Kudelski SA AGM
17-MAY-12
At the annual general meeting (AGM) of Kudelski SA, held on 15 May in Lausanne, Switzerland, all the proposals of the board of directors were voted in with strong majorities. Some 166 shareholders attended the meeting or were represented, corresponding to 68'636'917 shares out of a total of 95'263’735 shares.
Harris Corp divests broadcast business
10-MAY-12
Harris Corporation has approved a plan to divest its Broadcast Communications business, which is known for high end automation, digital asset management, multiviewer and transmission products, among many others.
IABM opens call for awards
07-MAY-12
The IABM (International Association of Broadcasting Manufacturers) organisation is accepting entries for the 2012 IABM Awards for Design and Innovation, which are open to all global manufacturers and suppliers. This awards programme recognises products that offer significant solutions or new opportunities to the broadcast supply industry.
Four SA films at box office
02-MAY-12
Joining the South African films currently on release at the local box office - Material, Semi-Soet and Ordinary People - is the newbie, A Million Colours, which is a sequel to the 1975 apartheid era classic, e’Lollipop.
Canford’s Roland distribution deal
25-APR-12
At the recent PLASA Focus show in Leeds, UK, Canford announced that it has added Roland to its range of pro audio brands. Canford presented a selection of Roland products at PLASA, including the VC-30HD multi-input video converter and encoder, the VR-3, and A4 sized compact ‘all in one’ audio mixer and video switcher and two USB audio interfaces.
SA co opens LA office
24-APR-12
Film Afrika Worldwide is launching a Los Angeles office under the helm of CEO David Wicht. His move to Hollywood builds on the success of recent projects like Chronicle, which topped the American box office earlier this year after shooting in Cape Town with Film Afrika.
Ross Video acquires Cambotics
18-APR-12
Ross Video has announced the acquisition of Cambotics, a robotic camera systems company based in Escondido, California. Cambotics joins the recently established Ross Robotics division to compliment the Furio Robo and Furio RC systems.
Ordinary People at R1.6m
16-APR-12
The new South African film, Angus Buchan's Ordinary People (62 prints), made R837,426 in its second week of release, bringing its cumulative box office to R1.6m.
New CFC board members
10-APR-12
The Cape Film Commission (CFC) has announced the appointment of two new members to the CFC board.
New Zealand's film industry growth
04-APR-12
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the local screen industry in New Zealand contributed NZ$3bn ($2.41b) in gross revenues to the New Zealand economy in 2011, an increase of 4% over 2010.
New SA film releases
14-MAY-12
Otelo Burning, the new South African film that has created a buzz on the international film festival circuit, opened at the local box office on 11 May with 29 prints and made R83,336 over the weekend.
Integrated media monitoring partnership
09-MAY-12
Actus Digital, a developer of web-based media monitoring, content repurposing and verification solutions for broadcasters, cable and satellite providers, IPTV and media, has announced a technology partnership with German-based NEWBASE, a developer of specialised media monitoring technology.
Performance of local films explored
02-MAY-12
A recent distribution and marketing forum hosted by the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) in Johannesburg saw filmmakers, distributors, film financiers and other industry stakeholders gather to discuss the current market for South African films and the challenges in finding audiences and creating a sustainable industry.
Nokia in perspective
25-APR-12
Malik Saadi, principal analyst at Informa Telecoms & Media, has written this comment piece on Nokia’s 1Q12 financial results. He writes: It is clear that Nokia is struggling with its smartphone business but now it looks like it is also struggling with its mobile phone business. Sales in this segment are down from 84+ million in 1Q11 to a staggering 71 million units in 1Q12.
The ASA and the Secrecy Bill
25-APR-12
Mail & Guardian reports that the DA’s parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko has urged the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) of South Africa to reconsider its repeated decision not to investigate ads about the controversial Protection of State Information Bill (aka the Secrecy Bill) issued by the Government Communication and Information Service.
SA films endure at box office
24-APR-12
After three weeks of release, the new South African film, Angus Buchan’s Ordinary People (31 prints), has made just over R2m. It made the number five spot in Ster-Kinekor’s Top 8 earners over the weekend of 20 to 22 April.
Struggling Sony vows to bounce back
17-APR-12
The New York Times reports that Sony Corporation’s recently appointed CEO Kazuo Hirai stated at a news conference last week that the time for the electronics giant to change is now.
Ordinary People’s big box office
11-APR-12
The Christian-themed South African film, Angus Buchan’s Ordinary People, directed by FC Hamman, made the number six spot in the local box office Combined Top 10 over its opening weekend (6 to 8 April). It was released with 62 prints and made an impressive R837,426.
Harris / Active Circle OEM agreement
04-APR-12
Harris Corporation and Active Circle have finalised a worldwide OEM agreement that enables Harris to greatly extend digital asset management capabilities for its customers.
SA box office hits still in Top 10
03-APR-12
After seven weeks of release the South African films Semi-Soet and Material were still in the combined Top 10 at the local box office over the weekend of 20 March to 1 April. Semi-Soet (40 prints) made the number eight spot while Material (31 prints) made the number 10 spot.