Media Moves… TheMediaOnline’s weekly round up. Verashni Pillay is new M&G editor, De Wet deputy. Three key appointments at Times Media. Coenraad Bezuidenhout new MD of public affairs at FTI Consulting. New voices on-air at Algoa FM. Publicis Africa wins African Network of the Year Award at African Cristal Awards. Red Carpet Concepts lands La Petite Ferme account. Dangote renews sponsorship of Facetime within CNN Marketplace Africa and sponsors new segment Africa Now. Oasis Outdoor Media and MMAP get digi with it. Zig Zag and Urban Brew Studios announce production partnership. Keep tabs on competitors with Newsclip’s new offering. Chartered Secretaries Awards for marcusbrewster senior account manager. Waggener Edstrom Communications now WE
This week’s BIG move: Verashni Pillay is new M&G editor, De Wet deputy
The Mail & Guardian has announced Verashni Pillay as the new editor of the weekly paper, with Phillip De Wet coming in as her deputy.
In a statement on the M&G website, chief executive Hoosain Karjieker said Verashni “has a talent for energising a team and creating a strong editorial vision”. He said he was looking forward to the paper asserting a new identity with her input and was excited about her energy being translated onto the pages of the publication.
Pillay has worked in various capacities on the Mail & Guardian, including the revamping of the online editorial division, “which saw a period of strong growth and innovation under her leadership”, the statement said. The digital storytelling techniques that the team developed led to a 200% increase in traffic, passing two million monthly users for the first time in its history, and won the M&G a number of awards.
Pillay was appointed associate editor in 2013 and took on the responsibilities of a senior reporter, gaining a firm understanding of the print side of M&G journalism and covering key political and current affairs stories for the newspaper.
In December last year she left the M&G to work as a media consultant and trainer in various newsrooms, including within the Independent Group and at City Press, specialising in digital journalism, social media and convergence.
“Her energy, digital knowledge and passion for media management and good journalism makes her the ideal candidate for the role of editor at the M&G, as does her institutional knowledge of its newsroom, its people and the challenges – and opportunities – facing the publication,” the statement said.
Who’s moved where
Three key appointments at Times Media
Times Media has announced three new appointments to its leading newspapers, and magazine supplements. Political editor, Sthembiso Msomi, will assume responsibility as deputy editor of the Sunday Times, taking over from Barry Smit who bolsters the team managing the implementation of Times Media’s new editorial system and enhanced digital capabilities.
Former Mail & Guardian deputy editor Moshoeshoe Monare is joining TMG as managing editor for Sunday Times and The Times. He has also held the position of editor at Sunday Independent, as well being group political editor at Independent Newspapers.
Marie Claire editor Aspasia Karras has left Associated Media for the position of publisher of TMG’s magazine supplements. She has also previously held the position of features editor of The Times.
Andy Gill, managing director at Times Media, says magazines expressly produced as supplements in newspapers “represent both revenue and reader growth areas in line with the Group’s past successes, and also reflecting a growing international trend”.
“We are excited about the depth and experience of talent we have appointed, and wish them every success in keeping Times Media at the forefront of innovation in media in South Africa,” Gill said.
Coenraad Bezuidenhout new MD of public affairs at FTI Consulting
Global business advisory firm, FTI Consulting, has appointed Coenraad Bezuidenhout as a managing director in the firm’s strategic communications segment. He will head up FTI Consulting’s public affairs practice and will be based in Johannesburg.
Coenraad is a trained political economist and brings more than a decade and a half’s experience in public affairs and economic policy advocacy to FTI Consulting. He joins from the Manufacturing Circle, a national corporate association of manufacturers, where he served as Executive Director. Previously, he respectively headed economic policy and the Business Parliamentary Office at BUSA, prior to which he excelled in numerous legislative monitoring and political support roles at the Parliamentary precinct in Cape Town.
Bezuidenhout has been appointed to expand FTI Consulting’s already significant public affairs and government relations capabilities in South Africa to mirror its global offering to serve both global and domestic clients in South and Sub-Saharan African markets.
New voices on-air at Algoa FM
Algoa FM listeners will be greeted with a fresh new sound and a new line-up from 2 November this year. “A number of changes have been planned with a view to refresh the sound of Algoa FM ahead of summer 2015. These changes include our music, our on-air imaging and line-up,” says Algoa FM operations director Alfie Jay.
New voices to be heard on-air at Algoa FM include Jeff Moloi, who will present a new 7pm to 10pm show from East London during weekdays. He will be followed by Vinny Nogemane, who continues to present his 10pm to 2am show Sunday through Friday.
In addition to the popular Sounds of Time, broadcast between 9am and mid-day on Sundays, Lance Du Plessis will be setting the tone ahead of the Daron Mann Breakfast (DMB). Returning to Algoa FM is Port Elizabeth-born, Victoria High School graduate Shereez Govender, who will be hosting Saturday lunch as well as the Sunday evening show between 7pm and 10pm. Another new voice on Algoa FM is the multi award-winning Luvuyo (Star) Nyembezi, who presents the 10pm to 2am show on Saturday nights.
Existing presenters are also being given the opportunity to provide listeners with their own unique shows. KayCee Rossouw will host mid-mornings during weekdays, and will “also be presenting an exciting new Sunday afternoon show filled with soul-fulfilling tunes. Mio and Queenie continue with their successful lunchtime show during weekdays and introduce a new show at lunch on Sundays.
Other changes include Daron Mann and Charlton Tobias keeping listeners informed and entertained on the DMB from six to nine during weekdays, as Carol-Ann Kelleher tackles a new and challenging operational portfolio.
Who’s won what
Publicis Africa wins African Network of the Year Award at African Cristal Awards
Publicis Africa Group upped the ante at the African Cristal Awards when it scooped African Network of the Year and walked away with 16 medals (including one gold) and had 50 pieces shortlisted. The Holding Company of the Year was awarded to Publicis Groupe.
“This is a wonderful result for Publicis Africa Group and speaks to the depth of talent that we have gathered across the 35 countries in which the network operates,” says Kevin Tromp, CEO of Publicis Africa Group. “The combination of smart strategy and great creative ideas executed beautifully, has achieved positive results for our clients businesses, which is the most important thing, but it is also extremely satisfying to have the Publicis Africa Group recognised in an international competition of this nature.”
Agencies that took home medals were not only from South Africa but also Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Mauritius and Reunion.
Tromp said this was proof of the importance the network is placing on Africa and the opportunities they intend to take full advantage of. “I am enormously proud of the team, and believe that this is just the beginning of the growth curve for the group,” says Tromp.
Red Carpet Concepts lands La Petite Ferme account
Franschhoek based wine estate, La Petite Ferme has awarded Cape Town based PR agency, Red Carpet Concepts (RCC) with its public relations, marketing, social media, new website development and events management portfolio.
Bringing light to the iconic wine farm’s new upgrades and offerings currently being implemented, RCC will conduct a full 360° integrated marketing and communications campaign delivering high conversion rates through wine sales, accommodation and restaurant bookings as well as private and public event and function bookings.
Situated high upon the mountain overlooking the Franschhoek Valley, La Petite Ferme offers exquisite guest accommodation, a bouquet of multi-award winning fine wines complimented by rustic contemporary cuisine and unparalleled vistas.
Dangote renews sponsorship of Facetime within CNN Marketplace Africa and sponsors new segment Africa Now
Dangote Industries Limited is deepening its relationship with CNN International by renewing on-air and digital sponsorship of the prestigious Facetime segment within CNN Marketplace Africa.
‘CNN Marketplace Africa’ is a weekly show on CNN International, which offers a unique window into African business. The new edition of the show is hosted by British-Nigerian CNN anchor Zain Asher, who breaks down the economic trends affecting Africa, interviewing business leaders making and shaping the continent.
The ‘Facetime’ element within the programme is a high-profile segment in which a major player from the global business community is interviewed about Africa business matters. On-air content is complemented by distinctive online editorial at a ‘CNN Marketplace Africa’ microsite, where popular and innovative content is shared across a range of social channels.
In addition, Dangote Industries Limited is sponsoring a new segment, Africa Now, to air within The Business View, aimed at raising the profile of the business across the continent and outside of Africa among CNN’s unrivalled affluent audience. The campaign spans TV sponsorship, spot advertising and digital components.
Who’s making moves
Oasis Outdoor Media and MMAP get digi with it!
Oasis Outdoor Media and MMAP Integrated Outdoor Solutions recently treated guests to the launch of a new digital our of home offering, set to roll out across 100 BP forecourts by February 2016.
Reinhardt Hanel, managing director of Oasis Outdoor Media and Airborne Outdoor, ensured a memorable event for the guests as they were flown by helicopter to Casalinga restaurant for an afternoon of mingling, good food and to be introduced to the latest disruption to the South African DOOH landscape.
“We started running scrollers on the forecourts of BP in 2004 and since then they have been well received. It was a natural evolution to eventually digitise these sites but we took our time in finding the right technology. In February of this year, we found what we were looking for, after three years of sourcing we now have the best technology for this application,” said Hanel.
To help take this exciting new offering to market, Oasis Outdoor Media has engaged with MMAP to be the strategic marketing partner for the platform.
Michele Munro, MD and founder of MMAP, said the unique environment in which the offering is located immediately positions the platform as high impact, unique DOOH. “We are very excited to be able to work with Reinhardt and his team on taking this to market and we know the uptake will be good,” Munro said.
Zig Zag and Urban Brew Studios announce production partnership
Leading UK independent TV production company Zig Zag Productions has signed a co-production agreement with South African producer and content creator, Urban Brew Studios.
The agreement is designed to pool each company’s creativity, expertise and production facilities to create cross genre programming for the South African, UK and international markets.
Urban Brew Studios, with eight fully equipped studios, produces over 50 hours of original content per week for local platforms including SABC, DStv and e.tv, is also a channel broadcaster, managing and producing content for domestic channels including Soweto TV, Glow TV and 1 KZN TV and broadcasting over 500 hours of content per week.
The two companies will be developing shared IP and entering into option agreements for their respective programme formats. The first of which sees Urban Brew Studios option Zig Zag’s ‘Strike a Match’ format for the South African market.
Strike a Match is Zig Zag’s studio show where the game is to weed out the real couples from a hilarious line-up of misfits. Contestants have to try and keep their relationships a secret when being grilled by a comedic panel.
Keep tabs on competitors with Newsclip’s new offering
Newsclip has reengineered its competitor analysis offering on Gate5. Now clients can easily determine their position and strategically use it to their advantage.
This new ‘competitor share of media voice’ offering not only allows clients to compare their brand against their competitors’, but also compare like-on-like products or services.
Clients receive the date required for comparative competitor tracking, the clip count and AVE. Should there be a spike in a competitor’s coverage, clients will have the option to unlock and view selected clips to determine why. This ensures that clients are able to easily manage and review only the media coverage most relevant to them.
Analysis features, for on-the-go insights, include trend graphs which display the results over a one-week period as well as a rolling four-week period. In addition, clients can search for clips by keywords across any coverage received, and have the flexibility to select and move clips from one data-bin to another.
Chartered Secretaries Awards for marcusbrewster senior account manager
Integrated PR firm marcusbrewster’s Nicole Spruijt, senior account Manager in its Johannesburg office, was presented with two awards at the 2015 graduation ceremony of the Chartered Secretaries of Southern Africa (CSSA). Spruijt took first place for management principles and second for managing information systems.
“Chartered secretaries are high-ranking professionals with a diverse range of skills unique among the professions,” said CSSA CEO, Stephen Sadie, “Obtaining the qualification is a fast-track way of reaching the boardroom and becoming part of the senior management team. The company secretary is a strategic position of considerable influence at the heart of governance operations within an organisation. Listed companies and State-owned companies are required in terms of the Companies Act to appoint a company secretary.”
Marcus Brewster, Chairman of marcusbrewster PR, said, “The success of a thriving PR agency lies in its talent mix. Nicole’s enhanced credentials add gravitas to our client service offering as well as finesse our own business operations.”
Waggener Edstrom Communications now WE
Global communications company, Waggener Edstrom has changed its name to WE. CEO Melissa Waggener Zorkin says she’s “never felt more at home”.
“But this isn’t just about a new name; this change is a reflection of what WE has always been. Because it’s never been about me, or my partner Pam Edstrom, or any one individual. WE is about us. It’s the power and insight that comes from the collective — our amazing clients, our people, our partners, and the influencers we work with every day. Together, we are WE,” Waggener Zorkin said in a blog announcing the change.
