Media Moves… TheMediaOnline’s weekly round up. New Publisher Research Council appoints P2 Consultants. New editor of Die Burger announced. Mngomezulu leaves SABC for MSG Afrika Group. aaa welcomes a new chairperson. Monde Twala to leave e.tv to pursue an international opportunity. Somizi Mhlongo and Nadia Neophytou named as SAFTAs 2016 Red Carpet presenters. Primedia Outdoor selects Stone Soup as their public relations agency. MailOnline appoints Ole! Media Group’s AddSuite as exclusive in-market channel partner for MailOnline. New local newspaper launched in the Eastern Cape – Queenstown Express. Design meets technology in collab between Calibre Brand Solutions and Packaging IS. ARM rebranded as Credence Security
This week’s BIG move: New Publisher Research Council appoints P2 Consultants
The Publisher Research Council (PRC), which will conduct all the audience and advertising research on behalf of their print and digital titles, has announced the appointment of P2 Consultants to manage their Joint Industry Council (JIC). The PRC will continue to contribute, both financially and managerially, to the new Establishment Survey to be conducted in conjunction with the BRC by TNS, as well as new title currency research and “power of the published word” advertising efficacy studies.
Gordon Muller and Peter Langschmidt, with collectively more than 70 years of experience in the advertising industry, will jointly manage the PRC with a broad division of intuitive and applied skills. Langschmidt is widely recognised as one of the most innovative and insightful researchers in the country, while Muller lays reasonable claim to knowing every aspect of how data and insights are actually utilised in the media decision-making process.
The PRC believes in quantum outcomes to any business challenge, as implied in P2 (or P to the power of 2). So the PRC is aiming to really challenge not only the conventions of ‘reading’ research but also the whole content publishing and marketing process.
“When it comes to the ‘media currency’ research, we are very specifically highlighting ‘reading’ research rather than ‘readership’,” said Muller. “Readership is essentially a newspaper and magazine ad-exposure measurement tool but reading is a behaviour pattern, with a proven correlation to ROMI in cross-channel attribution modelling globally.”
Readers are a highly marketable commodity are educated. They are above average earners (and spenders) regardless of age, of race and gender and most importantly, regardless of publishing format. In the new communication era, publishers need to research the 4Ps … Paper; Pad; Phone and PC.
“So not the Print Research Council but the Publisher Research Council,” he said.
In addition to this research component, there is strong recognition of the need to train, mentor and foster management succession planning within the PRC, its member publishing groups and in the media industry at large.
As with many sectors in the media and communication industry, the publishing industry needs to urgently address the shortage of home grown talent and the P2 Consultants’ mandate includes an innovative mentorship and training programme that will address all PRC EE management needs within the near future. In particular Muller, with a long history of involvement with media-industry training, will actively drive this initiative.
Who’s moved where
New editor of Die Burger announced
Media24 has announced the appointment of Willem Jordaan (43) as editor of Die Burger from 1 April.
Jordaan started his journalism career at Die Burger in 1999. That same year he was promoted to Die Burger’s parliamentary reporter and later to political reporter in the provincial legislature. In 2005 he was appointed political editor for Die Burger and deputy editor in 2009. He has been acting editor of the newspaper since January this year. He follows in the footsteps of Bun Booyens, who announced in December that he would be retiring from the post in March. Booyens, who was appointed in 2010, led Die Burger into its centenary year.
Jordaan says he is excited by the opportunity to take a century-old brand into the future. “Even more so with a competent team that cares deeply about their community. While Die Burger and Netwerk24 already play leading roles in the transition to digital news, a newspaper like Die Burger still has an important position in the ecosystem of relevant quality journalism. I look forward to serving our readers exceptional journalism with a brand that is a member of so many Afrikaans households,” he said.
Jordaan is an alumnus of Stellenbosch University, where he acquired a BA degree in political science and philosophy, a BA Hons degree in philosophy (cum laude), a Hons B.Phil in journalism and a M.Phil in journalism (cum laude).
Mngomezulu leaves SABC for MSG Afrika Group
Wanele Mngomezulu has been appointed managing director of MSG Group Sales and commercial director of Given Mkhari’s MSG Afrika Group. Mngomezulu has left his position of general manager of the SABC’s business intelligence unit to join MSG.
Mngomezulu said his vision is to “continue building on the legacy that was started by great pioneers and for MSG Group Sales to become the most favourite partner”.
He said MSG Group Sales provided integrated media (on-air, off-air and online) advertising solution on PowerFM and Capricorn FM. MSG Group Sales packs a young, responsive, involved and empowered sales team.
Monde Twala to leave e.tv to pursue an international opportunity
Managing director of e.tv channels Monde Twala will be leaving eMedia Investments to pursue a new opportunity at a multinational media company.
eMedia Investments’ group COO, Mark Rosin, said, “The Group congratulates Monde on his new position and wishes him all the success in the international market. Monde’s charismatic and nurturing personality along with his knowledge has played an integral role in the growth of e.tv and across the Group.”
Twala joined e.tv as a sports producer in 1999 and conscientiously worked his way through various key operational positions. He was appointed group head of e.tv in 2009, and MD of the e.tv channels in 2014, proving to be an enormous success story of e.tv’s philosophy of ‘home growing’ talent from within.
Twala spearheaded the launch of five additional e.tv-branded channels for the free-to-air OpenView HD satellite platform in 2013. He also played an integral role in creating a number of the channel’s flagship local brands, including the highly-rated daily drama Rhythm City and more recently the much talked about telenovela’s Ashes to Ashes and Gold Diggers.
A search to fill the position of MD, e.tv channels will begin imminently.
Somizi Mhlongo and Nadia Neophytou named as SAFTAs 2016 Red Carpet presenters
Two of the country’s supreme talents have signed on as Red Carpet presenters for the South Africa Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) 2016. Actor, dancer and choreographer, Somizi Mhlongo, and arts and entertainment journalist, Nadia Neophytou.
“We are delighted to be working with Somizi Mhlongo and Nadia Neophytou, both of whom are home grown talents that have built stellar, longstanding careers. They are at the peak of their game and have also enjoyed longevity,” says Zama Mkosi, CEO of the National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa (NFVF).
New chairperson for aaa School of Advertising
Industy stalwart and highly respected Nkwenkwe Nkomo has retired from his position as chairperson the Board of Directors at the AAA School of Advertising (aaa). In 1997, he was the first Black person to be elected Chairperson of the ACA Board of Directors and later Chair of the aaa.
Taking over from Nkwenkwe Nkomo is Marella O’Reilly who has been a member of the aaa Board for a number of years. She is a Fellow of the Africa Leadership Initiative South Africa, a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network and holds a Masters degree in Business Leadership.
“The entrepreneurial, strategic and business skills Marella contributes to the Board adds immense value in driving the objectives of the institution. We look forward to her continued involvement and leadership in taking the aaa into the future,” said Mike Gendel, Group CEO Gendel Strategic Marketing Group and ACA chairperson.
The aaa is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the advertising and communications sector’s recognised industry body – the Association for Communication and Advertising (ACA). The tertiary institution was formed by the industry 26 years ago, to feed skilled talent into the profession.
Who’s won what
Primedia Outdoor selects Stone Soup as their public relations agency
Primedia Outdoor has appointed Stone Soup to manage their public relations. Stone Soup’s extensive knowledge of the media and marketing industry, along with their skill and experience in business-to-business communication, made them the natural choice to partner with Primedia Outdoor in developing their public profile.
Primedia Outdoor is a specialist in out-of-home advertising, that is, all forms of advertising that reach consumers when they are in transit, shopping or at the airport (quite literally, “out of home”).
Stone Soup is a full-service public relations consultancy established in 2002 with a solid positioning in the media and marketing sector. It forms part of the Iconic Group, which offers every aspect of the ideal marketing mix, a true 360 degree approach that allows for deep client understanding and fast delivery on time and budget. Stone Soup specialises in innovative communication interventions and is expert in effective, bespoke communications strategies, specialist writing skills and project management.
“Given the noticeable growth in the out-of-home industry and Primedia Outdoor’s role as a key player, we decided to partner with Stone Soup to build our profile”, says Terry Murphy, Primedia Outdoor’s marketing and marketing services executive. “As we have an already established professional relationship with both Stone Soup and its MD Sandra Gordon, we are well aware of their extensive knowledge of the industry, skills and approach. This made the decision to appoint them a straightforward one.”
MailOnline appoints Ole! Media Group’s AddSuite as exclusive in-market channel partner for SSA
MailOnline, the world’s largest English-language newspaper website, has today announced the appointment of AddSuite, a subsidiary of South African digital media organisation, Ole! Media Group, as its first in-market channel partner in South Africa.
AddSuite will be the exclusive representative of MailOnline in South Africa and have additional responsibility for promoting and selling advertising for MailOnline in and across sub-Saharan Africa.
As MailOnline’s official reseller, AddSuite will manage the entire suite of inventory, optimising programmatic revenues and driving brand sales with South African and sub-Saharan African based advertisers.
James Leaver, general manager, International, MailOnline, said: “With over two million unique visitors per month in South Africa and four million across the region, this is a very important market for MailOnline. We look forward to AddSuite connecting South Africa’s leading advertisers to MailOnline’s highly engaged and valuable readers.”
Tim Legg, CEO, Ole! Media Group said: “This is a hugely significant partnership for both AddSuite and MailOnline – a true pioneer in the digital media space. We are proud that we have been selected to help grow the MailOnline brand. This is also perfectly aligned with our strategy of engaging with the African digital audience through the world’s leading brands.”
United Stations and Kaya bring successful partnership to a close
After a five-year contract with United Stations, during which Kaya FM grew its revenue 2.5 times faster than total radio and doubled its market share in Gauteng, Kagiso Media have chosen to move the fast growing station back to Mediamark.
At the time of the change five years ago, Kaya was at a breakthrough point in a 13-year journey that was characterised by an inability to match its growing and lucrative audience with advertising revenue. United Stations brought a team of seasoned and passionate sales professionals, the strategy and a brand focused approach into the partnership that succeeded in boosting the stations advertising revenue by 76% in the first year of the relationship.
Working in close partnership with Kaya, United Stations transformed the potential of the station and were able to create a wide range of properties including on-air and online content, sponsorships, promotions, special events and targeted programming.
“We are proud of having set the bar really high and will sincerely miss the sheer joy that we derived from working with the KAYA team and our advertisers to help their brands grow,” said United Stations’ Rivak Bunce. “We sincerely thank our loyal advertisers for the faith that you placed in this iconic station and in our team and look forward to continuing to serve you across our exciting portfolio of stations.”
Who’s making moves
New local newspaper launched in the Eastern Cape – Queenstown Express
Early February 2016 saw the launch of the first ever freesheet in Queenstown. This Media24 local title, the Queenstown Express has an initial print run of 20 000 copies serving this centrally located community in the Eastern Cape. It reaches a small population that has not had access to its own free local newspaper. With its radio partnership with VukaniFM community radio station, the Queenstown Express is the perfect mass market offering for national and government advertising.
“The introduction of this new title provides a great opportunity for national advertisers with Ads24 to get an even more complete coverage of the Eastern Cape region through our various local title packages. Local Queenstown businesses and residents no longer need to feel ignored, or like their community news is not important enough to appear in a newspaper. The Queenstown Express creates a sense of pride in this small town and this feeling of being valued creates receptiveness amongst readers,” says Evan Smith, Ads24: National Business Manager.
Design meets technology in collab between Calibre Brand Solutions and Packaging IS
For the first time in South Africa, brand owners have access to a high-calibre agency that offers a fully-integrated service when it comes to world-class finished art for packaging and brand design, and the renowned expertise of one of the country’s most highly-regarded packaging technologists and project managers.
Angela Deary, managing director of Calibre Brand Solutions, has been at the company’s helm for the last 25 years. Calibre Brand Solutions has a proud reputation for arresting concept design that is focused on brand communication.
Ingrid Schoeman, managing director of Packaging IS, is joining Calibre Brand Solutions. Schoeman has 25 years’ experience working with FMCG packaging and materials. She has worked as a project manager in development teams for several high-profile FMCG companies, and has an in-depth understanding of packaging components across the spectrum of applications, print technology, and legislation pertaining to the labelling of foodstuffs.
ARM rebranded as Credence Security
African Risk Mitigation (ARM), speciality distributor of cyber security and digital forensics solutions, has announced that effective immediately, it will be rebranded as Credence Security. The purpose of this rebranding exercise, which includes a new logo, is to better reflect Credence’s position as one of the most trusted providers of cyber security, digital forensics and IT security solutions in the Middle East and Africa.
Commenting on the rebranding, Garreth Scott, sales director at Credence Security said, “One of the key reasons that system integrators and channel partners in the region choose to partner with Credence is because, unlike most other distributors, we focus on taking a consultative solution approach – we collaborate with our partners and their customers to understand their needs both from a technology and business perspective and then work very closely with our partners to deliver tailor made solutions.”
