SABC PR goes in-house

By mutual consent, the SABC and its external public relations consultancy, Creative Spirit Communications, have agreed to terminate their relationship.

Creative Spirit Communications was appointed to the SABC in May 2002. The company is a joint venture between Meropa Communications and Welcome Msomi PR. It was formed at the request of the SABC. The joint venture will continue to exist, as the two parties have enjoyed working together.

Announcing the decision in a joint statement, Mr Mark Jakins, SABC Group Sales and Marketing Director, Mr Welcome Msomi and Mr Peter Mann said: "For some time we have been discussing how best to serve the SABC. It appears to all of us that, at this stage of its development, the SABC needs to expand its internal capacity rather than rely on outside help. Mr Dlamini's appointment provides the ideal opportunity for the SABC to implement this decision.

"We emphasise that this decision has been reached amicably and that Creative Spirit Communications will withdraw itself willingly over the next weeks -- formally ending its contract in April. We do not exclude the possibility of working together in the future."

Mr Jakins thanked Creative Spirit Communications for the service it had given the SABC over the past year.