Media Moves… TheMediaOnline’s weekly round up. WV Appoints Koo Govender as CEO. Mail&Guardian makes structural changes in editorial roles. Thriving John Brown Media digital division makes appointments. Staff appointment at marcusbrewster Jhb. Primall Media promotes from within. Appointments and achievements at Steenberg. FIVESTAR PR takes on Casa Labia. Habari XL re-signs with Glocell. German Embassy hires Glass Slipper Communications. Joe Public launches new agency model Joe Publicn in Cape Town. A Goliath undertaking
This week’s BIG move: VWV appoints Koo Govender as CEO
Brand experience agency, the VWV Group, has announced Koo Govender’s appointment as the first female CEO in its 30-year history. Govender, who is currently the director of corporate marketing and communications at M-Net, will take over the reins in September.
“Koo’s combination of business and marketing acumen coupled with her experience with high profile events and stakeholder relationship management is unrivalled,” says founder and chairman of the group, Mark Steinhobel. “She has all the right credentials to lead a strong organisation like VWV, and brings a unique perspective at a time when we are expanding into new markets and launching new platforms like those offered by VWV Massive.”
During her 22-year career at M-Net, Govender held various positions including on-air marketing, creative services marketing manager for DStv/MultiChoice, and marketing director: SA & Africa Channels. She has also directed the portfolio for sponsorships, viewer competitions, and Group events and has been the official spokesperson for M-Net since 2008.
She has been a semi-finalist for the Most Influential Woman in 2010: Media category – CEO Magazine; Finalist for 2012 Most Influential Women in Business and Government Awards – CEO Magazine; and is a regular judge for awards likes the Shoprite Checkers Women of the Year and CEO Magazine Women of the Year.
“I consider myself fortunate to have the opportunity to lead a company that has carved its niche in the industry over the last 30 years; an organisation that is highly awarded and respected. I am confident I can bring my experience, strengths, and positive energy to drive the business forward to even greater levels of achievement,” says Govender.
Who’s moved where
Mail&Guardian makes structural changes in editorial roles
The Mail&Guardian has appointed Chris Roper appointed as editor in chief, and Angela Quintal as editor of the newspaper following Nic Dawes resignation to move to India to edit a newspaper there. Peter Vundla, chairman of M&G Media, said Roper would drive the newspaper’s digital first strategy. Quintal will leave her current position as editor of The Witness to lead the newspaper.
Dawes said he “couldn’t be happier wiith the choice of Chris and Angela to take forward the project of building an M&G that is ready for the demands of the future, while remaining rooted in an extraordinary journalistic tradition”.
Vundla said the structural shift was designed to complement the newspaper’s “strategic imperatives” necessitated by the newspaper’s “rapidly growing digital audience”. He said M&G Media needed to “create a sound business model for quality journalism to thrive”.
Verashni Pillay, M&G Online deputy editor, has been promoted to associate editor and Alistair Fairweather, head of digital platforms, has been promoted to chief technology officer.
Thriving John Brown Media digital division makes appointments
John Brown Media has announced the appointment of two digital talents to strengthen its dedicated team. Sue Disler joins as general manager (digital) and Luke Peters will take up role of digital publisher – their exceptional digital capabilities will enable John Brown Media to better service their growing client portfolio.
“July has been a busy month here at John Brown Media – we’ve extended our office space to open a buzzing new office dedicated solely to digital, launched our fresh new website and invested in hiring new digital talent. With the addition of Sue and Luke we will further cement our positioning as platform-neutral content marketing experts. I’m thrilled to welcome Sue and Luke to our team,” says Lani Carstens, MD of John Brown Media South Africa.
Disler joins John Brown Media with more than 20 years of experience, ranging from the advertising and marketing fields, through to designer, art director and strategist; with the last 16 years largely dedicated to digital.
As the new digital publisher, Peters will focus specifically on the business unit responsible for two of John Brown Media’s biggest clients, namely Edgars Club and Discovery. Peters joins the team following a stint at Quirk Digital Marketing’s Johannesburg office, where he headed up a large team and managed a prominent client base including FMCG, Tourism and Financial industries.
Follow Sue Disler on Twitter at @suediz and Luke Peters at @Luke_Peters1.
Primall Media promotes from within
Primedia Unlimited’s premium mall advertising division, Primall Media, has announced the promotion of Deshendri Reddy to Gauteng sales manager.
“Deshendri has been with Primall Media for close on five years and has developed into a very valuable member of our sales team and a well respected media sales person,” says Primall Media’s executive head of sales and marketing, Lee Curtis.
“Her ability to interpret a client’s brief and bring it to fruition, build relationships and nurture and lead staff, together with her fantastic work ethic and values made her an obvious choice for the position.”
Staff appointment at marcusbrewster Jhb
Chamaign Mailula has joined the Johannesburg office of marcusbrewster in the position of Candidate PR. A graduate of the University of Johannesburg, Mailula holds a National Diploma in Public Relations and Communications.
During her studies, Mailula gained work shadow experience as a writer/researcher for online publication Showbizz and completed a nine-month internship at Mindshare South Africa. She was also Project Manager for the University’s Students Public Relations Association and did community service for Botha Ba Rona.
“Chamaign’s multi-disciplinary in-service training experience makes her a good fit for a busy office such as ours. We look forward to her growing with the company,” says Johannesburg account director Monica Braganca.
Appointments and achievements at Steenberg
Premier Cape Winelands destination, Steenberg, has made two recent appointments, with Ronel Smidt appointed as manager of Catharina’s Restaurant, and Jackie Quail as the estate’s event and functions coordinator.
Quail was appointed as events and functions co-ordinator at Steenberg in March 2013. In her short time at Steenberg, she has made an impact with her excellent organisational skills and charisma.
“I love creating ‘happy moments’ and find it incredibly rewarding to organise an event in which people have a great time,” says Jackie, who lists her career highlights as working on the Harry Potter premiere in London in Trafalgar Square and getting to meet the cast, and travelling to Spain to construct a “fairy forest” wedding from scratch.
“The blend of experience and vigour in the team is a great asset to Steenberg, which is the Cape’s oldest farm but presents a unique, contemporary style & ambiance,” says Anetha Homan, marketing manager at Steenberg.
Who’s won what
FIVESTAR PR takes on Casa Labia
Luxury hospitality specialist FIVESTAR PR has been appointed by Casa Labia to drive a PR campaign to raise the profile of this landmark on Muizenberg’s historical mile. The former residence of the Count and Countess Natale Labia, it has been restored by the Labia family and re-opened in 2010 as one of Cape Town’s – if not South Africa’s – foremost multi-functional cultural centres.
Built in 1929 to reflect the spirit of 18th century Venice, the treasured national monument with its tranquil gardens and glorious sea views is home to a contemporary South African art gallery; the afro-chic CasBah Design Boutique; and the celebrated Italian café and terrace, managed by legendary Cape Town chef, Judy Badenhorst.
Habari XL renews contract with Glocell
Habari XL and GloCell have announced that they have extended their existing contract for the production of the incredibly popular branded bulk airtime vouchers.
Habari XL initially teamed up with GloCell at the beginning of 2012, bringing together Habari’s expertise in mobile media and one of South Africa’s leading national cellular retail groups. The result was the hugely popular branded bulk airtime voucher, a medium that provides advertisers with the unique ability to connect with the notoriously hard-to-reach mass market.
In terms of the contract, GloCell provides Habari XL with the exclusive media sales house rights to brand up to 30 000 000 bulk vouchers per month, for distribution either regionally or nationally.
German Embassy hires Glass Slipper Communications
Rivonia-based PR agency, Glass Slipper Communications, has been appointed to assist the German Embassy, Southern African, the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as various participative German institutions and companies, in the publicity and marketing requirements of German Weeks 2013.
The agency has been working closely with the involved stakeholders over the past six weeks, in formulating an effective and creative through-the-line campaign. This with a plan to raise interest levels in, and awareness of Germany today, alive and thriving in South Africa.
A core focus of the public relations strategy will be to showcase and communicate, amongst others, an authentic and multi-faceted image of modern Germany. Key audience messaging will be tailored towards predetermined themes, encompassing lifestyle, politics, business, technology and CSR.
Comprising of the hosting of a number of vibrant events; German Weeks 2013 will commence on 12 September 2013 and conclude at the end of October.
Who’s making moves
Joe Public launches new agency model Joe Publicn in Cape Town
True to its growth positioning, communications group Joe Public has over the past months wanted to extend its resources into Cape Town after a break from the region. As of the 01 July, Joe Public n officially opens its doors for business. The new Cape Town office is an integrated agency that will be expanding its offerings to include a full communications complement over the coming months starting from day one with a strong digital competency at its core.
Joe Public n, means to the power of next and is positioned as the future model of agency integration. In an industry where 360° integrated communications are becoming more prevalent to meet client needs. Joe Public n’s new way of thinking and unique operating model means the Group is heeding client’s calls.
The new business offering will be led by managing director Franco Raffa, the Creative Department will be headed by creative director Leon Jacobs and digital will be supported by digital director Shawn Roos and digital creative Wayne Ashley Berry. Joe Public n’s vision is to operate in a new way, offering clients integrated, measurable, strategically led solutions to ensure growth of their business.
Joe Public n has partnered with existing digital relationship agency Knnktr, currently lead by Raffa and supported by Roos and Berry. Knnktr are specialists in accountable digital platforms and will now operate under the new Joe Public n banner.
A Goliath undertaking
After 10 years in the corporate world Jason Goliath has leveraged his understanding of both business and entertainment to create corporate content and workshops that are unlike anything else out there. His experience as a facilitator, a motivational speaker and as a comedian allows him to infuse business messages into a performance that educates staff whilst also motivating and entertaining them.
GOLIATH&GOLIATH has over the past two years expanded this niche to provide a range of top corporates with a host of content, communications and advertising services.
Most recently Goliath hosted an internal team-building session for Standard Bank and the team was also awarded a contract from Vodacom to create a roadshow and content strategy to motivate and inspire employees across South Africa. GOLIATH&GOLIATH conceptualised the concept of the Red Hot or Not game show, which will be broadcast across Vodacom’s intranet and will travel across the country engaging with thousands of employees.
GOLIATH&GOLIATH is, in fact, a holistic comedy and entertainment driven agency that provides event management, motivational and inspirational presentations and workshops, comedic talent for events, above and below the line communication material as well as content for social media platforms.
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