Media News South Africa

Primedia Broadcasting shakes up top structure

Primedia Broadcasting, owners of radio stations 94.7 Highveld Stereo, Talk Radio 702, 94.5 Kfm and 567 CapeTalk, has announced a number of structural changes and promotions in its senior management team, as part of their strategy to grow into a "great" company.


Pheladi Gwangwa, 702's
new Station Manager

In a statement released today, Primedia Broadcasting CEO, Terry Volkwyn, said the "new appointments were all in line with the changing and growing needs of the group. At the same time, it allows the individuals concerned to grow and develop".

"The new structure forms part of our strategy to grow Primedia Broadcasting from a "Good to a Great" company," Volkwyn emphasized.

Primedia Broadcasting acquired 94.5 Kfm late last year. The four stations have a combined listenership of almost three million.

"These changes will enable the expanded group to maximize growth and allow the four radio stations to provide world-class service," said Primedia Broadcasting Executive Chairman, Dan Moyane.

The changes include:

  • Ryan Till, currently Promotions Manager, has been appointed Group General Manager. Till has been with Primedia since 1997, shortly after it bought 94.7 Highveld Stereo. He has been involved in almost all facets of the business from sales to on-line and programming promotions.

  • 702 Station Manager, Yusuf Abramjee, has been promoted to Group Head: News and Talk Programming. Abramjee has been station manager for three years. Prior to that, he was 702's man in Pretoria, crime editor and acting news editor. In his new role, Abramjee will oversee news and information, including traffic, sport and business for all four stations. He will also head-up the talk programming side of 702 and 567. The four stations will continue to run their independent newsrooms.

    "The group will continue to grow the news and information services. We boast some of the best journalists and talk-show hosts in South Africa -many of whom have been with us for years and have worked their way up the ranks," said Abramjee.

    "I am looking forward to working across the four premium brands," he added.

  • Primedia Broadcasting's Regulatory Affairs Manager, Pheladi Gwangwa, succeeds Abramjee as 702's new station manager. Her successor is to be announced later. Gwangwa joined Primedia in October 2002. She cut her teeth in the sector at the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) and its predecessor the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA). She is a qualified attorney.

    "I am thrilled to take up this new role... We will continue our strategy of providing a platform for robust debate and talk and engaging 702landers," said Gwangwa.

  • 567 CapeTalk's Station Manager, Colleen Louw, has been appointed Joint Station Manager of 567 Cape Talk and 94.5 Kfm. Louw was appointed Station Manager of 567 in 2003. Louw was Marketing Manager of 567 prior to her appointment as head of the station.

    "I am looking forward to my additional role and will be exposed to a different format," said Louw. "There are most certainly exciting times that lie ahead."

  • Current Operations Manager at 94.5 Kfm, Jaco Viljoen, has been appointed Group IT/Technical Manager. He has been with the station since 1997 and started out as a sound engineer and worked himself up the ranks.

    The summary of the new Primedia Broadcasting structure is as follows:

    EXCO
    Executive Chairman, Dan Moyane
    CEO, Terry Volkwyn
    Financial Director, Chris Borain

    GROUP SENIOR MANAGEMENT
    Group General Manager, Ryan Till
    Group Head: News and Talk Programming, Yusuf Abramjee
    Group Regulatory Manager - To be announced (June)
    Group Human Capital Manager - To be announced
    Group IT & Technical Manager, Jaco Viljoen

    JOHANNESBURG SENIOR MANAGEMENT
    Station Manager 94.7 Highveld Stereo, Ravi Naidoo
    Station Manager Talk Radio 702, Pheladi Gwangwa
    Sales Manager, Jenni Critchfield
    Sales Promotions Manager, Malani van Huyssteen
    News Editor, Katy Katopodis
    702 Marketing Manager, Dex de Bruin
    Promotions Manager - To be announced
    Finance Manager, Amina Dangor
    Services Manager, Kay Pillay
    Human Capital Manager, nn Matthews

    CAPE TOWN SENIOR MANAGEMENT
    Joint Station Manager 94.5 Kfm & 567 CapeTalk, Colleen Louw
    Programme Manager Kfm, Clive Ridgway
    Sales Manager, Pippa Cohen
    News - To be announced
    Marketing Manager, Pulane Baloyi
    Promotions Manager - To be announced
    Finance Manager, Juanita Bloemetjie
    Services Manager, Jeff van Zyl
    Human Capital Manager - To be announced

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