News
Johannesburg, 19 October 2017
SoundBar, launched by Kagiso Media today, offers music lovers 12 different Internet music stations in a single app. The app boasts stations curated by radio legends DEREK The Bandit, the electronic dance music maestro, as well as rock music guru Barney Simon, among others.
SoundBar covers a wide spectrum of music genres including new music, pop, dance and party mixes, house music, music for moms with young kids, 80’s and 90’s favourites, Urban hits, Afrikaans and hip-hop.
Superstar DJ Jazzy D from Jacaranda FM hosts his own station with non-stop party mixes and the Mom’s Heart station is a safe space for moms and kids under 10 to listen to music and other original content created by East Coast Radio presenter Jane Linley-Thomas.
Barney Simon’s Rock On station features Barney’s selection of the best rock and metal from ACDC to ZZ Top. It’s also got episodes of the legendary Uncle Paul’s Bedtime Stories that kept many teenagers awake in the late 80’s.
In addition to the personality-driven stations, there is also a pop-up channel which will change regularly and contain special themes. For launch, it’s a 24-hour channel of love songs cherry-picked by the music programmers and presenters at Jacaranda FM and East Coast Radio.
Vincent Maher, Chief Innovation Officer at Kagiso Media, the media company behind SoundBar, says the app is unique in its efficient use of data. He explains, “We use 14Mb per hour, compared to similar apps which can use up to 140Mb per hour. So in effect SoundBar is ten times cheaper to listen to. We do this by combining the best audio compression available with a technique called Spectral Band Replication. You can even access the app off Edge signal.”
Kagiso Media Radio CE Nick Grubb says the app was created as the Group moves towards an increased digital content offering, “Our traditional radio streams have grown exponentially in the last year, and given we have best-in-breed technology and talent curators in-house, this seemed like the perfect opportunity to deliver more choice and value to our audiences.”
SoundBar is free for download from the Apple App store or by searching for SoundBarApp in the Google Play store. Just open, choose and play a stream according to your mood.
For more information visit https://www.soundbarapp.co.za or if you have any queries email soundbar@localhost
ENDS.
About Kagiso Media
Kagiso Media is a black controlled company with interests in new media, content production, specialised publishing, research, radio broadcasting and television.
It has interests in substantial media assets through its subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates. Assets include Jacaranda FM, East Coast Radio, Mediamark, Adjoin, Mega8, KLA, Urban Brew Studios, Juta and Company, Future Managers, Knowledge Factory and Global Media Alliance Broadcasting Company (GMABC) in Ghana. It has minority interests in other radio stations such as OFM, Heart FM, Gagasi 99.5 and Kaya FM.
Issued by
Lauren Holley at My Word PR & Communications on behalf of:
Nick Grubb, CE: Radio, Kagiso Media
Tel 011 034 9205
Email: nickg@localhost
19 December 2016
Kagiso Media has announced some staff moves and new appointments that it says will strategically strengthen its commercial operations.
Tshepo Setshedi joins as Chief Financial Officer; Megan Marinus assumes the role of Commercial Director and Werner Lindemann moves from Group Commercial Director at Kagiso Media to Managing Director of Mediamark, the Media Sales House for the Kagiso Media Group. The appointments become effective in November this year.
These moves follow the appointment of Shireen Jaftha back in August, as ‘Integrated Media Specialist’, reporting to Mark Harris, Group CEO of Kagiso Media.
“Kagiso Media is well positioned to have a successful 2017 and this is largely due to the strategic placements we’ve executed. We’re excited to have the skills in these key positions and are confident that they will further strengthen Kagiso’s foothold as a leading media group in Africa”, Mark Harris says.
Tshepo Setshedi joins us from Kagiso Tiso Holdings where he held the position of Executive Manager: Investments. As a member of the KTH investment team, his responsibilities included transaction origination, execution and post investment value management. He also participates in various board and board sub-committees of portfolio companies.
“I look forward to the opportunity and challenges of shaping the Kagiso Group’s financial portfolio as well as continued relationships with stakeholders while we look for growth opportunities’, says Tshepo.
In her new role as Commercial Director, Megan Marinus will work on all commercial partnerships for the Group. She will also work closely with Werner Lindemann at Mediamark on developing commercial opportunities.
Megan will be the point person for all Kagiso Media Merger & Acquisition opportunities and will work closely with KTH to drive these opportunities. She will be accountable for all partnership opportunities in Kagiso Media to ensure financial value.
“I look forward to getting settled in this dynamic new role within the Kagiso Group, exploring and developing new commercial partnerships, as well as overseeing mergers and acquisitions,” Megan says.
Werner moves to his new role from Kagiso Media, where he held the role of Group Commercial Director since 2013. Werner will lead Mediamark’s strategy as provider of integrated marketing solutions for the company’s media partners and advertisers.
“As South Africa’s leading, integrated, multichannel media sales house, Mediamark continues its journey to create a converged sales capability that can help customers to leverage mobile, video and content marketing in combination with its exceptional traditional platforms. I am excited by the brands that Mediamark represent and look forward to working with the team to transform Mediamark into a ‘digital first’ company,” says Werner.
Shireen has been tasked to assist Urban Brew in driving their content strategy for Advertiser Funded Programming, Content Marketing and Advertising Sales. She will apply her experience in customer strategies to drive business opportunities across these segments.
She’ll also work with Mediamark to develop customer strategies across all media channels, working with Lindemann to assist the team in building key account strategies.
“As change in every aspect of life accelerates, marketing as a discipline is having to undergo seismic change. Most notably, marketers and their agencies are now having to work with ‘just-in-time’ communication plans to keep up with accelerated consumer demands,” says Shireen.
“In short, there are no model solutions anymore. Each situation; each marketing challenge requires a unique solution, so marketers, media owners and agencies need to think on their feet.”
About Kagiso Media
Kagiso Media is a black controlled company with interests in new media, content production, specialised publishing, research, radio broadcasting and television.
It has interests in substantial media assets through its subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates. Assets include JacarandaFM, East Coast Radio, Mediamark, KLA, Urban Brew Studios, Juta and Company, Knowledge Factory, ReelAfrican, Adjoin Media and Global Media Alliance Broadcasting Company (GMABC) in Ghana. It has interests in other radio stations such as OFM, Heart FM, Gagasi 99.5 and Kaya FM.
Its mission is to continuously deliver innovative media and information solutions that facilitate beneficial human connection.
Kagiso Media is 100% owned by Kagiso Tiso Holdings.
As change in every aspect of life accelerates, marketing as a discipline is having to undergo seismic change. Most notably, marketers and their agencies are now having to work with ‘just-in-time’ communication plans to keep up with accelerated consumer demands. But what exactly does this mean in practical terms?
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There is no mould
Firstly, marketing is no longer about breaking the mould; there is no mould. At the Association of National Advertising’s Masters of Marketing conference last year, PepsiCo executive, Brad Jakeman, gave voice to this sentiment: “Ad agency models are breaking. Pre-roll ads are useless. Measurement models are outdated. The ad industry lacks diversity. And the phrase ‘digital marketing’ should be dumped. Can we stop using the term ‘advertising’, which is based on this model of polluting (content)?”
In short, there are no model solutions anymore. Each situation, each marketing challenge, requires a unique solution, so marketers and their agencies need to be able to think on their feet.
Targeting is a whole new ballgame
For one thing, targeting just isn’t what it used to be. Almost counter-intuitively, under-18s and women are the real power behind the purse. And, as their decision-making differs in very real ways from adult male decision-making, the ad industry’s approach to targeting is having to change radically. Agencies are also having to re-look content and the way in which it is being delivered to key audiences.
Branded content is moving to centre field
This is why branded content, which offers a managed way to engage customers in creating a story around the brand, is moving to centre field. So much so that FMCG giant, Unilever, is planning to establish in-house Branded Content divisions around the world. So 30-second commercials are becoming a thing of the past, as is the way in which advertising is being delivered in the social media.
Where it comes down to the wire is that programmatic buying models can deliver spot-on targeted audiences for marketing campaigns at a low CPP, but this doesn’t necessarily mean the audiences push high volumes of product off the shelf. For one thing, using these models in isolation excludes 62% of South Africa’s mass market consumers, which can place FMCG companies in particular at significant risk.
Bite-sized messaging is a thing of the past
What this means is that short messaging just doesn’t cut it anymore. Content is, in fact, being strongly influenced by gaming. A perfect example of this is the ‘re-boxing’ trend illustrated by the Pokémon-augmented global reality campaign; a genius way of reconnecting with old fans and using them as indirect influencers to grow new and younger audiences.
In a related way, MIPCOM, the world’s entertainment content market, predicts that on-demand viewership will increase, binge viewing will become more entrenched and mobile viewing will become more addictive. And, by the way, ad blocking is here to stay – for good.
How does this shape ‘just-in-time’ marketing?
As I see it, both marketers and their agencies have to be more agile when it comes to building content narratives. Gone are the days of pushing a series of bite-sized videos on digital platforms hoping to attract viewership volumes and, by this measure, assuming efficacy.
Now the art of persuasion is about involving consumers in the decision-making journey. It’s about providing audiences with what they want to hear – at the right time and in the right way. So old-style segmentation tools are effectively out of the window; it’s all about securing audience traction through emotion-generating engines.
With the rate of change being what it is, consumers are living in the ‘here and now’, so marketers have to do the same. And with e-commerce gaining traction, agencies need to gear up in order to create meaningful consumer ecosystems.
The nature of markets and the structure of advertising is changing fundamentally, and the call for connected strategies and geo-tagging is on the rise. Big block-buster campaigns are on the way out. Talking to consumers in their own environment, in a meaningful way and in their own language is where it’s at.
Tuesday, February 7 2017
Juta and Company (Pty) Ltd (Juta) and Future Managers (Pty) Ltd (Future Managers) are delighted to announce that the agreement whereby Juta will acquire a controlling share in Future Managers, announced in November 2016, has been unconditionally approved by the Competitions Commission and is effective as of 1 February 2017.
Future Managers is the leading publisher of technical and vocational textbooks in South Africa. The transaction extends Juta’s existing publishing footprint into the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector while offering Future Managers access to infrastructure and market reach, technology and investment to further support business growth.
Pieter Bruwer, CEO, and Nickey Cilliers, Executive Director, remain as managing shareholders and will continue to operate the business in the interest of the shareholders. The current Future Managers operation and staff complement will continue to deliver the excellent products and services that the market has come to expect from the Future Managers brand.
Commercial Director for Kagiso Media, Megan Marinus, says, “We are excited to work with Future Managers and continue to support the growth of Future Managers as a leading provider of TVET content. This acquisition indicates Kagiso Media’s commitment to the development of education in South Africa, at this important time in our country’s skills development requirements. With Juta’s role in textbook publishing, and Kagiso Trust’s focus on providing quality education for all, this acquisition will strengthen Kagiso Media’s footprint in the education space.”
Sakkie de Villiers, Financial Director of Juta, adds, “Juta has great respect for the Future Managers brand, and for the excellence that this company has delivered to the Technical and Vocational sector over the years. Juta seeks to support Future Managers’ growth as a widely recognised leader in skills development, and to empower Future Managers to grow into new markets and services.”
Said Pieter Bruwer, CEO of Future Managers, “Our roots are in Africa, our heart is in education and our mind is in colleges. So when Juta, a truly empowered South African publisher, approached us to join forces we saw it both as a compliment and as an opportunity to further grow our company in the college sector. TVET colleges are at the core of the skills transfer our country so desperately needs. I think it is fair to say that if colleges don’t succeed our country will struggle. The synergy between Juta and Future Managers will strengthen our ability to better serve this critical sector.”
About Future Managers
Future Managers was born out of a vision to add real value to people development throughout southern Africa. Formally starting as a college publisher in 1997 with a wide range of Nated textbooks and lecturer guides for TVET colleges, Future Managers has expanded to include NCV titles which are in high demand, and publishes niche, technology-focused textbooks for the FET school curriculum. Their practical, relevant, high-quality learning material deploys digital platforms which complement the traditional offering, to enable an enhanced teaching and learning experience for students and lecturers.
About Juta
Founded in 1853, Juta is an iconic South African brand and the largest local publisher of tertiary student textbooks in the fields of Commerce, Accounting, Communications, Social Science, Health, Education and Law, all available in e-book format or for digital deployment at institutions. Juta’s schools offering focuses on literacy and the teaching of reading with its iconic Key Links Graded Reading series. Juta is also the leading South African provider of legal and regulatory information serving practitioners’ needs through access to a vast repository of legal and regulatory content via its electronic legal research platform, publications and services.
Building on a heritage of quality content while embracing the power of technological advances, Juta’s vision is to be South Africa’s trusted provider of technology-enabled information and learning solutions that enhance performance.
Juta is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kagiso Media. Kagiso Media is a black-controlled company with interests in substantial media assets through its subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates. Other assets include Jacaranda FM, East Coast Radio, Mediamark, Kaufman Levin Associates, Knowledge Factory, Urban Brew Studios, ReelAfrican, Mega8 eSports, Adjoin Media and Global Media Alliance Broadcasting Company (GMABC) in Ghana. It has interests in other radio stations such as OFM, Heart FM, Gagasi FM and Kaya FM. Its mission is to continuously deliver innovative media and information solutions that facilitates beneficial human connection.
Kagiso Media is wholly owned by Kagiso Tiso Holdings (“KTH”).
One of the ultimate shareholders of the wider group is Kagiso Trust which is one of South Africa’s leading development agencies, working towards freedom from poverty through their programmes in education, socio-economic development and institutional capacity-building. As one of the oldest black-led organisations in the country, Kagiso Trust has contributed meaningfully to uplifting the plight of education in some of the most marginalised areas across the country. With Juta’s role in textbook publishing, and Kagiso Trust’s focus on providing quality education for all, this acquisition will strengthen Kagiso Media’s footprint in the education space.
Statement by Kagiso Media Group CEO Mark Harris
Kagiso Media is a company with a legacy built on values and ethics, and our purpose is to uplift society via meaningful connections.
With respect to our radio, digital and television assets it has always been our intent to allow all stakeholders to be given a platform to express themselves. The environment in which we operate means we engage with constituencies that have vastly different positions and opinions.
Our aim is to continue to strive to bridge the deep divides that threaten society and South Africa rather than perpetuating or enabling further division. We believe that the views of all segments of society must be heard so that all stakeholders can recognise and address the issues that we face as a nation. This will help to build unity in this country, because the more media ignores the issues, the more the political environment will thrive on racial division rather than critical societal and economic dynamics.
Kagiso Media will resist any form of racial or political bias and will not give in to intimidation or be held to ransom by any political grouping. Even within our company, the diversity in demographics and political leanings will continue to create debate, and this is encouraged.
Kagiso Media must congratulate Tumi Morake for not just expressing a legitimate point of view on the impact and result of Apartheid, but also having the willingness to engage and listen to contrary views. She does this despite criticism, intimidation and threats from some parties in our society.
As a media company, Kagiso Media is determined to engage all stakeholders in order to build racial and social harmony, without fear or favour. This is the role of a media company and the values that have allowed us to build our brand and reputation in this country.
Strong leadership is required to build a united South Africa. There are few leaders who are not tainted by political agendas, but with a free media we have the opportunity to remove the barriers that prevent us from building a harmonious non-racial society.
Ends
For more information please contact :
Nick Grubb, CE: Radio
Kagiso Media
nickg@localhost
011 034 9205
Mediamark has won four awards in Microsoft’s EMy Creativity Awards, a competition that celebrates creativity and efficiency in sales, product and marketing programs within emerging and growth markets.
Competing against Microsoft partners in 47 countries, the awards recognise Mediamark’s excellence in creating consumer-focused, multiscreen campaigns that deliver superior results to clients and other stakeholders. We walked away with the following awards:
• Silver award for More Moments, More Mindsets: Celebrates campaigns that use more than one Microsoft online product. Mediamark worked with Microsoft in developing a retail execution for the “Plus More Summer” campaign, which showcased the Microsoft ecosystem to local consumers.
• Platinum award for Show Me, Tell Me, Impress Me: Recognises achievement in trade marketing activity among Microsoft’s partners and Mediamark won for an innovative trade activation that showcased MSN’s content offerings and app.
• Gold award for Making it Human: An award given for excellence in providing audience-based solutions to clients. Mediamark helped Nedbank to segment its online audience.
• Platinum award for Pinpoint Accuracy: Mediamark won for driving a high level of accountability and excellence in pipeline management, forecast accuracy and reporting rigour, in its relationship with Microsoft.
Kagiso Tiso Holdings (KTH), through its media subsidiary Kagiso Media, has acquired 37% of Global Media Alliance Broadcasting Company (GMABC), a broadcasting company in Ghana.
This latest acquisition forms part of KTH’s strategy to expand its pan-African footprint both directly and indirectly through its key investee companies. Ghana is one of the fastest growing African economies and GMABC is well positioned with interests in radio and television broadcasting.
GMABC currently operates four radio stations in Ghana (Happy FM, YFM Kumasi, YFM Accra and YFM Takoradi), as well as one free-to-air terrestrial television channel (e.tv Ghana). e.tv Ghana was launched in 2009 as the result of a partnership between GMA and Sabido Investments, the media group which owns e.tv in South Africa.
Chief Executive for Radio at Kagiso Media, Nick Grubb says Kagiso Media is excited to work with GMA and Sabido Investments on these radio and TV assets in Ghana’s dynamic market. He explains, “GMABC’s portfolio and successful legacy means we can exchange experience and skills for the benefit of the radio stations and TV station in Ghana, as well as our media businesses in South Africa. A critical factor for us is the ability to develop practical and enjoyable working partnerships with the GMABC teams. We also look forward to posting some of our own key staff in Accra, as these relationships deepen.”
Mark Harris, CEO of Kagiso Media says, “This investment is part of our continued drive to build partnerships with strong brands that have large and loyal audiences across the continent. As a content, broadcasting and services company we are looking forward to operating in Ghana and using this as a base to expand our reach into other West African territories. It also offers us an opportunity to use our content production capability across more distribution platforms and to integrate with all our existing Kagiso Media brands.”
While Kagiso Media is looking forward to building their market experiences into the continent through the partnerships, the deal also provides GMABC with new opportunities for growth and new solutions for advertisers.
Edward Boateng, Executive Chairman of Global Media Alliance says that there is a greater frontier of growth to achieve especially with the advent of new media. He explains, “This partnership provides the opportunity to leverage on the diversity of experience and skills of GMA, Kagiso Media and Sabido Investments to present better content to our viewers and listeners.”
MEDIA STATEMENT
Kagiso Media makes a major play in the eSports space
Johannesburg, 07 November 2016
Kagiso Media today launches an eSports platform, Mega8 eSports (“Mega8”), in a bid to further grow and legitimise the competitive gaming industry in South Africa. Mega8 gives gamers the opportunity to win ample prize money on a regular basis by hosting regular tournaments. The gaming platform was acquired by Kagiso Media from Cape Town based software developers, Critter, who are now a shareholder in Mega8.
Chief Innovation Officer at Kagiso Media Vincent Maher explains that Mega8 was born with gamers in mind. “While the eSports industry in South Africa has grown somewhat recently, with local tournaments featuring better prize pools, it is still a relatively young industry. It is poised for an explosion in growth with improved internet speeds now more widely available. Predictions suggest that by 2019 it will be a R3-billion industry.”
Kagiso Media CEO Mark Harris says, “The launch of Mega8 indicates Kagiso Media’s commitment to being at the forefront of developing media trends. We’re a progressive media company that has identified the eSports phenomenon as a burgeoning industry.”
Mega8, together with headline sponsor MTN, will stage its first tournament, The Summer Invitational, from 02-04 December to give the top Dota 2 teams across South Africa the opportunity to participate on the new platform and compete for R50 000 in prize money. The online tournament will also be streamed live via Twitch.tv and YouTube.
Mega8 will thereafter launch official seasons and regularly host tournaments, starting in 2017. Maher explains Kagiso Media’s aim to build the local gaming industry. “With direct links to large media and broadcasting corporations, Kagiso Media intends to grow the local audience. We also hope to turn our local gamers into sports icons, much like top gamers are viewed in other parts of the world. It’s an exciting time for eSports in South Africa.”
Find out more about Mega8 eSports at http://www.mega8.com.
ENDS.
About Kagiso Media
Kagiso Media is a black controlled company with interests in new media, content production, specialised publishing, research, radio broadcasting and television.
It has interests in substantial media assets through its subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates. Assets include JacarandaFM, East Coast Radio, Mediamark, KLA, Urban Brew Studios, Juta and Company, Knowledge Factory, ReelAfrican, Adjoin Media and Global Media Alliance Broadcasting Company (GMABC) in Ghana. It has interests in other radio stations such as OFM, Heart FM, Gagasi 99.5 and Kaya FM.
Its mission is to continuously deliver innovative media and information solutions that facilitate beneficial human connection.
Kagiso Media is 100% owned by Kagiso Tiso Holdings.
About Mega8
Mega8 was born with gamers in mind. A passionate organisation, launched to grow and legitimise the eSports industry in South Africa.
It gives current and future gamers the opportunity to win ample prize money on a regular basis by hosting monthly tournaments. With direct links with large media and broadcasting corporations, the intention is to grow the local audience and turn local gamers into sports icons. The company’s policy is simply that gamers come first and they encourage all members of the eSports organisations to interact with them by hosting webinars on a regular basis.
Werner Lindemann to lead Mediamark’s continued transformation.
10 November 2016
Werner Lindemann has taken the post of Managing Director at Mediamark, with the mandate of leading its strategy as provider of integrated marketing solutions for the company’s media partners and advertisers. Lindemann moves to his new role from Kagiso Media, where he has held the position of Group Commercial Director since 2013.
He brings a wealth of commercial and business development experience to this role, having served in a range of management and sales positons across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Prior to joining Kagiso Media, Lindemann served as managing director at Datacentrix and before that, as Vice President: Sales for IBM in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Lindemann holds a BSc Eng. (Industrial), a MSc Eng. (cum laude) and an MBA. He replaces Talib Sadik, who has left to pursue a business opportunity outside the media industry. “I worked closely with the Mediamark team in my role at Kagiso Media, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to lead this amazing business,” says Lindemann.
Andrew Manderstam, Chairman of Mediamark and representative of Mediamark’s international partner, Lagardère, welcomes the appointment: “Werner is passionate about multiplatform media and has an outstanding track record in sales.”
Werner concludes: “As South Africa’s leading, integrated, multichannel media sales house, Mediamark continues its journey to create a converged sales capability that can help customers to leverage mobile, video and content marketing in combination with its exceptional traditional platforms. I am excited by the brands that Mediamark represents and look forward to working with the team to transform Mediamark into a ‘digital first‘ company.”
ENDS
About Mediamark
Mediamark is a leading multimedia sales house that ensures brands derive maximum value from their advertising spend through tailored multichannel solutions.
For more information, visit www.mediamark.co.za
Follow us on Twitter: @mediaworldSA
Juta and Company to acquire a controlling share in Future Managers
11 November 2016
Juta and Company (Pty) Ltd (Juta) and Future Managers (Pty) Ltd (Future Managers) have reached an
agreement whereby Juta will acquire a controlling share in Future Managers. The transaction, which
is subject to Competition Commission approval, extends Juta’s existing textbook publishing footprint
into the TVET sector while offering Future Managers access to infrastructure and market reach,
technology and investment to further support business growth.
Following the transaction, Future Managers’ existing managing shareholders, Pieter Bruwer, CEO,
and Nickey Cilliers, Executive Director, will continue to operate the business in the interest of the
shareholders.
Said Lynne Beachy Head, CEO of Juta and Company, “We admire and respect the business that
Future Managers has built over the years to become the leading publisher in the TVET sector. With
Juta’s legacy and capabilities we are keen to support the growth of Future Managers as a leading
college content champion at this pivotal time in our country’s skills development requirements, and
to leverage their quality content into new markets and services.”
She adds, “Future Managers’ values, vision and the quality of their publications strongly resonate
with Juta’s and we see great potential for the further growth of Future Managers in the new
structure.”
Said Pieter Bruwer, CEO of Future Managers, “Our roots are in Africa, our heart is in education and
our mind is in colleges. So when Juta, a truly empowered South African publisher, approached us to
join forces we saw it both as a compliment and as an opportunity to further grow our company in
the college sector. TVET colleges are at the core of the skills transfer our country so desperately
needs. I think it is fair to say that if colleges don’t succeed our country will struggle. The synergy
between Juta and Future Managers will strengthen our ability to better serve this critical sector.”
About Future Managers
Future Managers was born out of a vision to add real value to people development throughout
southern Africa. Formally starting as a college publisher in 1997 with a wide range of Nated
textbooks and lecturer guides for TVET colleges, Future Managers has expanded to include NCV titles
which are in high demand, and publishes niche, technology-focused textbooks for the FET school
curriculum. Their practical, relevant, high-quality learning material deploys digital platforms which
complement the traditional offering, to enable an enhanced teaching and learning experience for
students and lecturers.
About Juta
Founded in 1853, Juta is an iconic South African brand and the largest local publisher of tertiary
student textbooks in the fields of Commerce, Accounting, Communications, Social Science, Health,
Education and Law, all available in e-book format or for digital deployment at institutions. Juta’s
schools offering focuses on literacy and the teaching of reading with its iconic Key Links Graded
Reading series. Juta is also the leading South African provider of legal and regulatory information
serving practitioners’ needs through access to a vast repository of legal and regulatory content via its
electronic legal research platform, publications and services.
Building on a heritage of quality content while embracing the power of technological advances,
Juta’s vision is to be South Africa’s trusted provider of technology-enabled information and learning
solutions that enhance performance.
Juta is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kagiso Media. Kagiso Media is a black-controlled company with
interests in substantial media assets through its subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates and is
wholly owned by Kagiso Tiso Holdings (“KTH”). Mark Harris, CEO of Kagiso Media, says, “Kagiso
Media’s mission is to continuously deliver innovative media and information solutions that facilitate
beneficial human connection. We believe that this partnership speaks to our mission and enables
Juta to diversify its offering. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with
Future Managers.”
One of the ultimate shareholders of the wider group is Kagiso Trust which is one of South Africa’s
leading development agencies, working towards freedom from poverty through their programmes in
education, socio-economic development and institutional capacity-building. As one of the oldest
black-led organisations in the country, Kagiso Trust has contributed meaningfully to uplifting the
plight of education in some of the most marginalised areas across the country. With Juta’s role in
textbook publishing, and Kagiso Trust’s focus on providing quality education for all, this acquisition
will strengthen Juta’s footprint in the education space.
[ENDS]
For more information contact:
Lynne Beachy Head, Juta and Company: 021 659 2300
Pieter Bruwer, Future Managers: 021 462 3572
Kagiso Media has appointed Mahlohonolo Radebe as Group Head: Human Resources.
Mahlohonolo joined the company on the 1st of April 2016 after spending many years within the financial services environment where she held various middle and senior management roles.
Most recently, Mahlohonolo was Head of Human Resources at First National Bank Credit Card division.
Mahlohonolo holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management from the University of Natal.
Mahlohonolo will be based at Kagiso Media’s Head Office in Sandton, and will report to the Group CEO Mark Harris.
Kagiso Media is excited to welcome Mahlohonolo as she takes on this exciting challenge; and wish her a most successful tenure with the Group.
KLA is introducing the SenseMaker® tool to the brand and marketing community in South Africa in partnership with More Beyond (SenseMaker®’s local provider).
The tool offers a unique approach to measuring brand experience in a way that provides much greater detail and insight into what is actually important in shaping the customers brand experience.
The approach uses a narrative based methodology (combining qualitative and quantitative information) that provides unique insight into how all the different dimensions of the context within which the experience happens influence consumer perceptions. This in turn enables brands to put in place strategies to fix areas of weakness and concern.
This is an exciting new product for KLA which we anticipate will take our Clients Customer Experience understanding to a whole new level.
Kagiso Media has appointed Boni Mchunu to head up East Coast Radio (ECR) in KwaZulu-Natal.
Boni joins the station today from Tourism KwaZulu-Natal (TKZN), where she served as General Manager: Marketing for the past eight years. Her role at TKZN involved heading up the brand and marketing management team and being responsible for bringing key projects to KZN such as Poland Charter season, international trade academies and Holiday Swap KZN.
Before joining TKZN in 2007, Boni served in a Brand Management capacity at Unilever for 7 years, overseeing the marketing of fast moving consumer goods.
“Boni has a deep understanding of, and passion for, Kwazulu-Natal and this obviously complements and enhances the ECR brand,” says Nick Grubb, Chief Exec: Radio at Kagiso Media. “Boni knows how to reflect and celebrate provincial uniqueness, but also how to make it competitive on a global scale. Her mix of tourism and business experience ideally positions her for ECR and she will lead a very capable, creative and enthusiastic team to the next level.”
Boni is excited about her new challenge at ECR. “I’m very proud that I will be working for one of the flagship brands in KZN. I’m looking forward to building strong brand equity and to ensure that the station stays true to its role to inform, educate and entertain the KZN community.”
Born and raised in Pietermaritzburg, Boni is passionate about KwaZulu-Natal. “In KZN you see South Africa in one province. I love the warmth of the people of KZN, the diverse culture and warm climate. I love the fact that everything is within short proximity and I think KZN is the best province in South Africa to raise children.”
When away from the office, Boni relishes the time with her husband and their three children. “I’m also a very athletic person. I like running short distances but for 2016 I’m challenging myself to run the Comrades Marathon to celebrate the life of my late parents. I also like reading business and motivational books, women magazines and playing squash.”
Boni describes herself as “goal-driven, energetic and ambitious. I’m a hard worker and passionate about growth. Failure is not an option. I’m an open book, what you see is what you get!”
The Grillhouse in Atholl Square was filled with the spirit of cheer, celebrations and laughter as clients, executives and media joined Jacaranda FM in celebration of Commercial Station of the Year.
The music was pumping, drinks in hand and inspiration from Kagiso Media’s Group Deputy CEO Omar Essack, Kagiso Media’s Chief Executive of Radio, Nick Grubb and Jacaranda FM’s General Manager, Kevin Fine. MC’s of the night, handsome Thabiso “Mack” Rapapali and legendary MTN Radio Awards winner, Barney Simon who made it a point to keep guests entertained.
The Jacaranda FM team was showed off to guests and DJ Jazzy D got everyone dancing and moving to his beats. The Future Group’s radio awards executives, CEO Lance Rothschild and COO Tarn Westoby joined in the celebrations. Frankie Du Toit and the afternoon team did a great job of broadcasting live from the Grillhouse where guests on the show included Group CEO of Kagiso Media, Mark Harris. Cameras were flashing, smiles shining, conversations flowing champagne was the gift to sign off a glamourous evening.
Thank you to everyone who made this evening a very special occasion.
A robust on-air rollout and a hard-hitting multi-channel digital campaign resulted in entries for the Discovery East Coast Radio Big Walk selling out 3 days before the closing date. We left the rest up to Mother Nature. And she didn’t disappoint!
More than 30 000 families, friends and colleagues made memories on a gorgeous Durban morning on 24 May 2015 as they made their way along the promenade from uShaka Marine World to People’s Park, Moses Mabhida Stadium. Not wanting to be a victim of FOMO, eThekwini Mayor, James Nxumalo, surprised our team at the start, before doing the 10km walk.
A carnival-like atmosphere, complete with dancers, jugglers, stilt-walkers, face painters, cheerleaders and ECR presenters, made for an enjoyable experience, which reflected in social media. We set Twitter on fire with #HealthySelfie and #bigwalkDurban trending across SA.
This year, most participants – 4774 – were under 19. The event also attracted 190 over-70 year olds.
Yet another awesome East Coast Radio experience. ‘Cos that’s how we roll.
Energetic Juta publisher Marlinee Chetty has been a driving force behind the forthcoming new editions of the popular and accessible Street Law series. This series is aimed at providing learners from a variety of backgrounds with a practical understanding of their legal rights and responsibilities under the law. The two new titles in the series are expertly edited by UKZN academic and long-standing Juta author Prof. David McQuoid-Mason, who has built an illustrious academic career on championing issues of democracy, law and human rights for ordinary citizens in this country and around the world.
Marlinee explains that the first book is aimed at learners while the second provides support to educators tasked with inculcating an understanding of citizenship under the law among students and school learners from diverse backgrounds. ”The latest editions will become invaluable resources to build an awareness of how the law impacts on our daily lives and protects our rights. All of us share the responsibility of making future generations aware of the law and how it upholds our dignity – and the publication of this title is perfectly timed to coincide with Youth Month,” says Marlinee.
Kagiso Media announces the appointment of Talib Sadik as the new CEO of Mediamark, a specialist media solutions company which is owned by both Kagiso Media and Lagardère Active Radio International.
Sadik will take up the position of Mediamark CEO with immediate effect. He has served as a Mediamark board member and has held numerous notable media positions including Group Financial Director at the SABC and Times Media Limited and Managing Director at New Africa Investments Limited (NAIL). Sadik, who is a qualified Chartered Accountant, has also completed an Advanced Management Programme at Insead in France. He brings with him extensive sales, business development and stakeholder management experience.
Kagiso Media Group CEO Mark Harris says, “Talib Sadik’s extensive resume speaks volumes. He has significant strategic, turnaround and corporate finance experience in knowledge-based, regulated, media and black empowerment companies.” Some of Sadik’s career highlights include co-leading an operational and financial turnaround at the SABC and participating in developing a strategy for a credible public broadcaster. He was a founding member of the National Film and Video Foundation and has served on a number of boards in a non-executive capacity.
Of his appointment Sadik says, “Having served on the Mediamark board I have a good understanding of the dynamic business that I’ll be leading. I look forward to working with the team at a time when the entire media landscape is going through transformative change.”
Andrew Manderstam Mediamark’s co-chairman and representative in South Africa of the company’s French partner Lagardère, has welcomed the appointment “I have worked on various projects with Talib Sadik and am delighted we have been able to secure the services of such a distinguished leader of industry”. Manderstam added that he will bring a new perspective at a time that the company is venturing into digital and television as well as consolidating its very successful radio sales operation.
The Chairman of Mediamark’s board, Werner Lindemann agrees, “We’re on a transformational journey at Mediamark. This includes creating a converged sales capability that can help customers leverage video and content marketing in combination with traditional platforms. On line video is the new black and I have confidence that Talib can lead the business through these exciting endeavours.”
Kagiso Media is pleased to announce the appointment of Desiree Oliphant as Account Director at Kagiso Media. Oliphant, who has worked across various divisions within radio and TV services at the SABC for the past 19 years, has extensive senior management experience and a passion for the media industry.
Group Commercial Director Werner Lindemann says, “Desiree comes with a long track record in the media industry and has experience in opening up accounts and building relationships. Her role will be to drive integrated solution selling across the Kagiso Media group.”
Prior to joining Kagiso Media, Oliphant was Portfolio Sales manager at Metro FM for four years. During her career she has successfully helped grow revenue for six radio stations. Other accomplishments include being recently crowned Mrs UN South Africa 2015. Of her new position at Kagiso Media Oliphant says, “I’m eager to operate within a fully commercial environment, it is a fast paced environment and the team is driven and on point. Working with a portfolio like Kagiso Media is a great opportunity, as the varied platforms offer clients an exciting marketing experience.”
Kagiso Media is pleased to announce the appointment of Anita Gardini as Marketing Specialist for Glow and ED. Gardini previously worked within the Kagiso Media group at East Coast Radio as Marketing Specialist. She started her career there in 2012 and worked her way up the ranks, becoming an invaluable member of the team.
Anita, who holds her Honours in Brand leadership, is currently studying her Masters in Commerce, majoring in Marketing Management. Of her move she says, “I’m so excited to now be in Johannesburg and to be part of to the TV division at Kagiso Media. It is a fascinating medium that has always interested me and I’m eager to take on this role.”
Kagiso Media is pleased to announce the promotion of Marcus Stephens to the position of Managing Director of Kagiso Digital, as of 1 February. Since 2010 Marcus has held the position of General Manager.
As the Managing Director of Kagiso Digital, Marcus will be responsible for driving the Kagiso Media group’s digital publishing, programmatic and content strategy. He has wide ranging experience within the media industry, having spent time as a media strategist for various leading media companies; TBWA Hunt Lascaris, Mediacom and Draft FCB. Marcus also spent time as a new business development manager for a highly successful digital media agency before successfully repositioning the commercialisation of Avusa Media Live’s online and mobile businesses.
Of his new position as Managing Director at Kagiso Digital Marcus says, “I’m extremely excited about the future at Kagiso Media, we have a focused and talented team working to ensure technology adoption across our business is fostered and harnessed to deliver quality advertising and consumer products.”
Kagiso Media is pleased to announce the promotion of Nazarene Khan to the position of TV Channel Manager. Khan played a key role in conceptualising and starting Glow and has been Marketing Manager at Glow since its inception in July 2013. She will take on this new role with immediate effect and will be responsible for the Glow and ED TV channels.
The role of Channel Manager will see Khan define each channel’s target market, positioning, proposition, programming mix and on-air look and feel. She will also monitor audience reception of channels. Mark Harris, Group CEO at Kagiso Media, says they’re looking forward to having Khan on board as Channel Manager, “Naz, brings with her experience from years working within the media landscape and we look forward to the collaboration within the group as well as the strengthening of current brands.”
Nazarene Khan, who has extensive management experience, says “I look forward to collaborating with internal teams like Kagiso Digital, Mediamark, Urban Brew Studios and our radio stations to build relevant and entertaining content.”
Event organisers in South Africa will, for the first time, be able to interact with their audience through a one-stop online network. Kagiso Digital, a division of Kagiso Media, has launched EventCloud which instantly turns the browser on an event goer’s smartphone into a marketing platform.
The first system of its kind in the country, EventCloud is a marketing tool for event organisers but will also greatly enhance the event experience for attendees – whether it’s a concert, conference or congress. Through features like interactive maps, content download and backstage pass the audience is able to use their phones to see a detailed event line up, find their way around the event, watch live stream of other stages and even take home exclusive content.
EventCloud was piloted at Jacaranda FM’s ‘Sisters with Blisters’ walk in November last year. It showed significant page depth, with over 70 percent of users going through the entire app and the average user duration in the system being over four minutes long.
Sisekelo Ngcobo from Kagiso Digital explains, “Our team is responsible for the system set-up and it is hassle free for users too. They simply connect to the EventCloud WiFi network, open their browser app and once connected they’re immediately able to see and interact with the messaging and content offered on the network.”
He adds, “This is the future of eventing, there’s so much you can do with it. For example friend finder works with the user’s social networks to allow them to see which of their friends are already at the event and help them find each other through the crowd.”
Beyond the ‘cool factor’, EventCloud also enables those coordinating the event to learn more about their visitors or even generate additional revenue by offering additional digital content or services for a fee.
For more information visit http://www.kagisoeventcloud.co.za/ or email Eventcloud@localhost
After successfully expanding to radio in 2014, with segments on Cliff Central, UJFM and Kaya FM, Zalebs is looking to conquer the small screen in 2015.
Zalebs, South Africa’s second largest online gossip and celebrity news publisher, will release a daily 60 second show titled Zalebs TV, produced by Kagiso Digital at their newly-launched green screen studio in Rivonia.
Safta-winning director Aaron Naidoo is the lead producer and show runner, with editor Tinashe Venge and lead writer Zee Dladla as hosts.
With local and international stars always getting up to something cringe-worthy, ZAlebs TV will bring viewers the top 3 entertainment stories of the day in a fast-paced and fun format which it hopes will leave them begging for more.
Watch a sample below:
To find out more about Zalebs, go to www.zalebs.com
For advertising queries, contact MediaMark.
Kagiso Media is pleased to announce the appointment of Trish Taylor as CEO of Urban Brew Studios. Taylor who is currently General Manager of East Coast Radio, another Kagiso Media company, will take up this new position on 26 January 2015.
Kagiso Media Deputy Group CEO Omar Essack believes Taylor will bring dynamism and strong leadership skills to this new role, “Trish and I worked together at East Coast Radio for 7 years, when I was CEO at the station and I was responsible for recommending her for the station’s top job before I moved on to the group head office, so I am very familiar with her capabilities. She will bring new energy and a strong culture of innovation to Urban Brew. I look forward to working with her and the team.”
Taylor has been at the helm of East Coast Radio for 12 years and through her passion and tenacity has imprinted her DNA on the brand. She started her career there in 1996 when the station became independent from the national broadcaster. She was approached by the new consortium to take up the position of Sales Manager. Just three years later she was appointed a Director of East Coast Radio before being promoted to CEO of East Coast Radio at the age of 32. Nick Grubb, Chief Executive for Radio within Kagiso Broadcasting says under Taylor’s excellent leadership East Coast Radio has soared, “Her achievements are equal to the incredible success of the brand, and too numerous to mention. Ultimately the fact she leaves the station as the number one station in the LSM 7+ market in KwaZulu-Natal shows that she is leaving on a considerable high.”
Taylor, both a keen sportswoman and businesswoman has numerous business awards under her belt. This includes having been named the Nedbank Regional Business Achiever of the Year in 2006 and having won the KZN Women of Excellence Award in 2013. Of her new position at Urban Brew, Taylor says she’s excited about taking a giant step into the world of TV. “I am passionate about media and this move provides a further extension of my career in a space I really enjoy. I’ve loved my time at East Coast Radio and through my new role I look forward to accelerating TV and radio synergies.”
Jacaranda FM had a studio filled with South African celebrities, musicians, TV stars and media moguls when they officially launched LekkerTV in partnership with KykNet in Midrand yesterday.
Hosted in a mock TV studio with guests who included Nicholis Louw, Ricus Nel, Liza Bronner, Nadine and NRG, the event introduced LekkerTV presenters Rian van Heerden, Janina Oberholzer, MorneJK, Frankie du Toit and Martin Bester who were all on hand to talk about this unique and exciting offering.
LekkerTV, which had its on-air debut on Kyknet on Saturday 4 October, is a collaboration between Jacaranda FM and KykNET. It offers viewers 9 hours of non-stop music and entertainment, offering Jacaranda fans a new way to interact with their favourite presenters.
Guests were part of the entertainment when Martin Bester did a live on-air interview with station manager, Kevin Fine, who spoke about how Jacaranda FM strives to be innovative and entertaining be it on –air or on LekkerTV.
The event ended with cocktails, sunset and selfies with guests diarising to watch Lekker TV every Saturday on DStv Channel 146, from 10:30am – 7:30pm.
Kagiso Media Limited has announced the promotion of Omar Essack, the group’s current executive director and CEO of broadcasting, to the position of Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer. Essack will take on this new role with immediate effect, reporting to the Group CEO, Mark Harris.
Omar Essack, who is the longest serving member of the Kagiso Media group executive, has headed up Kagiso Media’s radio broadcasting assets since 2004. Group CEO Mark Harris says of Essack’s appointment, “He has provided consistency in the leadership of Kagiso Media Limited and continues to maintain the legacy on which Kagiso Media has been built. As Deputy Group CEO, Essack will play a critical role in developing new media businesses in both linear and non-linear video. The Deputy CEO will also build a new business in content and channels.”
Essack has vast and varied experience within South Africa’s media landscape. While at East Coast Radio he led the station’s strategy to make it the first radio station in South Africa to appeal to audiences across the racial spectrum. He has also been instrumental in helping turn around Gagasi and Heart FM from struggling businesses to viable radio stations. Their audiences grew within one year to 18 months of Kagiso Media’s involvement.
Reporting directly to Kagiso Media Limited’s Deputy Group CEO will be the CE Radio: Nick Grubb, CE Channels (to be appointed) and CE Content (to be appointed). He will also have Urban Brew Studios in his portfolio. Essack will also provide business direction and guidance to the Chief Innovation Officer, Vincent Maher.
The Deputy CEO will also be the automatic stand in for the CEO whenever the CEO is not available and will also automatically be included in all group forums and structures.
Kagiso Media is pleased to announce the appointment of Derek Wykes as Account Director at Kagiso Media Limited. His role is to drive integrated solution selling across the group’s operating companies.
Wykes joins Kagiso Media Limited from Dimension Data, where he held the position of Client Executive. Prior to that he worked at IBM for 13 years, having started as an Engineer and moving up the ranks. Kagiso Media Group Commercial Director Werner Lindemann says, “Derek has a track record of opening up accounts and building C-level relationships. He is going to focus on specific portfolio accounts for the group.”
Wykes says that he’s excited to have made the move from the IT to media, “I’m looking forward to the new challenge of media marketing and gaining a better understanding of the revenue streams in this industry.”
ENDS.
Kagiso Broadcasting welcomes talent development manager
Kagiso Broadcasting has announced that Tumelo Diaho-Monaheng has been appointed as an on air talent development manager for the group.
A Wits Technikon graduate, Tumelo Diaho-Monaheng boasts almost 15 years’ industry experience. Having filled various senior positions in marketing, content strategy, public relations and audience research, this industry leader is now tasked with on air talent development across Kagiso Broadcasting’s two brands: Jacaranda FM and East Coast Radio. Tumelo’s main focus will be refining existing talent, and sourcing fresh raw talent, with a view to developing young candidates into world-class broadcasters in the future.
Kagiso Broadcasting’s MD of Radio, Nick Grubb shed light on Diaho-Monaheng’s appointment “One of radio’s biggest challenges at the moment is to stay compelling; in order to achieve this you need to develop compelling people. Tumelo comes with a great pedigree for finding and nurturing some of South Africa’s future radio stars. As such, his role will be to work very closely with East Coast Radio and Jacaranda FM’s programming managers to ensure that we are best geared for the future.”
Tumelo expressed his excitement on the new challenge ahead, “ We’ll find new talent everywhere. The idea is to find real radio people from anywhere at any time; youngsters who may not even be aware that they have a future in the radio industry. We’ll unlock their ability and give them the platform to fulfil their potential.”
Tumelo’s media career started at Primedia Broadcasting, where after he moved to Media24’s Family Magazines unit as a research executive, and most recently, YFM where he’s occupied the programming manager role for the past 5 years.
Jacaranda FM collaborates with KykNET Musiek for new television proposition.
Lekker TV, a collaboration between Jacaranda FM and KykNET Musiek will launch on Saturday, 4 October, with 9 hours of weekly television content, with music charts, sports, song requests, gossip, entertainment and on-air highlights; hosted by popular Jacaranda FM presenters: Rian van Heerden, Janina Oberholzer, Frankie du Toit, Morne JK, Robbie Kruse, Barney Simon and Martin Bester.
Lekker TV is positioned as an additional platform where audiences can connect and interact with the brand – further enhancing engagement for established and new fans as well as for clients.
Jacaranda FM general manager, Kevin Fine commented on the new television offering, “Our ability to create tears, laughter or goose bumps has an additional outlet and the partnership with Urban Brew Studios and KykNET makes this a powerful offering. We’ll be taking our personalities as well as their guests, artists and magical moments to television which creates a whole new offering that will provide a new platform for our listeners to interact with us and enhance client opportunities. The exciting part is the ability to take the great content that we’re creating and sharing it with television viewers around South Africa.”
KykNET’s head of Afrikaans music channels, Janine Opperman stated, “Lekker TV is a 9-hour-long block of Afrikaans music entertainment, featuring all your favourite Jacaranda FM presenters and week’s highlights, every Saturday on KykNET Musiek. Each hour has a unique theme, presented by different jocks. Packed with music videos, witty interviews, songs, games and even field reports, the truly unique Lekker TV will change live radio music on KykNET. What you hear on Jacaranda FM, you’re likely to see on Lekker TV. Lekker TV is radio-television in the true sense of the phrase.”
The weekly Lekker TV content schedule will be as follows:
10:30 Lekker Brêkfis: Rian van Heerden and his team present the breakfast hour. Peek behind the scenes of this popular breakfast team and also enjoy their call of the week.
11:30 Lekker Sport: Sports fundi, Robbie Kruse reviews and previews the week’s biggest sports events on the calendar.
12:30 Lekker Vir Jou: Janina Oberholzer plays viewers’ favourite song requests of the week.
13:30 Lekker Bester: Martin Bester leads his team and shares the week’s highlights in the radio studio with us.
14:30 Lekker Tech: Frankie du Toit and Rozanne McKenzie bring us on the latest gadgets, games and tech’ industry news.
15:30 Lekker Celeb: Morne JK fills us in on local and international gossip and entertainment news.
16:30 Lekker Legendes: Rock industry stalwart, Barney Simon plays us his favourite golden oldies.
17:30 Lekker Vermaak: Janina Oberholzer’s weekly interview with the entertainer of the week.
18:30 Lekker Nuut: Frankie du Toit gives us an hour of the freshest music videos.
Catch Lekker TV every Saturday on DStv Channel 146, from 10:30am – 7:30pm.
Chief Innovation Officer joins Kagiso Media Limited
Kagiso Media Limited is pleased to announce the appointment of Vincent Maher as Chief Innovation Officer (CINO) at Kagiso Media Limited, a Kagiso Tiso Holdings company. Maher brings with him a wealth of expertise having worked in the online media industry since 1996, across a range of businesses and sectors.
Maher was the co-founder of mobile community specialists, Motribe. When Motribe was acquired by major social network Mxit, in 2012, he took on the role of Chief Product Officer at Mxit. While there Maher spearheaded the social network’s migration from feature phones to smart phones.
Prior to that, Maher was the Commercial Manager for Mobile Advertising and the Portfolio Manager for Social Media at Vodacom, South Africa’s largest mobile telecommunications company. In this role he was responsible for the rapid growth of The Grid, Vodacom’s location-based social network and instant messaging platform. Maher also helped launch Legends of Echo, a multiplayer location-based mobile game.
Maher has also held the position of strategist at the Mail & Guardian Online and of co-founder of the blog search engine and article aggregator Amatomu.com. He also enjoyed stints as the Director of the New Media Lab at the Rhodes University School of Journalism & Media Studies and the Managing Director of Digital Commerce and Multimedia Director at VWV Interactive.
Of his Kagiso Media appointment Maher says, “The zone where audiences, media and technology collide is where you find the greatest opportunity to innovate and create new media that never existed before. I am looking forward to getting right into the thick of it at Kagiso Media.”
Maher’s role as Chief Innovation Officer will incorporate the development of new and innovative concepts, prototyping new products in the mobile and apps space and looking at the technical standards across the group. Kagiso Media Limited has the www.howzit.msn.com portal, which is published under licence from Microsoft, in its stable, along with several other new media properties such as Zalebs and Adfu.
