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Facebook launches Nigeria initiative

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Facebook launches Nigeria initiative

Facebook has announced a new nationwide initiative in Nigeria to
further cement its commitment and investment in the country, and across the
continent. Incorporating a series of high profile partnerships, training programmes
and a physical space that will serve as a centre for learning and skills development,
this set of initiatives is aimed at helping to develop and nurture communities,
including small businesses, the tech and start-up ecosystem, youths and creatives.

“In Nigeria, more than 22 million people use Facebook every month and 87 per cent
of SMEs say that when they hire, digital skills are more important than where an
applicant went to school. This demonstrates that the power of digital skills to aid
economic growth and development has never been more important,’ commented
Ebele Okobi, Facebook’s Public Policy director, Africa. “At Facebook, our mission is
clear: To give people the power to build community and bring the world closer
together. Our investments and commitments announced in Lagos today further reflect
our intent to partner with Nigeria’s policy makers and its vibrant tech and
entrepreneurial eco-system to create economic opportunity and independence in
Nigeria and across Africa.’’

NG_HUB from Facebook
In partnership with CC Hub, Facebook will be opening the doors to its first community
Hub space in the heart of Lagos, scheduled to open early next year. “NG_HUB from
Facebook’ will be a multi-faceted creative space, which will connect and bring together
developers, start-ups and the wider community to collaborate, learn and exchange
ideas. The NG_HUB will also host a start-up incubator programme, as well as bespoke
trainings, guest speakers and a dedicated event space, all aimed at attracting the best
talent and driving innovation in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem.

Additionally, across Nigeria, Facebook will be supporting a number of existing tech
Hubs to serve the communities outside Lagos. The hubs will function as learning
centres for local communities, providing multiple opportunities for training and access.

Commenting on the announcement of NG_HUB in partnership with CC Hub, and
Facebook’s further support of local hubs across Nigeria, Emeka Afigbo, head of
Platform Partnerships, Middle East & Africa said: “Nigeria is producing a new
generation of exciting start-ups that have incredible potential. We understand the
important role Facebook plays here in Nigeria with developers and start-ups and are
invested in helping these communities build for the next billion. One of our key
passions at Facebook is nurturing and helping to develop the tech and start-up
community, and I’m excited to announce our partnership with the Nigerian tech hub
ecosystem especially the NG_HUB space, here in Lagos.’

Facebook Nigeria Skills Programmes
Facebook is committed to working with Nigerian small businesses, tech entrepreneurs
and the next generation of leaders to better understand and utilise the power of
digital tools for economic growth. Launching a series of learning-based programmes
facilitated by local training partners, these have been designed to provide skills that
lead to employment and to support the growth of small businesses. The goal is to
train and support over 50 000 students, small businesses and creative entrepreneurs
across the country through a series of scaled digital skills trainings, as well as long-
term impact programmes.

The training programmes will include:

• Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Digital (in partnership with the Fate Foundation) – a
four-week intensive programme for entrepreneurs across Nigeria. This will be offered
throughout the year in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Ibadan, Kaduna and
Enugu
• Jobs for Youth: Coding for Employment – a training
programme to develop Nigeria’s next generation of coders – designed to upskill
developers and prepare them for employment
• Boost your Business – designed for small, medium sized
businesses owners, teaching the fundamentals of digital marketing for business
growth, with the goal to help business owners better understand their brand, audience
and how to best reach and service them online
• Creative Entrepreneurship Training – specialised training
designed specifically for creatives, including photographers, filmmakers, musicians,
artists, bloggers and other creative content creators
• Online Safety + Digital Literacy Training in Schools and
Universities – featuring a series of online safety and digital literacy courses
for secondary school and university students

Ahead of the programme launch, Facebook undertook a detailed “Economic Impact
Study’ to further understand how communities like small businesses and consumers in
Nigeria use the platform, and the effectiveness of social media as a growth tool.
Nearly one in two small businesses on Facebook say they built their business on the
platform, and 62 per cent stated they have been able to use Facebook to help find
employees for their business, whilst over half (58 per cent) of small businesses on the
platform say they have been able to hire more employees’ due to growth since joining
Facebook.

Vicinity Media releases first-to-market location-focused video solution

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Location-based mobile network Vicinity Media have released a first-to-market
location-focused video solution and are proud to announce the product includes some
global innovations.

The new product has four key components:

Firstly, advertisers get access to Vicinity’s industry leading location targeting that
harnesses proprietary technology to target down to street level. This means video
campaigns can now have real location relevance.

Secondly, Vicinity’s location based video product gives brands and agencies access to
Vicinity’s Premium Network, a network that has now become one of South Africa’s
biggest and includes publishers like IOL, TimesLive, eNCA, Soccer Laduma and close
to 100 others. For advertisers used to accessing individual publishers or relying on
programmatic distribution this is a game changer as Vicinity’s network has legitimate
audiences, brand safety and viewability baked in!

Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, Vicinity’s new video product publishes the
distance/travel time from the viewer to the point of purchase within the video. The
ability to publish location within video is a global first, pioneered right here in South
Africa.

Fourthly, users can be directed to the familiar Location Landing Page allowing
users to Drive, Walk, Show Map, and engage further. Vicinity’s store by store
analytics are also included in the new video product and combined with visitability
reporting allows brands to increase user engagement, drive footfall, and gain insights
into consumer behaviour.

In addition advertisers will continue to get all standard video metrics with which they
are familiar to, on top of the extended location metrics.

For more information visit the Vicinity
Media website.

2017 Financial Mail AdFocus Award winners announced

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The winners of the 2017 Financial Mail AdFocus Awards were announced on
Wednesday, 22 November at an event held at The Empire Conference and Events
venue in Parktown, Gauteng

Twenty-one agencies were shortlisted across six categories. Agencies were
adjudicated against four measures: New Business and Growth, Business Retention
and Relationships, Training and Industry Recognition, and Empowerment/Social
Responsibility.

Convened by Jeremy Maggs and David Furlonger – the co-editors of the annual
Financial Mail AdFocus Magazine – a panel consisting of jury chairperson Craig Page-
Lee and other industry professionals adjudicated each entry and applied their scores
in secret.

Finalist agencies in all categories made themselves available for a Q&A with the
jurors, arising from their entries. The judging and scoring were audited by Deloitte.

“The importance of digital and, specifically, mobile has been a key thread throughout
this year’s entries, with all agency categories demonstrating evidence of delivery in
this regard, irrespective how successful the campaigns and submissions were,” says
Page-Lee.

“That said, there is still a way to go before we see agencies being able to deliver
seamlessly through the coupling of these concepts and trends,” adds Page-Lee.

Page-Lee says, “The biggest highlight has been the introduction of the transformation
award, which obviously solicited incredible conversation and signalled an important
milestone for not only the Financial Mail AdFocus Awards programme, but for the
industry as a whole.”

The 2017 Financial Mail AdFocus Award winners are:

Agency of the Year – FCB Joburg;
Small Advertising Agency of the Year – The Odd Number;
Medium Advertising Agency of the Year – Promise;
Large Advertising Agency of the Year – FCB Joburg;
Specialist Agency of the Year – Grid Worldwide;
Digital Agency of the Year – Ogilvy;
Network Media Agency of the Year – The MediaShop;
Independent Media Agency of the Year – TMI Media;
PR Agency of the Year – Clockwork Media;
African Impact Award – Burson-Marsteller Africa;
Transformation Award (sponsored by M&N Brands) – The MediaShop;
New Broom Award – THINK;
Partnership of the Year (sponsored by IAS) – 99c and Checkers;
Industry Leader of the Year (sponsored by House of Brave) – Robyn de Villiers;
and
Lifetime Achievement Award (sponsored by Creatrix) – Andy Rice.
Student of the Year, sponsored by Coronation Fund Managers, was won by:
Winner – Keagan Clack;
Finalist – Raquel Ribeiro; and
Finalist – Jason Walden.

The Financial Mail AdFocus Magazine will be distributed by the Financial Mail on
Wednesday, 23 November. The title’s co-editor, David Furlonger, will be retiring from
his responsibilities after many years of involvement with the AdFocus Awards.

Phumi Mashigo will take the reins as the new jury chair in 2018. She is the founding
managing director of Ignitive, a pre-eminent stakeholder management and
communications company. The MediaShop sponsored the WiFi at the AdFocus Awards
event.

For more information, visit the AdFocus
website.

Source: Media Update

Digital Lab Africa looking for next-gen projects

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On 25 October, Digital Lab Africa (DLA), the reference platform for “tomorrow’s
content in Africa” unveiled its call for application #2 at DISCOP Johannesburg in
presence of H.E. Christophe Farnaud, ambassador of France to South Africa, DLA
partners and last edition’s winners.

Digital Lab Africa is a springboard and an incubation platform for African talent in
digital initiated by the Embassy of France & French Institute in South Africa (IFAS), as
part of their ongoing support to the creative industries in the Sub-Saharan African
region.

The DLA call for projects #2 is open to any professional or individual from Sub-
Saharan Africa – having an innovative project in five categories of multimedia
production: web creation, virtual reality, animation, video game and digital music.

Apply on the Digital Lab Africa
website.

Winning projects will get the chance to win a cash prize and a DLA Incubation Pass to
support the project’s development over three to six months in 2018. The DLA Pass will
include mentorship and project development support by leading industry partners in
each category.
Additionally, the DLA pass will comprise residence time in France within a digital
cluster and participation in benchmark multimedia events. The expected outcome of
Digital Lab Africa is market-ready content/productions showcasing African creativity at
its best.

During the first edition, DLA received +500 entries from over 30 Sub-Saharan African
countries. Five projects from South Africa, Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Congo have been
awarded and set to score on the global stage thanks to DLA incubation programme.

Categories of the DLA call for projects

Digital Lab Africa is looking for projects at initial stage of development, in need of
partners and financial support and innovative in terms of narration, content or
technologies.

Submit a project

Deadline: 25 February 2018

● Web creation: The web creation category is dedicated to all
linear and non-linear format which offer an innovative storytelling and/or an
immersive/interactive experience for the audience. This category includes all content,
irrespective of the genre – fiction, documentary, series, TV format, magazine,
entertainment, news… – produced to be viewed mainly online (first digital content).
Projects which combine several media (transmedia) or offer a cross media strategy
and which aim to attract an audience, engage with it and retain it will be considered
first.
Examples: an interactive web documentary, a web series including a chat or a video
game, a news show in 360°, a thematic web channel etc.

● Virtual Reality: The virtual reality category is open to any
content which offers an immersive experience to the public, on any type of support
(computer, tablet, smartphone and virtual reality headset), using virtual reality
technologies, augmented reality, mixed reality, 360° video, and 3D interactions.
Examples: journalism report, fiction or documentary movie, musical clip, museum
visit, video game…

● Video Game: the video game category is open to all
prototypes/concepts of video game for mobile application or full screen.
Examples: action, strategy game, a game which aim to inform, train or educate.

● Digital Music: the digital music category is open to all projects
which offer an innovative and enriching user experience using multimedia tools,
solutions and content, based on one or several African artists, musical genres or
African territories.
Example: creating an app offering a multimedia world and an interactive community
around an artist.

● Animation: the Animation category is open to all
projects/content which mainly use animation technics (2D, 3D, paper, film, sand,
modeling clay, painting, figurine etc).
Examples: an animated short film, an animated web-series, an animated comic, an
animated application, etc.

How to apply

1 Download the call for projects presentation and rules
2 Complete the online form
3 Email the following documents to digilabafrica@gmail.com

● Presentation document of the project (Pitch Deck) including description,
graphical/visual elements, solutions/technologies, screenplay, target audience,
projected budget, business plan, production schedule (5 to 8 pages maximum).
● A beta version/preview/pilot or demo of the project (if available)
● A resume of the applicant/description of the company represented (max 300
words).
● A picture (.jpeg) of the applicant

Discover Digital launches Digitally Interactive EPG

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Digital technologies & video on demand solutions provider, Discover Digital, fast
emerging as the local technology leader in the OTT on-demand and internet TV space,
has developed an advanced new digitally interactive electronic programme guide
(EPG) system for broadcasters and digital TV streaming services.

Stephen Watson, managing director of Discover Digital, says the EPG was developed
internally to address the need for an advanced digitally interactive programme guide
that serves as a foundation for future streaming functionality.

Discover Digital’s latest custom-built solution creates a direct path to programming
information and converts it to local time zones, providing viewers access to accurate
live programme information, with constantly updated start and end times and
programme information. Built-in notification features allow viewers to set reminders
and receive notifications to mobile devices and share what they are watching on
popular social media platforms Facebook and Twitter.

Directed ultimately at enhancing the end-user experience, the product makes for a
compelling addition to any business looking to play in the video on demand and online
TV channel space. A rand-based product in an otherwise dollar dominated market, the
EPG not only provides an affordable quality solution for continuous updating of menus
and programme scheduling, but also for those services wishing to offer catch up and
PVR functionality.

“Discover Digital’s new EPG will go live on our entertainment service, called DEOD.
Not only does it give viewers a single destination for updated 24/7 access to TV
channel programming information and correct start and end times of programmes,
but the EPG system also lays the foundations for our next on-demand technology
innovations, including building personalised catalogues of catch up content,’ says
Watson.

In addition to the launch of the EPG, Discover Digital is also preparing to release a set
of new functions including user-driven cloud-based network personal video recording
(N-PVR) and system-driven Live-to-VOD services. The Live to VOD system driven
process will automatically record all programmes from a linear channel and make
them available in a catch up environment. This feature will be especially beneficial
with sports content, where premium international content may be screened live at
inconvenient times for South African and pan-African viewers.

“Our new solutions will be rolled out to DEOD customers, but are also available as
stand-alone solutions and/or fully managed services within our technology portfolio,’
says Watson.

Condriac launches streaming platform CondriacLive

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Live streaming is without a doubt the hottest trend of 2017, and Condriac’s in-house
initiative, Condriac Live, aspires to be at the forefront of eSports and live streaming
entertainment in South Africa. Streaming has taken over the world in the last few
months, with most smartphone apps now having the capability to go “live’ and
broadcast video to viewers globally. TwitchTV is the biggest streaming platform
available, and when Amazon bought the company for a whopping $970 Million
eyebrows were raised across the entertainment industry. TwitchTV allows anyone with
an internet connection the ability to stream gameplay, talk shows or tutorials to a
voraciously hungry online audience.

It is clear to eagle-eyed marketers and business people that Twitch and gaming, in
general, is the new hot spot. The gaming industry is worth more than the film and
music industry combined. Before the scramble to latch on to these platforms reaches
a fever pitch, leading Johannesburg integrated communication agency, Condriac, has
taken the plunge into live streaming on Twitch.

“Condriac has always sought to be at the forefront of the digital media industry,
identifying and jumping on trends that we see being significant in the future,’ said
CEO Keshia Patchiappen.

The Condriac Live initiative was thus created to fill a gap in an entirely untapped
market. The agency has created a full-time TwitchTV channel manned by one of their
own, Kyle Singh. Kyle is no stranger to gaming, he started playing on his father’s
computer when he was just four years old and it’s an open secret in the office that
Kyle’s first love has always been video-games. Together with a production team, there
has already been a considerable investment into the Twitch stream, with high-end
production equipment being purchased and sponsors eager to get on board. When
questioned about this groundbreaking endeavour, Kyle says, “I’m honestly living in
dreamland at the moment, as being a streamer has been one of my goals for the
longest time. I’m thankful for Condriac’s investment into this project and I’m eager to
succeed.’

As the Twitch channel is still in a fledgling state, the main focus is on consistency.
Condriac Live wants to dominate the local streaming scene and is happy to take the
long road. Despite the channel being live for just one month, the team has already
been approached by Twitch for Affiliate status, allowing users to donate or subscribe
to the stream and thus creating a revenue channel. Kyle and the streaming team have
also held the first of what they assure us are many more 24-hour live streams, where
gamers stay up all night and all day to showcase new game releases.

Being the first of its kind in the South African context, Condriac Live will be positioned
as thought leaders and pioneers of this movement.
Gary Meyer, Condriac’s managing partner, says, “As the first movers, we are provided
with an incredible opportunity to reach an enormous database of like-minded
consumers. Through the Twitch platform, we believe there is unlimited potential to
reach with audiences like never before. Condriac will be announcing Condriac Live’s
first official sponsors soon.’

To tune in to the CondriacLive on weekdays from 09h00 to 17h00, stream here

The Luxor African Film Festival announces call for 2018 submissions

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Submissions are now open for the seventh edition of the Luxor African Film Festival,
which will take place from 10 to 22 March 2018.

Submissions for the 2018 edition will close on 20 December 2017.
Apart from the Freedoms Competition which is dedicated to the Egyptian journalist
martyr Alhussaini Abu Deif, only films produced in 2017 by African directors will be
accepted.

Sayed fouad, the festival’s president, announced that the 2018 edition will be
dedicated to the name of the late, great critic Samir Farid, who is considered to be an
exceptional critic in the history of the African continent’s cinema.

Additionally, Azza Elhousseiny, the festival’s director, announced that the seventh
edition will be focusing on Rwandese cinema which has developed and grown
considerably in the last ten years with the uprising of a young generation of
filmmakers.

The Luxor African Film Festival is organised by the Independent Shabab Foundation
and sponsored by the Ministries of Culture, Foreign Affairs, Tourism and the National
Bank of Egypt, with the cooperation of the governorate of Luxor and the Filmmakers
Syndicate.

For more information or to submit your film, click
here.

Naspers Video Entertainment announces leadership appointments

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Naspers’s Video Entertainment business recently announced new appointments to its
leadership team.

Calvo Mawela has been appointed CEO of MultiChoice South Africa. In this new role
Mawela will be responsible for MultiChoice SA and DStv Media Sales in South Africa.
Mark Rayner, current CEO of MultiChoice SA, becomes chief operating officer for
MultiChoice South Africa.

Mawela will focus on strategic developments in the pay television industry, while
Rayner will focus on ensuring product and operational excellence that will give DStv
customers the best entertainment experience.

In addition the company announced the following appointments:

• Yolisa Phahle, current CEO of M-Net, will step into the role of CEO of General
Entertainment
• Fahmeeda Cassim Surtee has been appointed as CEO of DStv Media Sales in
South Africa, with Chris Hitchings continuing as overall CEO of DStv Media Sales
• Gideon Khobane will continue to head up SuperSport as CEO

“This is a strong leadership team who can to take us into our next phase of growth,’
says Imtiaz Patel, Video Entertainment chief executive. “While the pay television
business faces technological shifts, regulatory and competitor challenges, the core
focus remains delivering the best local and international content to our customers,
anytime, anywhere on any device.’

“Calvo and Mark are an impressive team who will steer MultiChoice South Africa into
the future. Their combination of strategic and operational skill and experience
complement each other. Calvo is well-positioned to drive strategy and growth in our
South African operations. He has a rich and varied experience in broadcasting and a
proven track record in managing complex issues in South Africa and the rest of the
continent.’

Mawela, currently executive in charge of regulatory affairs and policy for Video
Entertainment, began his career at Sentech where he was responsible for
commissioning transmitter sites. He has held senior positions at ICASA, where he was
responsible for technical regulations relating to the broadcasting industry, Orbicom
and MWEB.

Mawela led the planning team on the digital broadcasting plan for South Africa and
served as a planning expert to the International Telecommunications Union. He also
served as a councillor on the Minister of Communications’ advisory body for digital
migration and is a registered professional engineer and a member of the South
African Institute of Electrical Engineers.

Mark has proven himself to be able to get the best out of the business operationally,’
Patel said. “His focus will be to deliver the best experience to customers in the best
possible way, making sure we achieve our business objectives, including financial and
customer satisfaction targets, and drive efficiencies.’

Yolisa has over 30 years experience in the entertainment industry, she joined the
company in 2005 and has been leading M-Net since 2014. She started her career as a
musician and member of Soul II Soul, performed with Duran Duran, has worked as a
producer and BBC executive. Under her leadership, Mzansi Magic was launched and
our other local channels which include Africa Magic, Maisha Magic East, Maisha Magic
Bongo as well as Zambezi Magic have seen an increased focus in our commitment to
African storytelling. In her new role, she will continue to ensure that our customers
have access to world class local and international entertainment.

Fahmeeda Cassim Surtee is currently Group Sales and marketing director for DStv
Media Sales and has been involved in the media industry for more than 24 years. She
started her career as sports journalist and advertising consultant at City Press
newspaper before joining the MultiChoice Group in 1998 where she has been leading
key strategic projects to commercialise digital properties and next generation
products.

Cassim Surtee holds a variety of qualifications in media management, strategic
marketing, business management and journalism and of her many achievements, she
has been a Woman of the Year nominee, has co-authored a book on branding and set
up a foundation for women in sport in South Africa.

These leadership appointments are effective immediately.

AAA School of Advertising moves its Johannesburg campus to Bryanston

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The AAA School of Advertising recently announced the move of its Johannesburg
campus to Braes Office park, 3 Eaton Road, Bryanston.

AAA School of Advertising moves its Johannesburg campus to Bryanston

The new campus was inaugurated on Friday, 13 October, the final day of the students’
annual Entrepreneurship Week. It incorporated the first annual Fo’Eva Friday
celebration where individuals had access to music, food, and entertainment. A
highlight of the event was the sale of the products developed by the students for
Entrepreneurship Week and a performance by Yfm DJ, Da Kruk.

The new campus has 24-hour security and an outdoor space for student breaks. It is
visible from William Nicol Drive and is in close proximity to both the Nicolway and
Epsom Downs Shopping Centres, making it accessible to main transport routes.

The move to the Bryanston location took place during the September break with
students starting the final stretch of the academic year at the new address.

“The students are truly excited about the move, and there is a sense of excitement
that prevails throughout the campus. The move was seamless, with the students
immediately feeling a sense of belonging,” says executive dean and head, Krishna
Govender.

“A similar move was successfully carried out at the Cape Town Campus not long ago
and management at the AAA is confident that the move in Johannesburg will be
equally successful,” adds Govender.

“Whether studying toward a degree in marketing or creative brand communications, a
diploma in copywriting, or enrolling in one of the AAA’s many sought-after industry-
related short courses, students find all that they need at the new location. It gives
them an even stronger sense of belonging to this exciting and dynamic industry. We
wish the students well in their new home,” concludes Govender.

All the AAA School of Advertising Johannesburg Campus contact details remain
unchanged. Prospective students can contact the AAA on (011) 781-2772 or
alternatively via its social media platforms.

For more information, visit the School’s website. Alternatively, connect with them
on Facebook, Twitter or on
Instagram.

Source: Media Update

The 2017 EIFF event is coming to Germiston Theatre

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The City of Ekurhuleni in partnership with Sobumko Group, Rhythm Cycle Trading
Projects and the Department Sport Recreation Arts and Culture, will be hosting the
2nd annual Ekurhuleni International Film Festival (EIFF). This year’s Festival entries
had over
2000 films that where submitted both locally and internationally.

The EIFF aims to give a platform to local filmmakers to compete with international
filmmakers, thus also granting them an opportunity to study film through a series of
workshops and seminars.
The Festival workshops promise to be highly informative, and will provide intense
details
on how one can infiltrate this growing industry.

Film screenings will take place at the Germiston Theatre from 27 November until 02
December 2017.

For more details visit the EIFF
website.
Alternatively contact Bongani Soko at 0110471077 or via email at
bongani@efilmfestival.co.za or viv@efilmfestival.co.za.

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