SABC ropes in Arise/365 Digital, Media North and Mediamark to help boost digital ad sales as it continues with retrenchment process of in-house digital sales division

Thinus Ferreira

The South African public broadcaster has appointed Arise/365 Digital, Media North as well as Mediamark as digital sales partners.

The SABC's appointment of Arise/365 Digital, Media North and Mediamark as specialist digital sales companies to try and bring in advertising income for the beleaguered broadcaster comes as the SABC has started a retrenchment process of its sales division staff.

The SABC announced last month that its Section 189 process could affect as many as 180 workers across its various sales divisions, including the broadcaster's digital sales division, with job cuts expected by the end of November.

The Bemawu trade union disputed the number of affected SABC staffers and said that it's not 180 but 262 workers affected by the latest retrenchment process.

The retrenchments will potentially be across the SABC's sales divisions of enterprise sales, corporate sales, government sales, SMME (Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises), digital sales, sports sales, category management including RAP radio and product management), sales operations, Ad-venture sales, the sales intelligence division, as well as sales governance and the deals team.

The SABC's sales division has been underperforming for years.

About the appointment of the outside agencies, Nomsa Chabeli, SABC CEO, says in a statement "These partnerships are about unlocking greater value for our clients".

"By collaborating with trusted specialist partners, we are strengthening our ability to deliver innovative, multi-platform solutions across radio, television and digital."

"This ensures that advertisers can reach audiences in more impactful ways while benefitting from the growth of our digital platforms and the comprehensive opportunities they provide."

According to the SABC the appointment of these agencies will help with the public broadcaster's latest 5-year corporate plan that is looking to add new revenue streams for the corporation.

According to the SABC its sales partnerships with Arise/365 Digital, Media North and Mediamark as digital sales partners will help with broader market coverage through enhanced representation across the SABC's various digital platforms, as well as its streaming service SABC+, SABC News, SABC Sport, and its video entertainment and radio divisions.

The SABC says potential clients who want to advertise on the SABC will get "Access to experienced digital sales professionals who can respond quickly to evolving client needs" and that these agencies will "work alongside SABC’s internal sales teams, complementing rather than replacing them, to maximise client service and revenue potential".

The SABC notes that it remains "committed to transparency and collaboration, ensuring that all agencies and clients are supported through this transition and have access to the best possible service and opportunities".

Viu chooses Kagiso Media's Mediamark as its new sales partner

by Thinus Ferreira

The Viu video streaming service has chosen Kagiso Media's Mediamark as its new sales partner in South Africa.

The Mediamark sales house will now drive sales across Viu's advertising-video-on-demand (AVOD) offering.

Elouise Kelly, Viu South Africa country manager, says the partnership with Mediamark marks an exciting new chapter for both parties.

"Mediamark is a well-established business with an impeccable reputation, consistently demonstrating its ability to partner with brands and businesses alike to grow them profitably. Mediamark holds strong relationships with media agencies, which trust in its ability to bring exciting and effective avenues to reach new audiences to the table."

"This collaboration will combine their expertise with Viu's deep understanding of our market, granting advertisers an exciting opportunity to connect with diverse South African audiences in ways that resonate."

"This partnership with Mediamark signals a strategic step forward for us. Their optimism in the media industry's growth potential aligns perfectly with our confidence in the landscape, and we're excited about the opportunity to deliver even more value and real results to the brands we serve,” concludes Kelly. 

Wayne Bischoff, Mediamark CEO, says "We are thrilled to partner with Viu, which is fast gaining a reputation as one of the most innovative streamers in the global over-the-top (OTT) landscape, offering viewers the golden trifecta of premium content, flexibility and affordability."

"Together, we aim to create new opportunities for brands to engage with audiences in meaningful and impactful ways."

MultiChoice's DStv Media Sales takes over from Mediamark to sell ad space for WarnerMedia's Cartoon Network, Boomerang and TNT channels.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice's ad sales division DStv Media Sales will now be selling commercial airtime across some of WarnerMedia's TV channels on DStv directly with Mediamark that is no longer selling advertising space for WarnerMedia's Cartoon Network, Boomerang or TNT channels from 1 July.

WarnerMedia runs channels like Cartoon Network, Boomerang, CNN International and TNT on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform with DStv Media Sales that has now taken over from Mediamark to sell Cape Town TV (CTV) and WarnerMedia's Cartoon Network, Boomerang and TNT.

"The performance of our multiplex, and the variety of our audience profiles, will give advertisers valuable media exposure combining reach, diverse content opportunities, and strong brand association, enabling valuable advertising return-on-investment (ROI)," says Guillaume Coffin, vice president and head of commercial and business development at WarnerMedia France, Africa and Israel, in a statement.

Piwe Motshegoa, head of sales for general entertainment at DStv Media Sales says "We are extremely excited to welcome our two favourite kids' channels and the Hollywood blockbuster channel to our platform".