Newspapers get proactive

Comprised of major South African printing and publishing groups, committee members are giving their time freely to the non-profit organisation. Publishers will fund the setting up of smaller publishing houses through the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA).

NASA membership comprises 42 urban and metropolitan daily, weekly, bi-monthly and monthly newspapers, published in English, Afrikaans and Chinese. An additional 147 free and sold community newspapers are represented.

The titles of Johnnic Communications; Independent Newspapers; Media 24; Caxton Printing & Publishers; M&G Media and Natal Witness Printing & Publishing are involved in the PON initiative.

Committee members are: Andrew Cuthbertson (Chairperson) and Winn Gibbs, The Inc; Gill Randall and John Bowles, The Newspaper Advertising Bureau (NAB), Cathy Pestana and Natasha Volans, Print Media South Africa; Garry Rogers and Marius Cloete, The Mail & Guardian; Glen Sanders, Mondi Shanduka Newsprint; Laura Kaufman, and Sarel du Plessis RCP Media; Lynette Benjamin and Esmé Deken, Johnnic Communications; Nick Holdsworth, Caxton Publishers & Printers; Tiaan Ras and Amanda Koekemoer, Ads 24.

Cuthbertson says that the PON committee is looking forward to its task ahead and is positive that forthcoming initiatives will boost the popularity of newspapers as a formidable advertising option: "Our first action will be to introduce a strong and identifiable brand for PON, which will be unveiled shortly, the second is to host a series of road shows in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban next month, with prominent speakers and campaign changing presentations.

"The third task at hand is to initiate a Newspaper Week where, as the title suggests, the medium will be promoted to brand custodians and media planners in a unique manner. But that's just the start."