Big coup for Loeries
In a major move that will bring the very best in local advertising, communication and design into the homes of millions across South Africa, the organisers of the annual Loerie Awards have announced a partnership with national broadcaster SABC.
Furthermore, Media24, Africa’s biggest publishing group, has committed to partner the Loeries for at least another three years. This follows the outstanding success of the 2005 awards weekend in Margate, KwaZulu-Natal, for which Media24 was a lead sponsor.
Commenting on the agreement with the SABC, Loerie Awards MD, Andrew Human, said the broadcaster would have a major presence at this year’s Loeries award ceremony, to be staged in September.
“As the public broadcaster, the SABC will use its extensive electronic media footprint – including radio and television – to bring the Loeries to the people. This is in line with the Awards’ stated objective of fostering creative excellence and making advertising more accessible to all of South Africa’s communities.”
Mark Jakins, CE: Commercial Enterprises of the SABC said: “Our role as the
Public Broadcaster is to assist in the transformation of creative strategy to an environment embracing diversity, heritage, and true South Africanism – including the recognition of industry excellence. We depend heavily on the support of marketers and advertisers to fund the SABC, as well as creative excellence in the delivery of language marketing to South African citizens.
“Through our involvement we intend partnering with the Loeries Committee, via our platforms of Television and Radio, to make this year’s Loeries build-up an event bigger and better than ever before. We are delighted to renew this partnership.”
Both Media24 and the SABC will partner with The Loerie Awards during the full year ahead. SABC will commence its involvement at Design Indaba 2006, which commences on 22 February at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. The Loerie Awards Travelling Exhibition will be hosted here by the SABC, and winners from 2005 will be on display.
Sarel du Plessis, senior GM, Media24 remarked: “We are proud to once again be associated with The Loerie Awards, as its high standards, creativity and professionalism echo those of Media24. We see a long and mutually beneficial relationship ahead, one that will benefit the communication industry, the media industry, marketers as well as consumers.”
