"In terms of the logos, the design and the look this has been a debate which has been going on within our company for years," said Patrick Conroy, the group head of news at the eNCA when I asked him at the press conference how many different logos and versions and options the eNews Channel looked at before deciding on the mosaic version of Africa with the name eNCA.
The eNews Channel on MultiChoice's DStv has now changed to simply eNCA and is branching out to be available on the Sky pay-TV platform's service from today.
"How do we position the eNews Channel for it in order to be able to travel? We've had many, many discussions and debates; looking at this option and that option. If I had to say to you how many names and how many logos we've looked at ... "
"A logo or a name is just a name until you understand what the value is behind it. Our challenge is to make the eNCA as a brand not only mean something for South Africans who already know it, but for an international audience. They need to get to know what it stands for."
"And I think what it stands for is a more contemporary, modern Africa. If your on Sky and are next to channels such as Discovery HD, you want to look professional. We looked at all kinds of African designs. It's been a long road."
"What works for me personally is that we haven't lost what the eNews Channel was. The essential part is still there - we're just now instantly recognisable as coming from Africa and with South African roots. The challenge now would be to grown Chris Maroleng's division [eNCA Africa editor] to increase the output to tell the best stories that we can possibly get," says Patrick Conroy.
