Media Moves… TheMediaOnline’s weekly round up. HMC Seswa and Inzalo Communication merge. Dentsu appoints Jerry Buhlmann as an executive officer. New events manager for Pearl Valley Golf Estates. Patricia Hidalgo is new chief content & creative officer kids, Turner EMEA. HTI appoints marcusbrewster. Urbanhouse Media signs Just Veggies account. VWV lands Red Bull X-Fighters Global Series. New account gain for Liquidlingo. Habari Media and BDFM part ways. Havas Sports & Entertainment strengthens SA operations. Digital advertising in SA is about to get ‘switched on’. Burson-Marsteller announces the launch of Engage Burson-Marsteller in Kenya. Cerebra and the Social Business Conference.
This week’s BIG move: HMC Seswa and Inzalo Communication merge
In a move that flies in the face of the global downsizing trend, Inzalo Communication and HMC Seswa are merging into a larger, single entity called Glasshouse Communication Management.
“In combining two highly successful communication companies we have grown our skills pool, added capacity and expanded our footprint in the industry,” says Bridget von Holdt, MD of Inzalo and now executive director of Glasshouse Communication.
“Our collective experience encompasses all areas of communication, from strategy and planning to public relations, events and reputation management.”
Von Holdt’s career in communication has spanned three decades in all areas of the industry, with several award winning campaigns and accolades under her belt. Together, these two companies form a formidable and experienced team.
HMC Seswa, a subsidiary company of marketing investments group, Mazole Holdings, which is owned by marketing communication specialist Johanna McDowell and broadcaster businessman Dan Moyane, has focused its PR activity into the technical and technology sectors since its inception in 1984.
“Past experience alone doesn’t cut it in this industry, though,” says McDowell. “It’s all about delivery at the highest level and evolving within a rapidly changing arena. We believe that with Glasshouse, we have brought together the skills and aptitude to do that.”
With a range of services that includes media relations, competitive analysis, internal communication, product promotion, media training and specialist writing for on and offline platforms, Glasshouse brings a sleek and efficient operation to clients looking for a competitive edge.
Who’s moved where
Dentsu appoints Jerry Buhlmann as an executive officer
Dentsu has announced that, following a meeting of its Board of Directors in Tokyo, it has appointed Jerry Buhlmann, CEO of the Dentsu Aegis Network and Aegis Media, as an executive officer of Dentsu.. Buhlmann’s role will be to contribute to the business strategy of Dentsu’s global strategy outside of Japan and to drive further growth in this arena.
Buhlmann will take up his new position 1 July 2013. He is the second non-Japanese executive officer in Dentsu’s history. He continues to report to Tim Andree, director and executive vice president of Dentsu.
Commenting on the appointment, Tadashi Ishii, CEO of Dentsu, said: “I am delighted to announce the appointment of Jerry Buhlmann as an executive officer of Dentsu. His vision and strong leadership have been the backbone to delivering Aegis Media’s growth and I am certain that he will contribute to the success of our business outside Japan. I have deep faith and respect for him and I am excited about the journey ahead together.”
Buhlmann says he is “very pleased to be appointed as an Executive Officer at Dentsu. Since the completion of the merger with Dentsu at the end of March 2013, the commonality of vision and strategy we share has enabled us to bring our companies closer together at speed and it is already enabling us to deliver truly global solutions for our clients. I look forward to working more closely with my colleagues at Dentsu Inc. to realize our global communications ambitions.”
New events manager for Pearl Valley Golf Estates
Leading lifestyle and golf destination Pearl Valley Golf Estates has announced the appointment of Bianca Aucamp as events manager, spearheading a new focus on corporate and charity golf days, tournaments, conferencing and on-site events.
Aucamp was marketing and events manager at Moyo Stellenbosch before she joined Pearl Valley Golf Estates as leisure and banqueting manager, her experience in catering and restaurant management providing an invaluable foundation in the hospitality industry.
“We are delighted to add Bianca to our exceptional team, where her broad experience in events, leisure and banqueting coincides with Pearl Valley’s focus on corporate golf events, conferencing and team building,” says Pearl Valley Golf Estates GM Gawie Marx.
Patricia Hidalgo is new chief content & creative officer kids, Turner EMEA
Patricia Hidalgo will join Turner International as senior vice president and chief content and creative officer kids for Turner Broadcasting System EMEA effective from 1July 2013.
Most recently vice president content and programming strategy for The Walt Disney Company EMEA, Hidalgo will be Turner’s editorial head for its strong portfolio of kids content and channel brands in Europe, Middle East and Africa. She will oversee all centrally-funded programming (acquisitions, co-productions, originals); channel branding; franchise and research initiatives; and editorial compliance across multiple platforms and formats.
“I am delighted to join Turner at what I believe is a very exciting time for the company,” said Hidalgo. “I am looking forward to working with what I know to be very talented and creative people in the kids TV industry and continue to bring fun and smiles to kids wherever they are, for this is what we all do best!”
Who’s won what
HTI appoints marcusbrewster
Hospitality and tourism industry specialist HTI Consulting has appointed marcusbrewster as its PR agency of record. The award-winning firm will manage a spread of communication channels integrating publicity and media relations with other marketing support services to further HTI’s business expansion.
“HTI Consulting specialises in the gathering, analysis and interpretation of sensitive market and financial data and the production of market and financial feasibility and viability studies, business plans, marketing strategies and project concepts for integrated resort, hotel, residential, real estate, leisure and conference developments” says CEO Wayne Troughton.
Chairman Marcus Brewster says the company is “excited to represent HTI because we share similar professional values and because they are the pre-eminent hotel and tourism consulting firm in Africa and the Middle East”.
Urbanhouse Media signs Just Veggies account
KZN based media agency UrbanHouse Media has been appointed by Vryheid-based agri-processing company Just Veggies to manage communications and publicity.
Just Veggies, jointly owned by Lex Campbell and ex-Springbok and Sharks player and coach Dick Muir, is at the forefront of a groundbreaking initiative that sees previously disadvantaged farmers of the greater Vryheid area signing a tri-partite agreement with the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) on behalf of the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF), Just Veggies and themselves.
The joint venture will create approximately 1 000 jobs in the area while empowering local farmers with long term skills, good farming practices and the sound financial know how needed to manage profitable farming businesses in the future.
VWV lands Red Bull X-Fighters Global Series
Leading brand experience agency VWV has been appointed to stage the Red Bull X-Fighters Global Series on 7 September this year. VWV’s award winning concepts and existing relationship with Red Bull secured it a place in the worldwide challenge to execute the Red Bull X-Fighter finale; the last stop of the world tour.
This is the first time the event will be staged in sub-Saharan Africa and the tour is the world’s most prestigious and challenging freestyle motocross competition.
Determined to secure the job, VWV went to Australia during the pitch phase to see the Sydney version of the event. A VWV team also went to Dubai to experience the event there, to better understand the requirements of the job at hand and ensure VWV was able to execute to the same international standards.
VWV has secured the necessary approvals to stage the event at the Union Buildings in Pretoria and the iconic location will be transformed into an impressive freestyle motocross track, ensuring that Red Bull SA exceeds global expectations. An unusual setting for an event of this nature, hosting it at the feet of the magnificent Union Buildings is made even more special by the fact that this icon is celebrating its centennial this year.
New account gain for Liquidlingo
The Association for Dietetics in South Africa (Adsa) has appointed liquidlingo Communications as their agency of record, to consolidate and drive all their PR efforts.
Adsa is the professional organisation for Registered Dietitians in South Africa and assists in the development of the dietetic profession. The association is working towards achieving optimal nutrition for all South Africans and the communications strategy will align to that objective and focus on promoting “If it’s about nutrition, ask a dietitian”.
Who’s making moves
Habari Media and BDFM part ways
It is with regret that Habari Media and BDFM Publishers announce the conclusion of their successful sales partnership, effective end June 2013. This move is the result of Times Media Group’s (TMG) recent acquisition of the remaining 50% stake from Pearson Overseas Holdings in April this year.
“The full acquisition of BDFM by TMG will allow for economies of scale, an integrated operations platform and operational synergies, and will permit BDFM, under unified ownership, to accelerate its digital transformation,” TMG said in an announcement on the JSE news service SENS.
Habari Media has represented BDFM Publishers’ online sales in South Africa for over four years, and played an integral role in the growth and continued development of the group’s digital properties; from the re-launch of BDLive in August 2012 and the re-launched FM in June 2012, to the unveiling of the BDFM iPad and iPhone app in July 2011. The company succeeded in consistently growing BDFM online advertising revenue by an impressive 50% year on year.
Havas Sports & Entertainment strengthens SA operations
Global brand engagement network Havas Sports & Entertainment (HS&E) has announced the strengthening of its South African operations following the integration of local sport and entertainment company, Maverick Experience Exhilarator, into the existing HS&E South Africa team.
Maverick specialises in sports marketing, sponsorship activation, events and brand experiences, and boasts an impressive client roster including brands such as Cell C, M-Net, MTN, Old Mutual, FNB, the T20 ICC Cricket World Cup, SuperSport, Standard Bank, EA Sports, FIFA, Cricket South Africa, the DLF IPL and the International Cricket Council. Maverick has an extensive track record in major events, particularly in the cricket world through the International T20 Cricket and the Cricket World Cup, as most notably, for their work in creating the Standard Bank Pro 20 cricket series competition.
“As a fast growing sports and entertainment network present worldwide, it was appropriate for us to be looking to expand in South Africa. Maverick’s positioning in the market and culture made it the logical choice,” says Lynn Madeley, CEO of Havas Southern Africa.
Andrew Ross, MD of Maverick, will assume the role of managing director of HS&E South Africa as of 1 July 2013, taking over from Brad Jansen who, after four years leading the South African team, will assume a global position within the HS&E network based in Atlanta, USA, focusing on global clients including The Coca-Cola Company. Brad leaves behind a strong legacy in terms of the existing client roster and talent recruitment, leaving strong foundations for Andrew and his team.
Digital advertising in SA is about to get ‘switched on’
New on the South African ad-serving scene is a holistic adserver called Switch. Already serving 50 billion ad impressions per month, Switch is a fast growing platform that enables digital publishers to drive revenue within the real-time market for online advertising. With its highly evolved real-time bidding tool, Switch brings advertisers into contact with targeted inventory, resulting in more effective ad spend and increased ROI.
Introducing the Switch platform in South Africa is a newly formed company called AddSwitch, which has secured the exclusive rights to market the Switch technology platform throughout Africa. AddSwitch is headed up by veteran of the digital advertising landscape in SA, Chris Wilson. Formerly the MD of Trafica and sales director of Thumbtribe, Chris Wilson has over 20 years of experience across a multitude of business sectors including financial, telecommunication and media & advertising industries.
“With digital advertising spend in South Africa already growing at a rapid pace, the ecosystem is ripe for a holistic adserving solution that effectively matches demand and supply – in real time,” says Wilson, who sees the challenge as lying in effective targeting and achieving the best return on investment.
Burson-Marsteller announces the launch of Engage Burson-Marsteller in Kenya
Burson-Marsteller, a leading global public relations and communications firm, today announced a new exclusive partnership in Kenya with the creation of Engage Burson-Marsteller.
“Launching Engage Burson-Marsteller is an important part of our African growth strategy and augments our 2011 acquisition of a majority stake in Arcay Communications in South Africa following a successful five year affiliate relationship. Arcay Burson-Marsteller Africa is the leading network across the African continent and we will continue to develop similar partnerships in key African markets over the coming years,” said Don Baer, Worldwide Chairman & CEO of Burson-Marsteller.
”The Kenyan economy is vibrant and dynamic and following the peaceful elections earlier this year, the economic outlook is very positive. The agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, construction, energy and communication sectors are all growing strongly and Engage Burson-Marsteller is uniquely positioned to service the communication needs of businesses operating in these areas in Kenya,” commented Jeremy Galbraith, CEO Burson-Marsteller Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) and Worldwide Vice Chairman of Strategy.
Cerebra and the Social Business Conference
Following the success of the inaugural Social Business Summit last year, sponsors Cerebra and WyseTalk have confirmed that Dion Hinchcliffe, Chief Strategy Officer of Dachis Group, will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Social Business Africa conference.
Social Business Africa empowers business decision makers with insights and practical tools to transform their organisations from the inside out, and capitalise on the disruptive nature of social customers, employees, and technologies.
Hinchcliffe joins the continent’s leading thinkers Mark Kaigwa, Mike Stopforth, Gys Kappers, Craig Rodney and Mike Wronski for presentations and practical workshops covering social business strategy, collaborative technology, social business governance, social media marketing, social leadership and more.
“As brands scramble to gain ground in social media, there is an ever-widening gap between what they promise and what they can deliver at a business level,” says Mike Stopforth, CEO of Cerebra. “To be effective social brands, companies first need to learn to be social businesses. We are incredibly excited to have Dion join us at this year’s conference – his experience and thinking will be invaluable to African business leaders.”
The full day conference is scheduled to take place on 20 August in The Forum at The Campus in Bryanston, Johannesburg. Tickets are R1 500 (excl. VAT) and are available from www.socialbusinessafrica.com.
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