Media Moves… TheMediaOnline’s weekly round up. Verashni Pillay is editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post SA. OFYT Appoints Chris Gotz as national creative director. David O’Sullivan joins the Hottest station in Joburg. Charlene Beukes to head up The Huffington Post SA. Media24 appoints Ishmet Davidson as head of Media24 Print Media, Rika Swart now GM of OtD Media Sales. Trish Taylor leaves Kagiso, joins Primedia in Cape Town. M&C Saatchi Abel launches Strongbow – the world’s No1 selling apple cider. Vubiquity brings Australian drama ‘The Code’ to the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Europe. WAN-IFRA partners with børding Holding GmbH to expand Expo offering. Red & Yellow set to launch Alumni Association. IAS Masterclass Schedule accelerates in final quarter of 2016. The new and improved Target Media Directory.
Verashni Pillay is editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post SA
Media24 has announced that Verashni Pillay (32), currently editor-in-chief of the Mail & Guardian, has been appointed editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post SA. She takes up the position on 1 November.
Pillay completed her honours degree in journalism at Rhodes University as a Media24 bursary holder and worked at News24 before joining M&G in 2009. She left M&G in 2014 to focus on digital journalism and consultancy work and was appointed editor-in-chief of M&G in 2015.
HuffPost SA general manager Charlene Beukes says Pillay is an award-winning journalist who has excellent managerial and business experience and several innovative digital media solutions under her belt. “She has a reputation as a pioneering journalist with strong commercial focus and an ability to build effective teams.”
Pillay says she’s excited to work for an international brand like The Huffington Post given the incredible opportunity it presents. “I am looking forward to creating meaningful journalism across a number of verticals in a pure digital format, and recruiting a strong team to do that.
“Hard news in this country can sometimes be alienating to certain audiences. HuffPost gives us the chance to reach new audiences and tell the stories that need to be told. While it’s difficult to leave the Mail & Guardian it’s comforting to come back to Media24, who gave me a head start in my career,” says Pillay.
Media24 also announced that Huisgenoot assistant editor Pieter du Toit has been appointed deputy editor of HuffPost SA.
Who’s moved where
OFYT Appoints Chris Gotz as national creative director
Old Friends Young Talent – an advertising, marketing, and communications agency – has announced that Chris Gotz is its newly appointed national creative director. Gotz joins the team of heavyweight advertising directors in the Cape Town office, both as a partner and shareholder.
Gotz has been described by Financial Mail SA as “arguably South African advertising’s most talented and influential creative leader”. He was named SA Advertising Achiever of the Year in 2014 and was rated SA’s number one creative director by his peers for three years running from 2012-2015.
Gotz feels it’s the right opportunity at the perfect time. “OFYT is the perfect place for me to be. It’s growing fast, full of talented people and they have real intent when it comes to developing the industry’s young talent base, which is a personal priority for me. I’ve done nearly 20 years in big network agencies and while it’s been very good for my career, it’s nice to be able to do my own thing, with old friends and some hugely exciting young talent.”
David O’Sullivan joins the hottest station in Joburg
One of South Africa`s most respected radio journalists and presenters, David O’Sullivan, has joined the Hot 91.9FM team. “We are thrilled to have David aboard, it`s a real coup for Hot 91.9FM as David brings a wealth of experience in all aspects of radio to the station,” said Lloyd Madurai.
Sullivan will be hosting a brand new weekday show called ‘Joburg PM, airing from 6.30pm to 7.30pm and featuring a wrap up of news, sport, business and entertainment.
He promises a show that “will feature stories that bring clarity to the day’s more important news stories. I will also be showcasing South African artists from the world of film, theatre, music, art, etc. Hot 91.9 is known for bringing the big sports interviews to its listeners and that will continue on Joburg PM and I will focus on the business stories that have a direct impact on listeners’ back pockets. And, of course, we’ll find time for some of the best Old School and R&B music”.
Charlene Beukes to head up The Huffington Post SA
Media24 has announced the appointment of Charlene Beukes as general manager of HuffPost SA which launches in November.
This follows the announcement last week by Media24 CEO Esmaré Weideman and The Huffington Post CEO Jared Grusd that the two publishing companies have partnered to launch HuffPost SA. This is the 17th international and first sub-Saharan edition of HuffPost as the company continues to expand its global presence since its launch in May 2011.
CEO Esmare Weideman says Beukes’abilities are the perfect combination for HuffPost SA. “Charlene’s business acument, drive, sales experience and leadership abilities are the perfect combination for HuffPostSA. We will be rooting for her all the way as she embarks on this exciting next phase of her career.”
Beukes has been general manager of Media24’s Lifestyle division since September 2014. She has worked for the group for more than two decades and has left her mark in nearly every division in the wider group. Beukes, who has a BCom degree, started her
Media24 appoints Ishmet Davidson as head of Media24 Print Media, Rika Swart now GM of OtD Media Sales
Davidson, general manager of Media24’s news division and acting head of its distribution division On the Dot Media Logistics, has been appointed general manager of its consolidated print media division, Media24 announced.
Media24 Print Media will comprise the company’s news and magazine publishing divisions as well as On the Dot Media Logistics. Davidson will take up his new role on 1 October.
Davidson joined Media24 in 2012 as head of Local News, and later Die Burger and Son. He was appointed head of Media24’s News division in November 2014 and was seconded to head up On the Dot Media Logistics in January 2016.
Davidson has extensive experience in developing and implementing business strategies, says Media24 CEO Esmaré Weideman. “Ishmet is respected by editors and management alike and has a reputation as an inspiring leader and excellent manager. I have huge faith in his abilities. “
Media24 also announced that Rika Swart, general manager of OtD Media Sales and Logistics, has been promoted to general manager of On the Dot Media Logistics
Barrie de Beer continues in his role as acting general manager of the news division.
Trish Taylor leaves Kagiso, joins Primedia in Cape Town
CEO of Urban Brew Studios Trish Taylor is leaving the Kagiso Media group where she has worked for the past 20 years. Taylor held the position of CEO at Urban Brew Studios for around two years after being at the helm of East Coast Radio for 12 years prior to that.
Taylor will be relocating to Cape Town at the end of this year. Kagiso Media Group CEO Mark Harris has wished her well. “We’d like to thank Trish for her time and contribution to both East Coast Radio and Urban Brew Studios. We wish her everything of the best in her new venture.”
Harris announced that Richard Tsai, will be the acting CEO after Taylor’s departure in mid October.
Kagiso Media will make an announcement about a permanent CEO as soon as it is in a position to do so.
Taylor says, “I have had the privilege of spending most of my career at Kagiso Media in my various roles at East Coast Radio and lately at Urban Brew Studios. It has been an incredible journey that has been both challenging and rewarding. I would like to thank Mark Harris and the Board for their belief in me and their leadership over the years.”
Taylor is relocating to Cape Town where she will take up the position of GM of Primedia Broadcasting.
Who’s won what
M&C Saatchi Abel launches Strongbow – the world’s No1 selling apple cider
Heineken South Africa, who already entrusts their hugely awarded global beer brand, Heineken to M&C Saatchi Abel, has given the Agency a further vote of confidence by awarding them the world’s biggest apple cider brand, Strongbow in a competitive pitch.
“5 years ago the Heineken team appointed M&C Saatchi Abel. They have become trusted business partners who have affected massive change on our brands. We have huge confidence in their ability to introduce and grow the world’s top selling cider into the South African market” said Diederik Vos, Marketing Director: Heineken South Africa.
“The team at M&C Saatchi Abel has the ability to truly understand consumers, create meaningful change and execute brilliantly in highly contested categories. The Strongbow communication campaign promises to animate the point”.
The Strongbow win builds on the M&C Saatchi Abel Group’s 12 month run of blue chip new business gains including Sun International, Namibian Breweries, Superbalist.com, Powerplate Global, Lancewood Cheese and Twinsaver.
Vubiquity brings Australian drama ‘The Code’ to the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Europe
VUBIQUITY, the leading global provider of premium content services, has signed a deal with DCD Rights to bring award-winning Australian drama series The Code to the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Europe, including first-run rights for Season 2 in Israel.
The deal is the latest in a string of high-profile global licensing deals for critically acclaimed content signed by VUBIQUITY, often on a first-run or exclusive basis. It demonstrates VUBIQUITY’s continued success is securing top-quality content as a video-on-demand (VOD) provider
Produced by Playmaker Media and ABC, The Code follows two brothers as they seek to uncover the truth behind a remote car crash that killed two Aboriginal teenagers. Season 1 of The Code will be available on SVOD services in countries covered by the deal from August this year.
“We’re proud to bring this award-winning show to our affiliates. The Code is a gripping drama and a prime example of the type of TV that people want to watch,” said Marco Nadotti, SVP Content at VUBIQUITY International.
“With the rise of streaming services, people now have more choice than ever about where to watch their favourite television series. The entertainment marketplace is increasingly competitive, and high-quality programming is the differentiator for distributors in the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Europe.”
Who’s making moves
WAN-IFRA partners with børding Holding GmbH to expand Expo offering
The World Association of Newspapers and News Media (WAN-IFRA) and børding Holding GmbH (børding messe) will in future jointly organise the IFRA World Publishing Expo and DCX Digital Content Expo exhibitions. For this purpose, the two organisations have agreed on a joint venture and founded the Publishing Exhibition GmbH & Co. KG.
The managing director of børding messe, Alexander R. Petsch, will manage the new company. The joint venture combines exhibition competence and publishing expertise under one roof.
WAN-IFRA has traditionally organised the IFRA World Publishing Expo trade exhibition for 46 years. The annual leading international exhibition for the news media industry is attended by trade and publishing professionals from more than 100 countries.
The trend towards digitisation has brought about a fundamental change in the newspaper industry. With the launch of the new “DCX Digital Content Expo”, WAN-IFRA and børding aim to substantially support and develop the growth market of digital content production. At the same time the tradition of the IFRA World Publishing Expo will be continued as the interface between print and cross-media publishing, highlighted under the motto of “Make Publishing Successful”.
Every October, the IFRA World Publishing Expo showcases the latest developments in technology and services for publishers and media companies to investigate and consider for their investments in the coming year. It also serves as an opportunity to sign annual contracts in numerous business areas, particularly for consumables, such as ink and paper.
Get your spin on at Red & Yellow School
The Red & Yellow School of Logic and Magic is running a copywriting workshop for non-copywriters at our Cape Town campus on 11 October 2016, and on 19 October 2016 at its Johannesburg campus.
Designed as a capsule hit-the-ground-running essential masterclass in the basic skills needed to write savvy copy that sells and compels, it’s an excellent tee-up for bloggers, marketers, sales folk and anybody else who needs to sharpen up their writing skills.
Beginning with conceptual ideation and the importance of finding an insight into the consumer need for the brand, it touches on best practice message creation, how to carry it through different media elements in a campaign, and the refinement of copy for print and digital media.
If you have ever struggled to write a headline that doesn’t sound like five thousand others before it, a letter to your great aunt, or the most regrettable eleven words since “I’m pretty sure that’s an iceberg off the starboard bow, Captain”, then this workshop is made for you.
Sign up now. Before all the really, really good words are gone.
Red & Yellow set to launch Alumni Association
Red & Yellow opened its doors back in 1994 with the aim of producing students who were well equipped to tackle the industry head on. Over the past 22 years, the school has produced a vast number of leaders both within our industry and outside it. Now it is time to bring those illustrious alumni together with the official launch of the Red & Yellow Alumni Association on 13 October 2016.
Chaired by industry heavyweight, Philip Ireland of Ireland/Davenport – one of Red & Yellow’s 1995 graduates and a long-time supporter of the school – the Association intends to reconnect “Red & Yellers” from the day of its inception to its most recent graduates in an effort to build a strong community of talented individuals.
Ireland says, “This association aims to bring together past students for the benefit of themselves, the community and the school. “
The official launch will take place during the first ever alumni reunion at the rooftop bar of the Cape Town campus on 13 October, where the school will bring together many of its talented and successful alumni. Red & Yellow will also be bidding a fond farewell to the guest of honour for the evening, Chairman Emeritus, John Cooney, who has played a big role in shaping the legacy of Red & Yellow and been instrumental in changing many graduates’ lives.
The event is open to all alumni, past lecturers and friends of the school. If you wish to attend, please RSVP by emailing alumni@redandyellow.co.za
IAS Masterclass Schedule accelerates in final quarter of 2016
Over the next few months, the Independent Agency Search & Selection Company (IAS) will be covering a series of three interactive masterclass sessions to provide greater insight into dealing with legal issues in the marketing industry, the AdForum World Summit Feedback as well as the Entertainment and Media Outlook for South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya in 2016 to 2020. These sessions are relevant to agencies and to marketers.
Presented by Danie Strachan, a partner at prestigious law firm Adams & Adams, the next masterclass titled Legal Issues – What Every Marketer Should Know will cover themes ranging from understanding Intellectual Property to types of ownership, duration and infringement of IP. This takes place on Thursday 29 September and space is still available for bookings.
The following session, taking place on 26 October 2016 in at the IoD, will be a presentation on the feedback of the AdForum World Summit. The summit will cover advertising industry trends for 2017 and feedback from 25 intermediary consultants as well as 40 New York and Los Angeles based agencies. McDowell will be presenting this masterclass which will include research from SCOPEN agencyScope in 2016, highlighting trends in the marketing industry in South Africa.
Lastly, the final masterclass session of the year is scheduled to take place on 8 November and aims to cover the Entertainment and Media Outlook for South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya between 2016 and 2010.
Presenting this session is Vicky Myburgh, the media and entertainment leader at Price Waterhouse Coopers who will explain how new technology and changing business models are impacting media markets, you need a trusted resource to navigate the ever-evolving entertainment and media landscape.
The new and improved Target Media Directory
Target Media Directory, Newsclip’s online media database, has been revamped. The website now boasts a new look with upgraded functionality to further enhance the user experience.
The reengineered platform includes powerful search functions which allow users to identify specific media sources, based on any number of the selected content categories. This ensures a speedy and accurate review of the media landscape and the ability to create targeted media lists in seconds.
To streamline the dissemination of media announcements, users can send out emails directly from the platform, personalising each by including an image or video attachment. Emails can even be scheduled to be sent out at a later date.
Unique to Target Media Directory is the media content profile, which highlights the engagement opportunities and the markets that can be reached through each publication, station, and website. This information is essential for effectively managing and executing your communications strategy.
New Magnetic Partner Programme Set to Reward Brand Ambassadors
Magnetic has launched an exciting partner programme aimed at rewarding clients and affiliates for recommending the agency management platform to others. This community-driven programme, in conjunction with Growsumo, has already proven immensely popular within Magnetic’s network.
“Magnetic has been extremely well received since we launched in 2012, and we’d often discover that our clients and associates had recommended us simply because they enjoyed using the platform,” says Magnetic CEO, Daniel Marcus. “It’s incredible to have such enthusiastic brand ambassadors and we’ve been looking for a way to reward them. This initiative enables us to do just that, and to share our success with our favourite people: our users.”
There’s been an overwhelming response to the programme since its launch earlier this month, adds Marcus. “Our goal for the programme is to help Magnetic become a serious global player in the SaaS space, by on-boarding affiliates from all over the world.”
