Job: Features Writer

FEATURES WRITER

Looking for an enthusiastic, versatile features writer who can turn their hand to sourcing and writing features and contribute to digital media. Applicants should have three to five years journalistic experience and good contacts. The ability to meet deadlines, work as part of a team and come up with great ideas is a must. They should also be good networkers and be prepared to attend industry functions both during and after hours.

Job: Marketing Promotions Co-ordinator

Key areas of responsibilities:
1. Co-ordinate all promotional products
2. Liaise with advertising agencies, design house and media including radio and TV on all promotional items
3. Assist in designing promotional leaflets
4. Liaise with in-house Buyers and co-ordinate promotions
5. Liaise with suppliers and co-ordinate the advertising of the supplier promotional lines
6. Collect and prepare product information for advertising
7. Food packaging and design

How Twitter can make you a better journalist

Sarah Duff explains that there are five ways that you can use Twitter as a journalist:
1. Gets your name out there.
2. A great source of news.
3. Instant feedback.
4. Breaking news.
5. Teaches you how to be a better writer.
Read the full article here. Now sign up and start tweeting!

Concerns about the state of SA journalism

The standards of South African media and investigative journalism are far below international standards and most of the newsrooms are juniorised, and that constitutes a big concern for the South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF), Primedia Broadcasting head of news and current affairs Yusuf Ambramjee told delegates attending the Annual Media and Marketing conference currently unfolding at the Wanderers Club in Illovo, Johannesburg.

Read the rest of the story here - what is the major complaint about South African journalism that is raised in the discussion?

Job: Marketing and Events Co-ordinator

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

STRATEGIC MARKETING AND BRANDING:
1. Corporate identity and brand management - assisting with brand essence workshops, rollout of new client collateral and marketing material
2. Assisting and compiling of marketing plans and timelines
3. Checking and assisting with specs for style guides
4. Managing printing and production of all client collateral

PUBLIC RELATIONS, MEDIA AND ADVERTISING :
5. Co-ordinating Public Relation initiatives with media and clients
6. Compiling regular status reports for clients regarding media exposure
7. Researching media lists and publication opportunities
8. Media liaison and follow ups with PR Team and where applicable, editors and journalists
9. Compiling advertising schedules and media clippings
MARKETING RESEARCH AND PROPOSALS:
10. Co-ordinating marketing proposals and relevant documentation
- This includes checking quality of all relevant documents
- Sourcing, researching and collating additional information that may be required

EVENTS:
11. Co-ordinating and managing all aspects of Client Events:
- Event proposals and research
- Client briefs and meetings
- On site venue consultations
- Co-ordinating of RSVP's for various clients and liaising with venues and suppliers
- Managing marketing material requirements and logistics for events
- Attending events and assisting with registration and event management
- Event conclusion: ensure event is successfully executed, all marketing material
packed up and client accounts have been finalised

GENERAL:
12. Ensure that the Colourworks brand/image is conveyed consistently and positively at all times
13. Liaison with marketing and promotional item suppliers
14. Client Relationship Management:
- Managing and assisting with client account management
- Assisting clients with sales and general requests
15. Providing accurate quotes to clients in a timeous manner


16. Conducting client site visits in a professional manner
17. Co-ordinating client surveys, interviews and collation of results
18. Taking messages and problem escalation when required
19. Maintaining monthly invoice sheets for all clients
20. Manage client database and client birthday list
21. Conceptualise client gift ideas and arrange presentation of this
22. General Office Duties such as reception of clients, answering of phones and assisting management team where necessary


Additional Notes:
• Attend and report back a relevant Marketing / Advertising / PR course every
Quarter
• Track career development on a six monthly basis
• Job performance Appraisals every quarter

Job: Staff Writer

Remuneration:    R15000 - R20000 per month basic salary

Job description

• Pro-actively source editorial from advertisers, market, official bodies, internet and editorial board for specific trades as required. Seek out potential stories from these sources as well.
• Pro-actively write good quality, accurate and truthful editorial within the framework of the brief given.
• Pro-actively ensure all editorial has been approved when necessary by third party.
• Attend industry functions as required, including after hour functions.
• Take good quality and clear photographs or source such to accompany all editorial. Company camera must be properly looked after.
• Proof and edit own material and submit to sub editor for final proofing and checking.
• Meet all deadlines and work to a three month planning schedule ahead of the current issue.
• Be able to give clear instructions for both the sub editor and layout to follow.
• Attend editorial and production department meetings and report accurately on progress of publications current and future.
• Attend editorial board meetings for specific trades.
• Update and file editorial checklists on a daily basis

• Correct filing of electronic editorial and media as well as hardcopy (current and old)
• Maintain database of client management system.
• Proactively liaise with sales department regarding possible sales prospects and leads for editorial contact/information.
• General knowledge of industry
• Operating and quality procedures of the company
• Photography
• English writing proficiency
• Requirements
• Excellent writing skills
• Good people skills
• Photography skills
• Information sourcing and correct interpretation skills
• Prioritisation
• Organisational and planning skills
• Administration skills
• Competent computer skills
• Building of positive long lasting working relations associated with job function

Job: Editorial Intern

Job description

Africa investor (Ai) magazine is offering a four-month editorial internship opportunity, with a view to possible permanent employment, to a talented, young journalist looking to further his/her writing skills and knowledge of the media industry. The applicant must already have completed a diploma/degree in journalism and have an excellent grasp of the English language with previous experience in the publishing field. He/she must be able to produce press releases, short articles for Africa investor's magazine and be able to assist the editorial department with day-to-day tasks such as the researching and uploading of daily news stories to www.africa-investor.com; as well as performing other regular tasks.

Also advantageous is a financial background and an understanding of capital markets. The candidate should also have extensive research experience and will be expected to contribute regularly to Africa investor's various social media and online platforms.

The candidate will also take on some office management duties. The potential intern must be available to Africa investor on a full-time basis and will be expected to put in the extra hours where necessary. Candidates must be available to start at Africa investor at the beginning of January, with transport to and from work being absolutely essential.

Requirements

• Graduate with a Diploma/Degree in Journalism, English or an equivalent qualification, financial background advantageous • Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word/Outlook/Excel in particular) • Excellent writing and researching ability • Confident telephone manner • Good with computers • Proofing ability and strong grammatical knowledge • Meticulous attention to detail • Respect for deadlines • Passion for African finance/business-related issues

Personal Skills/Attributes

• Enjoy working in a team • Inquisitive mind • Able to follow instructions and take initiative

Job: PR Assistant

PR Assistant

Job description

• Must have two years or more experience in related industry in the writing of press releases, media planning and scheduling and research. 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills is necessary. 
• Sourcing of media contacts and the right angle for a story is vital. 
• Must be able to work independently once being briefed. 
• Experience in print, online and radio is essential.

Job: Managing Editor

Managing Editor
Job description
- Evaluate, proofread and edit content on four magazine titles
- Assist with the production flow of each issue
- Write content as needed
- Assist with commissioning and briefing articles in collaboration with the editor
- Assist with day-to-day operations of the magazines
- Help generate new and interesting article ideas
- Manage relationships with writers and freelancers as required
Qualification and experience- Proven ability to work well with others to complete projects
- Excellent grammar and fact checking skills
- Solid writing, editing, and proofreading, with attention to detail.
- Must be a self-starter, motivated, and comfortable juggling multiple needs and deadlines at once.
- Degree in Journalism or English
- At least two to three years relevant magazine experience as writer/ journalist or copy editor

Job: Editor

Editor - Trade Magazines

Job description* A tertiary qualification in Journalism or Media Studies.
* A minimum of eight years experience with a a leading publisher of TRADE titles, of which at least two would have been as an Editor.
* Sound editorial knowledge as well as experience as a features writer.

Job: Sports Editor

TV Sports Editor

Job description* Taking responsibility for the content of daily terrestrial sports news bulletin, in collaboration with the executive producer of Sport
* Acting as final quality control on stories for terrestrial sports news bulletin
* Contributing to planning of daily sports news diary
* Subbing sports scripts and crawlers across both 24-hour and terrestrial news
* Providing guidance on story angles and pieces-to-camera across both channels
* Assigning stories to reporters and arranging cameras
* Contributing to writing of scripts and producing of stories for sports news bulletins across both channels
* Providing input and ideas on possible interviewees/sports news issues across both channels
* Assisting in the planning of the coverage of major sporting events
* Mentoring and transferring skills to junior members of sports news team
* Filling in for the sports editor when required
Requirements
* Minimum of two years management experience
* Minimum of five years experience in the television industry
* Excellent command of the English language
* Relevant degree/diploma
* Excellent writing skills
* Excellent communication skills
* Good editorial judgement and interpretational skills
* Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines

Note: the successful candidates will be required to work irregular hours including weekends and public holidays as well as standby shifts.

Job: PR Account Manager

Account Manager - Public Relations

Job descriptionA dynamic and well-established Public Relations Consultancy is looking for an account manager to work on several pieces of prestigious business.
Requirements
* Relevant tertiary qualification
* At least four years' experience in the Public Relations arena
* Excellent media relationships
* A drive and passion for public relations
* A dynamic and vibrant personality
* An analytical and logical mind
* Be a team player
* Ability to stay cool and calm under pressure
* Excellent written and communication skills
* Own transport

Job: PR Account Director

PR - Account Director/Senior Account Manager
   
Job description
This role is for an account manager that has to demonstrate a high-level of professional knowledge and skills in public relations and working in an advertising agency environment. He/She should be able to manage a piece of a business for a very large FMCG account. Provide excellent client service and build a strong relationship. Must have media knowledge.
Requirements
Full understanding of public relations and a demonstrated ability to achieve public relations objectives.
Develops and drafts communication.
Understands business trends for consumers
Oversees and directs media campaigns
Strong presentation skills
Advantageous
Four years agency experience
media contacts
strategic thinker
hands-on implementer
writing skills.
Personal Skills/Attributes
Handle pressure well
Loves to be in an exciting environment

How private is your life?

After Google's Street View cars in May 2010 "mistakenly" collected private data - which included emails and passwords - they promised they'd tighten up their privacy controls. Read Google’s senior vice president of engineering and research, Alan Eustace's blog on what these are.

How do you know that someone out there isn't collecting all your data? Private companies who want to target you in their latest advertising campaign? Government pulling a Big Brother? Criminals trying to steal your money? 

• How private do you want your life to be? And to what lengths would you go to ensure this?

Print media circulation still down

BizCommunity reports that recent Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) for 2010 show that South African newspaper and magazine circulation remains on the back foot almost a year since the end of the global economic crisis and an ensuing local economic recovery. Read the full story.

• Some titles have seen an increase in circulation - what do they have in common? How can this help print media survive?
• What are the reasons given for this general drop in circulation?
• What solutions are given?
• What do YOU think the future of print media looks like, and why?

Freedom of Speech

China is tightening its grip on social media again, with the sentencing of a Chinese woman to a year in a labour camp over a remark she made on Twitter. Read the full story.

• Do some research and find out what other restrictions China has put in place regarding social media and other forms of media.
• How "free" do you think social media should be? Should anybody be able to say anything about anyone at at any time? 
• How can the public verify what is true and what is not in social media?
• Do YOU think restrictions should be placed on social media? If so, what should these restrictions be. If not, why not?

Newspaper for the iPad

Is the end nigh for traditional newspapers? Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation seems set to launch a digital newspaper for the iPad called “The Daily”.In an interview in April with The Kalb Report, Murdoch called the iPad a “glimpse of the future”.
“There’s going to be tens of millions of these things sold all over the world,” he said. “It may be the saving of newspapers because you don’t have the costs of paper, ink, printing, trucks.
“I’m old, I like the tactile experience of the newspaper,” Murdoch admitted, but “if you have less newspapers and more of these that’s OK.”
So maybe not the death knell for newspapers, but just a change of medium?Read the full story.

• Do YOU think this is the beginning of the end for traditional newspapers?

Job: Online Lecturer

Main responsibilities:

Teaching courses and mentoring students in online journalism, including multi-media techniques for the web; Conceptualising and developing innovative web-based reporting projects and working with students on those projects, including the building of the websites that house them; Supervising student research work at honours and masters level; Advising the department on social media and other developments, their implications for our programme, and be willing to develop innovative teaching and research responses to them; Maintaining and developing the various websites of the journalism programme and its projects. Requirements: Applicants must have a strong record of work in online media and journalism; significant teaching experience; the ability to work independently and in a team; and detailed knowledge of the rapidly developing world of online media. They must have experience of content management systems, website architecture and preferably (but not essentially) basic coding skills, as well as proficiency in using and experimenting with social media. For appointment at Lecturer level, applicants must be in possession of a PhD or be a professional with significant experience (3 – 5 years) in the industry and at least an undergraduate degree. For appointment at Associate Lecturer level, applicants must be in possession of a Master’s degree or be a professional with significant experience (2-3 years) in the industry.

How real is the internet?

How often do you use the internet? What do you use it for? Is it taking over your life? And is this a good thing or a bad thing? Alistair Fairweather (follow him on Twitter) is the digital platforms manager at the Mail & Guardian - read his take on how the internet is real life; that its users are real people too, as are their relationships with other users.

• What do you use the internet for?
• How often are you online?
• What social meda sites do you use, and what do you use them for?

Withdrawal of Public Service Broadcasting Bill

After heavy criticism from broadcasting lobby groups last week, including MNet and MultiChoice, communications minister Roy Padayachie has withdrawn the controversial Public Service Broadcasting Bill pending further consultation. Read about it on Tech Central's site. What were the main reasons why Padayachie pulled the plug on the draft bill?  What do you see as the future of public broadcasting?  Do you watch SABC (only if you don't have satellite? only if someone forces you to? only if you want a good laugh at how bad the local productions are?)

Sunday Times' Zulu edition

The Sunday Times has just launched a Zulu edition of its paper in KZN - it's got much the same content as the English version as well as a little orginal content. Visit www.mediaupdate.co.za/?IDStory=32014 to read the full story on the new paper - time will tell if this project is a success, and it's definitely something we need to follow as it could change the face of the newspaper business.

Registration for The Media School is open!

The Media School is officially open for business! Both the Facebook and email campaigns are going great guns - we've had a lot of responses, and interestingly many working people are enquring about our part-time courses, showing that there really is a need out there for the upgrading or learning of new skills. Thank you to everyone out there who is helping to promote our school by word of mouth/email/Facebook! 

Media Freedom Week

It's National Media Freedom Week, and the Right2Know campaign is springboarding its Week of Action from 19-27 October, urging citizens to send a clear message to the South African government to "Stop the Secrecy Bill! Let the Truth Be Told!"

On the bizcommunity.com site, it states that the Secrecy Bill (the Protection of Information Bill) currently before Parliament threatens the gains of South Africans' struggle for freedom and a responsive and accountable democracy that can meet the basic needs of people is built upon transparency and the free flow of information. This bill fundamentally undermines the struggle for whistleblower protection and access to information. It is one of a number of proposed measures, which could have the combined effect of fundamentally undermining the right to access information and the freedom of expression enshrined in the Constitution.

Action steps

• Show your support for the Right2Know. Sign the statement at www.right2know.org.za or SMS "R2K", followed by your name and town/city to 32759;
• Organise public meetings, workshops, pickets or protests during the Week of Action. Invite a representative of the Right2Know to speak at your event;
• Contact a Member of Parliament and tell them your concerns. The chair of the committee is Cecil Burgess - you can call him on +27 (0)21 403 2911 or email him at cburgess@parliament.gov.za
• Write a letter to your local paper or call into talk radio explaining your concerns about the bill;
• Stay in touch:
• Facebook: Right 2 Know Campaign
• Twitter: @r2kcampaign
• Campaign's discussion group: http://groups.google.com/group/InfoAccessNow
• Website: www.right2know.org.za

So what is the Protection of Information Bill? Do some research and find out what it's all about. What do you think? What happens to the power of the media if access to information is restricted? 

Media Tribunal - we're the watchdog of the government, but does the media also need one?



The proposal that a Media Tribunal be established to keep checks on the media has been met with indignation by many sectors of society. Would this mean a curtailment of the public's right to know? Or simply a method to slap the media on the wrist when they cross the line? Read what the CEO of the Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Business (PCB), Andrew Layman, has to say on the issue, as he tries to look at the topic from both sides.

 

"The Government’s Protection of Information Bill and the ANC’s proposal for the establishment of a Media Tribunal have brought the matters of the freedom of the press and the right of the public to know right into the foreground. People within the media have reacted with righteous indignation at the suggestion that their exposés might be curtailed.    My view is that the public’s right to know, which is one of the rights enshrined in the constitution by the way, needs as much protection as possible, even if the media, on whom we rely to pass on information, is often less responsible than it should be.      

Recently, for example, poster headlines proclaimed that “Mayor owes council R277 000”.    This seemed to me to be a very unfortunate choice of headline.   We have two mayors in the city and it would be a reasonable assumption on the part of local people who saw the headline on posters that either Mr Tarr or Mr Bhamjee was the one who had failed to pay his dues.     Those who bought the newspaper would have discovered, on about page four, that it was the Mayor of Umngeni, in fact, who had been fingered.    It is likely that people who didn’t read the paper are still of the view that one of our first citizens is the debtor.     Such is the influence of the print media.    It is interesting to reflect that the majority of the population does not read a newspaper.    We think that if we “put something in the paper”, everyone will know about it.  This is very far from the truth.  

I don’t believe for a moment that the crafting of this headline was done with any intent to embarrass the Mayor.   It was designed to sell papers.    Headlines titillate the insatiable taste that the public has for sensationalism, so the publicity creates a desire-to-know which results in sales.    As one who writes articles regularly, I am often astonished by the headlines that are attached by the sub-editors; sometimes they misrepresent badly what I have written.   In one headline I remember, the view that I had expressed in the article was totally contradicted, but not because the person responsible was looking for the right selling pitch, but because he or she hadn’t read the article carefully enough.

In the last week, the Chamber has suffered some embarrassment by announcing to its members and others that COSATU was to engage in an illegal strike on Thursday 7^th October.     This was not true, but the source of the information was thought to be impeccable.    What had happened was that someone had misinterpreted a sentence in a speech made by Zwelinzima Vavi who had said COSATU would “take to the streets” on the 7^th to protest against labour brokers and the casualisation of labour.   This was not the announcement of a strike, but a demonstration.    I have learnt over the years that it is worth checking sources and the information that is relayed.  

Many contemporary journalists, it seems, do not check.   They publish information they are fed, often by people who use the media to pursue factional agendas of their own.    Such is the extent of political back-stabbing that the media offers a wonderful opportunity for unscrupulous people to hit at their enemies.    I’m not sure that all journalists want to check.   After all, the truth is never quite so sensational.    I don’t know that we want journalists to check either.   We represent the market, after all, and we delight in scandals, celebrity trivia and any information, true or false, that brings some prominent person down.   So, between us, we have compromised media integrity.   

But whatever the negative effects of this may be, they are still infinitely preferable to a media that is unable to publish information that might expose corruption, fraud or incompetence because the leaders concerned would prefer this to be obscured."

This is an issue that we're going to follow closely next , and students will have to regularly debate this topic .               

• Do research into the background of the issue of the establishment of a media tribunal and discuss this issue.
• What do YOU think the importance is of freedom of expression? 
• Checking facts is vital to journalism. Discuss how this highlights the difference between real journalists and citizen journalists. (Do a search for a definition of citizen journalism and compile your own definition - ensure your sources are valid.)

One of the subjects at The Media School is Social Media, where we'll be looking at how to use applications such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and blogs, amongst others, in journalism and public relations.

Facebook launched a new feature this week under Groups where users can create private havens for co-workers or family members, for example, to get together. It will be interesting to see if businesses start using these to hold meeetings or conferences, or for like-minded people to find a place to chat in peace.

Another new feature that is going to be rolled out is one that will let Facebook users see and manage what information in their accounts is accessed by third-party applications. It's a tough one for businesses - on the one hand, you want as many people as possible to view your site, but on the other hand, you have no control over who these people are and what they do with your information. With this new feature, it looks like you'll have more power to manage this.

Countdown begins!

So we're nearly there! Our website at www.themediaschool.co.za is just about ready to go live - have had to realise that it can never be perfect - every time I log onto it, I end up adding something new to it! Feels like it will never end... But it's been loads of fun playing around with Joomla - what an awesome content management system. You do need to know a little about html, but even with the most basic knowledge you can design your own website and load it up with content and images. I can't wait to teach my students how to use html and Joomla and watch them sink their teeth into it!

Our marketing strategy begins tomorrow - we've joined forces with Brenda Horner from the Gap Academy and Decor School and Catherine da Costa from Cookalooks so we're all going to do our marketing with each other, using our network of contacts. So it will just be word of mouth to start off with - or is that word of mail?? - and is going to be a very interesting marketing experiment - will post results to this blog!