Media Moves… TheMediaOnline’s weekly round. Heidi Brauer leaves Comair; New chair for SAARF; Trigger Isobar appoints new CEO; McDonald’s appoints new marketing director; Strategist for human.kind; SAMRA hires new CEO; Andy Rice ABF’s first patron; Artifact Advertising scores Infiniti; CSA makes BIG TIME; New account for PR Collective. Aegis Media moves to Woodstock; HWB relocates to Cape Quarter. All the moves in media.
Who’s moved where
This week’s BIG move: Heidi Brauer resigns from Comair
Comair’s executive manager of group marketing, Heidi Brauer, has resigned.
“I did indeed resign a week ago from Comair after three and a half years,” Brauer confirmed to TheMediaOnline. “I’ve been blessed to have taken care of British Airways and kulula.com and been part of the team that’s given birth to venture businesses large and small including ‘Daddy’s Deals with love from kulula.com’ and the very special SLOW brand,” she said.
A board member of (MA)SA, Brauer served as marketing director and deputy CEO at Markinor for 12 years. She is a member of the Vega Brand School National Advisory Council, and a member of UNISA Centre of Corporate Brand Citizenship Think Tank.
She says she has “no firm plans yet” about what moves she’ll make from here.
“I love a great adventure and to make change with evidenced-based strategies and mouth-watering comms, and the Comair brands are in a great space now so I’m ready for a new thang that needs love and science and a brave and passionate heart.”
O’Neil new chair of SAARF; Hollis stays on as vice chair
The South African Advertising Research Foundation (SAARF) has a new chairperson at the helm of its Board. The first woman to ever hold this position, Clare O’Neil replaces Sarel du Plessis, CEO of the Marketing Association of South Africa, and chairperson of SAARF since May 2007.
Co-owner and director of integrated outdoor solutions company, MMAP, and a member of the SABC Board, O’Neil has been a mover and shaker in the industry for the past 30 years.
After spending several years with M-Net where she rose through the ranks to become GM of marketing at Oracle Airtime Sales, O’Neil further entrenched her name in the TV arena when she joined the Midi Consortium and its bid for a free-to-air TV broadcasting licence in 1997. As commercial sales director of e.tv, O’Neil was one of the eight people who set up the country’s first private free-to-air channel.
“I am happy to be handing over the reins to such a worthy candidate, Clare has a great deal of experience in the industry and will surely take the foundation to new heights.” says Sarel du Plessis outgoing chairperson of SAARF and CEO of MA(SA).
MA(SA) also congratulated Virginia Hollis, former managing director of The Media Shop in Gauteng, who was elected as the deputy chairperson.
Trigger Isobar South Africa appoints new CEO
Markus Grannenfelt has been appointed CEO of Trigger Isobar South Africa. His responsibilities include driving all digital full service requirements in South Africa. Grannenfelt will be accelerating Trigger Isobar stature in the market by building up the team, processes and client base. He will also be actively involved in growing the Isobar SA & SSA service offering through acquisitions.
“Markus has come with invaluable European agency experience and his knowledge can be shared and implemented across Trigger Isobar in South Africa,” says Dawn Rowlands, CEO, Aegis Media, Sub Saharan Africa, “His experience in digital marketing communications, especially within the Aegis Media culture, will prove him a worthy asset to our company.”
No stranger to digital, Grannenfelt has 16 years of experience in marketing, branding and digital media. Before joining Isobar SA he founded and ran an award winning creative agency called White Sheep Isobar Finland who was acquired by Aegis Media in 2008.
Grannenfelt has been a judge in the Eurobest Awards as well a Chairman of the Golden Drum Awards and Best of The Year (Finland’s equivalent of the Loeries) in the digital categories. He also acted as the chairman of the board for the Finnish Association of Digital Marketing Communication Agencies.
New marketing director for McDonald’s South Africa
McDonald’s South Africa has appointed Daniel Padiachy as marketing director. Padiachy is responsible for delivering strategic marketing for McDonald’s to successfully reach its business goals.
McDonald’s says it recognises the need to remain innovative and relevant to its customers and in the process, is changing the brand and the food perceptions to meet customer expectation.
It is Padiachy’s role to build customer brand trust and awareness. Previously, he was senior marketing and insights manager for McDonald’s South Africa. Padiachy holds an Honours degree in marketing from University of Johannesburg and is currently studying toward an MBA at Wits Business School.
human.kind Advertising appoints strategist
human.kind Advertising has recently appointed Johanni C Jennings to take up the role of strategist at the agency. After completing her BA Communication and BA Honours in marketing management at the University of Johannesburg, Jennings cut her teeth in advertising at Leo Burnett before taking up a position as marketing manager at Toyota SA.
Jennings returned to the agency world as a business unit director at Grey SA, prior to trying her hand at an entrepreneurial venture where she co-owned a small marketing company that operated in the SMME sector. Preceding human.kind, Jennings worked as a strategist at The Jupiter Drawing Room.
Managing director of human.kind, Deon Kruger says, “We’re really excited to have Johanni on board and she joins us with a strong background in her field. Johanni will be part of the team that will see human.kind grow from strength to strength as we stake our claim as one of South Africa’s stronger smaller agencies.”
New CEO for SAMRA
The Southern African Marketing Research Association (SAMRA) has announced the appointment of Leonie Vorster as its new CEO. Formerly the MD of Evolutions Research Solutions, Vorster is also a former SAMRA chair, council member and accredited researcher.
According to SAMRA chair, Prof Adré Schreuder, Vorster’s in-depth knowledge and experience, passion and valuable contributions to the marketing research industry in general, and SAMRA in particular, will benefit the research industry as a whole.
“Research has a powerful voice and it is our intention that it is heard, loud and clear. It is at the forefront of accessing information, making sense of it, and ensuring optimal use of information, to benefit not only industry clients but also the public and broader society. In this context, it is a great honour to take on my new role at this exciting time. The position is not without its challenges, but I am eager and very excited to meet these challenges,” says Vorster.
The Marketing Association of South Africa [MA(SA)], congratulated Leoni Vorster on her election) and said it was looking forward to working closely with the association in order to promote the standard of market research in the industry.
“Research companies play such an important role in the industry by providing independent audience and product research as well as self regulation, which is vital for the industry,” says outgoing MA(SA) CEO, Sarel du Plessis.
Andy Rice becomes first ever Patron of the ABF
Brand expert, advertising guru, commentator and South African industry ‘elder’, Andy Rice has become Patron of the (Advertising Benevolent Fund. He is the first ever patron of the 43 year old fund that is the vital support system behind the advertising, media and marketing industries.
“Andy has long been a loyal supporter of the ABF, both as an individual and in his professional circles,” says Giles Shepherd, executive committee member and past president of the ABF. “He has a deep understanding of the organisation, its goals, as well as sympathy for the challenges it faces, especially in tough economic climates. As Patron we can further rely on his insights and wise counsel.”
The ABF has faced an extremely challenging few years, seeing income drop to record lows, whilst having to rescue a steadily increasing number of people in the industry that are in financial crisis – whether from retrenchment, accident, illness or a host of other causes. A re-think of the structure and strategy of the fund took place, and the intent of the new approach is to drive it back to its former glory.
Who’s won what
Infiniti South Africa appoints Artifact Advertising
Infiniti, the latest luxury car brand to be launched in South Africa this year, has enlisted the services of Artifact Advertising for digital and below-the-line requirements. In addition to below-the-line and launch elements, Artifact Advertising will be overseeing the website, social media and digital marketing requirements for Infiniti South Africa.
“It is fantastic to add the unique luxury vehicle brand – Infiniti – to our stable of clients. We look forward to launching this amazing brand into the market,” says Artifact MD, Andy Taoushiani.
Infiniti will sell its range of sedans, coupes, cabriolets and SUV’s in South Africa from June 2012 while setting up a specialist Infiniti financial Services Division and Infiniti Centres in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town.
CSA set for the BIG TIME
Communication Services Africa, the communication strategist division of Celebrity Services Africa (C.S.A.), has been appointed to manage the full communications strategy for the Artscape BIG TIME! project, a cross-cultural music exchange between South Africa and France.
The BIG TIME! project will see some of Cape Town’s top young jazz talent perform with the internationally acclaimed Paris-based quartet, The Elephants at the Artscape Opera House on Youth Day, 16 June .
The project forms part of a multifaceted bilateral collaboration between France and South Africa which will be jointly organised by both countries, concentrating on culture and the arts but also including sport, trade and novel approaches in the fields of education, sciences and business.
The PR Collective lands the Natalie Chapman account
The PR Collective has announced that it has added the brilliant musician and actor, Natalie Chapman, to its growing list of clients.
“We look forward to this exciting journey with Natalie; she is a brilliant musician and a consummate professional, and we are proud to have her on board,” said Sonet Botes, managing director of The PR Collective.
The business model The PR Collective uses, makes provision for tight control of expenditure on internal day-to-day activities. This allows the company to provide their services at excellent rates. “We are committed to delivering excellent service without breaking the bank, because our clients deserve it,” Botes adds.
Who’s making moves
Aegis Media moves Sub Saharan Africa headquarters
Aegis Media will be moving its headquarters to Upper EastSide in Woodstock, Cape Town at the beginning of June. For the first time, the portfolio of network brands falling under the Aegis Media umbrella – including Carat, Trigger Isobar, iProspect, and Vizeum – will be under one roof.
“We are seeing more of a cross over and integration on campaigns and it makes business sense to have all our skills in one place, not only from an efficiency aspect, but also from a position of creativity,’ said Dawn Rowlands, CEO, Aegis Media, Sub Saharan Africa.
This is particularly beneficial as the media-marketing sector sees the integration of various platforms amongst creative advertising campaigns. All the expertise from the highly qualified and capable team within each brand will be in a single place, making this one of the most powerful creative hot spots in Africa.
Woodstock has a creative hub in South Africa with many advertising and creative agencies running their businesses in the area.
Aegis Media CEO wins Advertising Achiever for 2012
Dawn Rowlands, CEO of Aegis Media Sub-Saharan Africa has won the AdReview 2012 Advertising Achiever of the year. Since being in the driving seat, Rowlands has been responsible for the growth of over 200% in a mere two years between 2009 and 2011 from both revenue and staffing perspectives. Within the group, the biggest growth areas have been Carat, which has increased billings by over 100% and the digital sector of the business, which has grown by over 275% in 24 months.
HWB Communications relocates to Cape Quarter
Cape based public relations consultancy, HWB Communications, recently relocated their headquarters to The Piazza, Cape Quarter in Green Point.
“The Cape Quarter has a pronounced business environment with good benefits for our clients’ accessibility, company and employees, growing our business. Now that we have the perfect location we look to repositioning ourselves in the industry,” says Evelyn Holtzhausen, CEO of HWB.
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