Strategic, high impact events are key to enhancing brand value

Johannesburg, 30 January 2016: Integrating a dedicated events division into its business in 2015 has allowed Times Media to bring fresh and exclusive engagement opportunities to its readers, and cement its position as SA’s leading provider to the Business, Finance, Marketing and Lifestyle sectors in South Africa.
Taryn Westoby, head of Times Media Events says, “Our remit is to draw on the editorial expertise and media-powerhouse advantage of the Times Media Group (TMG) to deliver stimulating and engaging encounters that encourage excellence across South Africa’s various industries.” Events are aligned to Times Media’s prominent platforms like the Sunday Times, Financial Mail, Business Day, Sowetan, Business Day TV, Business Live and a host of other print, online and broadcast platforms.
Conferences, showcases and industry acknowledgement events delivered to South Africans by Times Media in 2016 include the Sunday Times Top 100 Companies, Financial Mail Adfocus Awards, AMARA Awards, Financial Mail Adforum, Sunday Times Generation Next, Sunday Times Top Brands, Sunday Times Leaders on the Move, Financial Mail Top Analysts, Sunday Times The Directors Event, Sunday Times Literary Awards, FMCG Insights in association with Sowetan, and the Future of Media to name a few. In total:

• 25 events were hosted
• 4,383 guests were engaged and infotained (informed, and entertained)
• 57 companies recognised the value of brand exposure, and came on-board as Times Media’s event partners.

Westoby says, “Apart from the number of events we’ve conceived and delivered this year, the calibre of speakers and presenters we’ve secured has allowed Times Media to deliver outstanding content to delegates. This also means that our corporate partners see real value for their brands via their partnerships.”

Some of those key speakers included: Minister Pravin Gordhan delivering a captivating keynote address at the inaugural Business Day and Financial Mail Investment Summit; former President Thabo Mbeki impressing with his keynote address to SA’s captains of industry at the Sunday Times Top 100 Companies; Adv Thuli Madonsela holding the audience rapt at the Sunday Times Literary Awards with her keynote address; Juan Senor, leading international media figure and Partner at Innovation Media Consultants, delivering the opening presentation at the Future of Media Conference. Other highlights of the year included the launch of the Business Day Investor Relations Conference and the Business Day and Financial Mail Investment Summit, as well as a series of bespoke events for clients, such as the Business Day Dialogues, Financial Mail Private Lounges and the Sunday Times Leaders on the Move tours.

“2017 promises to hold much more in store,” says Westoby. Forty-two events are lined up for the year, including the inaugural Business Day TV SME Summit (8 March), the Liberty Radio Awards and Conference (7,8 April), a series of Sunday Times Food Tasting events, and a host of bespoke events covering a broad range of topics.

Times Media and BBEEE
The Times Media Group (TMG) is committed to transformation and the revised Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Codes of Good Practice which came into effect on 1 May 2015 (“B-BBEE”). TMG achieved a level 3 contributor status on the revised B-BBEE codes, and has a BBBEE ownership status of 58.47%. The Media (newspaper & digital) business has achieved the following demographics: Core media executive management team 66.6% BEE; Editors and Deputy Editors 72% BEE; Media Management including editorial and key departmental heads 62% BEE; Total staff 67% BEE. TMG is also active in the development of BEE and female talent to improve senior departmental level representation. TMG is considered an empowering supplier with a 110% procurement recognition level. (www.timesmedia.co.za)
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Notes to Editor:
Herewith the calendar of Times Media events for 2017 (dates may be subject to change):

Please note that not all Leaders on the Move, Business Day Dialogue, or bespoke events appear on the calendar above.
Highlight images from 2016 events can be viewed and downloaded from the following dropbox link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/i199ltnr5jenvso/AABYyoPHakc3cXapK9clFdXWa?dl=0

Please be sure to credit Times Media for all images used.
For further information about partnership queries, please visit the Tiso Blackstar Events Website
Should media wish to cover any of these events and require accreditation, please contact Samantha Pugh | sam@pughpr.co.za | 071 874 5460.

Issued by: Samantha Pugh, Pugh Public Relations & Corporate Communications e: sam@pughpr.co.za c: 071 874 5460
On behalf of: Taryn Westoby, Head of Times Media Events