The Media Online’s weekly round up of moves in media. Naspers announces leadership appointments. SABC mourns death of Cebo Manyaapelo. Hello, we have closed TheMarketingSite.com. JOZI FM joins forces with United Stations. East Coast Radio enters the growing e-commerce space. TurnUp Music launches on Samsung Z Series. Conversation LAB wins The Foschini Group’s EXACT account. Makro acquires WumDrop as last mile delivery service. Discover Digital launches Digitally Interactive EPG. M&C Saatchi Abel drives another challenger brand to the top. UNICEF and CM.com announce strategic partnership. Digitata Insights partners with Ntare Insights in Rwanda. Cartoon Network and Mojang expand partnership around Adventure Time. Kalon Venture Partners invests in i-Pay. Intact Software Distribution and F-Secure to plug security hole in connected homes. Media24 appoints Discovery as its medical scheme.SA’s top HR professionals celebrated at the Tiso Blackstar AMARA Recruitment Awards. VIA and Herman Lensing celebrate Christmas with festive-season special. Jacaranda FM and Spar Carols By Candlelight kicks off festive season. From Radio to Road – Primedia delivers a first for SA clients.
This week’s BIG move: Naspers announces leadership appointments
Naspers’s Video Entertainment business has announced new appointments to its leadership team, as well as to DStv Media Sales.
Calvo Mawela has been appointed CEO of MultiChoice South Africa. In this new role Mawela will be responsible for MultiChoice SA and DStv Media Sales in South Africa. Mark Rayner, current CEO of MultiChoice SA, becomes COO for MultiChoice South Africa.
Mawela will focus on strategic developments in the pay television industry, while Rayner will focus on ensuring product and operational excellence that will give DStv customers the best entertainment experience.
In addition the company announced the following appointments:
- Yolisa Phahle, current CEO of M-Net, will step into the role of CEO of General Entertainment
- Fahmeeda Cassim Surtee has been appointed as CEO of DStv Media Sales in South Africa, with Chris Hitchings continuing as overall CEO of DStv Media Sales
- Gideon Khobane will continue to head up SuperSport as CEO
“This is a strong leadership team who can to take us into our next phase of growth,” says Imtiaz Patel, Video Entertainment chief executive. “While the pay television business faces technological shifts, regulatory and competitor challenges, the core focus remains delivering the best local and international content to our customers, anytime, anywhere on any device.”
Patel said Mawela and Rayner were an impressive team who will steer MultiChoice South Africa into the future. “Their combination of strategic and operational skill and experience complement each other. Calvo is well-positioned to drive strategy and growth in our South African operations. He has a rich and varied experience in broadcasting and a proven track record in managing complex issues in South Africa and the rest of the continent.”
People moves
SABC mourns death of Cebo Manyaapelo
The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) mourns the death of renowned broadcaster, Cebo Manyaapelo affectionately known as CC.
The SABC Board, management and staff of the SABC would like to send its heartfelt condolences to the Manyaapelo family and friends, it said in a statement. Manyaapelo will be remembered for his immense contribution at the SABC as the former Motsweding FM’s breakfast host for the programme ‘Re tla dula re thabile’ in 1998.
He later became a Sports Presenter for ‘Mamepe’, a sports programme on Motsweding FM. He continued with Mamepe as well as being a television sports commentator, for Laduma since 1998 until his untimely death. He worked on big special events where SABC was involved, like the FIFA World Cup in 1998 and 2010 and the AFCON 2013 and 2015.
The country has lost a very great man in Manyaapelo, and his work will continue to bring us great insight and understanding of the world of sport for decades to come, said the SABC.
His meaningful contribution to the SABC will remain and continue to inspire all who knew him in his personal and professional space. He will be deeply missed and may his soul rest in peace.
The details of his memorial and funeral service will be announced in due course.
Hello, we have closed TheMarketingSite.com
The MarketingSite.com has closed, found Winnifred Knight said in an email this week. “After running a very successful marketing portal for over 20 years, we have decided to close it permanently,” she said.
“We looked at refreshing, re-inventing, re-engineering, revitalising and updating it in line with the new and modern world. However, decided that it is time to refresh and re-invent ourselves instead.
“Wendy has decided to move into the exciting world of short-term accommodation, and opened an Airbnb on her property in Durbanville, Cape Town. Take a look: www.2Clarkia.com and let her know what you think.
“Luisa has entered the corporate world and focusing on making a difference in her field of expertise.
“I’m semi-retired now, and will continue to share my knowledge through regular in-house Marketing Direct workshops, including mentoring, speaking opportunities and maybe a Blog on all things interesting. Provided it doesn’t limit my traveling and gardening.
“We personally thank you, our content contributors from around the world, our tens of thousands of monthly unique users, casual visitors and browsers, friends and colleagues, and media partners for your generous and unselfish support over the last 20 years.”
Business moves
JOZI FM joins forces with United Stations
United Stations has been appointed with immediate effect, as the exclusive national sales partner of choice for 22 year old JOZI FM.
JOZI FM is the largest community radio station in South Africa and the two enthusiastic teams are looking forward to the next phase in its remarkable success story.
“This move forms part of our broader plans to leverage the incredible bond we have with our audience and we are looking forward to playing an even bigger role in the life of South Africa’s economic powerhouse,” said MD, Mpho Mhlongo.
“Each of our shows is presented and produced by seasoned radio professionals with a deep passion and knowledge of our valuable audience and we will be working closely with United Stations to provide our advertisers with creative, innovative and impactful ways to engage with them and get results”.
Managing director at United Stations, Rivak Bunce, added, “We are honoured to have the opportunity to represent JOZI FM with its incredible pulling power and highly marketable audience. The station is now at the threshold of realising greater growth and innovation and we are proud to be a part of that journey”.
East Coast Radio enters the growing e-commerce space
In a South African radio first, East Coast Radio now boasts an online shop on their website ecr.co.za. The KZN-based station entered the e-commerce space in order to offer their clients increasingly innovative ways to solve their advertising challenges and to connect with their customer base.
East Coast Radio has around 1.1 million listeners per week and an online following in excess of half a million unique browsers on average every month.
The station’s programming manager, Zane Derbyshire, said, “Our solid traffic numbers on our website enable us to be able to offer clients a new way to interact with our audience, whether they’re already in the online space or looking to enter it.”
Derbyshire says what makes the shop unique is the involvement of East Coast Radio personalities. “The Shop on ecr.co.za is a platform for brands to sell their products backed by our team of trusted presenters, who are key influencers in KZN. Our presenters will also spend time browsing the products in the Shop and will give their views on some of the best buys, along with arranging special deals on occasion.”
TurnUp Music launches on Samsung Z Series
Being the ultimate gateway that has been successfully hosting local talent for over a year now, TurnUp Music has joined forces with Samsung and officially announced the launch of a streaming service on the Samsung Z Series mobile devices.
TurnUp Music has been turning heads over the past year as a disruptor in the local music industry. The mission continues to grow as the service has now partnered with one of the world’s largest tech companies, Samsung, to host local music on their Z Series mobile devices.
Through this partnership, TurnUp Music and Samsung are focused on the development and growth of local artists’ careers through various collaborative opportunities and a strong market reach.
“Samsung, as the global smartphone leader, is the perfect partner to accelerate not just the streaming platform, but also to reduce barriers to entry across Africa. The 4G enabled Z Series devices are both accessible and affordable, making it a great tool for listening to music and watching videos,” said Thabiet Allie, CEO of TurnUp Music.
The TurnUp Music app will soon be available on the Z series, which can be purchased at Ackermans, PEP, Jet and CNA.
Conversation LAB wins The Foschini Group’s EXACT account
South Africa and UK – Conversation LAB Cape Town have won the family fashion retailer EXACT, coming off the back of impressive recent wins with Markham and Fabiani also part of The Foschini Group stable.
EXACT has appointed Conversation LAB as their digital agency to drive their digital and social presence, seen as a critical growth area for business
Nikki Crous, EXACT Head of Marketing, said: “We have ambitious plans in digital to ensure we deliver a unique brand experience for EXACT that drives brand awareness & sales. Conversation LAB demonstrated a real understanding of the scale of the task as well as an in-depth insight into our target audience and the retail landscape that we operate in. We look forward to our partnership”
Conversation LAB will manage a full range of digital activity including website optimisation for the launch of the new ecommerce website, management and development of all content across a range of social media platforms.
Makro acquires WumDrop as last mile delivery service
Makro has acquired a majority stake in last mile delivery start-up WumDrop, a move that brings Makro customers a genuinely flexible and anxiety-free shopping experience. Makro will shrink the window between customer order placement and delivery from three days to three hours for customers located within 20km of a Makro store.
WumDrop founder, Simon Hartley (left) said, “We’re incredibly excited to work so closely with a business like Makro, which backs our mission to eradicate the anxiety one normally experiences while waiting for a delivery; that your delivery guy might or might not get to you at some point in the giant window between 9am and 5pm.”
The move also cements WumDrop’s ability to offer lower and simpler, flat prices across the board, the benefit of which is passed on to new and existing WumDrop customers, which include The Foschini Group, BOTTLES, Standard Bank, and Zando.
Makro has already rolled WumDrop out to 16 stores in Durban, Cape Town, Pretoria, and Johannesburg.
Discover Digital launches Digitally Interactive EPG
Digital technologies & video on demand solutions provider, Discover Digital has developed an advanced new digitally interactive electronic programme guide (EPG) system for broadcasters and digital TV streaming services.
Stephen Watson, managing director of Discover Digital, said the EPG was developed internally to address the need for an advanced digitally interactive programme guide that serves as a foundation for future streaming functionality.
Discover Digital’s latest custom-built solution creates a direct path to programming information and converts it to local time zones, providing viewers access to accurate live programme information, with constantly updated start and end times and program information. Built-in notification features allow viewers to set reminders and receive notifications to mobile devices and share what they are watching on popular social media platforms Facebook and Twitter.
In addition to the launch of the EPG, Discover Digital is also preparing to release a set of new functions including user-driven cloud-based network personal video recording (N-PVR) and system-driven Live-to-VOD services. The Live to VOD system driven process will automatically record all programmes from a linear channel and make them available in a catch up environment. This feature will be especially beneficial with sports content, where premium international content may be screened live at inconvenient times for South African and pan-African viewers.
M&C Saatchi Abel drives another challenger brand to the top
M&C Saatchi Abel has joined forces with tyre fitment specialists BestDrive, creating an ad that is sure to make this challenger brand top of mind.
This is not the first time the agency has created a campaign that turns a challenger into a champion, as evidenced by its work with brands like Hollard, Heineken and Nando’s.
Now, the agency prepares to make consumers rethink their tyre purchases, as most consumers select tyre dealerships based on proximity and price. It’s difficult to persuade them that it’s worth extra effort to choose a specific dealership, unless you can provide an unshakeable reason for doing so. This is precisely what M&C Saatchi Abel has set out to do, highlighting the brand’s most appealing attributes in an endearing and humorous way.
The TVCs, which were produced by Patriot and directed by Anton Visser, will be complemented by an English and Afrikaans radio element promoting specific brand properties, an integrated social media campaign that emphasises the importance of German engineering and the assuredness it provides, and POS elements that again speak to advantages of German engineering while also promoting product and price.
Digitata Insights partners with Ntare Insights in Rwanda
Pan-African mobile intelligence and digital media provider, Digitata Insights, has extended its footprint on the continent by appointing management consulting firm Ntare Insights as its preferred partner in Rwanda. The two companies wasted no time in establishing their presence in the market, successfully implementing a local mobile awareness campaign for Coke Studio in the country.
Having concluded a successful mobile marketing campaign for a South African-based multinational cellular services provider in Rwanda using its innovative MeMe measurable mobile advertising technology solution, Digitata Insights, a subsidiary of Digitata Limited, part of 4Sights Holdings, a JSE AltX-listed diversified holding company, required a strategic local partner to expand its reach in the region and leverage the company’s previous success to drive new business.
“Following extensive research and our on-going work in the region, Ntare Insights was a name that kept coming up in discussions,” explains Henk Swanepoel, chief marketing officer of Digitata Insights. “Following our initial meetings and discussions, we were extremely impressed with the team. Their understanding of the application of technology in general and mobile in particular, in delivering impactful business solutions was evident from the outset.”
Kigali-based Ntare Insights delivers trusted strategy, policy and business advisory services for government, businesses and industries, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and non-government organisations (NGOs) and civil society.
Cartoon Network and Mojang expand partnership around Adventure Time
Cartoon Network and Swedish game developer, Mojang, have announced an expanded partnership around the successful Adventure Time Minecraft Mashup released earlier this year on console, PC and mobile, with Cartoon Network Studios producing an original Adventure Time Minecraft episode.
Adventure Time, Cartoon Network’s Emmy and Peabody award-winning original animated series introduces viewers to unlikely heroes Finn and Jake, buddies who traverse the mystical Land of Ooo and encounter its colorful inhabitants. The best of friends, our heroes always find themselves in the middle of heart-pounding escapades. Finn, a silly kid with an awesome hat, and Jake, a brassy dog with a big kind heart, depend on each other through thick and thin. Adventure Time is created by Pendleton Ward and is produced at Cartoon Network Studios.
UNICEF and CM.com announce strategic partnership
UNICEF South Africa and CM.com have announced a long-term and strategic partnership. The announcement comes on World Children’s Day, in which CM.com and UNICEF launch joint methods to promote donations and awareness for children’s rights.
The partnership entails different aspects in helping to empower children across the globe through education and mobile fundraising. UNICEF has chosen CM.com for their new mobile fundraising activities in South Africa.
In return, UNICEF will actively promote CM’s mobile services across South Africa, such as the McMoney app. With the McMoney app, people can earn money by receiving test text messages in order to verify the quality of global messaging routes. The money earned with the app can in turn be donated to UNICEF as contribution towards protecting and defending children’s rights.
Kalon Venture Partners Invests in i-Pay
Kalon Venture Partners has announced its recent investment in payment service provider, i-Pay. The investment was exclusively announced to shareholders at our Annual General Meeting held on 15 November. This deal is its third investment in four months and indicative of the strong deal flow the company is seeing both locally and globally. This investment follows recent investments in SnapnSave and The SunExchange.
The investment in i-Pay will enable the company to continue its aggressive growth into multiple countries across the globe. i-Pay, facilitates bank-to-bank automated and instant electronic funds transfers (EFTs) in a matter of seconds.
Thomas Pays, i-Pay CEO, announcing the investment to Kalon Shareholders, said “the investment announcement comes at the same time as our next capital raising round”.
Intact Software Distribution and F-Secure to plug security hole in connected homes
Intact Software Distribution has won South African distribution rights to F-Secure SENSE, the one device that secures every internet-connected thing in consumers’ homes. SENSE combines a secure Wi-Fi router with an advanced security application and cloud protection to fill in the missing piece that modern homes need to secure connected devices, PCs and appliances.
“Almost conceivable ‘smart’ function in your home – from heating to cooling to security to entertainment – connects to the internet to make our lives easier,” says Simon Campbell-Young, CEO of Intact Software Distribution. “However, being smart also means being vulnerable. Each new device or appliance that is connected in our homes is a potential vulnerability waiting to be accessed by cyber criminals.”
Making moves
Media24 appoints Discovery as its medical scheme
Media24 has announced it will be transferring its members of the Naspers Medical Fund (Nasmed) to Discovery Health Medical Scheme (Discovery) from 1 January 2018. The decision was made to offer employees and pensioners a wider choice in medical aid benefits in a sustainable fund.
Shelagh Goodwin, general manager of human resources at Media24, said the N Options on Nasmed, like many closed medical aid funds in South Africa, was no longer sustainable. “Simply put, our membership is decreasing, claiming more and getting older, which means that the current fund is no longer sustainable. If we were to stay in Nasmed, our employees and pensioners would face above- average increases in member contributions as well as reductions in benefits in future. We chose to rather offer our staff and retired colleagues a wider choice of plans to suit their pockets and their needs.”
Media24 will ensure that its members – employees and pensioners – will not have to fork out more for similar Discovery benefits than what they would have paid on Nasmed. Media24 will top up contributions to members where necessary.
SA’s top HR professionals celebrated at the Tiso Blackstar AMARA Recruitment Awards
The country’s HR and recruitment professionals were celebrated at the annual Tiso Blackstar AMARA Recruitment Awards (AMARA’s), held on 18 November at The Empire Conference and Event venue in Parktown, Gauteng. The AMARA’s recognise outstanding service and achievement in the South African recruitment industry, across both the public and private sectors. Reardon Sanderson, general manager of Group Sales & Marketing at Tiso Blackstar says, “The AMARA’s have grown to become the most sought after accolade in an industry that faces enormous challenges in South Africa.”
Jimmy Wayland from Gear Advertising (above) was the recipient of the prestigious Publisher’s Award, while Whoodoo Media Advertising received the Rising Star Award.
The AMARA winners for 2017 are:
Best Recruitment Advertising Agency
- Winner – Gear Advertising
- 1st runner up – Basadzi Personnel
- 2nd runner up – Strategy Recruitment Marketing
Best Newsprint Creative: Private Sector
- Winner – Human Communications for Group 5
- 1st runner up – Human Communications for Debswana
- 2nd runner up – Human Communications for Impala Platinum Mining
Best Newsprint Creative: Public Sector
- Winner – Basadzi Personnel for the National Treasury
- 1st runner up – Human Communications for National Health Lab Services
- 2nd runner up – Siyafika Communications for Landelahni SAA
Best Newsprint Creative: Education Sector
- Winner – Goodbye Boring for Henley Business School
- 1st runner up – Gear Advertising for Diocesan School for Girls
- 2nd runner up – Human Communications for University of the Free State
Zoona recognised with international and local awards
Mobile financial services company Zoona is gaining recognition nationally and internationally. The company received the Agent Chain Development Award at the UNCDF Digital Chikwama 2017 Awards, held in Lusaka this week. Former Zoona Managing Director, Robert Keating, also scooped the award for Private Sector Champion. The UNCDF Digital Chikwama Awards recognize companies and individuals working towards building financial inclusion in Zambia and promoting the growth of the economy.
In the same week Mike Quinn, the Zoona Group CEO, was awarded the prestigious Edward W. Claugus Award by global financial inclusion pioneer Accion, in honour of his exceptional commitment to advancing financial inclusion in Africa.
Hot 91.5FM celebrates birthday with Hot Cares Teddy-Thon telethon
Multiple Award winning radio station, Hot 91.9FM, celebrated its third birthday on Friday, 17 November by hosting their first ever Hot Cares Teddy-Thon telethon from 6am – 6.30pm. The station raised a whopping R1 million for charity.
It was twelve hours of non-stop fundraising, with phone lines manned by some of Joburg’s best known celebrities including Graeme Watkins, Nathan Rowe, Jesse Clegg, Daniel Baron, Christian Heath, Josh Middleton, Dominic Neill,Joe Parker, Louise Carver, Joey Rasdien, Ashlinn Gray, Howie Combrink, Sevven, RJ Benjamin, Tailor and Danny K.
Said managing director Lloyd Madurai. “To all our sponsors, our partners and friends, to every Hot 91.9FM listener, to each South African that pledged to change lives, we would like to say a heartfelt, sincere and resounding thank you! You have made the Hot 91.9FM Birthday wish come true!”
From Radio to Road – Primedia delivers a first for SA clients
Primedia’s Broadcasting and Outdoor divisions have come together to offer a multiplatform client campaign that will be a South African first.
Called “Radio to Road” the innovative offering enables an advertiser to create a campaign that reaches motorists in their cars, on two major platforms: Radio and billboards, simultaneously. As the radio promo starts to play, it triggers the same campaign creative to roll out on digital billboards across the region in which the station broadcasts.
“We know that our stations: 702 and 947 in Gauteng, and Kfm 94.5 and CapeTalk in the Western Cape have very high incidences of in-car listening in the regions we broadcast to,” said Primedia Broadcasting CCO Mark Jakins.
“So our listeners are actively tuning in when they drive, and this is an opportunity to directly amplify an advertiser’s message with audio and visual reinforcement in the same moment, a great innovation by the team,” he explained.
Primedia Outdoor Sales and Marketing Executive Peter Lindstrom is equally enthusiastic about the effectiveness of the new offering: “Synchronising radio spots with digital slots on our urban digital network, which boasts unique monthly audiences of more than one million, not only ensures complete audio-visual dominance but also introduces a dynamic aspect to campaigns which maximises impact.”
The first campaign will roll out with Mini through their agency, Vizeum, from 20 November in Gauteng and Cape Town.
“In our ongoing quest to innovate and strengthen the relationship between media owners and our clients; I am very excited to test this first-to-market marriage of radio and digital OOH,’ said Kelvin Storey, MD Vizeum.
“On our journey to continuously be relevant and fit into the already crowded, business schedule of our consumers we are proud to launch MINI communications via radio and digital OOH in a real-time, simultaneous message. The world around us is grasping the concept of digital and the role thereof, so it’s not just about being mindful of digital channels, but of being mindful of digital intertwined within the traditional space. Vizeum is always seeking to digitise the traditional world and we are happy to be pioneering this partnership between two great brands.”
Primedia Broadcasting noted that this was the first of many new offerings on the cards, “What’s really exciting about this is that it marks the first of what we hope will be many cross-divisional campaigns which broadens our reach and impact for clients across cinemas, malls, on line, and our many other platforms within the Primedia Group,” Jakins said.
Diary notices
VIA and Herman Lensing celebrate Christmas with festive-season special
This year, the Afrikaans lifestyle channel VIA (DStv channel 147) will usher in the festive season with Herman se Fees, a Christmas special. In this hour-long special, which kicks off on 23 November, SARIE’s celebrated food editor Lensing will invite DStv viewers into his kitchen and share recipes for a stress-free Christmas day as well as décor ideas for a festive table where – in his own words – “nostalgia and style will sit comfortably side-by-side”.
“There’s something about entertaining over the festive season that makes people incredibly stressed,” said Lensing (above). “I reckon it’s all the guests arriving for the meal.” Because of this, Herman se fees is filled with food ideas – like one-pot wonders to keep the dirty dishes at a minimum or a cold Christmas menu that can be prepared a day or two in advance – that will help viewers tackle the festive season with more courage (and without stress).
All the recipes from Herman se fees will be available on SARIE’s website. Herman se fees is proudly sponsored by Checkers.
To steal some of Lensing’s ideas for entertaining, tune in for Herman se fees on the following days and times on VIA (DStv channel 147):
- Thursday 23 November om 18:30.
- Monday 27 November om 21:30
- Friday 1 December om 19:00
- Tuesday 5 December om 18:30
- Sunday 10 December om 16:30
- Saturday 9 December om 17:00
- Thursday 21 December om 18:30
Jacaranda FM and Spar Carols By Candlelight kicks off festive season
Jacaranda FM and SPAR’s Carols by Candlelight is the highlight of Gauteng’s festive calendar. It’s coming to Joburg on the 2 December at new venue, St Stithians College and Pretoria on the 5 December 2017 at Loftus Versfeld.
The annual event is a treat for the whole family, featuring a stellar cast and marking the official start of the festive season.
Lloyd Cele, Louise Carver, Ross from Prime Circle, Danny K, Majozi, Kelly Khumalo, Cara Frew and Claire Johnston will bring the festive cheer on the 2nd at St Stithians, whilst Charlize Berg, Elvis Blue, Jo Black, Juanita du Plessis, Karen Zoid, Refentse and Joe Niemand will be bringing the Christmas spirit to Loftus Versfeld on the 5th December. The Mzansi Youth Choir will be anchoring both shows with their Carols cheer.
The Jacaranda FM talent will also be celebrating the mark of the season in full festive force – broadcasting live from both events.
The SPAR kiddies entertainment area will have the little ones thoroughly entertained with play areas, games, crafts, buskers, movies and more!
Entry is free, but, in spreading the love to where it is needed most, attendees are encouraged to bring a toy which will be delivered to selected charity organisations.
Candles will also be on sale at R30, songbooks at R10 and a songbook and candle bundle package at R35. All proceeds will go to Jacaranda FM Good Morning Angels.
Gates at both events will open at 16h00 and the events will start 19h00 – 21h00.
