton, CEO of DUO Marketing and Communications.
Experts from the mobile Value Add Services (VAS) ecosystem will gather at VAS Africa to address the challenges and opportunities presented by an increasingly complex digital value chain. VAS Africa promises to have over 40 industry leading speakers and more than 500 attendees.
“We service clients across the continent in the e-commerce and mobile transaction space and we are witnessing the opportunity and potential impact mobile has on the African payment landscape, first hand,” Middleton says.
AfricaCom will host senior decision makers driving the debate on Africa’s digital transformation and the controversial push for over-the-top (OTT) services in Africa.
AppRiver signs partnership agreement with Africa’s Dax Data
AppRiver, a provider of email messaging, cloud security solutions, and Microsoft O365 syndication partner, has confirmed its first distributor agreement in Africa. Dax Data, a value-added software distributor and product marketing organisation, is set to add AppRiver’s entire security suite to its portfolio.
“This agreement underscores the importance of delivering comprehensive security and productivity solutions to meet the needs of our customers,” said Jeremy Matthews, CEO of Dax Data. “By combining AppRiver’s innovative solutions with Dax Data’s professional services, we are well positioned to offer resellers a complete product portfolio.”
The African market has seen an increase in the adoption of cloud technology and is set for continuous economic growth over the next decade.
Who’s making moves
VIDI Partners with Vodacom & Samsung-App ONTV for greater viewing pleasure
On-demand video streaming service VIDI has tied-up with Vodacom to make paying easier. This means that subscribers can now add their VIDI subscriptions directly on to their Vodacom bills.
In addition, VIDI has also partnered with ONTV, the Samsung-exclusive Smart TV app where subscribers can get Video On Demand powered by VIDI directly on their Samsung Smart TVs.
With special offers and quick and easy access, ONTV takes VIDI – and the viewing experience to new heights. For subscribers who have Samsung Smart TVs, all they need to do is click on the ONTV app on the TV’s home page and watch over 3 500 hours of the best entertainment around.
Dentsu Aegis SSA is Amplifi-ing opportunities
Dentsu Aegis Network has announced the launch of Amplifi in South Africa, the global media investment arm of Dentsu Aegis Network (DAN). It is responsible for a $55 billion global budget and managing $8 Billion in active productivity programmes across 84 markets. The goal is to deliver a demonstrable improvement in media performance (by lowering cost and enhanced business outcomes) and do this by delivering a value proposition that works for clients, DAN and media wwners through re-invention of the supply side.
“The Dentsu Aegis Network’s vision is ‘Innovating the way brands are built’. In order to do this, we need to be different and better than the competition in a market defined by globalisation and convergence. Amplifi has been designed to deliver on these challenges. Convergence offers us the opportunity to collaborate with media owners and clients to generate improved measurable business outcomes,” says Gerrit Visser, Head of AMPLIFI SSA.
Careers24 partners with the first Future of HR Summit and Awards
South Africa’s online career portal, Careers24, is partnering with the first Future of HR Summit and Awards. The event will be hosted by Topco Media. Designed to showcase excellence and transformation in HR in the South African business environment, the Careers24 Future of HR Summit and Awards will take place from 22 to 23 July 2015 in Gauteng.
Recruitment and human resource management are facing staggering and powerful changes, including rapid technological advances, which affect how companies find, retain and communicate with their staff.
“The HR function has expanded dramatically in recent years – from a purely administrative function to playing a more strategic role in business,” says Ralf Fletcher, CEO of Topco Media. “Today’s organisations cannot afford to have an HR department that fails to lead and contribute to enhanced company profitability. By shining a spotlight on transformation and excellence in HR we can learn much about best practice and the creation of strong and productive cultures in the workplace, which will inform our practice going forward.”
The Black Snow Group adds a Public Relations division
Johannesburg-based integrated marketing and communications agency, The Black Snow Group, is excited to announce the addition of a Public Relations (PR) division which will be headed up by Kerry Simpson.
Established in 2009 as Black Snow Digital, a specialist digital marketing agency, the company fast developed into a recognised diversified and strategic business. The Black Snow Group is a full service agency with four key divisions: digital, creative/branding, events and now public relations.
“The addition of Black Snow PR was a natural progression for the business. It’s a response to our clients’ needs for more extensive business solutions. The lines between traditional PR and the digital space have become integrated and good communication goes hand in hand with building a trusted, recognisable brand,” says Says Clinton Muir, managing director of The Black Snow Group.
A crisp new look for the Lime Envelope
The Lime Envelope, a creative public relations agency based in Fourways Johannesburg, refreshed its company logo, branding and introduced an energised website. The company has grown and evolved over the last few years, and it was time for the CI and website to reflect this. “We have refreshed our logo to reflect who we are today and to symbolise our dynamic future” says Sarah Martin, owner and agency Director.
Explore the website at www.thelime.co.za, a site that is user friendly and easy to navigate.
The Cotton On Group expands African footprint to Namibia
Australian retailer the Cotton On Group continues to be one of the fastest growing fashion retailers globally, expanding its African footprint and opening its first store in Namibia on the 29 May in Windhoek’s The Grove Mall.
Born to deliver on-trend, effortlessy cool and affordable fashion, Cotton On provides men and women the styles they want now, at the best price. At 1, 000 square metres, the new Cotton On store at The Grove Mall is the first other African country to house the retailer, outside of South Africa. The new store will house a number of brands under the Cotton On Group stable, including Cotton On, Cotton On Body, Cotton On KIDS and RUBI Shoes.
With many global fashion retailers making the move from South Africa into the Namibian market and seeing great success, it was an obvious decision for the Australian retailer as its first move into Subsaharan African. “We have been very fortunate to have seen consistent growth and success in South Africa, with 120 stores already and plans to continue to expand our South African fleet. We constantly look at new regions where we will expand the Cotton On brand, and as Namibia borders South Africa, the Namibian retail market shares many similaraties to that of its neighbour,” explains Cotton On Global General Manager, Felicity McGahan.
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