ITV

Tag: Africa

  • Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort wins two prestigious awards as unrivalled golf destination

    Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort wins two prestigious awards as unrivalled golf destination

    Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort, a leading tourism destination in the Arab world, has been named by The Global Golf Tourism Organisation (IAGTO) as the ‘Golf Resort of the Year – Rest of the World’, based on the responses of some 480 specialist golf tour operators in 59 countries globally.

     

    This accolade was followed by CNN listing Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort among 10 Best Golf Courses in Africa. The report said that the continent hosts more than 800 golf courses, making Africa one of the best choices for golf lovers.

     

    Terrance Mohamed, Director of Golf at Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort said: “To be honoured with such prestigious awards is a true testament to the quality and service which is synonymous with 5-star standards. These standards have helped raise the profile of both Kerzner International and Troon Golf within the Golf tourism industry. Competing in today’s golfing climate with some of the great resorts and courses worldwide, we’re excited to have made such a significant impact.”

     

    Mazagan has emerged as prestigious choice of VIPs and celebrities, located just an hour’s drive from Casablanca, making it an ideal destination especially for GCC families looking for cooler weather throughout the year.

     

    Mazagan was developed by Kerzner International. El Jadida was selected as the location as it is one Moroccan ‘City That Never Sleeps’ in summer. The resort boasts a distinguished Portuguese architecture, blended with Moroccan and European touches.

     

    Located 90 km south of Casablanca in El Jadida, Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort is a coastal destination resort overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Set around a magnificent internal courtyard, the resort’s 500 rooms boast unspoilt views of the ocean, lagoons, golf course, landscaped gardens and a stunning swimming pool in the center.

     

    Mazagan encompasses a 250-hectare site including an 18-hole golf course designed by Gary Player, a 7km stretch of beach, a variety of restaurants and bars, a nightclub designed by Jeffrey Beers, an award-winning spa, a wide range of sport and leisure activities and one of the largest conference centers in the region. 67 luxurious villas are situated alongside the golf course with fantastic views of the Atlantic coastline.

     

    For reservations, please contact reservations@mazaganbeachresort.com or call +212 523 388 000 or visit http://www.mazaganbeachresort.com

  • Sundance Channel Global Expands with New European Launches

    Sundance Channel Global Expands with New European Launches

    NEW DELHI : AMC/Sundance Channel Global, the international division of AMC Networks (NASDAQ: AMCX), has announced today new launches for Sundance Channel in Europe.  The company has also appointed Geraud Alazard as Vice President of Marketing, AMC/Sundance Channel Global.  Bruce Tuchman, President of AMC/Sundance Channel Global, made the announcements today ahead of the company’s participation at MIPCOM.

    Sundance Channel has launched as a 24-hour linear network on the cable/IPTV platform Bouygues Telecom in France, one of the fastest growing pay TV platforms in France. This partnership adds to the network’s broad distribution in France on Numericable, Virgin, SFR on Neufbox and Free. In addition, Sundance Channel is now available as a 24-hour network on the cable TV operator VOO/BeTV in Belgium for French-speaking audiences. This deal enables Sundance Channel to be seen widely across Wallonia to complement the network’s extensive distribution across Brussels and Flanders on Belgacom and Telenet. Both deals include access to authenticated on demand programming.

    In Eastern Europe, Sundance Channel has experienced substantial growth in recent months. The network has expanded in Poland, where it has been widely seen across numerous pay-TV platforms, via recent deals with Inea, Promax and many other local operators. The network is now also being carried on UPC Hungary in standard definition and high definition on the basic tier, which has significantly increased distribution throughout the country. Sundance Channel has previously been available in high definition on UPC Hungary. Today’s announcements follow numerous recent launches, including Sundance Channel’s debut last month for the first time across Latin America.

    The company has also made a personnel announcement to help bolster growth across the globe. As Vice President of Marketing, Alazard will oversee marketing and multiplatform media campaigns for AMC/Sundance Channel Global to support affiliates and drive consumer and distributor demand for the company’s international brands, Sundance Channel and WE tv. Based in New York, he will report to Tuchman. He will also report to Ed Palluth, EVP Global Distribution, on affiliate marketing matters related to Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. 

    Alazard has an extensive background in international marketing and distribution.  Most recently, he served as managing director at PureScreens in Paris, France, where he negotiated and executed distribution on European pay-TV platforms for The Museum Channel. Prior to this role, Alazard served as Director of Marketing, Sales and Business Development at Televista, which operates French lifestyle channel Vivolta. He has also held positions at A+E Television Networks in the US and Germany.  He holds a MS in International Corporate Strategy from ESSEC Business School, Thunderbird Graduate School and a BS in Politics and Management from Sciences-Po Paris, Heidelberg Universität .

    Tuchman commented, “These exciting launches reinforce the strong demand for the globally renowned, high quality programming exclusively available on Sundance Channel.” He continued, “Geraud is an accomplished brand strategist with a wealth of valuable experience. His experience in identifying global marketing and distribution opportunities will enable him to play a key role in our rapid multi-platform expansion.”

    Sundance Channel offers audiences a diverse and engaging selection of first run original drama and other iconic programming, award winning and locally appealing independent films and documentaries. It is available to pay-TV operators as a standard and high definition linear television channel, VOD service and via mobile and online authenticated streaming.

    Additionally, select VOD program offerings are available during theatrical windows so audiences can watch films that are still in theatres from the comfort of their own homes.

    In addition to Sundance Channel, AMC/Sundance Channel Global offers WE tv in Asia, a women’s lifestyle focused network featuring top industry figures in food, weddings and fashion with acclaimed series by Bobby Flay, Rachael Ray and Joe Zee, inspiring viewers with their expertise and innovation.

  • Prince William opens up to the world in a docu

    Prince William opens up to the world in a docu

    MUMBAI: The documentary chronicles Prince William’s passion for conservation in Africa, and how as a new father, he finds himself more committed than ever to saving Africa’s endangered species. The documentary will telecast on CNN International on Saturday, 21 September at 1:30 pm and Sunday 22 September at 3:30 pm.

    In the film, Prince William recalls how his love for Africa was born, remembering his late mother Princess Diana when she returned from her trips: “She would come back with all these stories and full of excitement and just passion for what she had been doing and I sort of used to sit there, quite a sort of surprised little boy at the time, taking it all in.”

    In the hour long special, Prince William shares with CNN’s Max Foster the evolution of his passion for conservation. From childhood tales told to him by his parents, to memories of visiting Africa for the first time, to his proposal to the Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William recounts the pivotal role the continent and its endangered species have played in his life. As a new father, what he once “believed,” he says he now “feels” on a much deeper level, and hopes that Prince George can experience the same Africa that he and his brother did as boys.

    Prince William’s Passion: New Father, New Hope will also feature exclusive footage of the Royal couple’s first public appearance together since the birth of their son at the Tusk Conservation Awards. The Duke of Cambridge, as the Royal Patron of Tusk Trust – a dynamic organisation that funds development programs in Africa – will present the Prince William Award for Conservation in Africa.

  • SES enables Chinese startimes to expand tv reach in Africa

    SES enables Chinese startimes to expand tv reach in Africa

    MUMBAI: SES (NYSE Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) announced today that StarTimes Communication Network Technology, China’s most influential system integrator, technology provider and network operator, has signed a 10-year contract on SES-5 at 5 degrees East to expand its media footprint in Africa and deliver direct-to-home (DTH) broadcast services across the continent.

    StarTimes, which is the fastest-growing digital TV operator Africa and has over 2.6 million digital terrestrial television (DTT) subscribers, also acquired SES’ 20% shareholding in South African pay-TV operator Top TV.

    The contract will see StarTimes utilise four transponders as of October 2013 and a fifth transponder from February 2014 to grow their DTH subscribers in Africa. The Chinese broadcaster will continue to broadcast TopTV on SES-5 by using three of the newly-contracted SES transponders that were formerly leased by ODM. The other two out of the five SES transponders contracted by StarTimes will be used to complement their DTT offering in remote and non-urban areas and grow their pay-TV business.  

    “The recent success of StarTimes’s strategic investment in ODM will allow us to reach new audiences in South Africa. The partnership with SES enables StarTimes to have a DTH platform in addition to the existing DTT and mobile TV (CMMB) platforms in sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, the high-powered SES-5 at the prime orbital location of 5 degrees East is ideal in overcoming the challenges of terrestrial coverage to reach large audiences. This will allow us to extend our broadcast reach across the continent and ensure excellent service and picture quality for our viewers,” said StarTimes Group Chairman and President Pang Xinxing.

    “We are honoured that StarTimes has chosen to work with us to complement their DTT business across Africa and to deliver more exciting content to Africa’s dynamic markets,” said Ferdinand Kayser, Chief Commercial Officer of SES. “The new partnership with StarTimes will illustrate how the combination of DTH and DTT is a key enabler in Africa’s migration to digital TV and also help set pace in the continent’s digital migration race.”

  • Raghav Rekhi to head Mars chocolate business in India

    Raghav Rekhi to head Mars chocolate business in India

    MUMBAI: Mars International India has appointed Raghav Rekhi to lead the marketing operations for the chocolate business in India as the marketing director with effect from August 2013.

    In his new role, Raghav will develop and implement marketing strategies for the brand to achieve company’s growth and promotional objectives. He will also further work towards establishing the Mars brand as a global and local market leader.

    Raghav comes to Mars International India with significant experience and a proven track record. He has 14 years of experience with Mars, Inc. and has held a number of marketing and sales management roles in various parts of the world during his tenure with the company globally.

    “I’m confident that his experience in sales and marketing will help in driving our chocolate business forward in the country.” says Mars International India chocolate business general manager MV Natarajan.

    In his most recent role, Raghav served as a marketing director for Mars META (Middle East, Turkey, and Africa region). Raghav has won several awards and recognitions for his work, including the global Mars Inc award for ‘The most innovative marketing campaign’.

    Raghav is of Indian decent and returns to India after having spent more than 20 years across the globe.

  • Indian tech success story takes the next step with wins in Africa

    Indian tech success story takes the next step with wins in Africa

    MUMBAI: Mumbai based Media Nucleus continued its impressive growth story with its first wins in the African continent.Media Nucleus has clients across India, South Asia, South East Asia, Middle East, I and now Africa.

    ANN7 based out of South Africa and TVC News in Nigeria have both chosen Media Nucleus’ flagship product, Broadcast Air Time Scheduler (BATS), to optimise revenues and deliver efficiencies in their broadcasting operations.

    The flexibility of the modular structure along with the intuitive features of the software that ensures reduction of human error that delivers accurate billing and programming were key to BATS winning.

    Value for money and the comprehensive, high quality yet cost effective were the main features that swayed the decision towards BATS in this case.

    These broadcasters join global brands such as Fox and CNBC, top Indian brands such as Star World, India News, Fox Movies, Dhammal, PTC, to name a few along with a growing number of other channels across India,Middle East and now Africa who use BATS to run their entire operational processes or parts of it. The ability of BATS to integrate with industry standard broadcast technology infrastructure as well as ERP products such as Oracle or SAP are some of the features Media Nucleus clients value.

    Media Nucleus Operations Director Santosh Nair believes this trend of gaining customers abroad would continue especially from the emerging markets that are undergoing through the digitisation revolution. Africa is the initial target but by no means the only one.

    “Africa is a big continent with varied levels of market maturity however technology is proving to be a great equaliser in many respects and “digitsation” would open new opportunities as well as challenges,” he said.

    “Our experience in supporting broadcasters and other content owners optimise revenues and deliver efficiencies in their operations and meet the challenges of digitisation in India and Middle East make us perfectly poised to do the same in Africa. “

    Although BATS is the flagship, he points out that CAMS (a subscriber management system for Cable and DTV Operators) has also established itself as one of the market leaders in its space. The product was launched timely to aid cable operators and others in the industry to comply with digitisation requirements

    The SaaS service model with little infrastructural costs and ease of use are some of the criteria that has made CAMS a success, but Nair believes, it is the comprehensive, high quality innovative nature of the product that defines it success especially as it also delivers quick RoI and results.

    Nair goes on to say: “Our commitment to delivering value for money with quality products and services supported by excellent customer services has helped us become a market leader in India and we are confident that we can replicate the same success in other emerging economies.”

    Aside from BATS, the company product portfolio also includes subscriber based management system (CAMS), a broadband billing system (BBS) and services that are aimed at optimising revenues and delivering efficiencies for all parts of the value chain in the media and entertainment industry.

    This Mumbai company with offices in London and Dubai has set its sight on making an impact in the global media industry by helping clients succeed in a complex and rapidly changing competitive landscape.

  • Next IIFA awards, not at Vancouver

    Next IIFA awards, not at Vancouver

    MUMBAI: The 14th edition of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards will not be held in Vancouver.

    The bid for the same by the British Columbia government on behalf of Vancouver was rejected for 2013, according to a statement by Wizcraft International, the organizers of IIFA.

    The bidding process for the awards is currently on with a number of countries from the Middle East, South America, Europe and Africa.

    “The decision is subject to many contributing factors that are required of a host destination in terms of support-initiatives for Hindi cinema production, funding and distribution; event-funding, support, facilitation, and infrastructure,” said IIFA and Wizcraft International director Sabbas Joseph. “We are committed to the film Industry and hosting an IIFA in any destination must meet the larger interests of Indian cinema and a spectacular-staging of the annual celebration,” he added.

    The dates and venue for the 2013 edition of the IIFA Weekend and Awards will be formally announced soon.

    Over the years, IIFA has been to destinations like London, Yorkshire, Johannesburg, Dubai, Amsterdam, Singapore, Bangkok, Colombo and Macau among other.

  • BBC World News commissions new series ‘Changing Fortunes’

    BBC World News commissions new series ‘Changing Fortunes’

    MUMBAI: BBC World News has announced ‘Changing Fortunes‘, a new six-part series that will challenge assumptions about patterns of wealth in the early 21st century. Produced by Films of Record and Duke& Earl, the series will broadcast from 2 February 2013. The show is sponsored by Coutts.

    ‘Changing Fortunes‘ takes a contemporary look at the new generation of wealthy men and women that have emerged in the last two decades. The fall of the Soviet Union, the liberalization of India and the opening of China have brought vast new markets into the global economy. The resulting commodities boom has created an explosion of wealth from Brazil to Africa. And the internet and technology continue to generate new fortunes.

    As a result, the rich are getting younger, more female and less Western.

    From India, the US, to Brazil, Europe, Africa and China – the series meets some of the innovators, entrepreneurs and business success stories whose fortunes offer a window into our rapidly changing world.

    From the Nigerian entrepreneur heading one of Africa‘s largest energy companies to the world-renowned beauty expert and CEO of a leading US cosmetics company, each episode in the series profiles individuals who will reveal their extraordinary journeys to success.

    BBC World News head of commissioning Mary Wilkinson said, ” ‘Changing Fortunes‘ offers a fascinating insight into the economic history of the last twenty years and the accumulation of wealth. All of the individual stories we feature are remarkable and demonstrate that the newly rich are diverse and very global.”

    Coutts head of products, services and marketing Ian Ewart said, “Insight and deep understanding have driven Coutts‘ commitment to serving clients‘ needs for over 300 years, and that commitment remains as true today as it ever was. These outstanding programmes show how emerging trends find their origin in enduring client needs and how wealth generation originates from enduring truths. We want to answer the questions that wealth poses, and what it means today and for tomorrow.”

    Duke and Earl client services director Marc Heal said, “Duke and Earl are proud to be producing this exciting series for BBC World News. ‘Changing Fortunes‘ will challenge expectations and reveal how global patterns of wealth are shifting in the new economic paradigm. We are at a fascinating turning point for the world economy and it is a controversial time to be rich. Each programme in ‘Changing Fortunes‘ will challenge expectations and offer viewers a unique glimpse into the motivations and aspirations of the new wealthy.”

  • Zee calls for a creative and media pitch for Africa

    MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited has called for a creative and media pitch for its operations in sub-Saharan Africa. The size of the business is expected to be in the range of $10-12 million annually. The pitch will be divided into four phases starting December 2012 going up to February 2013.

    Until now, Zee TV has been catering mainly to the Indian Diaspora in Africa, as a result of which its ATL presence and spend has been limited. In the coming fiscal, Zee plans to relay content from Bollywood as well as popular local African content to TV HHs in Africa by launching customised GEC TV channels to suit African tastes.

    Zee has been present in Africa since 1996, via the Multichoice digital platform and South Africa was one of the first international markets Zee TV forayed into. It later expanded its reach on the continent via other platforms like Canal Plus. Zee TV is the only Indian Hindi General Entertainment Category broadcaster that has a separate beam for Africa.

    Zee is amongst the largest producers and aggregators of Hindi programming in the world, with over 100,000 hours of television content. With rights to more than 3,000 movie titles from foremost studios and of iconic film stars, Zee houses the world‘s largest Hindi film library. Through its strong presence worldwide, Zee entertains over 650 million viewers across 168 countries.

    Zee celebrated 20 years of its launch in the Indian market on 2nd October 2012 and has embarked on an aggressive expansion drive across the globe, with Africa being a focal point. On the occasion, Zee Chairman Subhash Chandra said, “we are at an inflexion point, a position from where we have to leapfrog and move into the next growth trajectory.”

  • CNBC ropes in HSBC as sponsor for on-air and online activity

    CNBC ropes in HSBC as sponsor for on-air and online activity

    NEW DELHI: Business news channel CNBC has announced that it has signed HSBC bank as sponsor for the channel.

    As per the deal, HSBC will sponsor on-air and online activity across CNBC in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.

    As reported by UK-based Media Week, the deal was negotiated through the Exchange and Invention teams at Mindshare Worldwide, London.

    HSBC will sponsor 60-second vignettes based around a new 13-part series Alternative Investing, wherein the focus will be at non-traditional investments.

    Additionally, bank-sponsored hotboards will air around CNBC’s flagship programme, Squawk Box Europe.

    The deal also covers sponsoring of a dedicated programme page for Alternative Investing on CNBC.com, which will include episodes of the programme, relevant market data and a guide to different types of alternative investments. This page will be supported by 30-second promos running on CNBC.

    In Europe, CNBC claims a reach of 110 million homes, 1,400 banks and financial institutions, and hotels.