Wednesday, December 18, 2024

eMedia COO Antonio Lee is new Broadcast Research Council chairperson, Primedia's Jonathan Proctor and Kagiso's Nick Grubb added to board


by Thinus Ferreira

In leadership changes at the Broadcast Research Council of South Africa (BRC),  eMedia COO Antonio Lee is the new chairperson, with Kagiso Media's Nick Grubb and Primedia's Jonathan Procter who have joined the board.

Antonio Lee, eMedia Investments chief operating officer (COO) is now the new BRC chairperson and replaces Monde Twala, senior vice president & co-general manager for Paramount Africa & lead for BET International, who has been BRC chairperson since 2018.

Monde Twala will remain a BRC board member.

Nick Grubb, Kagiso Media chief executive for radio, and Jonathan Procter, Primedia group CEO, have joined the BRC board.

The BRC says that the outgoing board members Melissa McNally and Tracy Stafford will move to focus on technical oversight within the BRC's Radio Research Committee.

In 2025 the BRC plans to undertake "comprehensive research procurement and development processes that will further enhance audience measurement capabilities".

These include Radio Audience Measurement (RAMS) with a new Request for Proposal (RFP) which has been launched in the last quarter of this year and a supplier appointment which is expected by the end of the first quarter of 2025.

In Television Audience Measurement (TAMS) a comprehensive RFP process is scheduled for the first two quarters of 2025 to improve South African television audience research methodologies further.

Ask Afrika has been appointed to conduct a comprehensive Establishment Survey that will provide universe updates for both television and radio sectors in 2025.

"These strategic moves are not just about changes or procuring new research," says Antonio Lee.

"They represent our commitment to delivering nuanced, accurate, and timely audience insights that will drive strategic decision-making across the media, marketing, and advertising landscapes."

Gary Whitaker, BRC CEO, says "Our ongoing mission remains the same which is to provide objective, transparent data that empowers our industry's understanding of audience dynamics."