Media Moves… TheMediaOnline’s weekly round up. Memeburn appoints new editor. Dan Nash joins Ogilvy PR Cape Town. Social entrepreneur at helm of one of SA’s largest agencies. Ross Chowles is appointed to the international board of directors for One Club. Cato Bekker steps down from the Smile Drive on 90.4FM. Marketing professor new dean of GIBS. Atmosphere Communications awarded Taj Hotel Cape Town account. Respublica appoints Tribeca Public Relations. VBN Consultants wins ChesaNyama. BBC.com to sponsor IAB Digital Summit. Sunday Times launches its own radio show with David O’Sullivan. NAB Digital and Habari Media grows hyper local digital product offering. A first in South Africa’s sponsorship and experiential marketing industry. Travelstart buys Satisfly. Dialdirect repositions and overhauls brand. Industry heavyweights back Markex 2015. Huawei scores rugby’s big five. Windhoek Light commits to boosting multisport in South Africa. IAS and IMM announce strategic partnership. Branding-Institute launches new tool for an overview and qualitative assessments of brand and reputation rankings. Turner rebrands boomerang globally.
Who’s moved where
Memeburn appoints new editor
eNCA’s Tech Report creator and former Bloomberg journalist André-Pierre du Plessis has joined the Burn Media group of sites as Memeburn.com’s managing editor.
Burn Media is an independent, award-winning online publishing operation which publishes tech-related content covering a wide variety of themes for South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria. It publishes Memeburn (digital trends), Ventureburn (startup ecosystems), Gearburn (gadget and app reviews), Motorburn (car technology) and runs a job site for the digital industry called Jobsburn.
Du Plessis, a Columbia journalism graduate, created Tech Report, a successful tech-news TV show that has broadcast over 500 episodes on eNCA (DStv 403). Previously Du Plessis worked alongside Media24’s editorial leadership to drive the digital transformation of its print brands. In his most recent position with the company, he spearheaded the expansion of its video operations.
“It’s exciting to join a forward-looking, entrepreneurial team who has over a very short period of time gained an incredible reputation for the work they do,” said Du Plessis. “That’s important at a time when publishers struggle to be profitable online. Legacy and new media companies are on a level playing field right now. By staying nimble and getting our house in order for the next growth phase, Memeburn can only excel. I’m incredibly lucky to fill the big shoes Michelle Atagana left behind and to work with this company’s founder: Matthew Buckland.”
2015 is a growth year for Burn Media as it will be extending its online business into physical events, broadcasting and print.
Dan Nash joins Ogilvy PR Cape Town
One of South Africa’s best young creative talents in the digital space, Dan Nash, has joined Ogilvy Public Relations (Ogilvy PR) in Cape Town as creative director.
Ogilvy PR CT managing director, Carol Gallarelli, said the company had been working informally with Nash for a while and she was delighted to be able to bring him on board full-time. “Dan represents a big step forward for us in building a top class in-house creative team which can operate across all the output areas demanded in contemporary PR.”
Nash had six years’ experience in the agency world before moving on to independent projects including creating and editing the highly successful Bangers & Nash blog. He said “the timing is perfect for a move back into what is now a new and exciting world of agency PR work in social/digital spaces”.
Social entrepreneur at helm of one of SA’s largest agencies
Well known social entrepreneur and businessman, Thabang Skwambane, has been appointed managing director of FCB Joburg. Skwambane joins FCB Joburg as a shareholder of Threefold Creative, a multimedia and technology business that brings together a multi-disciplinary team of highly talented creative to deliver audio, visual and sensory experiences.
In addition to that, he is the chairman and founder of The Lonely Road Foundation, which enables rural communities to take care of orphans and vulnerable children.
Welcoming Skwambane to the FCB fold, Group CEO Brett Morris praised his business acumen and social commitment. “Thabang is an extraordinary person, a man who has not only succeeded as a businessman but one who has done so without neglecting the plight of those less fortunate than himself.
“FCB believes this mix of capitalism and philanthropy is what is needed today to ensure FCB Joburg’s sustainability. It is our goal to continue to make a positive contribution to our clients’ businesses while never losing sight of the challenges facing this country and doing what we can do to make it a better place.”
Ross Chowles is appointed to the international board of directors for One Club
The One Club, producers of the One Show Awards and Creative Week, have appointed Ross Chowles of The Jupiter Drawing Room (Cape Town) to its International board of directors. The international board has been established for the first time since its inception in 1976 and features 10 new members from nine different countries.
The One Club is a non-profit advertising organisation whose main mission is to promote creative excellence through recognition and education.
Chowles, creative strategist at The Jupiter Drawing Room, is privileged to take up this position and represent Africa. “As The One Club Director in Africa, I’ll not only be promoting One Show Awards, but also replicating the workshops taking place in China for black talent in Africa.”
Cato Bekker steps down from the Smile Drive on 90.4FM
Cato Bekker, the fun, quick-witted, passionate and curious presenter of 90.4FM’s Smile Drive each afternoon has said goodbye to her listeners tomorrow. For two years Bekker and Maurice Carpede having been smiling, laughing and playing music from 3pm-6pm as Cape Town drives home from work. Bekker has served as the show’s producer and co-presenter.
“I’ve had so much fun at Smile and the listeners have been great to me,” said Bekker. “But, it’s time to move on and I’m eager to see what opportunities await me.”
As Bekker considers her next radio stop, she happily continues her work as a TV presenter for JAM! on KykNet Musiek, a one of a kind music TV program aired on Sunday nights, doing voiceover work, and updating her blog at www.hellocato.com.
Marketing professor new dean of GIBS
Professor Nicola Kleyn, the current deputy dean, has been appointed as dean of GIBS. This appointment is effective from 1 April 2015. Steyn obtained her BCom, BCom (Hons) and MBA degrees at the University of the Witwatersrand, and held lecturing positions at Wits and Midrand Campus before becoming head of the marketing division in the department of business economics at Wits.
She spent a period of time in commerce, where she was head of learning and development at Investec before returning to academia when she joined GIBS at its inception in 2000. She completed her Doctorate at the University of Pretoria, before being promoted to associate professor in marketing, where her particular interests were in the areas of marketing strategy, customer focus, branding and ethics.
Who’s won what
Atmosphere Communications awarded Taj Hotel Cape Town account
Award-winning communications agency, Atmosphere Communications has been appointed to manage strategy and media relations for luxury 5-star hotel, Taj Cape Town.
Willie Williams, director of sales and marketing says, “We were looking for an agency that can provide strategic input, build on our media profile and deliver impactful results. Atmosphere is a great fit for us and will be a vital channel for communicating our news and any exciting developments both locally and internationally.”
Nicola Nel, managing director of Atmosphere Communications says, “We are delighted to be awarded the Taj Cape Town account. This prestige hotel, a member of Leading Hotels of the World, links in well with our established travel, leisure and hotel clients, which include Singita, Gold Reef City, Silverstar Casino, Comair, British Airways (operated by Comair) and kulula, and is aligned with our expertise set in this industry.”
Respublica appoints Tribeca Public Relations
Tribeca Public Relations has welcomed Respublica, South Africa’s leading developer, owner and manager of student accommodation, to its client base. Respublica’s property portfolio comprises purpose built student accommodation residences in Johannesburg and Pretoria, and the company is in the midst of aggressive growth plans to develop additional residences across the country.
Tribeca won the Respublica account in a competitive pitch process, with the account managed by a team of four consultants, led by senior account Director Nicola Tarr.
“Respublica is a great example of how Tribeca’s client base diversified significantly during 2014, as we welcomed a number of new clients across various industry sectors over the year,” says Cian Mac Eochaidh, co-owner of Tribeca Public Relations.
VBN Consultants wins ChesaNyama
Val Bourdos Nichas, founder of VBN Consultants, recently added the Gold Brands stable of franchises to her portfolio. Based on Nichas’ extensive fast-food experience, VBN Consultants has been tasked with developing a top-line overarching strategy for the group, comprising ChesaNyama, 1+1 Pizza, Pitaland and Wild Wings & Ribs, together with the development of a detailed brand strategy for ChesaNyama. With 260 stores, of which 110 opened in 2014 and ambitious expansion plans for 2015, Nichas will work with ChesaNyama to maximize process during its growth phase.
Who’s making moves
Sunday Times launches its own radio show with David O’Sullivan
South Africa’s biggest selling weekend paper, the Sunday Times, has announced the launch of its own radio show, a broadcast extension of the paper that will offer exclusive content to its listeners. The show, presented by popular radio talk show host, David O’Sullivan, started broadcasting on Sunday on Times Media’s radio assets RISE fm and Vuma 103 FM.
The Sunday Times Show, broadcast every Sunday from 9am-10am, will contain a mix of news and lifestyle content that includes exclusive, behind-the-scenes interviews, regular features and in-depth discussions with the Sunday Times’ journalists about the news stories in the paper.
BBC.com to sponsor IAB Digital Summit
IAB South Africa has announced that BBC.com has come on board as the official sponsor of what is set to be the South African digital industry’s most prestigious event, the IAB Digital Summit. This high profile sponsorship is indicative of the calibre of the inaugural event, which will showcase compelling content and insights from globally renowned thought leaders and digital professionals.The summit will bring together industry leaders to discuss the latest thinking around digital marketing to stimulate learning and commerce within the digital space.
In addition, the IAB South Africa have announced that 2015 is set to be a watershed year for the 2015 IAB South Africa Bookmark Awards, owing to a record-breaking 30% increase in the number of entries. The annual awards is now in its seventh year of recognising the brightest and best in digital creative work and execution that delivers measurable results.
“We are excited to award South Africa’s world class digital talent, and to launch what is set to be one of the most anticipated annual events on the digital industry’s calendar. We have secured the top thinkers in the industry, who will undoubtably inspire all those who attend,” says Josephine Buys, CEO IAB SA.
The IAB Digital Summit takes place on the 19 February 2015 at the Turbine Hall in Newtown Precinct, Johannesburg. It will be followed by the IAB Bookmarks Awards.
NAB Digital and Habari Media grows hyper local digital product offering
NAB Digital and Habari Media, in partnership with Where2GetIt, have extended their digital retail advertising solutions with the launch of store locator and local pages technology solutions. A localised video platform for advertisers has also launched, which converts online traffic into in-store traffic.
“Consumers shop locally and we’re committed to offering businesses that have multiple locations comprehensive digital solutions that talk to their local or immediate catchment areas,” says Marc du Plessis, general manager for NAB Digital. “Our new offerings will allow retailers and advertisers to communicate hyper locally through video and static online platforms.”
“All retailers have store locators built into their websites, but very often they’re not user friendly, mobile friendly or most importantly, visible to search engines,” says Marc. “With our exclusive partners in the USA, Where2GetIt, we’re able to create a unique local page for each and every retail store which turbo charges that business’s visibility to search engines.”
The Where2getit Store Locator and Local Pages solution offers accurate geocoding (the process of converting street addresses or other locations to GPS coordinates); provides driving directions; is customisable for mobile, tablet and social networks and shows consumers the closest stores to them.
A first in South Africa’s sponsorship and experiential marketing industry
After months of planning and discussions, an exciting development has been revealed to the industry with four competing, market-leading sponsorship and experiential agencies in South Africa merging to form a new entity that will be known as the Openfield Group.
The four competitors – Matchworld, RE Experience Architects, Openfield Cape Town and Trinergy – will now operate as one agency, named Openfield. Openfield will consolidate the best aspects and practices of the four agencies to offer marketing solutions to its clients. Openfield specialises in building emotional bonds between brands and people in the environments of sponsorship, brand experiences and corporate social investment.
“Forget all the fancy jargon and marketing speak, what I can say is that this group brings together some of the finest practitioners in this industry, together with many young, new age thinkers that are our future,” says group managing director, Franco Barocas.
“It is really exciting to be involved in this unique venture that will define and implement some paradigm shifts in this market. Change is coming and everyone, especially our clients, will reap the benefits.”
Openfield has offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town with a staff complement of 50 passionate and energetic people and an affiliate office in Durban, along with access to an African network in 15 countries. The experience, pedigree and expertise of the team spans across many blue chip brands on a local and global stage. Openfield’s clients include Vodacom, Engen, SABMiller, Nedbank, AFGRI, Distell, Black Knight International and J.P. Morgan.
Travelstart buys Satisfly
Travelstart has acquired the Hong Kong based social intelligence company Satisfly, for an undisclosed sum. Satisfly was launched in 2008 by Sergio Mello and Edoardo Serra. Mello now joins Travelstart in the dual position of head of innovation, while remaining CEO of Satisfly.
Travelstart’s latest acquisition empowers the Cape Town headquartered OTA to create more meaningful experiences for their customers through social media data as they continue their expansion in African and Middle-Eastern markets. Through Satisfly, Travelstart will implement social login functionality on their websites (such as Facebook login), allowing them to gain valuable insights into the way customers interact with the site across various channels, as well as be more relevant with client-facing deals. In addition, Satisfly are currently rolling out mobile apps for the company.
“Satisfly’s technology will allow us to make sense of our immense social data,” says Stephan Ekbergh, Travelstart’s Founder. “Going forward, we will know where our customers normally want to go even before they ask, giving us the ability to cut through the clutter and provide them with personalised offers.”
“The acquisition is important as it allows Travelstart to capitalize on the data part of social media in addition to the direct marketing part of it,” said Mello. “Travelstart will have access to Satisfly’s technology to create relevant experiences for their customers.”
Dialdirect repositions and overhauls brand
Dialdirect has given its brand positioning a complete overhaul with a promise to offer consumers insurance made easy. “We’ve always strived to make our customer’s lives simpler. We’ve now redefined this purpose so that we can offer our customers an even faster, more effective and more reliable insurance offering. We’ve also revamped our logo. Our new logo is symbolic of our new philosophy, as expressed in the slogan: ‘insurance made easy’,” says Carl Louw, chief marketing officer.
To launch the new brand positioning, Dialdirect in partnership with Joe Public and production house Velocity, have created an advert, directed by Greg Gray, that illustrates how time is precious with the take home message that Dialdirect won’t waste it.
In terms of the Dialdirect product evolution, consumers will now have the ability to buy insurance online, anytime. “This is a start of creating a connection with the consumer,” Louw says.
Industry heavyweights back Markex 2015
A number of leading marketing associations and organisations have thrown their weight behind this year’s Markex show, showing their support for the industry’s top show for promotions, gifting, events and general marketing. Markex 2015 takes place from 9 to 11 June this year, at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
The MICE Academy (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions), which combines four specialist companies within this industry including feasibility and market demand surveys, MICE venue design criteria, marketing strategy planning and implementation and operational requirements, has confirmed its endorsement of this year’s event.
“The Unique Speaker Bureau (USB), representatives of top local and international speakers, will officially be backing Markex 2015,” explains Joshua Low, event director at Markex 2015 event organiser, Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery. “Through the acclaimed Markex USB Pavilion, USB is running free-to-attend seminars that will showcase the talents of a number of versatile presenters.”
“In addition, Film & Event Media, the online media hub for the film and business events sector and publisher of several business-to-business magazines, has been named as one of our esteemed official media partners, in conjunction with Nex Media, a media magazine targeting key marketing decision makers, published by Sentient Publishing,” says Low.
Huawei scores rugby’s big five
Technology provider Huawei has announced a partnership with South Africa’s top five rugby unions as their official smartphone, tablet and talkband supplier.
Announcing the sponsorship deal in Johannesburg, Huawei’s product marketing director for South Africa, Yudi Rambaran, said the deal was unique as Huawei sponsorship is the first to involve all of the country’s top five rugby teams which includes the Vodacom Bulls, DHL Western Province,the Cell C Sharks, the Emirates Lions and the Toyota Cheetahs”.
In addition, Huawei will also be the official associate sponsor to the Lions with its logo featuring on the sleeve of the team’s jersey. The announcement by the Chinese company is its second sports related sponsorship in South Africa – Huawei is also the official shirt sponsor for local PSL team Ajax Cape Town.
All the unions will receive the latest smartphone offerings from Huawei for players and management.
Windhoek Light commits to boosting multisport in South Africa
Windhoek Light has announced its first South African sponsorship in more than five years. The award-winning light beer is now the official beer partner of Stillwater Sports and has signed up to co-sponsor 10 multisport – trail running, mountain biking and swimming – races across South Africa over a year.
“Windhoek Light is a brand of no compromise and therefore we are very selective about what and who we support. We are very excited about the growth of multisport in South Africa and have been looking for an opportunity to support these athletes. That’s why we’re delighted to partner with Stillwater Sports, a company that has impressed us with their unwavering commitment to the growth of multisport; their professionalism and their values of no compromise which we really resonate with,” says Alan Roberts, Windhoek Beer marketing manager at brandhouse.
IAS and IMM announce strategic partnership
The Independent Agency Search and Selection Company (IAS) has announced its new strategic partnership with the IMM Graduate School of Marketing (IMM), a leading Southern African independent marketing college. The IMM has endorsed its successful Marketers’ Masterclass Programme.
The IAS developed and created the Masterclass for Marketers Programme, which was created by the IAS for corporate marketers who value exposure to thought leadership on local and global marketing trends and specialist teaching on best practice in getting the best out of their relationship with an agency with whom they work.
Because of the success of the Masterclass programmes, the IMM approached IAS to partner with the IAS. In return the IMM will market the Masterclass for Marketers Programme on behalf of the IAS to over 100 leading marketing directors and other players in the marketing community.
“Looking forward, the IAS will also consider the possibility of offering e-degrees and, together with the IMM, we plan to launch via webinar selected Masterclasses to partners in the African Marketing Confederation. This will help us to grow our footprint into Africa. However, revenue generation from the programme remains with the IAS,” explains IAS, MD, Johanna McDowell.
There will be eight sessions in Johannesburg starting 03 February 2015. These classes will also be held in Cape Town during the year. Programme dates for Cape Town will be announced shortly.
Turner rebrands Boomerang globally
Turner Broadcasting has announced that its second flagship kids brand, Boomerang, has been relaunched today as a global all-animation, youth-targeted network, repositioned with a line-up of timeless and contemporary cartoons programmed for family co-viewing. The announcement was jointly made by Gerhard Zeiler, president, Turner Broadcasting System International Inc., and Christina Miller, president and general manager, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and Boomerang in the United States.
Drawing upon the vast resources of the world’s largest animation library – consisting of Warner Bros., Hanna-Barbera, Cartoon Network and MGM studios television and theatrical shorts, series and specials – Boomerang’s on-air schedule will be anchored by timeless favorites such as Tom and Jerry, Looney Tunes, The Powerpuff Girls and Scooby-Doo. Along with a slate of newly-acquired contemporary series produced by studios around the world, Boomerang will also introduce a refreshed on-air environment and for the first time offer exclusive original content on the network across its 13 international feeds.
As announced earlier in the year, Boomerang will also be officially offered for ad sales and promotional opportunities in the United States. The official roll-out will take place as of today in South Africa and the rest of Africa.
Branding-Institute launches new tool for an overview and qualitative assessments of brand and reputation rankings
Start 2015 by getting to know the free business tool that gives you the edge when it comes to tracking down top-achieving companies, says Markus Renner, co-owner of Branding-Institute and visiting professor in marketing and reputation at Henley Business School, UK.
“Whether you’re trying to evaluate the impact and achievements of potential partner companies and brands or need to benchmark your own company’s ratings, trying to navigate through more than 500 different brand and reputation rankings worldwide feels like a maze,” says Renner. Typical examples of the many rankings published regularly throughout the year include “World’s Most Admired Companies” and “Best Companies To Work For.
Vuma Reputation Management has collaborated with Europe’s Branding-Institute CMR AG to bring their new ranking of the rankings tool to SA. Vuma has now been advising top SA and international companies for 10 years on reputation management and crisis management. The Branding-Institute, a think-tank for strategic brand and reputation management based in Switzerland and Germany, integrates consulting services, research and business education, which led to the development of this free online tool.
The overview is available free on the Branding-Institute’s website.
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