pantone-blog

The 2010 World Cup Buzz

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:01:46 +0100

With less that 100 days to go, infact as I blog this we are on exactly 95 days to kick off. Alot is coming to the fold in the media with regards to the beneficiaries of 2010 Fifa. The expected returns that the country seems to have envisaged might not necessarily be reached, but this only requires that South African start thinking out of their scope. The government must do it for us, scenario needs to be destroyed completely.

The question that South Africans should be asking themselves is, with less than 100 days to go, have I achieved what I set myself to do when Sepp Blatter announced that the World Cup will be hosted in South Africa by 2010. I know from my perspective, I have only put half the time in the project I set myself to do. We need to rid the country of lazyness and proscrastination. Government has done their part, and it is left for the citizens of the country to think beyond 2010 and start planning for the future. Afrter July 11, what are you personally hoping to have achieved to set you on the right cause to assist your country. I would hate to listed to political insinuations that the World Cup has ripped us off as part of election campaign starting in 2011 with municipality elections.

The Buzz is diffenately in the air, lets direct our beautiful country to the right direction that will seek to reduce unemployment and and effectively eliminate poverty and income inequalities. The media has a strong role to play in terms of motivating the citizens and all people that reside in this country including the migrant communities.

I have to admit this is kinda a different blog from what you will generally find in this space.

For additional Tshepo Moletsane (Blogs) visit
http://tshepo.moletsane.blogspot.com
http://memoirsofafather.blogspot.com
www.bizjam.co.za/tshepo/blog

Digital Migration in the Context of Print

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:14:19 +0100

Digital Migration has become the new order in the realms of publishing, though I have to admit given the recent past of the "so called" reccession private entities are still skeptical in investing in new media initiatives. The result is obviously shutting doors of publishing houses at the worst but at the least the battle in the boardrooms with editors and management at loggerheads. The accountant has become a serious contender in the boardroom (Thanks to the Global Reccession, obviously this not withstanding the fact that they created the mess in the first place, but thats a story for another day in other parts of the world commonly known as Wall Street).

The digital migration phase is by far a true testatement of the Chinese saying that goes something to the effect of "We live in interesting times". One can hardly pass school children these days without one or two of them busy with their gadgets and at the same time holding a conversation and if be cross the street aswell. These tools from the scholer perspective has definately outweighed the stripe blazer with tie and polish shoes as a defined moment of my time. Social networks are pushing volumes in terms of photos loading, messages, updates, tweets, and so forth that even any National Post Office will not play catch up. Amidst all this though convinience is created but often credibility is lost. The trick for traditional businesses will be to find the perfect balance between new media without losing values that are entrusted within their brands, integrity, trust, credibility, key core values for the old order.

Digital migration in it's trueform should however be embraced, as this exposes brands into new areas of opportunities, new innovations, new markets, and new dynamics of how the business engages with it's clients. Those that will accept the change and innovate will reap the benefits once corporate adopts new media fully as integral part of their business. A few media publisher houses are already setting up digital editions, but somehow lack the full understanding that this is an area where control is only effective at initial phase, but once the migration has taken its course it becomes a tool for the end user to use as how they see fit. From how once created content starts spreading in the digital realms were one has no control, to possible attacks on views that are expressed and so forth. The challenge for publishers in this space remains finding the perfect balance for monetisation of content origination as distribution gets handed over to the end user.

Times are Tough, but so should every publisher

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:05:00 +0100

Below is my response based on Ed's Note The MediaOnline ( featured on 17 February 2010)

http://www.themediaonline.co.za/themedia/view/themedia/en/page268?oid=45510&sn=Detail

Gordon Muller puts it best using the Muller's Popcorn Principle.

"When the publisher of one of Mzansi's largest magazine groups tells the industry at a major forum that a reader's relationship with a magazine is, in essence, no different from a housewife's relationship with her chosen washing powder, then it is clear that, if the print industry has not already hit rock bottom, the earth is approaching fast." Gordon Muller

The truth of the matter is that marketing will not solve the crisis of publishers shutting titles. There are just too many women magazines on the shelf, and nothing differentiates the one from the next. The same thing could be said with most newspapers, were titles are reduced to half naked babes instead of content. The sad thing is that the industry has been selling to advertisers, media owners and management on the premise of see how fast I get off the shelf ( perhaps the demise has been "Sexy Sells" driven covers) . From a women magazine point of view, it has become see how fast I get to the shelf, spot me amongst the clutter, spotting no difference from one magazine to the next, and please pick me cause inside this issue we talk nutrition, how to loose weight, women in business, ultimate competition and tips for the kitchen amongst nappies adverts and advertorials. Besides masterhead differences, there is hardly any difference from one women magazine to the next and this is inclusive of those that talk fitness and so forth. The reality is we have a huge task in finding ways to respond to the critical challenges with regards to increasing production cost, reduced advertising spend, and decreasing circulation. We could honestly not pretend that Gordon predictions are unfolding right before our very eyes "the earth is trully approaching fast".

With this said, it's trully about time that the industry goes back to the drawing board. To borrow an expression from last year's Presidential State of the Nation Addrress "Its Business Unusual".The nature of the publishing industry is one were things are kept far apart, circulation, editorial, marketing, sales & finance and all in the name of producing a product that talks to the same audience independently. Every department has it's approach to the target audience, synergy is therefore lost and the end result is shut doors. For the industry to trully be saved, we ought to ask ourselves key fundamental questions:

1. Is the product unique from it's competitors?
2. Was our premise to launch the magazine based on "All women have the same issues and aspire to see the blonde or celeb on the cover"?
3. Is content still the decider or is glossy the answer to more sales & advertising and what if everyone else is glossy?
4. Are we growing beyond the 30 000 circulation?
5. Is the title still relevant to the audience, how has the audience changed?
6. Are we finding ways to balance new media with traditional media?
7. Are we evolving and finding news ways to monetise additional opportunities within the title?
8. Are we evolving with the times and are we in tune with emerging needs for women?

Only in being honest will the industry be able to reduce the cut costs syndrome. Going back to the principles, will mean that alot of titles will be saved, and the reader pie can increase provided that the offering becomes unique and that departmental teams play a more interlink role for the end product and ultimately the end user.

Tshepo Moletsane

State of the Nation Address ( President Jacob Zuma)

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 07:15:47 +0100

I took liberty to put the state of the nation address in this blog as delivered by President of the Republic, the honourable Mr. Jacob Zuma.

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STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY JG ZUMA,

PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

JOINT SITTING OF PARLIAMENT, CAPE TOWN

11 FEBRUARY 2010

Honourable Speaker;

Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces;

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP;

Deputy President of the Republic, Honourable Kgalema Motlanthe;

Honourable Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa and all esteemed members of the Judiciary;

Isithwalandwe President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela;

Former President FW de Klerk;

Our father, Former President Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia;

Former Deputy Presidents;

Distinguished Premiers and Speakers of our Provinces;

Chairperson of SALGA and all local government leadership;

Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders;

Heads of Chapter 9 Institutions;

The Governor of the Reserve Bank;

Special international Guests especially the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mr Jean Ping;

Former political prisoners and veterans;

Members of the diplomatic corps;

South African and foreign media;

Fellow South Africans,

Dumelang, molweni, goeie naand, good evening, sanibonani nonke emakhaya!

Siyavuya ukuba nani ngobubusuku bubaluleke kangaka.

I stand before you this evening, 20 years since President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela walked out of prison.

We have chosen this as the day to call this Joint Sitting of Parliament to deliver the State of the Nation Address, to celebrate a watershed moment that changed our country.

The release of Madiba was brought about by the resolute struggles of the South African people.

You will recall that the masses of this country, in their different formations, responded with determination to the call to make the country ungovernable and apartheid unworkable.

We are celebrating this day with former political prisoners who we have specially invited to join us.

We welcome in particular those who have travelled from abroad to be here, Helene Pastoors, Michael Dingake from Botswana, Mr Andimba Toivo ya Toivo of SWAPO in Namibia.

We are pleased to be joined by members of the legal team in the Rivonia Treason trial – Lord Joel Joffe, who is now based in London and Judge Arthur Chaskalson.

We also remember and pay tribute to Mr Harry Schwarz, who sadly passed away last week.

He was amongst other things, a member of the Rivonia defence team.

We extend our gratitude to our friends and comrades in the international community, for fighting side by side with us to achieve freedom.

We extend a special welcome to the Mandela family.

They became a symbol of the sacrifices of many who bore the brunt of apartheid.

We greet the leadership of the ruling party and Alliance partners, for whom this is an extra special occasion.

Compatriots and friends,

On this special day, we must also acknowledge the contribution of those within the leadership of the National Party, who eventually realised that apartheid had no future.

Allow me to mention the role played by former President PW Botha.

It was he who initiated the discussion about the possible release of political prisoners.

President Botha worked with the former Minister of Justice, Mr Kobie Coetzee, who was in turn assisted by Dr Neil Barnard and Mr Mike Louw.

They played a significant role in the process leading to the release of Madiba.

Honourable Members,

South Africa is yet to acknowledge in full, the critical role played by the former President of the ANC, Comrade Oliver Tambo, who laid the foundation for this country to become a shining example of freedom and democracy.

It was his outstanding leadership, foresight and clarity of vision that led the ANC to intensify the pursuit of a negotiated settlement.

His wisdom was also displayed in the Harare Declaration which he wrote and championed.

It was this that laid the groundwork for the historic announcements by President FW de Klerk, 20 years ago.

In this, President de Klerk demonstrated great courage and decisive leadership.

On this great day, let me also acknowledge the role played by the late Ms Helen Suzman.

She was for a long time, a lone voice in Parliament, calling for change.

We also recognise the role of the leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party, Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who also called for Madiba’s release, as well as that of other prisoners and the return of exiles.

We reiterate our heartfelt gratitude to the international community for its unwavering support to our struggle.

These moments in our history demonstrate our ability to come together, even under the most difficult of circumstances, and to put the country’s interests first above all other interests.

Deur saam te werk, kan ons meer bereik.

Honourable members,

During the course of this year, we will mark the centenary of the establishment of the Union of South Africa.

This created a unitary state.

Significantly, the exclusion of black people from this Union was one of the chief reasons for the formation of the African National Congress in 1912.

As we mark this centenary later in the year, we should reflect on how far we have travelled as a country.

Honourable Members,

We recall the words of Madiba on his release, when he said:

“I stand before you, not as a prophet but as a humble servant of you, the people.

Your tireless and heroic sacrifices have made it possible for me to be here today.

I therefore place the remaining years of my life in your hands.”

These words inspire us not to rest, until we achieve the ideals of a society free of poverty and deprivation.

In the two decades since the release of Madiba, our country has changed fundamentally.

President Mandela united this country behind the goal of a non-sexist, non-racial, democratic and prosperous South Africa.

As we celebrate Madiba’s release today, let us recommit ourselves to building a better future for all South Africans, black and white.

Let us pursue the ideal for which Madiba has fought his entire life - the ideal of a democratic and free society, in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.

Honourable Members,

We called a joint sitting in the evening so that the majority in our country, workers and school children, can be part of the occasion.

We are impressed by the enthusiasm of the youth about the occasion.

Two hundred and sixty six children from all provinces participated in the pre-State of the Nation debate on the role of the youth in the fight against poverty.

We congratulate the overall winner, Charlotte Le Fleur of Worcester Secondary School and all the participants for the hard work.

Compatriots and friends,

We are meeting against the backdrop of a global economic crisis.

Last year, we experienced our first recession in 17 years.

The crisis cost our economy about 900 000 jobs.

Many of those who lost their jobs were the breadwinners in poor families.

In February last year, government, business, labour and community representatives agreed on a package of measures to reduce the scale and impact of the crisis. We have put many of these measures in place.

We have implemented decisive anti-recession spending by government, especially on infrastructure.

To ensure a safety cushion for the poor, we brought social grant increases forward, and extended the child support grant to children over 14 years of age. In the next three years, an additional two million children from poor households, aged 15 to 18 years, will benefit from the child support grant.

The Industrial Development Corporation has put aside R6 billion to help companies in distress.

Government introduced a “training lay-off scheme” to allow workers the option of a period of training instead of retrenchment.

These efforts were enhanced by our public works programme.

The nation will recall that during the 2009 State of the Nation Address, I announced that the Expanded Public Works Programme would create 500 000 work opportunities, by December 2009.

Let me reiterate that these are not jobs in the mainstream economy.

These are job opportunities created to provide unemployed people with an income, work experience, and training opportunities.

Honourable Members, Fellow South Africans,

We are pleased to announce that by the end of December, we had created more than 480 000 public works job opportunities, which is 97% of the target we had set.

The jobs are in areas like construction, home and community based care, and environmental projects.

We have identified some areas of improvement which we will effect going forward, including ensuring more labour intensive projects.

We know that these and other measures cannot fully mitigate the effects of the recession.

We are grateful for the spirit of family, community and voluntary work that inspires many people to help those most affected by the crisis, through these difficult times.

Honourable Members,

Economic indicators suggest that we are now turning the corner.

Economic activity is rising in South Africa, and we expect growth going forward.

The labour statistics released on Tuesday, show that the economy is now creating jobs rather than shedding them.

It is too soon, though, to be certain of the pace of recovery.

Government will therefore not withdraw its support measures.

Now is the time to lay the groundwork for stronger growth going forward, and for growth that gives rise to more jobs.

Our long-term infrastructure programme will help us grow faster.

Our education and skills programmes will increase our productivity and competitiveness.

Our Industrial Policy Action Plan and our new focus on green jobs, will build stronger and more labour absorbing industries.

Our rural development programme will improve rural productivity, and the lives of people living in rural areas.

Underpinning our strategy for economic recovery and growth, is our capital investment programme.

Over the next three years government will spend R846 billion on public infrastructure.

On transport, we will maintain and expand our road network.

We will ensure that our rail network is reliable, competitive and better integrated with our sea ports.

To ensure reliable power supply, we have established an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Energy, to develop a 20 year integrated resource plan.

Among other things, this will look at the participation of independent power producers, and protecting the poor from rising electricity prices.

We will establish an independent system operator, separate from Eskom Holdings.

Eskom will continue to build additional generation capacity and improve the maintenance of its power stations.

To ensure the promotion of an inclusive economy, to aid growth and development, we have established the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Advisory Council, chaired by the President.

The most urgent focus of policy change must be interventions to create jobs for young people.

Unemployment rates for young people are substantially higher than the average.

Proposals will be tabled to subsidise the cost of hiring younger workers, to encourage firms to take on inexperienced staff.

A further expansion of public employment programmes is also underway.

This includes local infrastructure and literacy projects, home-based care, school maintenance and early childhood development initiatives.

Last year we launched the National Youth Development Agency.

We have directed the Agency to work faster to establish its structures, throughout the country, so that it can assist us to mainstream youth development programmes within government.

Honourable Members,

When this administration came into office last year, we undertook to work harder to build a strong developmental state.

We said it would be a state that responds to the needs and aspirations of the people, and which performs better and faster.

This year, 2010, shall be a year of action.

The defining feature of this administration will be that it knows where people live, understands their needs, and responds faster.

Government must work faster, harder and smarter.

We will expect the executive and the public service to comply with this vision.

We are building a performance-oriented state, by improving planning as well as performance monitoring and evaluation.

We also need to integrate gender equity measures into the government’

State of the Media

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:50:24 +0100

How appropriate is this title on the eve of South Africa's state of the nation address. Alot of debate when it comes to media in the past few weeks has been around responsibility of the media. This follows the eTV expose of claims of robbery by few individuals during this year Fifa World Cup. I have been asking myself a few questions surrounding the role of media in this country. What role are we playing, what role should we be playing, but the key question has been is political opposition so weak in the country that the media has to play that role. In honest truth, i fail to remember when last I read a feel good South African article making the headlines....Ohhhh I think that was Mark Shuttleworth, nothing else comes to mind. Anyway perhaps this explains alot with regards to decreasing circulation and decreasing listnership and viewership.

The question I need to ask then is this? Has our role as political opposition in a democratic country leaving the vast majority of the citizens with no hope, have we reached the point were we are perceived aswell as the enemy instead of the voice of the people. Is our reporting accurate, are we pointing to government successes or are we so consumed with highlight the failers under the premise that people want bad news.In doing this aren't we contributing in a negative way.I leave you this time with questions, and would prefer if you could ponder just for a minute.Think of the State of the Media and the role that we are playing.

The World of Kindle and Ipad ( Impact of Digital Migration to Media Consumption)

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 07:59:27 +0100

The world as we know it is evolving at the speed of light. A few years back it was just about mobile communications, with no additional features. These days you can't talk to a 13 year old, who will not teach you a thing or two with your gadgets. Whilst the older generation use these tool for mere convinience restricted to communication. Gadgets are evolving and impacting on social behaviour changes. The recent launch of kindle and just weeks back the iPad, is proof of how new media takes on the battle to tradional media "head on" on a daily basis. Traditional media houses are still in the denial phase, a consequence of lack of creative and innovation. The benefit of this ignorance in referrence to South Africa is strongly related to social dynamics of the country, and this allows media owners the ability to learn from their overseas counterparts and prepares for a response to challenges from new media developments. Though the impact of kindle has not hit the country yet, we have the benefit of comparing both the Ipad to kindle and prepare our response given the insights and learnings.

One thing that tradional media houses need to be caution of, is that the new reader is evolving with the world trends. Something that perhaps can be attributed to a decrease in circulation, viewership and listenership. There has certainly come a point at which the medium fails to reach critical mass. Developments such as PVR, paid for tv channels,ipods, iphones and games developments just to name a few, are slowly impacting on consumption of media. This has dire consequences on the industry as a whole. Top access any information, one this days only need a cellphone. ICASA is also churning out licences, both radio and tv and it will not be long until the impact of new media which is currently hitting press impacts on radio and tv stations. The old content that we have to succumb to with endless repeats episodes, will soon come to an end.

Those that will be innovative in these trivial times will wither the storm of digital migration, and will do well to position themselves in that space given that from South African context time is on our side for now. The survival of traditional media is based on partnerships with new media, as opposed to writing it off as a NO THREAT. Gone are the days when we could compare readership,listenership and vierwership from just traditional competitors. Digital migration has become a player in medium consumption.

The Future of Marketing ( T. Moletsane)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:28:28 +0100

The recent world events that were largely pronounced as "The Recession" had a number of consequences for marketers. The recession for the first time put financial departments at loggerheads with the marketing departments in various corporate sectors. Whilst the approach from two fields differed, one cannot help it but admit that finance had their way with future plans for companies that were structured in 2009. This obviously a consequence of lets cut down cost ( CDC ) syndrome, which goes against the principle of innovation.

One could be forgiven for assuming that whilst the boardroom dissagreements were largely based on old school of thoughts from both camps. Marketing on the other hand was also dealing with challenges of the new media, which at this stage the benefits can't be quantified and adds fuel to the accountant logic. One thing for certain though, the future of marketing has been shaped in a new direction with last years events.

Now more than ever, marketers have gone back to the basics ( Marketing at the end of the day needs to add to the bottom line & market share). The partners in this field now have to make it all work with minimum resources. I however, hold the view that it is in adversity that marketing as an institution will triumph. If anything has been learned from recent events is that we can no longer afford to take this sector as an irrelevant part of the business. Should we continue in those ways, without even speeding our understanding of new innovations in will be to the demise of this institution.