He elaborated on the advertising opportunities available through the print, digital, mobile, TV and eventing platforms and a number of other launches. New developments in recent months include a completely revamped website reflecting the company's multi-platform offering and a trade webletter highlighting company news and opportunities for advertisers.
From photographic workshops to wine-tastings and golf days, the company frequently organises events for its consumers and advertisers that capitalise on the specialist nature of its brands. Now that expertise is to be made available outside of the stable - the company's events division is to be put at the disposal of those wanting tailor-made experiences for top-end clients and others.
This division began as a facility to produce footage of road tests for the CARtoday.com website. From this grew a demand to produce high-definition videos, which are flighted on TV, in car showrooms and elsewhere, and has given rise to fully-fledged and professionally staffed TV division that, like the events division, will make its specialist expertise and new studio facilities available for film and video production at a competitive rate. There will be an official opening of the studio.
This flighted its own travel series on DStv at the beginning of the year.
The custom publishing division, launched in January with Sanlam as its first client, will focus on digital magazines going forward as these can be produced and delivered at a fraction of the cost and time of the print counterparts. The company's digital publishing executive, Neal Farrell, will serve as the business manager of this division.
"The past year has been one of rampant change for us. New strategies and opportunities arose when we rebranded a year ago, adopting a new name and image," explained Lowe. "With strong brands, great content and passionate people, we've had 76 years of doing what we do best. Now we are putting that to good use to develop innovative media solutions and opportunities for our advertisers. The possibilities are endless, given our media platforms and services."
Experiences will expand on many of the brands' initiatives and develop new avenues as required by clients, he said. For example, Wine has for some time facilitated food and wine evenings for the high net-wealth clients of some of its advertisers.
There is an imminent launch of the company's corporate responsibility division, which is to collaborate with social investment portal Heart to create and drive meaningful and sustainable CSI initiatives. The first of these, an agency competition in support of pro bono clients, was announced at the industry events. The details of this undertaking are being fine-tuned and will be announced shortly.
