Tracking African business

Karen Dyke of Media Intelligence Services announced that eWatch, the world's leading automated media monitoring service, tracks more than 250 African sites with 9 143 global news sites covered. This automated service also empowers African business to track competitive editorial mention, sector news and trends as well as rogue sites.

ProfNet, the global expert resource for reporters, has continent-wide news subscribers to the ProfNet Wire, including the leading broadcast, daily and weekly news media. With almost 400 African-based experts from the continent's leading academic institutions, professional services firms and multinational business, ProfNet offers reporters access to world-class experts who can provide commentary on a broad range of issues.

Dyke says: "South African business, in particular, has been showing an increasing trend to expand beyond the borders with an eye on the potential market growth in the continent.

"Tracking media coverage in new markets is key to both risk management and growth strategy."

Dyke points to ProfNet Experts as a precise means to raise an organisation's profile by making experts available for on-the-record commentary: "Journalists are pressed to find sources outside of their home range, but the ProfNet database lists the expert's background, areas of expertise, academic qualifications and contact details.

"ProfNet has been working with academic institutions and NGOs in Africa since 2001 and there is an impressive level of participation across the board. With the continent's intellectual leaders now available to reporters, hopefully we will see the profile of the news out of Africa starting to reflect more than war, disease and poverty."