Perlman to chair International Media Forum

This major international conference, to be held from May 21 – 22 at The Forum, The Campus in Bryanston, brings together leading international media editors and SA's top business decision-makers, government officials and communication professionals to discuss how both government and business media relations need to be improved to support the future economic development of the country.

Forum organiser Fergal Parkinson says he is delighted that Perlman will chair IMFSA 08: “John is an extremely experienced journalist and knows the importance of making good contacts with the international media and others who shape South Africa's image abroad. In just two days, delegates to IMFSA 08 will gain the kind of media understanding, training and contacts which would otherwise take months and significant investment in PR services to achieve”

Examine the challenge ahead

Perlman, a former SAfm presenter currently with Kaya FM, will preside over the high level delegation which will examine the challenges which still lie ahead in communicating what the country has to offer the international investor community in order to attract the levels of foreign direct investments and trade required for the future.

Perlman's intimate understanding of national affairs and its key players puts him in an ideal position to mediate between the SA government and business delegates attending the forum and the invited senior editors.

Says Perlman, “The second International Media Forum SA couldn't have come at a better time. South African journalists are being forced to look more self-critically at their work because the society around us is questioning what we do more closely than ever before. Bring to the table a distinguished group of international journalists, themselves under scrutiny by a country sensitive – some say over-sensitive – about our portrayal abroad, and you have all the elements of complex, combative and constructive debate. ”

Partners

Perlman and Kaya FM joins the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA) and Business Unity SA (BUSA) as partners, while international media taking part at the forum include The Economist deputy editor Emma Duncan; The Financial Times African editor William Wallis; The Hindustan Times of India foreign editor Amit Baruah; The New York Times African correspondent Celia Dugger; CNN Johannesburg bureau chief Kim Norgaard; Reuters Africa Editor John Chiahman; Virgin Atlantic director of communications Paul Charles; and the man behind promoting Germany before the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Mike de Vriesto. Bizcommunity.com is a media partner.

The forum is aimed at anyone who wants to improve and develop their company's or their client's media relations and learn from the experts how best to influence the global media, and those in government with an interest in or responsibility for determining how our country is perceived abroad.

In addition to the forum, the organisers have launched an interactive website where you can discuss and share views, as well as download articles about South Africa's position in the international media and its impact on the country. For more information, bookings and prices, or to engage in a web-based discussion forum, go to www.internationalmediaforumsa.com.