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."

Jan du Plessis to lead Primedia Studios.

by Thinus Ferreira

South Africa's Primedia is creating Primedia Studios which will be headed up by the South African TV veteran Jan du Plessis as Primedia Studios president, who just retired from M-Net and MultiChoice after almost three decades.

Jan du Plessis will be responsible for oversight of Primedia Studios' strategy around the licensing, creation, development, localisation and distribution of entertainment shows and content like Primedia's content deal with the SABC for format shows like Deal or No Deal SA and The Masked Singer SA for SABC1 and SABC3.

Jan du Plessis joins Lindile Xoko, chief revenue officer and Primedia Broadcasting CEO, as well  as Victoria Ramabulana, showrunner and project manager, who will report directly to Jonathan Procter, Primedia Group CEO.

Jan du Plessis says "We're confident that international format rights-holders, studios and indies will share our excitement at the launch of Primedia Studios".

"Our clients and advertisers can expect the best local content, including new and revitalised formats and dedicated marketing support. Marvel discovered that Africa has superheroes, too, and Wakanda can be forever."

"We want the real character and stories of Africa to infuse everything we do, and we will invest all available resources in the intellectual property that brings these stories to life. By harnessing the power and reach of the Primedia Group, Primedia Studios will be the home of premium-quality Africa-inspired content that will resonate with audiences around the world."

Jonathan Proctor says "Jan is an exceptionally talented professional who will inspire our company's next generation of young people as well as our industry's next generation of leaders. His innovation has created countless opportunities for both audiences and advertisers. For Primedia and the rest of the African continent, this will be a pivotal moment in our industry's development".