The Media Online’s weekly round-up of media business moves, all in one place.
The BIG move: PULSE 2027 opens ticket sales with senior media and business leaders on line-up
Tickets have gone on sale for the PULSE Leadership Reimagined Conference 2027, with Discovery founder Adrian Gore, South African-born technology investor Roelof Botha and SABC Group CEO Nomsa Chabeli among the speakers.
The conference, which follows the inaugural event in February 2026, will bring together media owners, marketers and agency leaders to examine the changing demands of leadership across the communications industry.
Other speakers include Lorraine Landon, Google’s head of advertising products and solutions for Africa, alongside leaders from the media, advertising and business sectors.
PULSE 2027 takes place on 11 March at The Galleria in Sandton, from 08:15 to 17:15, followed by cocktails.
The programme will explore agency convergence, creativity as a competitive advantage, the impact of artificial intelligence on advertising spend, the future of content and the role of media in a democracy. Leadership masterclasses led by South African business leaders will also form part of the event.
Early-bird tickets cost R3,500 excluding VAT and are available until 31 December 2026. Standard tickets cost R3,999 excluding VAT from 1 January 2027.
Tickets are available through Ticketpro. Further information is available at www.pulsemedialeadership.co.za.
Primedia Broadcasting, Reveel, Ivy Asset Management and Park Advertising are sponsors of the 2027 conference.
People moves
Siya Kolisi joins Life & Brand Portfolio as partner
South African rugby captain Siya Kolisi has joined hospitality group Life & Brand Portfolio as a partner, expanding an existing relationship focused on community upliftment and social impact.
Kolisi will work with the group on brand development, culinary concepts and social responsibility programmes across its restaurant portfolio, which includes Tiger’s Milk, La Parada, Harbour House and Old Town Italy.
The partnership builds on initiatives such as the First Cup Initiative, which channelled proceeds from hot beverage sales across the group’s restaurants towards providing daily breakfasts for thousands of vulnerable schoolchildren in underserved communities.
“Welcoming Siya Kolisi into the Life & Brand Portfolio family is a defining moment for our organisation, as he represents the very best of South Africa: resilience, leadership and a commitment to uplifting others,” says Trevor Wollheim, CEO of Life & Brand Portfolio.
“We have always believed in putting people at the centre of our dining experiences and business – whether through food, culture or community – and in Siya we have found a partner whose personal values mirror our corporate mission.”
Kolisi, the double Rugby World Cup-winning captain, says he is proud to join a group that creates spaces where people can connect.
“Everyone has that place where they meet their friends, where they feel comfortable and can just be themselves. I love that Life & Brand creates those places. To join this family and help build more of that is something I’m really proud of,” he says.
Founded in 1998, Life & Brand Portfolio operates more than 30 restaurant locations nationwide. The group expects Kolisi’s involvement to strengthen its connection with consumers, with his profile and commitment to youth empowerment and sports development informing experiences and social impact initiatives across its brands.
S3 launches Life Lessons with Somizi podcast
S3 is launching Life Lessons with Somizi, a new podcast hosted by television and radio personality Somizi Mhlongo, on Mondays at 18:00 from 2 November 2026.
The podcast features conversations with guests about their personal experiences, exploring themes including resilience, love, growth, success, loss and self-discovery.
Olivia Dean to headline Milk + Cookies Festival South Africa 2027
Grammy and multi-BRIT Award-winning singer Olivia Dean will headline the third edition of Milk + Cookies Festival South Africa, with performances scheduled for Cape Town on 29 January and Johannesburg on 31 January 2027.
Dean will perform at Sandringham Farm in Cape Town and Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg, joining previously announced acts Elaine, Zee Nxumalo, Chelsea Sloan and Jade T. Further artists and programme details will be announced in the coming weeks.
The festival combines live music with food, fashion, art and design, incorporating panels, workshops, pop-ups and parties alongside its concert stages. Its programme brings together international and local artists, with South African creators, venues and partners contributing to the events in both cities.
The 2027 edition follows performances by Canadian producer Kaytranada at the festival’s South African debut in 2025, which attracted 20,000 people, and rapper Gunna in 2026. Dean’s addition continues the festival’s approach of bringing artists from different genres to the same stage.
Nicola Smit appointed COO at Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch University (SU) has appointed Prof Nicola Smit as chief operating officer (COO) for a five-year term, effective 1 November 2026.
The appointment was approved by the SU Council on 21 October and follows the university’s decision to separate the COO and chief financial officer portfolios to strengthen strategic focus and accountability.
Rector and vice-chancellor Prof Deresh Ramjugernath says the move will help the university improve operational efficiency, innovation and responsiveness amid mounting financial pressures and changing expectations.
Jean Engelbrecht appointed Stellenbosch Wine Routes chair
Stellenbosch Wine Routes has appointed industry veteran Jean Engelbrecht as chairperson of its board of directors, succeeding Michael Ratcliffe, who steps down after nine years in the role.
The appointment was announced at the organisation’s annual general meeting on 21 October 2026, alongside further changes to the board.
Business moves
Time Out launches Pretoria city guide
Time Out has launched Time Out Pretoria, expanding its South African digital city guides beyond Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.
The platform will cover Pretoria’s restaurants, nightlife, arts, culture and neighbourhood attractions, with recommendations curated by local editors and city experts.
Aisha Mohamed, managing director of Time Out South Africa, says the launch aims to showcase the capital’s cultural identity and highlight experiences that make it distinctive.
The launch coincides with Pretoria’s jacaranda season and includes a partnership with Jacaranda FM. Recommendations will feature across five shows, including Breakfast With Martin Bester, The Workzone and The Drive with Rob & Roz, encouraging listeners to explore the city’s local attractions.
Vodacom appoints Publicis Groupe Africa as creative partner
Vodacom South Africa has appointed Publicis Groupe Africa (PGA) as its creative and production partner, effective 1 January 2027, following a competitive pitch process.
The partnership will bring creativity, data, technology and production into a single integrated marketing model aimed at improving efficiency, accelerating innovation and delivering more personalised customer experiences.
Andisa Ntsubane, managing executive of brand, marketing and communications at Vodacom, said the appointment supports the company’s ambition to build a future-ready marketing model as it evolves from a telecommunications provider into a broader technology company.
Koo Govender, CEO of Publicis Groupe Africa, said the group looked forward to building a connected marketing model to support Vodacom’s brand and business growth.
5FM partners with Ultra South Africa for 2027 festival
5FM has partnered with Ultra South Africa as the electronic dance music festival prepares to celebrate its 12th anniversary in 2027.
The festival will take place at The Ostrich in Cape Town on 30 April, followed by the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg on 1 May.
As official radio partner, 5FM will support the festival with exclusive content, artist interviews, line-up announcements, on-air giveaways and social media competitions. Listeners will also have opportunities to win VIP upgrades and access special festival experiences.
The partnership will include an introductory promotion offering 12 tickets to mark the festival’s 12 years, with further listener activations planned in the lead-up to the events. Tickets will be available through Ultra South Africa.
“At 5FM, we’ve always believed that our listeners don’t just follow youth culture, they create it,” says Masi Mdingane, 5FM and Good Hope FM business manager.
“Ultra South Africa is one of the country’s most iconic entertainment experiences, and partnering with the festival for its 12th anniversary feels as natural as killer dance moves are to a pumping beat.
“Together, we’re creating opportunities for our listeners to be part of something unforgettable, as we count down to the hottest dancefloors in Mzansi exploding with sound, colour and vibe.”
DA secures High Court order over missed election broadcasts
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has secured a Gauteng High Court order compelling radio stations that failed to air its allocated Party Election Broadcasts (PEBs) to broadcast the missed advertisements in their remaining unallocated slots.
The order requires the stations to provide written confirmation, transmission logs and recordings within 24 hours of airing the broadcasts.
The DA approached the court against the affected broadcasters and the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) after repeated requests for the regulator’s intervention failed to resolve the matter.
DA federal council chairperson Ashor Sarupen said the missed broadcasts denied voters an opportunity to assess political parties ahead of the local government elections.
The court order also provides for Icasa to take action against broadcasters that failed to meet their legal obligations.
ACA launches Agency Commercial Edge masterclass series
The Association for Communication and Advertising (ACA), in partnership with Don’t Forget to Look, is launching Agency Commercial Edge, a six-part masterclass series designed to help agencies strengthen their commercial skills, win better business and protect the value of their work.
A free online introductory session will take place on 12 November 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00, hosted by Stuart Dunk, agency growth adviser and founder of Don’t Forget to Look, and Gillian Rightford, executive director of the ACA.
The series will cover six areas: positioning, selling, pitching, pricing, procurement and negotiation. It aims to help agencies assess business opportunities, communicate their value, navigate procurement processes and negotiate more effectively.
Rightford says the programme supports the ACA’s efforts to equip agencies with the commercial knowledge needed to build sustainable businesses.
To learn more about the series and what it will cover, register for the free introductory session here.
Betway SA20 season 5: Why King Price is putting the spotlight on umpires
King Price Insurance has renewed its sponsorship of the Betway SA20 for season 5, extending a partnership that brings the insurer’s distinctly South African personality to one of the country’s biggest sporting platforms.
For King Price, returning as the official umpire partner is an opportunity to build on a relationship that connects the brand with the people, passion and shared experiences that make South African sport special.
De Wet van Deventer, head of marketing at King Price Insurance, says the sponsorship is both a valuable investment in South African sport and a natural fit.
“We’re an unapologetically South African brand, and we like to celebrate the things that make us who we are, including our diversity and our shared love for sports. Renewing our sponsorship of the Betway SA20 gives us an opportunity to amplify our previous investment and stay connected with communities and the things they really care about. It goes beyond cricket. It’s about the way people from different backgrounds come together to support their teams.”
The partnership also builds on King Price’s involvement in South African sport across several codes, including schoolboy rugby through the King Price Derby Series, superbikes and cycling. Betway SA20 offers another dimension, combining high-level cricket with a fast-paced format designed to engage established fans and newer audiences alike.
Bellville Business Expo returns to Tyger Valley Centre
The Greater Tygerberg Partnership (GTP), in collaboration with better. together. and the City of Cape Town, will host the fourth annual Bellville Business Expo (BBEXPO) at Tyger Valley Centre on 28 and 29 October 2026.
The expo aims to connect local businesses with consumers and entrepreneurs across Bellville and the Northern Suburbs, showcasing enterprises ranging from artisan food producers and fashion brands to family-focused businesses, start-ups and business service providers.
Held in one of the region’s major retail centres, BBEXPO provides a platform for local businesses to raise their profiles, build relationships and connect with potential customers.
“BBEXPO is about opening doors, giving local businesses access to opportunity while giving communities a chance to discover the incredible talent and enterprise on their own doorstep. When we support local, we strengthen the economy we all share,” says Nasmera Buckus, chief operating officer at GTP.
Positioned as the Northern Suburbs’ annual business expo, the event promotes local enterprise and community engagement under the message “Local is Better”.
DNTF launches WhatsApp channel
The Digital News Transformation Fund (DNTF) has launched a WhatsApp Channel to share updates directly with followers.
The channel will provide information on funding rounds, application deadlines, workshops, webinars, events, Fund news and resources.
Standard Bank partners with One Young World for Cape Town summit
Standard Bank has partnered with One Young World to host its 2026 Summit in Cape Town from 3 to 6 November, bringing together young leaders from more than 190 countries.
The international forum convenes young leaders, business executives, policymakers and changemakers to address global challenges. The Cape Town event marks the Summit’s return to Africa for the first time since Johannesburg hosted it in 2013.
Lungisa Fuzile, Standard Bank’s chief executive for Africa Regions and Offshore, says the partnership reflects the bank’s commitment to investing in young people and the continent’s future growth.
The bank invested R266 million in corporate social investment initiatives across Africa in 2025 and disbursed R615.9 million in student loans in South Africa. Its Graduate Development Programme, established in 1997, welcomed 251 graduates across 11 countries last year.
Prima Toys launches locally developed ZAZI doll brand
Prima Toys has launched ZAZI, a South African-developed doll brand designed to reflect the country’s diversity of skin tones, facial features and natural hair textures.
The toy company says the brand aims to address a gap in the market for high-quality dolls that celebrate African identity, challenging the perception that dolls reflecting African features belong at the lower-priced end of the market.
“South African children have a wonderful diversity of skin tones, facial features and hair textures, yet this is not always reflected meaningfully in the dolls available to them,” says Paul Cook, CEO of Prima Toy and Leisure Trading.
Developed over several months with a manufacturing partner in China, the ZAZI Deluxe Doll features premium-quality vinyl, natural-looking facial features and hair designed for braiding and styling.
Creating the braided hairstyles presented a particular technical challenge, with each braid completed by hand.
Prima Toys says the brand was designed from the outset around South African children, rather than adapting an existing international doll design.
PMI and TIME Studios release second season of climate solutions series
Project Management Institute (PMI) and TIME Studios have released the second season of The Solutionaries, a documentary series examining how climate solutions are developed, scaled and implemented.
All three episodes are available on TIME.com. The series follows innovators and project leaders working to turn ideas into practical solutions across music, maritime decarbonisation and artificial intelligence.
Season two features Adam Gardner and Lauren Sullivan of REVERB, Alisha Fredriksson of Seabound, and Kate Kallot of Amini. Their projects explore how structured project management, collaboration and resource planning can help translate innovation into measurable impact.
Menaka Gopinath, chief marketing officer at PMI, said the series demonstrates how project professionals help turn ambitious ideas into action.
Produced in partnership with TIME Studios and Good is the New Cool, and directed by Edward Buckles Jr., the series examines the work required to move climate solutions from concept to implementation.
The launch comes as a PMI report found that 59% of organisations were still struggling to integrate sustainability fully at project and functional level.
Blok collaborates with Raoul Goetze and Karabo Poppy on public artwork
A once-blank wall in Cape Town’s city centre has been transformed by a larger-than-life leopard surrounded by bold florals, striking patterns and vibrant colour. The artwork occupies a wall in Vredenburg Lane, which connects Long Street to the Company’s Garden via a tiled pedestrian archway.
The mural brings together two South African creatives: illustrator and street artist Karabo Poppy and graphic designer and tattoo artist Raoul Goetze, owner of Palm Black Tattoo.
The project marks another chapter in Blok’s ongoing commitment to transforming urban spaces into places that invite connection, creativity and community.
The story behind the leopard began long before the first brushstroke.
Karabo and Raoul first met in 2017, when Raoul tattooed Karabo. What started as a tattoo appointment grew into a friendship, with the two artists discussing a collaboration for years without knowing what form it would take.
Working across different mediums – Karabo as an illustrator and muralist, and Raoul as a tattoo artist – the pair eventually recognised a shared creative language: bold graphic imagery, animals, flowers and influences drawn from South African visual culture.
Campaign moves
Vodacom launches Let’s Do Summer campaign
Vodacom South Africa has launched its Let’s Do Summer campaign, combining unlimited Vodacom-to-Vodacom minutes, connectivity deals and customer rewards.
The campaign includes Summer Deals, Scratch & Win rewards on VodaPay, Spend & Get offers and the Summer Wishlist, giving customers opportunities to access rewards and experiences throughout the season.
Rishaad Tayob, Consumer Business Unit director at Vodacom South Africa, says the campaign brings together connectivity, value and experiences to help customers make the most of summer.
Profmed launches BeRemarkable documentary series
Profmed has launched BeRemarkable, a documentary series featuring the personal stories of three of its members, highlighting resilience, purpose and the impact individuals can have on their communities.
The three short films focus on professionals who have turned personal adversity into a sense of purpose, with each subject sharing their experiences in their own words. Filmed in South Africa, the series aims to showcase the people behind their professional achievements and the contributions they make beyond their careers.
The initiative forms part of Profmed’s efforts to celebrate its professional member community, extending the focus beyond healthcare to the personal experiences and values that shape individuals’ lives.
“Behind every profession is a person whose story has the power to inspire. BeRemarkable is our way of honouring the South Africans in our community who remind us that the greatest impact often begins with one decision – the decision to help someone else,” the medical scheme said.
All three films are available on the ProfmedSA YouTube channel.
Making moves
The Street Store and NarowBi partner to expand clothing donations
The Street Store has partnered with Johannesburg-based creative brand NarowBi to expand its clothing donation initiative, using music, art, fashion and cultural events to encourage more people to give pre-loved clothing to those in need.
The collaboration marks a new chapter for Clothes for Closure, an initiative that links clothing donations with access to cultural experiences. The concept allows people who miss out on tickets to NarowBi events to gain entry by donating pre-loved clothing.
NarowBi, founded by Vuyo McGlad, brings together music, poetry, art, fashion and lifestyle markets through events featuring established musicians and emerging talent.
“Our platform has always been about celebrating culture and community, and now it is also a channel for real impact,” says McGlad. “Seeing our audiences contribute clothing that will bring dignity to others shows how creativity can spark generosity.”
The partnership launched at NarowBi’s flagship Party + Market event, where a mobile installation directed attendees to clothing donation points. Donors could also leave a voice note or letter with their contributions, adding a personal dimension to the campaign.
Clothing collected is distributed by The Street Store team. The initiative aims to extend the organisation’s reach across South Africa, encouraging more people to donate clothing and establish their own Street Store pop-ups.
The campaign was conceptualised by M+C Saatchi Abel’s young creative team, comprising art director Thapelo Dikotope and copywriter Ndivhu Ralushai, with motion designer Zanozuko Ledwaba.
The next activation, Kids Love Jazz, takes place on 31 October, continuing the partnership’s effort to integrate clothing donations into Johannesburg’s cultural calendar.
World News Media Congress 2027 registration opens
Registration is now open for WAN-Ifra’s World News Media Congress 2027, which will take place from 7 to 9 June at Folkets hus in Stockholm, Sweden.
The event follows the 2026 Congress in Marseille, which brought together 1 300 media leaders from more than 65 countries. Organisers have announced a launch offer for early registrants.
Register here.
