The Media Online’s weekly round up of moves in media. OMD’s Rudie Brits wins Ads24 Diski activation. SlikourOnLife and TRANSIT.TV partner. Zanele Kumalo is new W24 editor. Peter Langschmidt wins best presentation at PDRF Madrid. New creative heads for Hellocomputer Cape Town. Longevity appoints digital director. Nomvuyiso Batyi joins Primedia Broadcasting. Logitech presses play with Tribeca PR. Newsclip demonstrates the power of AI in text processing. Eurolab appoints Tribeca Public Relations. AdJoin Media welcomes ShowMe to its Private Audience marketplace. PrideTV gives TVs new lease on life. JHP Gourmet Guide 2018 launched. APO Group and Africa Tech Now join forces in Las Vegas to strengthen Africa’s visibility as the next Digital and Innovation hub. Global brand Astrum Holdings Limited secure Business Achiever Award in Hong Kong
This week’s BIG move: OMD’s Rudie Brits wins Ads24 Diski activation
Rudie Brits (left), from OMD Johannesburg, is the winner of Ads24’s popular online Diski competition, which was live on its website for the month of September.
The competition was launched as part of a Kasi Flava series of activations in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, which highlight opportunities provided by key players in the mass-market arena ̶ Daily Sun, Die Son and Soccer Laduma.
The aim was to get agencies to experience the market first hand and to engage with the idea of thinking beyond just print or digital. #Ads24diski competition was designed to educate media agencies about the mass market by engaging in content in a way that the mass market enjoys receiving it.
Agency members were invited to take part in the competition, which put them in line to win an exciting Soccer Experience for two in Moscow, Russia in 2018. All that contenders had to do was pick a team, take a shot at the goal and enter the running by sharing their score on social media, with the #Ads24diski to qualify.
“It feels amazing to have won, but I’m also relieved [it’s over] as the game included formidable contenders,” says Brits. “The game functionality was simple and effective, creating the opportunity for continuous engagement.”
Brits said he had new understanding of multimedia advertising, and that it added flexibility, instant gratification and cost effective results to a client campaign.
Ads24 brand manager Marise van der Lith congratulated Brits, and thanked everyone who played #Ads24Diski.
The online game proved quite addictive to agency contenders. From the go live date to 30 September, 2530 games were played with over 13 337 goals scored. This was done over 32:34:40 hours of actual game time. The social media engagement that resulted was a great success with a total of 225 Facebook shares and 436 tweets reported.
People moves
Zanele Kumalo is new W24 editor
W24, SA’s biggest lifestyle website for women, has a new editor – Zanele Kumalo (left). Prior to W24 Kumalo was editor of the fashion weekly magazine Grazia.
“We couldn’t be happier to welcome Zanele as W24 editor, she has been working with the W24 brand for a while and we have already learned to love her as a part of our team. She brings a wealth of media savvy and more than a generous dollop of inspirational personal style,” says Adele Hamilton, 24.com managing editor: lifestyle.
As features writer and beauty editor for Marie Claire magazine and editor of Grazia, Kumalo has extensive experience in talking and listening to South African women through both print and digital media. “I’ve been engaging with young women and talking to them about beauty, fashion and gender issues for almost 15 years now and I am thrilled to be kicking that up a notch at the helm of this, the biggest lifestyle digital publication for this audience group in SA,” she said.
SlikourOnLife and TRANSIT.TV partnership a leading opportunity for young talent
Transit Ads has announced the launch of an exciting content driven TRANSIT.TV partnership with leading entertainment digital platform SlikourOnLife. The site, currently one of the top one thousand websites in South Africa, shares information on urban culture and music. It features videos and interviews to give substance to the music and musicians who may not have access to traditional platforms, and provides an accessible place for their videos.
Siya Metane (aka Slikour or Slik), founder of SlikourOnlife, says the partnership with Transit Ads will effectively enhance his platform. “My vision is to create a voice for the youth in culture and we’ve been able to achieve that with slikouronlife.co.za on a digital platform. The opportunity to work with TRANSIT.TV is amplifying that voice to a wider audience across the country that are in transit. This is a monumental win for SlikourOnLife, as well as artists and brands that have already invested in our integrated content strategies online.”
Shamy Naidu, Transit Ads executive, said the biggest challenge for marketers was actually reaching and engaging consumers. “That has become exceedingly difficult to accomplish as consumers are in control and given a choice, they will opt out of watching marketing messages,” he said. The inclusion of the entertainment offering, together with news, sport and lifestyle content, interspersed with brand messaging results in a more engaging viewer experience.
New creative heads for Hellocomputer Cape Town
In a move that will strengthen the integrated offering from FCB Africa’s agencies in the Western Cape, Hellocomputer has appointed a new chief creative officer and associate creative director.
Mike Barnwell (right), currently executive creative director at FCB Cape Town, becomes chief creative officer for both FCB Cape Town and Hellocomputer while new arrival, Nthabiseng Lethoko (middle), joins the team as associate creative director. Camilla Clerke (left) stays on as Hellocomputer’s creative director.
Making the announcement, Hellocomputer MD, Robyn Campbell, said: “For the last five years Hellocomputer has been one of the leading digital agencies in South Africa, consistently creating work that is both innovative and effective in breaking through the cluttered online marketing space.
“With the recent departure of executive creative director, Simon Spreckley, the opportunity presented itself to expand the agency’s repertoire while still maintaining the high standards we have always set ourselves.”
Barnwell brings a wealth of experience having built some of South Africa’s favourite brands with a number award-winning campaigns over his 20 plus years in the industry. Lethoko joins the team fresh from Johannesburg where she amassed over a decade of experience in the industry as a well-respected designer, both above the line and in the digital space.
Peter Langschmidt wins best presentation at PDRF Madrid
The PRC’s Peter Langschmidt (left) has won top honours for South Africa at the Publishing and Data Research Forum in Madrid with his presentation, ‘The Reading Revolution. React, Reposition, Recalibrate’.
The PDRF, held every two years, is devoted to best practice and innovation in measuring publisher paper and online audiences around the world, where experts in media and audience research globally share ideas and solutions. This year’s symposium, held in Madrid from 14 to 17 October, looked forward to publishing in the 2020’s and was themed New Opportunities: New Approaches.
“It’s an honour for my paper to have been selected amongst many outstanding global presentations,” said Langschmidt, research consultant to the PRC. “There were 42 papers presented by 60 media and research experts from over 30 countries. The paper details the manner of the work completed by the PRC across reading media platforms and a summary of projects handled over the last 18 months in South Africa.
Longevity appoints digital director
Effective immediately, Jacques Cilliers (left) is the new digital director of Longevity, responsible for all content published on www.longevitylive.com as well as on its social media channels. Cilliers is also tasked with leading the brand’s strategy, focused on developing content offerings that speak to Longevity’s goals for 2018.
Longevity is a multi-media content platform based on authenticated health, wellness and positive aging therapies from all over the world, meant to help its audience live better, live smarter, happier and for longer. Longevity is a well-known brand in the South Africa, in magazine as well as digital format and online at www.longevitylive.com. The company also hosts regular health, wellness events and bespoke retreats.
Cilliers joins the company after a successful career at several online publishers, including daily newspaper The Citizen, the PR department of Joe Public, Engage Joe Public and Africa’s Social Business authority, Cerebra.
“Jacques’s appointment is also timed well with the launch of a content sharing relationship with MSN, along with other new exciting initiatives that will be revealed in time to come,” said Gisèle Wertheim Aymés, owner and publisher of Longevity.
Nomvuyiso Batyi joins Primedia Broadcasting
Primedia Broadcasting has welcomed Nomvuyiso Batyi (left) to the company as human capital and regulatory affairs executive and a member of the executive committee.
A former ICASA Councillor, Bayti brings a wealth of experience of the regulatory environment to the broadcaster from her nine years with the communications authority.
“Nomvuyiso is stepping into a critical role in our business and we are thrilled to have her on our team to help us to strengthen our position as an excellent employer and as a good corporate citizen,” said Omar Essack, Primedia Broadcasting CEO.
Business moves
Logitech presses play with Tribeca PR
Logitech, a global leader in gaming, music, video and computing technology, has appointed Tribeca Public Relations as its public relations partner in South Africa. Tribeca will assist the brand with the positioning of its consumer products, primarily focusing on Logitech and Logitech G.
Tribeca will provide strategic support to increase awareness of and drive engagement in the brand’s wide range of products in South Africa. Tribeca kicked off its activity with a bang, and hosted a successful event for Logitech partners and media at the end of September, showcasing 36 innovative products.
“We’re thrilled to have the Tribeca team on board. The team’s experience with technology and consumer clients is particularly encouraging, and after the successful launch event, we’re looking forward to seeing what they do next for the Logitech brand,” said Theresa van As, head of marketing, Logitech Sub-Saharan Africa.
“Tribeca has worked with many technology and consumer electronic brands including Epson, TomTom, Mastercard, Asus, Toshiba, Garmin, Tivoli Audio and Qualcomm. We will draw on our extensive experience in these sectors to ensure we assist Logitech to achieve its business objectives in South Africa,” says Nicky James, co-owner and director at Tribeca Public Relations.
Newsclip demonstrates the power of AI in text processing
Newsclip recently demonstrated the power of its artificially intelligent data processing engine when it analysed the sentiment of more than 4 000 social media posts in minutes. The data intelligence company conducted the sentiment analysis for one of South Africa’s largest beverage companies.
Newsclip’s Data Engine relies on Natural Language Processing to analyse media clips – like social media posts – with high accuracy, at speeds that are unprecedented in the South African media intelligence industry. This offers companies like Newsclip’s beverage industry client the ability to receive immediate insights into their media coverage.
According to Catherine Dabbs, a representative of Newsclip, the company’s purpose-built NLP engine improves how processing systems understand the language in content generated by the media. It is being applied to process the media coverage of clients that generate large amounts of media clips.
“The technology analyses text, like media clips, accurately because it is able to recognise when the names of people, places and events are being referred to by synonyms or pronouns. The engine is also able to recognise slang and learn new forms of words as it processes, allowing it to evolve as the use of language changes,” said Dabbs.
Eurolab appoints Tribeca Public Relations
Eurolab has appointed Tribeca Public Relations (Tribeca) as its public relations partner, tasking the award-winning agency to position the company as market leaders in oncology through its unique whole-of-cancer approach.
Eurolab is the largest generic oncology company in South Africa, with a strategic growth plan that deliver innovations in all aspects of cancer diagnosis, treatments, therapies and technologies. Its whole-of-cancer approach focuses on patients, their health, and relieving their financial stress during – and after – their life-threatening illness.
“Our business has experienced rapid growth, and because we have a multitude of new cancer treatments, therapies and technologies on the horizon, we’re poised to expand even further” said Lynne du Toit, CEO of Eurolab. “We realised the need for an effective communications partner to tell our story.”
Cian Mac Eochaidh, co-owner and director of Tribeca Public Relations, said the company applied solid public relations principles to each client they work with to help them achieve their goals, regardless of their industry.
AdJoin Media welcomes ShowMe to its Private Audience marketplace
In partnership with AdJoin Media, advertisers are now able to purchase inventory from ShowMe’s extensive local news sites on the AdJoin Private Audience Marketplace.
AdJoin facilitates full programmatic services for ShowMe and other publishers within its Marketplace, these services include audience targeting, direct site buys, yield management and operations & data analysis to maximize their ad revenue in a streamlined process.
ShowMe is the premier network of hyperlocal websites in South Africa all about cities, towns and their communities with a fast-growing audience of over 600 000 monthly visitors. Each website is a sub-site of the main domain, ShowMe.co.za and is owner- managed locally. ShowMe publishes up-to-date, news, events and entertainment and things to do as well as comprehensive information on towns and cities in South Africa for tourists and locals, all in one place.
“After intensive research and trials with other Ad Exchanges, we have decided to work closely with AdJoin as our partner to achieve much improved ad revenue,” said Graham Theobald, CEO of ShowMe.
PrideTV gives TVs new lease on life
Televisions everywhere now have a new lease of life thanks to PrideTV. Africa’s only LGBTQ video-on-demand (VOD) channel is now enabled for Chromecast meaning viewers can use their mobile devices and the TVs they already own to stream PrideTV’s extensive content selection.
“As long as it can take an HDMI cable, that old TV in the corner can be dusted off and brought back into service as a viable source of quality entertainment,” says Joanne Raphael Katz, PrideTV’s spokesperson.
This latest development is sure to further boost the rapid adoption of Africa’s LGBTQ VOD channel by the continent’s mobile and desktop Internet users.
Katz explained that Chromecast is a media streaming device that plugs into the HDMI ports of TVs. Simply use your mobile device and the TV you already own to stream your favorite TV shows, movies, music, sports, games and more. Chromecast works with iPhone, iPad, Android phone and tablet, Mac and Windows laptop, and Chromebook.
“As Africa’s flagship LGBTQ entertainment channel, PrideTV has a responsibility to innovate in the LGBTQ viewing space. We promised constant technological innovation and becoming Chromecast-enabled so soon after our launch proves we keep our promises,” said Katz.
Making moves
JHP Gourmet Guide 2018 launched
The response to the inaugural JHP Gourmet Guide and its innovative plating rating in 2016 was overwhelming positive from the industry and public. The ground-breaking guide and its unique plating rating system has been applauded for its credibility, impartiality and authenticity. This neutral, trusted evaluation system that equates to global standards, and the absence of restaurant advertisements, highlights the programme’s objectivity. The new-look guide is more stylish, compact and travel-friendly, and shall retail at a cost of R299 in Woolworths and leading booksellers, plus online from November 2017. Signature recipes from the chefs make it more than a restaurant guide – the ideal corporate/Christmas gift.
This year sees the first of three plate awards. As consistency is such an integral part of success, only restaurants and their chefs who were plated in the last guide were considered for three plates in the 2018 guide.
The launch, at which the chefs received their bespoke plates custom-designed by Mervyn Gers Ceramics, took place on Monday 23 October at The Stack in Cape Town.
APO Group and Africa Tech Now join forces in Las Vegas to strengthen Africa’s visibility as the next Digital and Innovation hub
APO Group and the Africa Tech Now organisers, International Boost, have announced the signing of a strategic partnership aimed at giving large-scale visibility to the rising stars of African tech and delegations participating in Consumers Electronic Show, CES 2018. From 9-12 January, over 170 000 technology aficionados, private and public-sector stakeholders, including start-ups, key tech influencers, industry leaders and government officials from every corner of the world will converge at the technology and innovation mecca in Las Vegas to discover the latest innovations and connect with high-level investors, strategic partners and potential buyers.
For the first time, the African tech world will take centre stage at the four-day event courtesy of Africa Tech Now. The Africa-centric innovation expo will shed light on the continent’s accelerator programmes and start-up communities. Throughout the event, local techies will be given the opportunity to present their Africa-oriented products and services to a global audience and showcase their creative ideas aimed at fuelling development and growth.
“There are more than 300 innovation and tech hotspots in Africa and a huge reservoir of tech-savvy talents but the lack of market awareness limits their ability to take off. When we thought up Africa Tech Now, we wanted to create a unique environment conducive to the promotion of local champions and exchanges to facilitate business development” said Christian Pineau, CEO of International Boost.
Global brand Astrum Holdings Limited secure Business Achiever Award in Hong Kon
Astrum Holdings Limited has just won an ABAA (Asia Business Achiever Award) hosted by the Asia Business Consultation Association – in Hong Kong. This award is a prestigious milestone rewarding almost a decade of daily efforts at Astrum Holdings Limited. Established in Hong Kong in 2008, the organisation has since branched across the globe, launching in South Africa in 2010. Since its establishment, the company has been developing and providing people with new technologies that deliver a positive effect on their lives.
Manoj Kumar Pansari, chairman and MD of Astrum Holdings Limited says that the teams’ priority is to be able to provide robust, reliable yet affordable high-tech devices all around the globe.
“It is now up to us to live up to this award by continuously developing new and robust technologies that can positively affect people’s lives. Winning this award makes me proud and I hope that this is the first of many awards to come,” said Pansari.
“The pursuit of technology and innovation is what drives us and how we improve our daily lives. We’d like to create a progressive realisation of this by serving as the bridge that connects people with a range of products that not only meets needs and expectations, but awakens a heartfelt sense of wonder in all of us” says Amit Pansari, director at Astrum Holdings Limited South Africa.
