Media Moves… TheMediaOnline’s weekly round up. Ground-breaking BBBEE deal for Africa’s oldest communications group. Craig Wilson new editor of Stuff magazine. Times Media announces four key appointments. Three senior appointments at Urban Brew Studios Johannesburg. Opportunities for young creative graduates at Boomtown
This week’s BIG move: Ground-breaking BBBEE deal for Africa’s oldest communications group
FCB Africa has concluded a BBBEE deal that it believes will have a profoundly positive influence on young black women as well as a major impact on South Africa’s economy in the years ahead.
In terms of the deal, which has an effective date of 1 December 2015, the Maharishi Institute in Johannesburg has acquired 15% of FCB Africa. The deal boosts FCB’s total black ownership to over 51% and rockets its total black female ownership to over 31%.
These shares will be held in a broad-based black economic empowerment trust, and 100% of all profits made in respect of these shares, once they are paid off, will be used to empower unemployed young women who will own an equity stake in the company, with a comprehensive career package that facilitates true lifelong empowerment, including access to university-level business degrees with a specialisation in advertising and digital marketing, industry-recognised vocational skills qualifications, full-time employment, personal development, soft skills training and ongoing hands-on coaching and mentorship.
This holistic approach with a range of other support measures over a number of years, will assist these women to become measurably successful in South Africa’s economy. The move is targeted to strengthen the long-term pipeline of new industry professionals.
In addition, outside of its ownership programme, FCB has committed to an additional financial investment to develop a cutting-edge industry-related curriculum in 2016, followed by a pilot program in 2017 and 2018, which will be part of the industry preparation component. FCB is warmly inviting other agencies and industry colleagues to join it in developing this pipeline for the industry.
FCB’s first BBBEE deal was concluded in 2003 when a consortium called Bourasque acquired 26% of the agency. At that time, shares were also awarded to previously disadvantaged individuals who worked for FCB.
Announcing the deal, FCB Africa CEO Brett Morris could barely contain his enthusiasm. “As a company that has always been at the forefront of transformation in the advertising sector, this is an incredibly exciting step for us, and one that rounds off a very inclusive and broad-based approach to our economic empowerment initiatives. In addition to prominent business people and the staff ownership we are proud to now include a broad-based scheme that will impact hundreds of young women over time,” he said.
“Yes, I’m delighted that the deal means that FCB more than ticks all the boxes when it comes to the BEE scorecard. Yes, I’m thrilled that our new status – 51% black owned and 32% black female owned – is a major advantage for our clients when it comes to filling in their own BEE scorecards. But I’m over the moon at the potential this deal could unleash over the years, and look forward to witnessing the impact the graduates will have on South Africa’s economy as they succeed in the workforce as empowered, skilled and well-educated citizens.”
Who’s moved where
Craig Wilson new editor of Stuff magazine
Craig Wilson is the new editor of Stuff magazine, South Africa’s premier consumer technology publication. At the same time, Brett Venter has been appointed digital editor and will oversee the publication’s website and digital channels. Jon Tullett joins the team as associate editor. All three appointments are effective from 1 March 2016.
Wilson has been Stuff’s deputy editor since November 2014, a position he previously held at TechCentral for two years.
Toby Shapshak, who’s served as editor since he launched Stuff in South Africa eight years ago, will continue as publisher for the Stuff group and becomes the editor-in-chief of what are now two distinct publications.
“The future of publishing is certainly digital, but there remains a strong attraction to print in South Africa,” Shapshak says. “We’re one of the few print titles that’s seen growth in our readership over the last year and we look forward to growing that audience even further. At the same time, our digital channels are growing strongly, so we’re renewing our focus on our online presence and on mobile devices.”
Shapshak will continue to be closely involved in the day-to-day operations of Stuff’s print and digital publications but will focus more heavily on the strategic and financial aspects of the business; along with fellow director and Stuff business manager, Sally Hudson.
Nic Boerma, formerly editor of PC Format and Stuff‘s managing editor for several years, continues as Stuff‘s digital publisher.
Technology editor Jon Tullett joins the Stuff stable as an associate editor. Tullett has been a technology journalist and editor for two decades, working in South Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Most recently, he was senior editor and analyst at ITWeb.
Times Media announces four key appointments
Moshoeshoe Monare has been appointed deputy MD of the media division. Monare joined Times Media as managing editor for Sunday Times and The Times in 2015 and was previously the deputy editor of the Mail & Guardian, Editor of Sunday Independent, as well being Group Political Editor at Independent Newspapers.
Philani Mgwaba will become editor in chief at The Sowetan and Sunday World. The appointment comes as Times Media puts significant focus on the two products and to support the major changes being implemented in TMG newsrooms as a result of a rapidly developing media market.
Richard Goussard has been appointed general manager of circulation. He recently joined Times Media from EY’s management consulting team, where he was the leader of their Operations Excellence practice for Sub-Saharan Africa. He brings significant experience, having previously led large organisational change and performance improvement projects in multiple industries.
Debbie McCrum has been appointed as head of content in Times Media’s Broadcast and Content division. McCrum has significant experience as head of Times Media Films and has helped develop it into Africa’s leading independent all-rights distributor in SA, as well as kick start a programme of direct investment into SA filmmaking.
Three senior appointments at Urban Brew Studios Johannesburg
Urban Brew Studios has promoted three staff members to senior management positions. Herbert Hadebe has been appointed as the head of scripted productions, while Adelaide Joshua-Hill is now head of unscripted productions and Joanne Lurie is the head of creative.
Hadebe brings with him over 15 years of experience in the film and television industry. He currently works on two drama series for Urban Brew Studios, Mzansi Magic’s Zabalaza and e.tv’s Gold Diggers. Last year he was honoured to have been selected as an Emmy Awards juror and attended the event in New York.
Adelaide Joshua-Hill started her career at Urban Brew seven years ago as an education consultant for YOTV. She then became head of YOTV mini and went on to head up the entire YOTV portfolio. Her new role will include overseeing and managing production teams and providing leadership across all productions in the unscripted portfolio.
Joanne Lurie, who has been in the TV industry for 13 years, spent eight of her nine years at Urban Brew Studios producing 3Talk with Noeleen. Before joining the company, she worked on international formats, including The Weakest Link, The Biggest Loser and Big Brother.
What’s out there
Opportunities for young creative graduates at Boomtown
Boomtown is looking for its next team of creative graduates to join the agency from April 1st. Applications are open to candidates in marketing, graphic design, copywriting, brand strategy, PR and social media. Candidates can email their CVs through to careers@boomtown.co.za until March 11th, 2016.
Boomtown’s Bayeza programme was developed four years ago to nurture the talent of young creative from previously disadvantaged communities, who are still studying, or who have recently completed their studies. It came to fruition with the realisation that there was a large group of young creative talent that could not knock down the barriers to entry into the industry because of a lack of experience.
On the programme, Andrew MacKenzie, Boomtown Managing Director says: “South Africa has an abundance of eager graduates looking to make their mark in industry, and it’s fostering this talent that will lead to the country being a strong competitor in the global market.
“Bayeza graduates are fast-tracked through the agency giving them a rounded understanding of life at Boomtown so they know what to expect when they enter full-time employment. Exposing them to a fast-paced agency life, the individuals come out being highly employable, and knowledgable on what they want from their career.”
