2010 February

19 February 2010 – TEAMtalk media, the leading digital sports content producer in South Africa and a BSkyB subsidiary, recently announced the winners of its Football365 African Cup of Nations 2010 Predictor competition, with the PSL and Premier League versions of the competition in full swing.

The Football365 Predictor competition allows football fans to predict the outcome of individual games in various tournaments and score points for each correct forecast. Competitors’ teams are listed on an online leader board, where they fight it out for first place at the end of the tournament. Winners receive a cash prize, and of course bragging rights with other football fans.

Dino F. picked up a cool R2,000 for his football predictions during the recent AFCON tournament, with the runners up winning R1,000 and R500 each. The winners of the Predictor competition guaranteed their places at the top of the leader board with a series of consistently accurate predictions throughout the tournament.

Johannesburg-based Dino’s advice for future contestants is: “Follow your instincts. You’ll get a lot of advice from your friends, but the best thing to do is go with the results you think are right.” Dino is a lifelong Fiorentina supporter, and is backing Bafana and Greece in the upcoming World Cup.

“This is a great way for our readers to test their skills and knowledge of the game against friends and other football fans,” said Richard Ferraris, editor of Football365.co.za. “And we trust that the in-depth news and analysis that our team provides gives our readers the information they need to make the best predictions.”

There is no entry fee to play one of TEAMtalk media’s Predictor games, and the competitions can be accessed via the web or mobile phones. Two points are awarded for a correct win, and three for the accurate prediction of a draw. Bonus points are given for getting the outcome of the entire week’s games correct.

Predictor competitions currently on the go include the South African PSL and English Premier League, with a FIFA 2010 World Cup competition set to kick off later this year.

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ABOUT TEAMtalk media

One of South Africa’s leading digital content producers, TEAMtalk media creates sports content for radio, print, online, TV and mobile – providing quality content for the Sky network of sports sites, which reaches 25 million unique readers, as well as its media syndication partners.

Its network includes: Sky Sports, Sporting Life, Sport365, Football365, Golf365, Cricket365, Extreme 365, Oddschecker, Planet Rugby, Planet F1, and football365.co.za. Additional offerings are: Sky News, Sky News Radio, Sky Text.

f365.co.za, the mobile version of popular local football site football365.co.za was selected as a finalist in the mobile publishing category for the 2009 Bookmark Awards, which rewards online excellence.

The company consists of four main business units: editorial, mobile, an award-winning customer support service, and ad campaign management. TEAMtalk Media’s South African editorial team – which works in tandem with the UK team – is comprised of seasoned sports journalists who are leaders in their respective fields.

The mobile division of TEAMtalk Media generates cutting edge sports graphics, ring tones, animations and a host of additional bespoke mobile entertainment content, for use by the internal network of sites as well as for syndication.

TEAMtalk Media is a proud division of British Sky Broadcasting.

For more information visit: www.teamtalkmedia.co.za

Issued by TWOKATS COMMUNICATIONS on behalf of TEAMtalk media

For more info:

Contact: Vanessa Clark
Tel: 082 335 1117
Email: vanessa.clark@twokats.com

I’ve been in a bit of a new client frenzy recently and am delighted to have signed up two interesting South African companies run by good people doing things differently. In fact, that pretty much sums up how I choose who to work with.

Firstly I am going back to my tech B2B roots with Jon Maliepaard and the team at Cape Town-based eNetworks. This is a 10-year-old ISP and network services company that has been building enormous enterprise-grade networks for some of South Africa’s biggest companies. They are obsessed with customer service, and one of their clients calls them “networking angels”. They also kick ass with WiFi. eNetworks has been flying under the radar up until now – so watch this space to find out more about them.

This week I also signed up JobCrystal, the only online passive recruitment service. Karl Westvig and Kevin Laithwaite have been plotting how to improve how people get hired and how companies hire staff for some time, and JobCrystal is the result. This PR freelancer will be working hard over the next few months to raise brand awareness and let recruiters and candidates know there is a better way to go about things, thanks to this Cape Town start-up. (Oh, and there is a sweet referral programme too, refer a friend and earn a commission when they get placed).

I am delighted to included these guys in my current list of Twokats Communications clients.

Now here is a case of a PR getting a taste of her own medicine! Usually I’m the one putting my clients’ spokespeople in the hotseat. But this time the tables were turned, and Marianna Boguslavsky from Breadline Africa insisted I record the interview for The Digital Edge podcast this week.

You can take a listen here: Episode 55

Don’t forget to enter the competion. Visit the Breadline Africa site and donate now.

4 February 2010 – TEAMtalk media, the leading digital sports content producer in South Africa and BSkyB subsidiary, today announced the launch of c365.co.za, the South African mobile version of Cricket365 (www.cricket365.com).

Launched during of South Africa’s tour of India in February 2010, the mobile site has already gained significant traction in 2009 while it was still in beta. Live running commentaries keep readers up to date wherever they are, and in-depth scorecards satisfy the most demanding of stats lovers.

“It doesn’t matter whether our readers are accessing the web via computer or mobile phone. They get the same level of immediate, top-class cricket coverage from our team of expert sports journalists. C365.co.za content includes breaking news, match results, fixtures and in-depth analysis – all available on the go,” said Lashias Ncube, editor-in-chief at TEAMtalk media.

In addition to regular Cricket365 content, mobile readers can also download cricket-related wallpapers and register to customise their home page according to the team they support.

This latest addition to TEAMtalk media’s South African mobile stable joins f365.co.za and www.planet-rugby.mobi, as well as a raft of third party mobile sites.

“There is no doubt that mobile content is a natural complement to our online publications as each medium has its own strengths and features. Especially in South Africa, where the vast majority of the population are expected to start accessing the Internet via a mobile phone,” said Barrie Jarrett, TEAMtalk media founder.

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ABOUT TEAMtalk media

One of South Africa’s leading digital content producers, TEAMtalk media creates sports content for radio, print, online, TV and mobile – providing quality content for the Sky network of sports sites, which reaches 25 million unique readers, as well as its media syndication partners.

Its network includes: Sky Sports, Sporting Life, Sport365, Football365, Golf365, Cricket365, Extreme 365, Oddschecker, Planet Rugby, Planet F1, and football365.co.za. Additional offerings are: Sky News, Sky News Radio, Sky Text.

f365.co.za, the mobile version of popular local football site football365.co.za was selected as a finalist in the mobile publishing category for the 2009 Bookmark Awards, which rewards online excellence.

The company consists of four main business units: editorial, mobile, an award-winning customer support service, and ad campaign management. TEAMtalk media’s South African editorial team – which works in tandem with the UK team – is comprised of seasoned sports journalists who are leaders in their respective fields.

The mobile division of TEAMtalk media generates cutting edge sports graphics, ring tones, animations and a host of additional bespoke mobile entertainment content, for use by the internal network of sites as well as for syndication.

TEAMtalk media is a proud division of British Sky Broadcasting.

For more information visit: www.teamtalkmedia.co.za

Issued by TWOKATS COMMUNICATIONS on behalf of TEAMtalk media

For more info:

Contact: Vanessa Clark
Tel: 082 335 1117
Email: vanessa.clark@twokats.com

- Arsenal vs Manchester United: the world’s first live sports 3D TV broadcast –

- Sky 3D channel to launch in April with live Premier League football every week -

28 January 2010 – Sky today announced that it will launch Sky 3D, Europe’s first dedicated 3D TV channel, this April.  As part of the final preparations for this ground-breaking launch, Sky will preview the new service with a world first this Sunday (31st January 2010), becoming the first TV company anywhere to broadcast a live 3D TV sports event to a public audience.  The Premier League clash between Arsenal and Manchester United will be filmed in 3D and broadcast over the Sky platform to selected pubs around the UK and Ireland, with their customers becoming the first audiences anywhere in the world to experience live Premier League in 3D.

To support this landmark broadcast, the nine pubs – located in London, Manchester, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Dublin – have been kitted out specially with some of the first ‘3D Ready’ TV sets to reach the UK and Ireland.   As 3D TVs become more widely available, Sky will roll out its 3D channel to hundreds of pubs from April, allowing football fans across the country the opportunity to experience a live Premier League match in 3D each week.

Once 3D TVs begin to reach the consumer market later this year, Sky will then make Sky 3D available to all Sky⁺HD customers, giving millions of people the opportunity to watch a wide range of content in 3D, including movies, sport, documentaries, entertainment, and the arts.

Sky 3D works with all existing Sky⁺HD boxes and will initially be introduced at no extra cost for customers who subscribe to Sky’s top TV package and the Sky HD pack.  Sky 3D will also be compatible with all 3D Ready TVs coming to the UK and Ireland this year, including all models from Sony, Samsung, LG and Panasonic.

To make the 3D preview a reality, Sky Sports will produce two edits of its live coverage of Sunday’s game at the Emirates Stadium, one for its HD channel feed and another dedicated to 3D.  Eight specially engineered 3D camera rigs will house sixteen of Sky’s high definition cameras, to provide comprehensive stereoscopic coverage from all angles.  The 3D broadcast will be supported by Sky’s dedicated 3D production team and purpose built 3D outside broadcast truck, which will enable live mixing between camera positions, slow motion replays and the use of innovative 3D graphics. There will also be a dedicated commentary team to support the 3D edit.

Sky’s commitment to launch a dedicated 3D TV channel follows a number of 3D ‘firsts’ achieved over the last couple of years. In December 2008 Sky was the first UK broadcaster to demonstrate 3D through a domestic TV and then went on to broadcast an exclusive demonstration of a Keane gig in 3D live over its satellite platform and offering the UK’s first ever live public demonstration of 3D – a recorded performance of Swan Lake by English National Ballet – at the Hay Festival.

Jeremy Darroch, Sky’s Chief Executive, said:  “3D is without doubt one of the most talked-about developments in television for many years.  Sky has always innovated to bring customers the best possible viewing experience, so we fully intend to take the lead in bringing the spectacle of 3D to the UK and Ireland.”

Gerry O’Sullivan, Sky’s Director of Strategic Product Development, said: “2010 is the year for 3D TV. People have already embraced 3D cinema and because Sky’s 3D service uses the same kind of technology, we’re confident there will be demand for sport, movies, concerts and drama in 3D.  The good news is that all Sky⁺HD customers already have the set-top box they need to enjoy 3D, meaning they simply need to buy any new 3D TV, all of which will work seamlessly with Sky’s ground breaking new service.”

Barney Francis, Managing Director of Sky Sports, added:  “Sky Sports has a proud history of innovation, from the simple clock and scoreline in the comer of the screen through to high definition.  It’s fitting that we’re pioneering this new, revolutionary development in broadcasting.”

Note to editors:

BSkyB owns South African-based TEAMtalk media.

ABOUT TEAMtalk media

One of South Africa’s leading digital content producers, TEAMtalk media creates sports content for radio, print, online, TV and mobile – providing quality content for the Sky network of sports sites, which reaches 25 million unique readers, as well as its media syndication partners.

Its network includes: Sky Sports, Sporting Life, Sport365, Football365, Golf365, Cricket365, Extreme 365, Oddschecker, Planet Rugby, Planet F1, and football365.co.za. Additional offerings are: Sky News, Sky News Radio, Sky Text.

f365.co.za, the mobile version of popular local football site football365.co.za was selected as a finalist in the mobile publishing category for the 2009 Bookmark Awards, which rewards online excellence.

The company consists of four main business units: editorial, mobile, an award-winning customer support service, and ad campaign management. TEAMtalk media’s South African editorial team – which works in tandem with the UK team – is comprised of seasoned sports journalists who are leaders in their respective fields.

The mobile division of TEAMtalk media generates cutting edge sports graphics, ring tones, animations and a host of additional bespoke mobile entertainment content, for use by the internal network of sites as well as for syndication.

TEAMtalk media is a proud division of British Sky Broadcasting.

For more information visit: www.teamtalkmedia.co.za

I’ve had the best day seeing the amazing response to the Breadline Africa celeb campaign which launched today and that I am helping promote.

So to say thanks to all the fabulous South Africa bloggers who have supported us with posts, Tweets and Facebook mentions, here is some link love from me.

2Oceansvibe

5FM

Afrigator – check out the awesome ad

A thousand guitars

Biz-community

Cleo

Cosmo Online

Globalpost (via SA Rocks)

iMod

Mother City Living

Muse Magazine

SA Rocks

The Digital Edge

You can enter the competition on the Breadline Africa site, or read the press release on the Twokats site.

And win a night on the town with one of your favourite celebs

CAPE TOWN, 1 February 2010 – Breadline Africa, a local charity that believes in giving a hand-up not a hand-out, wants to take you out to dinner with one of your favourite local celebs. All you need to do is to make a small, or big, donation towards alleviating poverty in Africa and you could win an evening out with Just Jinjer, Heinz Winckler, Sasha Martinengo or 94.7 Highveld Stereo’s Bailey Schneider.

The competition runs from 1 – 28 February 2010, and to enter simply donate to Breadline Africa via SMS (36010) or its website, www.breadlineafrica.org/celebs. The more you donate, the better your chances to win the prize. And don’t forget to choose which celeb you would like to meet if you win: you do this by including the correct code (JINJER, HEINZ, SASHA or BAILEY) if you enter by SMS, or checking the appropriate tick box if you enter online.

Four lucky winners will be whisked off for a fun-filled evening with a top SA celeb, or group of celebs, who are also doing their bit to eradicate poverty in Africa – for once and for all. Flights are included, and you’ll get an exclusive culinary experience with one of your favourite local celebrities!

Breadline Africa is involved in a range of projects across Southern Africa, all aimed at helping communities become sustainable and enabling them to help themselves. Most of the projects involve placing refurbished shipping containers in disadvantaged areas to be used as classrooms, soup kitchens, clinics, libraries or ablution blocks.

“We are thrilled at the support we have received from these South African role models. The competition winners are guaranteed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – as well as changing lives through their donations to Breadline Africa,” said Marianna Boguslavsky, Online Marketing Manager, Breadline Africa.

MXit, the global mobile social networking and instant messenger, has joined forces with Breadline Africa to help generate support in the fight against poverty in Africa, by promoting the competition to its three-quarters of a million music lovers. The MXit Music community will be encouraged to open their hearts and SMS the short-code, adding their support to stop African poverty in its tracks – while having the opportunity to engage for an evening, with some of South Africa’s best music talent.

Look out for further competition details and information on MXit in February 2010.

– Ends –

NOTES TO EDITORS:

HOW TO ENTER:

1. By SMS:
Simply SMS 36010 to donate R5 to Breadline Africa. Don’t forget to include one of the following keywords to indicate which celeb or band you would like to spend time with: JINJER, HEINZ, SASHA or BAILEY.

2. Visit www.breadlineafrica.org/celebs and enter your details. Remember to indicate which of the celebs you want to meet if you win.

Visit the Breadline Africa site, www.breadlineafrica.org, for the competition rules.

PHOTOGRAPHY IS AVAILABLE

ABOUT BREADLINE AFRICA:
Breadline Africa, www.breadlineafrica.org, is a Southern African charity that aims to break the cycle of poverty in Africa by helping people help themselves. It supports ground-level African charities that are helping the communities around them realise their full potential and to become self-sustainable. By raising funds in the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands and South Africa, it provides funding to projects throughout South Africa, as well as in neighbouring countries like Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Breadline Africa favours small, grassroots projects that have grown out of community support, are locally managed and have beneficiaries in their governing structures. The projects it supports target children and youth in terms of health and nutrition, educational support, and sports, arts and culture.

Breadline Africa is a Section 21 Company duly registered in terms of the statutes of the Republic of South Africa with registration number 2006/015075/08, PBO number 930021936, TEG reference number EVZ 0037/10/06 and registered number 053406 NPO.

About MXit
MXit is a global mobile instant messaging and social network that allows users to chat to one another on their mobile phones or pc anywhere in the world. It also allows users to send text messages to and from mobile phones and PCs using GPRS or 3G instead of using standard SMS technology, which is expensive.

MXit delights its users by continuously unveiling social networking, entertainment, communication and lifestyle features that benefit and enrich their lives. This commitment towards innovation is the cornerstone of its success.

MXit is a new generation company that boasts more than over 18 million global users. It attracts more than 25 000 and 28 000 users per day. It is in constant evolution to match the needs of its users and is set on becoming one of the biggest instant messaging mobile networks in the world and the preferred mobile social network for communicating with young people in Africa, South East Asia, South America and the rest of the world.

MXit first introduced mobile instant messaging to South Africa in 2003. It started as a mobile game developer and evolved into a mobile instant messaging company, allowing its users to send messages at a fraction of the cost of traditional SMS. To download MXit: Open your mobile browser, type in www.mxit.com/wap and simply follow the prompts.

Issued by: Twokats Communications
On behalf of: Breadline Africa
Contact: Vanessa Clark
082 335 1117
vanessa.clark@twokats.com