Media moves: Andile Khumalo chairs HOB, Asanda Sizani new Glamour editor, Publicis Groupe launches AI Marcel

Andile Khumalo new chairman of House of Brave. Asanda Sizani named editor in chief of GLAMOUR South Africa. Alasdair Muller new group sales director at The Media Factory. Olav Westphal is the ABF’s new president. Tribeca Public Relations expands executive leadership team. The face of morning radio is about to change. BT Group CPO Hari Sundaresan to tell FEPE International Congress how procurement impacts on media spend. President Ramaphosa to address SA’s biggest board meeting, The Directors Event. Publicis Groupe launches AI platform, Marcel. Top SA women to judge FAIRLADY Santam Women of the Future Awards. Ninety9cents adds new accounts to its portfolio. Mission critical update on the MAPs market research initiative

This week’s BIG move: Andile Khumalo new chairman of House of Brave

House of Brave has announced Andile Khumalo as the group’s new non-executive chairman with immediate effect. This follows House of Brave announcing a Black Economic Empowerment transaction in February 2018 that saw Karabo Songo and Musa Kalenga acquire an initial 25.1% of the Group through their investment company Fastgro. Songo currently serves as Group CEO while Musa Kalenga serves as Chief Future Officer.

A Chartered Accountant by profession, Khumalo is the chief investment officer of MSG Afrika, a black-owned media and communications group with interests in radio, TV production, as well as PR and communications.

“Andile is a one of the pioneers and entrepreneurs of building major successful communications groups in South Africa and the continent and as a board, we are glad to have him help lead and share our journey, as we seek to build a diversified credible and solutions-driven communications group,” said CEO Songo.

“My experience in the industry saw us build a credible agency group that attracted the interest of the largest advertising group in the world namely WPP which acquired half of our agencies in 2009,” said Khumalo.

“While I believe the fundamentals of great communication haven’t changed, it is impossible to ignore the constant shifts in consumer habits, profiles and tastes. The needs of clients have also evolved and the combination of these factors means the marketing context has changed. The reality, however, is that within this context very little has altered in the business model.

“Overall, these changes are driving clients to demand much more of their advertising agencies – demands that are often unmet mainly due to the legacy of the agency business model. For some reason we have forgotten the real reason clients come to us. We’ve forgotten that we are in fact, a creative industry. Through this business, our single minded goal is to build a creative business, powered by service models and enabled by technology.”

People moves

Asanda Sizani named editor in chief of GLAMOUR South Africa

Condé Nast Independent Magazines, a subsidiary of Independent Media, has announced the appointment of Asanda Sizani as editor in chief of GLAMOUR, effective 01 June 2018. Sizani will succeed previous editor Pnina Fenster, who left GLAMOUR in March to pursue new ventures after editing the title since its launch in 2004.

In addition to representing the brand’s editorial vision, Sizani is also charged with developing a fresh vision for GLAMOUR and spearheading new ways to connect with the brand’s diverse audience.

Sizana’s influence on the industry is as wide as it is varied. She moves to GLAMOUR from ELLE South Africa, where she held the role of fashion and beauty director, having previously held fashion editor roles at Destiny, Destiny Man and Drum magazines. Sizani also holds an extensive freelance portfolio, which includes collaborations with a number of top South African and international brands, magazines, media platforms and personalities.

“I am honoured and humbled to be taking up the mantle of Editor-in-Chief of GLAMOUR at such a pivotal time for all women’s voices” said Sizani.

Alasdair Muller new group sales director at The Media Factory

Alasdair Muller is now the group sales director at mall media specialist, The Media Factory ZA. Muller was formerly head of sales for Sub-Saharan Africa at JCDecaux and managed sales across 13 markets in Africa.

He has 10 years’ experience in OOH, and a real passion for the growth of digital out of home on the continent.

“Joining the Media Factory was a decision that just made sense to me. It’s a young entrepreneurial business with a passion for innovation and with a great platform for growth,” he said. As in many other industries, technological advances create new opportunities, and this allows smaller businesses to leapfrog those with outdated business models. I have always admired what Alan and Matt have done with the business in such a short space of time, and it’s great to be part of this team”

CEO Alan Kietzman said it was imperative for the company to attract respected and experienced professionals into the business. “Due to our rapid growth year on year, our expansion into Africa and fast growing DOOH network we are very excited to have Alasdair on board… his passion for media, entrepreneurial mindset and drive is matched by few in the media owner sphere,” he said.

Olav Westphal is the ABF’s new President

After serving on the ABF (Advertising Benevolent Fund) executive board for three years, SPARK Media’s Olav Westphal has been named President of the fund by fellow Exco members. Westphal takes over the reins from John Bowles who served as acting president and president of the ABF for over nine years. The fund exists to offer short term assistance to members of the advertising and media industry who have fallen on hard times.

With the exception of a few paid officials, which include a treasurer and two social workers, all serve in an entirely voluntary capacity. While the fund is based in Johannesburg, regional branches administer local aspects of the ABF’s work in Durban. The organisation is in the process of re-establishing a presence in Cape Town.

“We are currently recruiting fresh talent onto the exco and are reviving several fund raising and networking opportunities that will take place throughout the year,” Westphal said. “The first event, a lawn bowls based fundraiser, has already taken place and we’re looking forward to hosting media agencies, creative agencies and marketers at future events.

Tribeca Public Relations expands executive leadership team

Tribeca Public Relations (Tribeca) has expanded its executive leadership team with the appointment of business unit directors Nicola Tarr and Davina Malan to the agency’s executive committee (exco).

Tarr and Malan are senior PR consultants who have been with the agency for nine and five years respectively, overseeing approximately half of the agency’s staff and client base each. They will join co-founders and directors Nicky James and Cian Mac Eochaidh in being responsible for Tribeca’s strategic leadership, including people and client management, and the agency’s overall growth and development strategy.

“Tarr and Malan are highly respected and experienced PR consultants who have established close relationships with their teams and clients,” says James and Mac Eochaidh. “Expanding our exco team and unlocking the collective potential of our senior consultants positions the agency well to grow in reputation, clients, and as an employer of choice in the South African public relations industry.”

The face of morning radio is about to change

ChaiFM has announced that businessman, author of ‘Carry on Baggage’ and ‘Tightrope: Musings of Circus South Africa’, speaker, and social commentator (not to mention its inimitable afternoon drive host) Howard Feldman is set to host the Morning Mayhem team from Monday to Fridays from 06:00 to 09:00.

“Howard stood in on the Morning Mayhem and I, like so many other listeners, found ourselves enjoying his whit, intelligence, insight, content, and sense of humour so much, I had to ask him to stay. When you set your alarm to wake up specially to listen to ChaiFM in the morning, you know you have brilliant radio. There’s no other morning show that even comes close,” said Kathy Kaler, CEO and founder of ChaiFM.

BT Group CPO Hari Sundaresan to tell FEPE International Congress how procurement impacts on media spend

Hari Sundaresan, chief procurement officer of BT Group, one of Britain’s biggest companies and advertisers, will deliver a keynote at this year’s FEPE International Congress in Sorrento on 6-8 June, looking at the growing role and importance of procurement as a strategic sourcing function within BT and how this flows down into managing significant spend across media.

New Postercope Global President, Stephen Whyte will make one of his first appearances in this role on a major public platform at FEPE as he joins a panel discussing the Out of Home industry’s Value Proposition. Whyte, a former CEO of ad agency McCann-Erickson in the UK who also ran his own successful digital business consultancy, is an expert on how digital is transforming the advertising business.

Delegates will also hear from financial expert Mark Boidman, Managing Director, Head of Media Services, Media and Tech Investment Banking at New York banking advisory firm PJ SOLOMON who will update Congress on a busy mergers and acquisitions market. Boidman has worked on over $40bn of deals in the sector.

Business moves

President Ramaphosa to address SA’s biggest board meeting, The Directors Event

President Cyril Ramaphosa will be delivering the keynote address at South Africa’s biggest board meeting, The Directors Event, which will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre on 8 June 2018.  Dr Jabu Mabuza, Chairman of Business Leadership South Africa will deliver this year’s Chairman’s Report.

Now in its fourth year, The Directors Event invites industry leaders to unpack three issues of national importance and discuss solutions in a public forum, moderated by highly-respected media personalities.

“We are honoured to have President Ramaphosa address this important gathering of some of the top minds in South Africa. We invited him as a response to the call he made during his maiden State of the Nation Address earlier this year, calling on all South Africans, in their small corners, to help develop this country. We believe, strongly, that corporate South Africa has a massive role to play and we are very excited that everyone seems to have accepted the President Ramaphosa’s “Thuma Mina” call,” says Bongani Siqoko, editor of the Sunday Times.

Publicis Groupe launches AI platform, Marcel

Publicis Groupe has unveiled Marcel, named after Publicis Groupe founder Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet, an AI-powered innovation that will accelerate transforming the organisation from a holding company to a platform, creating the first truly borderless, frictionless enterprise workforce, comprised of 80 000 employees worldwide, and usher in a new era of creativity and innovation.

Arthur Sadoun, Chairman & CEO, Publicis Groupe, said: “In June last year, Publicis Groupe announced the creation of Marcel, to connect our 80 000 employees and completely reinvent the way that we work, for ourselves and our clients. Since then, our industry has gone through unprecedented challenges, demonstrating that incremental change is not a solution. The need for reinvention is stronger than ever,” he said, adding that Publicis had “broken the divide between data, creativity and technology. We have broken our silos through the Power of One. Today, we are breaking the barriers between talent and opportunity with Marcel”.

He said Marcel was proof of the Groupe’s commitment to its people. “At Publicis, we will put them first in our transformation, and give them the opportunity to learn, share and create more than anywhere else. Marcel is the proof of our commitment to our clients. They will be able to leverage our incredible diversity of talent to bring to life the ideas they need to grow their business.

“And, of course, Marcel is the proof of our commitment to our industry. We will be a force for good, by leading the change.”

 

Top SA women to judge FAIRLADY Santam Women of the Future Awards

FAIRLADY and Santam are searching for female entrepreneurs: three amazing women who have taken the leap to work for themselves and are now creating opportunities for others – and boosting our economy!

The panel of respected judges presiding over the awards comprises FAIRLADY editor, Suzy Brokensha; Professor Thuli Madonsela

Chief Patron of the Thuli Madonsela Foundation and the current Chair of Social Justice at Stellenbosch University; Annette La Grange, head of HR Business Partners at Santam; Jo-Ann Strauss, media entrepreneur and international speaker; and Dawn Nathan-Jones, dynamic entrepreneur, businesswoman and TV personality.

Ninety9cents adds new accounts to its portfolio

Ninety9cents (99c) recently added several new accounts to its Cape Town portfolio, including the multi-brand OK Franchise Division, Namibia Asset Management, Kuda Holdings and Cape Thoroughbred Sales (CTS).

99c Group CEO Andrew Brand says that the wins are in line with the agency’s strategy of growing both their Through the Line (TTL) and retail portfolios in their Cape Town, Johannesburg and Lusaka offices.

“While we’re quite well known for our strong retail credentials, we also work on a wide range of brands across a number of different industries and categories; from financial services and technology, to restaurants, liquor, lifestyle and NGOs. I believe our client-centric, results-driven approach appeals to a wide range of clients who rightfully demand the best possible return on their marketing investment,” said Brand.

Brand said the 99c model was working well in Cape Town, and he hoped clients in Johannesburg and Zambia would find it to be equally compelling, as the agency grew its footprint beyond the Cape.

VOOV launches first-in-Africa withdrawal feature, enabling users to earn cash from their own content

Social live streaming and Mini Video application VOOV has taken another step towards empowering content creators and rewarding the thousands of artists across its platform. Withdrawal, a new feature, allows users (also known as VOOVers) to earn real money with their content through receiving gifts given to them by their followers on the app. The ‘Diamonds’ gifted to them by their fans and followers, can be cashed out for real money.

Launched in July 2017, VOOV has attracted thousands of local users to its platform. VOOV’s content creators are a fun and dynamic mix of celebrities and opinion leaders who create and share content that give followers access to their world as well as everyday VOOVers whose own live streams and Mini Videos compete for views, likes, comments and Gifts across a broad range of content such as gadgets and gaming, relationships, comedy, beauty and entertainment.

Recently launched #VOOVTV is another way for VOOVers to get noticed, build a larger audience and become a star. The ‘world first’ live from your phone broadcast to TV in partnership with MultiChoice on channel 196 is a dedicated channel on DStv and an extension of the VOOV app.

Making moves

APEX awards 2018 jury announced

As has been the case with the annual APEX awards in the past, the 2018 edition once more boasts with a highly regarded adjudication panel. The panel consists of captains of industry from a variety of disciplines, all of whom together will be combing through entries to find the ‘work that works’. Drawn from strategy, digital, creative, research, media, marketing as well as agency heads, the list of judges is a veritable who’s who of the industry.

The 2018 APEX awards is proudly hosted by the ACA with key partner Provantage Media Group and sponsors Kantar Millward Brown.

The 2018 APEX awards jury members are as follows:

Verizon Digital Media Services’ content delivery network now supports Quick UDP Internet Connections

Verizon Digital Media Services announced it has deployed Quick UDP Internet Connections (QUIC) across its content delivery network, with 125 points of presence globally. The transport protocol, developed by Google, improves web page load and transaction speeds. Verizon Digital Media Services customers can enable QUIC through a simple rules engine change that takes effect within minutes, at no additional cost.

“We are always working to improve our network performance for our customers, who are in the business of providing digital media to their end users as quickly, securely and cost-efficiently as possible,” said Frank Orozco, chief technology officer, Verizon Digital Media Services. “Whether it’s streaming a widely watched sports event or accelerating a shopping cart transaction, every millisecond counts.”

QUIC improves web application performance across Chrome and Opera web browsers and select connected devices by decreasing time required to establish a secure connection. It also continues to deliver an active stream, seamlessly and uninterrupted, when an end user changes IP addresses by continuing to use the old connection ID from the new IP address. 

Diary

Soweto Sex & Wellness Expo Ticket Sales ‘Exceed Venue Capacity’

The Soweto Sex & Wellness Expo 2018 has been postponed to 8 & 9 September 2018, after originally being scheduled for 26 & 27 May 2018. The reason, however, is a happy one.

According to a spokesperson for the organisers, Gabriel Ramokotjo, “The ticket sales have exceeded the capacity of the original venue. Therefore, in the interests of visitor comfort, we have decided to postpone the event to Spring once we have secured a bigger venue.” The original venue was Makubenjalo Pub & Restaurant, Diepkloof Zone 2.

“It is hugely important to us that Soweto experiences a world-class event. After years of neglect, Sowetans deserve the very best, whether it’s access to services or sexpos,” explained Ramokotjo.

For more information, please email info@sowetosexexpo.co.za.