The Media Online’s weekly round up of moves in media. Jupiter Cape Town restructures. Koo Govender appointed chairperson at AMF. Neal Farrell appointed MD of Publicis Machine Cape Town. Dylan Maier joins MaxAxion as head of new business development. Stefan Olivier joins HoneyKome as creative director. The Empire strikes high note for JHB conference and events scene. George Lebese signs to C.S.A global talent agency. Growing demand for Cloud ERP drives expansion. SABC Education launches ‘the key to success’ campaign. First Choice now headline sponsor of Walking the Daisies 2017
This week’s BIG move: Jupiter Drawing Room in Cape Town restructures, launches ‘new approach’
The Jupiter Drawing Room Cape Town has been looking for some time at new business models that are highly efficient, nimbler and cut out bureaucratic processes. With the loss of Windhoek Beer, which is unfortunate, it liberates the agency to embrace innovative new thinking and processes.
“Our industry is changing rapidly, and our client’s industries are no different. We will be working very closely with each of our clients to adapt to their needs and to ensure the agency is nimble. A fundamentally different approach to how we service our client’s needs will see them have a one-on-one relationship with the people who will impact their business directly – our senior creative team and strategists,” says Kevan Aspoas.
Several accounts within the agency have been operating in this manner for over a year with great results. This will now be rolled out across the entire agency. The new approach enables solutions to be found faster, with less layers for misinterpretation.
Tim Wyatt-Gunning, CEO of Webafrica, says “I hate advertising agencies. it’s always layer upon layer of fees, some of which pay for irritatingly ill-equipped account managers to protect an army of poorly briefed creatives from demanding clients. And then Jupiter came along and changed everything. We only deal with the people who make it happen. We grew by nearly 50% this year. The Jupiter team is so good and so in touch that they made us feel it was because of our genius. It wasn’t.”
This new way of working from Jupiter CT will be guided by the talented and capable hands of Lucas Van Vuuren who has been the Executive Creative Director of the agency for the past two years. He will be joined by Jupiter’s strategic director, Michelle Beh, who will take on the additional role as managing director.
A group of talented ‘hybrid’ creatives will support Lucas, with varied skill sets across all media – TV/ social / activations etc. whilst projects which require specialist skills will be outsourced through a network of specialists. An elastic approach to outsourcing the best of breed for the relevant job.
Public Relations will be spearheaded by Jupiter’s head of PR, Luanne Slingerland. Her team is involved from the briefing process and play an important role in the development of ideas that live beyond the creative space, building credibility through messaging with stakeholders, the communities the clients engage with, and the media and influencer space.
Aspoas takes on the role of chairman for the Cape Town agency giving guidance and support to the new team, as well as focusing some of his time on Jupiter CT’s sister agencies namely Blackriver FC in Johannesburg, and Weathermen & Co. in Windhoek, Namibia.
People moves
Koo Govender appointed chairperson at AMF
The Advertising Media Forum (AMF) has announced that Koo Govender has been appointed as the industry body’s chairperson for 2017/18. Board members comprise senior representatives from media groups around the country, each accountable for their own portfolio.
“I’m extremely humbled to be appointed in this role, especially taking into consideration the very exciting, albeit challenging media landscape we find ourselves in,” says Govender, also CEO of media agency, the Dentsu Aegis Network. “The AMF has a crucial role to play in this industry in terms of both representing all media agencies but also holding our fellow agencies accountable to the issues of transparency, research, talent and transformation amongst others.”
Before joining the Dentsu Aegis Network, Govender held the position as first female CEO at the VWV Group and has spent more than 20 years in the broadcast and media industry, including the role of corporate marketing and communications director at M-Net.
“I’m very pleased to say that our current board is a young, diverse group of media professionals, each very passionate and committed to the media and advertising industry,” she says. “We’re working on several excellent initiatives, one of which includes up-skilling current young media agency professionals, which we’ll report back on in due course.”
Neal Farrell appointed MD of Publicis Machine Cape Town
Neal Farrell has taken on the role of managing director of Publicis Machine Cape Town. Farrell launched content marketing start-up, Narrative in 2012, which is now a successful specialist agency within the Publicis Machine stable.
Farrell says he’s loving his new role. “There is so much opportunity and so much excitement. I actually found myself, chomping at the bit during a recent 2-week break, wanting to get back and get involved. It’s exactly the challenge I needed just when I needed it and I am truly humbled by the positive response so far,” he said.
He believes leadership, service excellence, commercial savviness, getting new business, talent and integration are key to the company’s future success.
“The agency’s six-year existence has been nothing short of a great success story and we will future proof the agency and continue on the next growth trajectory,” he said.
Dylan Maier joins MaxAxion as head of new business development
Dylan Maier is the newest addition to the ever-growing MaxAxion team. Based in Johannesburg, he will lead the charge in new business development for the digital media sales house. His focus will be on expanding client acquisitions in South Africa and Africa by connecting brands and agencies to consumers through a combination of premium and programmatic.
MaxAxion offers a full stack of products including flagships, AdJoin and Rocket fuel all of which give brands and agencies the power to reach the right person at the right time in the right place allowing for better ROI and higher conversions.
Maier has 18 years of media sales experience with some of the largest media owners and publishers in South Africa: Clear Channel Outdoor, Times Media Group, Ramsey Son and Parker (Car Magazine), The Mail & Guardian and Automotive Media. He found his calling in the digital marketing and advertising side of media, and has gone on to work with established brands such as MTN, FNB, Audi, Telkom, BMW, Vodacom, SAA, RMB, Toyota, ABSA, Volvo and Jeep to name a few.
Stefan Olivier joins HoneyKome as creative director
HoneyKome, the digital consultancy and creative arm of the Ole! Media Group, continues to attract top talent. Adding his own combination of strategic thought and artistic flair to the rapidly growing influence of this dynamic agency, is Stefan Olivier, who recently took up the post as creative director.
Olivier is no stranger to the realm of digital, with a career that has spanned 14 years including a stint at FoxP2 in Cape Town, and heading up the establishment of the Gloo Content Lab for Ogilvy in 2015 as well as rapidly progressing through the ranks of WPP’s Aqua Online. Before that, the award-winning director worked with Vegas Kings, leaders in the online gaming and sports betting fields. One of his most recent projects won a bronze Loerie for TV/Cinema advertising under 30 seconds, and four Creative Circle awards from the Loeries Association – something he is looking to realise at HoneyKome, too.
“I love crafting concepts and problem solving for ambitious clients and agencies who want to push the boundaries. HoneyKome and its interesting client base fit the bill admirably. I’m looking forward to exploring these opportunities with this young and vibrant agency,” commented Olivier, who has also put out a call for a senior art director to join him on his journey, due to the recent winning of several new accounts.
Business moves
The Empire strikes high note for JHB conference and events scene
Positioned on the cusp of the City, a stylish new conference and events venue The Empire, has opened its doors for business against the backdrop of the hustle and bustle, and vibrancy of the central Jozi skyline.
Tiso Blackstar’s The Empire offers a unique setting that combines the African sophistication of Johannesburg, with open views onto the floor of SA’s most influential newsrooms… where the country’s news agenda is set.
The open plan venue, with three unique multi-function spaces (Welcome Bar, Ballroom and Rooftop Terrace) offers exclusive access to a noiseless, upmarket setting on the City’s doorstep. It is a fully equipped and professionally serviced venue that provides the opportunity to create memorable experiences that are unlike any other: versatile for hosting gala dinners, cocktail parties, breakfasts, lunches, exhibitions, meetings, launches and conferences.
The Empire offers an all-inclusive service that supplies furniture, through to technical equipment, crockery & cutlery, a bar service, and catering by Hashtag Hot Caterers.
George Lebese signs to C.S.A global talent agency
Distinguished South African footballer and newly appointed Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder, George Lebese, has signed to global communications and talent agency, Celebrity Services Africa (C.S.A.).
On signing with C.S.A., Lebese (left) said, “What I’m looking forward to most is to successfully build my brand holistically, polishing all aspects of my life so that I can impact positively on the greater community both inside and outside South Africa.”
Considered one of SA’s most promising players and top goal scorer for 2015/2016, Lebese first rose to prominence when he joined Kaiser Chiefs in 2008, which quickly escalated in a call-up to the South African national team in 2011. In 2014, Lebese permanently won the hearts of the nation when he secured a 2-0 win in a Nedbank Cup quarterfinal against Supersport United and was voted SA’s player of the week by Goal.com.
“I’ve always believed in doing whatever it takes to being the best version of myself and that means having a team that can support me, my vision and my dreams. C.S.A.’s support offering, past credentials and reputation, as well as their international footprint, stood out for me. It motivates me to push myself beyond Southern African boundaries, create a future for my kids and leave a legacy behind through my brand and the activities of the George Lebese Foundation,” said Lebese.
Growing demand for Cloud ERP drives expansion
Oracle NetSuite, one of the world’s leading providers of cloud-based financials / ERP, HR, Professional Services Automation (PSA) and omnichannel commerce software suites, has announced the expansion of business operations in South Africa.
With the support of Oracle’s global resources behind it, NetSuite has added a dedicated sales team and new leadership; new solution provider partners to strengthen its existing partner ecosystem; and new customers such as Jasco and ElectroMechanica on NetSuite OneWorld. This expansion is in response to the increasing demand for cloud ERP in the region from fast growing, innovative and emerging international businesses.
“South Africa and the region, as a whole, represent the next great opportunity for NetSuite,” said Mark Woodhams (left), Oracle NetSuite Vice President EMEA. “Today’s announcement is further proof that, with the global resources of Oracle behind us, we can now scale rapidly and better serve the needs of the region.”
The dedicated sales office will be led by Khaled Ismail, vice president, Oracle Digital Application Business, East, Central Europe, Middle East and Africa (ECEMEA), who will manage sales and marketing strategy for the region. In this role, Ismail will manage an organization of 250 sales professionals with almost 20 managers and directors. He will also be directly responsible for all the supporting functions working for ECEMEA OD from pre-sales, sales development, marketing and customer success.
First Choice now headline sponsor of Walking the Daisies 2017
As part of the First Choice, It’s All Good campaign to encourage people to #move4goodness, First Choice has been named the headline sponsor for Walking the Daisies 2017.
Inspiring people to #move4goodness is part of a campaign created for First Choice by Boomtown to encourage people to live a better, more healthy life. And the partnership with Walking the Daisies ties in perfectly with the campaign.
“#move4goodness is all about getting people to upload videos of themselves dancing,” remarks Jess Massyn who manages the First Choice account for Boomtown. “Every video uploaded to the #move4goodness microsite www.itisallgooddairy.com or on social using the hashtag #move4goondess will earn a R100 donation. The goal is to reach R120,000 so that First Choice can donate R120 000 worth of dairy products to FoodForward SA, who will distribute to those in need around South Africa.”
Walking the Daisies in association with Rocking the Daisies, is an annual two-day, 48-kilometre hike that starts in Cape Town on 4 October and finishes at the festival in Darling, Western Cape. “Walking the Daisies supplements the festival’s aim to create and promote positive environmental action, and raise awareness about the social and environmental challenges we face today,” remarks First Choice’s GM Sales and Marketing, Tinus Pretorius “This ties in perfectly with our wider corporate approach to responsible and sustainable farming and manufacture practice.”
During the live-streamed hike, there will be a team wearing eye-catching cow onesies to promote the brand and campaign as well as get people excited and involved in the fun initiative to do their part of ‘doing good’. Brent Lindique from www.thegoodthingsguy.com, and who’s also currently on My Kitchen Rules SA will also be present and supporting the First Choice initiative.
People can get involved and upload their #move4goodness videos from Rocking the Daisies, or anywhere else by using the hashtag #move4goodness and tagging @firstchoiceSA.
Making moves
Spitfire Inbound wins HubSpot Grand Prize Impact Award for International for 2017
A South African agency, for the first time, won the international title of Grand Prize winner from HubSpot. Recently, Spitfire Inbound announced our win of the HubSpot Impact for Inbound Growth Story: Round 2. By winning this award, the company were automatically entered as a finalist for the Grand Prize Impact Award for Inbound Growth Story for the international region for the year.
Spitfire Inbound beat out nine other winners of the Impact awards with our exceptional work on Suzuki South Africa, with sister agency Penquin.
“The HubSpot Impact Awards represent top HubSpot Agency Partners that work strategically to drive results for their clients. They’re a depiction of the best inbound work of the year,” explains SalesHub, another winner this year.
The Impact Awards include five categories: Graphic Design, Website Design, Inbound Growth Story, Integrations Innovation, and Sales Enablement.
SABC Education launches ‘the key to success’ campaign
The South African Broadcasting Corporation’s SABC Education division has launched a campaign called ‘The Key to Success.
The campaign will be an extension of the SABC Education pay-off line, “Enriching minds. Enriching lives”. Head of education, Danie Swart, said the Key to Success campaign aims to solidify SABC Education’s identity as the leader in providing educational TV (SABC 1, 2 and 3), radio, web and new media content, that not only informs but entertains as well”.
The campaign will enhance the current SABC Education offering to its target audience and deliver on its promise of great compelling educational programmes for diverse audiences in South Africa and the rest of Africa.
SABC Education’s programming and services reach most South Africans and is recognised nationally and internationally for setting standards in educational broadcasting.
