NEWS RELEASES
4 June 2008
Second ‘term’ directorship
Blue Planet Media is delighted to announce that its publishing & projects
director Jason Aarons, was today re-elected for a second ‘term’ as
Director to the Board of the Magazine Publishers Association of South
Africa (MPASA).
May 2008
BPM’s FACEBOOK BIZ APP PAGE
Visit http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=7300639749to
view BPM’s
interactive Facebook business application page and/or join our Group
on the social network site too at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4867022356
29 April 2008
ANOTHER FIRST FOR 4th EDITION SANDTON CENTRAL ESSENTIAL DIRECTORY
The 4th Edition Sandton Central Essential Directory will now feature
an essential jogging map making the pleasure of this pastime in and
around Sandton Central, that much easier and enjoyable. The map is
colour coded highlighting the popular and main jogging routes in Sandton
Central of between 2.5km and 4.5km. An exclusive, one-only advertiser
opportunity is on offer to any Sandton Central business to sponsor
the map. To view the map: click on http://sandtoncentral.co.za/images/maps/jog.jpg
28 March 2008
JASON AARONS ON 2008 PICA AWARDS COMMITTEE
BPM's Jason Aarons will again sit on the Magazine Publishers Association of South
Africa's (MPASA) PICA Awards Committee. The PICA Awards are made annually in
recognition of magazine and publishing excellence in South Africa.
25 January 2008
BLUE PLANET MEDIA’S 2008
SRP ANNOUNCED
Blue Planet Media has announced that the Celebrities For Humanity
Foundation (CFHF) has been selected as its 2008 social responsibility
project.
Founded in 2007 Celebrities For Humanity Foundation (CFHF) has a
primary mandate to raise and disburse additional funding to under-funded
organisations,
typically NGOs that are involved with focused initiatives who contribute
to education, sustainable livelihoods of communities hence alleviating
poverty and its social epidemics specifically HIV/Aids and Child
Abuse. Ultimately
CFHF aims to provide a sustainable means to supporting existing programmes
and enable targeted new interventions. Its key focus is to raise funds
by hosting various designer events - awareness & fund raising
campaigns - leveraging the direct involvement of both local and international
celebrities aimed at encouraging greater attendance, awareness and
participation by their fans.
CFHF provides a unique opportunity through these events to combine
the efforts of large corporates - through their own social responsibility
initiatives - with those of celebrities and the ordinary man in the
street to make a tangible impact on the plight of those affected
by Poverty, HIV/Aids and Child Abuse,” says Sharm Pillay, Founder/CEO. “We
are thrilled to have been chosen by Blue Planet Media as its ’08
SRP and have no doubt that our partnership with them, will help elevate
and promote CFHF even further.”
CFHF website: www.celebritiesforhumanity.org
29 November 2007
THE SEASON OF GOODWILL EMBRACES BLUE PLANET MEDIA
In the spirit of giving, Blue Planet Media (BPM) has undertaken an
ad hoc, pro-bono project for the festive season: the Celebrities For
Humanity Foundation (CFHF). BPM will be involved in securing nationwide
press coverage to promote the CFHF’s ‘Children Unite
Against Child Abuse’ campaign - launched in October 2007- in
alliance with Children in Wonderland, a Belgian-based NGO. The campaign took
the form of a drawing competition in an effort to raise awareness on
child abuse and reached millions of people via print, television (SABC
3) & radio.
Goodwill Ambassadors Miss Universe 1992 and businesswoman Michelle
McLean and model/TV presenter Tammy Anne Fortuin - amongst other
key players - assisted CFHF in selecting the semi-finalist
in Cape Town. South African learner, 15-Year old Dewald Prins
of John Vorster High School in Nigel - in tandem with a French winner – took
first prize in Belgium last week.
The spectacular ‘reward’ is that their winning drawings
will be beamed from the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Columbus
Laboratory which launches from the NASA Kennedy Space Centre in
Florida on Thursday 6 December 2007, to the International Space Station – the
FIRST time a South African NGO initiative will ‘go beyond’ Earth’s
stratosphere! Astronaut hosts are Captain John McBride (NASA)
and Jean Francois Clervoy (ESA). Leopold Eyharts (ESA) will be
videotaped during the flight, displaying the winning pictures in space.
The video will be broadcasted in South Africa in January 2008 creating
further awareness in CFHF’s fight against child abuse. Winning
pictures may be viewed at www.celebritiesforhumanity.org.
"CFHF has a primary mandate to raise and disburse additional funding
to under-funded organisations, typically NGOs that are involved
with focused initiatives who contribute to education, sustainable
development
of communities as well as alleviating poverty and its social epidemics,
specifically HIV/Aids and child abuse. CFHF’s key focus is to
raise funds by hosting various designer events (awareness & fund
raising campaigns) leveraging the direct involvement of both local
and international celebrities aimed at encouraging greater attendance,
awareness and participation by their fans,” says Sharm Pillay,
Founder/CEO.
In celebration of Dewald’s achievement, CFHF is looking for
a company to sponsor six computers for his school. All enquiries
to be
directed to Sharm Pillay at sharm@celebritiesforhumanity.org or
mobile: 076 299 1637.
 
13 November 2007
BPM’s JEWELLEX 2008 CONEPT UNVEILED!
A preview of just one exciting element of BPM’s Jewellex 2008
concept.
13 November 2007
HUGE CIRCULATION BOOSTS FOR 3rd & 4th EDITION
SANDTON CENTRAL ESSENTIAL DIRECTORIES
The 3rd Edition of the hugely popular annual Sandton Central Essential
Directory enters a second print run this month after only six months
in circulation. ‘The response to the 3rd Edition has exceeded
all expectations,” says Cara Reilly, Marketing Managing, Sandton
Central Management District. “Year-on-year the Directory has
shown phenomenal growth, but this second print run has now, beyond
a shadow of a doubt, affirmed it as THE premier source of information
for the Sandton Central area. Following on this incredible demand,
the print run for next year’s 4th Edition Directory has been
increased to 70 000 copies – offering advertisers a massive extended
reach.” The Essential Directory is published and project
managed on behalf of the SCMD by BPM, who are also tasked with overseeing
advertising sales.
October 15, 2007
BPM SPARKLES AS IT GETS JEWELLEX 2008!
Blue Planet Media has been awarded the highly prestigious Jewellex
2008 International Show account by the Jewellery Council of South Africa
(JCSA). This will involve the publishing, design and layout of all
marketing, advertising, PR and linked promotional items. “We
are extremely delighted that our concept designs were selected and
it is indeed an endorsement of the fresh and creative talent the company
has to offer clients,” says Jason Aarons.
Jewellex – Africa’s premier jewellery and watch showcase
- is held annually under the auspices of the JCSA. The show attracts
local and international exhibitors and is a time when new merchandise
lines and the most exclusive and extensive product ranges of watches,
fine jewellery, pearls, precious stones, clocks, jewellery packaging,
machinery, accessories and services available, are offered to the local
and international retail jewellery industry – the ideal platform
for placing orders for the highly lucrative festive season. Jewellex
2008 will be held at the Sandton Convention Centre from 9-12 August
2008.
October 11, 2007
MPASA DEPUTY CHAIRPERSONSHIP FOR JASON
AARONS
Blue Planet Media’s Jason Aarons and Director to the Board of
the Magazine Publishers Association of South Africa (MPASA), has been
appointed as Johannesburg Deputy Chairperson for the organization.
17 September 2007
BLUE PLANET MEDIA AWARDED NEWTOWN MANAGEMENT DISTRICT PROJECT
Blue Planet Media (BPM) has been awarded the contract to publish the
Newtown Management District's (NMD) brochure. This will feature exciting,
vibrant and highly informative editorial focusing on the wonderful
potpourri of cultural, educational and tourist attractions in Newtown
ranging from museums, art galleries, restaurants, theatre, dance, live
entertainment to music launches, comedy evenings, arts and crafts,
parks and historical sites .
"
Newtown is without a doubt one of the main local and international
tourist hubs of Gauteng," says publisher Jason Aarons. "It
is a cultural precinct filled with live performances to watch and exhibitions
to visit, places to shop and dance and have fun with friends. As
area host to a multitude of events, highlights which include
Hoezit 2010, Arts Alive Lockdown, The Newtown Schools Festival, Joy
of Jazz
Festival, the Pale ya Rona Carnival, the Indian Festival at Museum
Africa and Newtown Diwali Festival , Newtown is a kaleidoscope of
South African energy and talent at work. The brochure is an integral
part
of NMD's commitment to ensuring all visitors enjoy an exceptional
and unforgettable experience."
Print run is 60 000 copies with distribution including Gauteng Tourism
Association and all its information kiosks, Johannesburg Toursim
Company, City of Johannesburg, tour operators, all businesses
in the immediate NMD, OR Tambo International, information kiosks
at major shopping centres
such as Rosebank, Sandton, major hotels in Braamfontein, Johannesburg
CBD and Sandton. BPM will also manage advertising sales for the brochure.
28 August 2007
‘The Rosebank Experience’ for BPM
The Rosebank Management District (RMD) has awarded BPM with the contract
to project manage its annual directory ‘The Rosebank Experience’.
The directory lists all facilities available to the public in the Rosebank
area including restaurants, hotels and retails outlets, to banks, medical
services and business facilities. Print run is 50 000 copies. BPM will
also be responsible for all advertising sales for the publication,
which is also uploaded to the RMD’s website (www.rosebank.co.za)
thus affording extended online reach.
21 August 2007
SCMD Corporate Notepads for BPM
Blue Planet Media has been commissioned by the Sandton Central Management
District (SCMD) to publish its corporate notepads. The notepads not
only serve to promote the SCMD within the geographical area it represents
and serves, but to extend awareness even further afield. Designed using
the SCMD’s logo and corporate colours, this sturdy, wiro-bound
marketing tool also contains essential information for both local and
international visitors about the District and a highly useful area
map. Distribution is to all SCMD marketing committee members; urban
planning committee; EXCO Board of Directors (operations); GM’s
at all hotels; concierges at all hotels; all shopping centre managers;
marketing directors and upper management levels; all fundraising clients
SCMD works with or approaches. For the first time, a four-only advertisers
opportunity will be made available for the three cover sections and
an inside page, on a first-come-first serve basis.
August 17, 2007
NEWSFLASH!
Blue Planet Media's Jason Aarons was today elected as Director to the
Board of the Magazine Publishers Association of South Africa (MPASA).
August 7, 2007
New appointment
Lee-Anne Zylstra of the Avenue Company has been appointed by Blue Planet
Media as advertising sales executive for the 4th Edition Sandton Central
Essential Directory – published on behalf of the Sandton Central
Management District – and its exciting new brand extension, Beyond
Sandton Central. Lee-Anne may be contacted on
lee-anne@avenue.co.za or 011 463 7940 for further information on both titles.
18 July 2007
Advertiser confidence grows by 71% for GardenTalk
GardenShop’s seasonal lifestyle magazine ‘GardenTalk’ shows
a phenomenal growth in advertiser confidence, with publishers Blue
Planet Media reporting a 71% increase on its current (Spring 2007)
issue. “Not only is this an indication that the publication is
yielding an excellent ROI for advertisers,” says publisher Jason
Aarons, “but the fact that our sales force, target market, design
and layout have proven to be just as successful.” GardenTalk
is distributed to GardenShop's 'Garden Rewards Card' national client
database with readers falling within the upper LSMs, aged between 30
and 60 years. 79.5% of readers are female, and 20.5% male.
13 July 2007
Jason Aarons to attend Vicenzaoro Autumn
BPM’s Jason Aarons has been invited by the organizers of
the Vicenzaoro Autumn show to attend the event from 15-19 September.
The show is ideally timed to afford the Italian and international
jewellery,
watch and related industries the opportunity to make essential
Christmas
purchasing decisions and plan ahead for early 2008 trends.
The show focuses on machine- and hand-crafted gold jewellery,
platinum
jewellery,
silverware, costume jewellery, watches, precious and semi-precious
stones, natural and cultivated pearls, corals and cameos, seals,
plaques, semi-finished goods. Machinery. Jewel cases and accessories.
3 July 2007
Jason Aarons Joins Jewellex Committee
Blue Planet Media's Jason Aarons – publisher of Tick Tock magazine,
ZA's first-ever consumer publication dedication to watches - has been
invited by the Jewellery Council of South Africa (JCSA) – and
gladly accepted – to join the Jewellex Organising Committee.
Jewellex International is the annual trade show held under the auspices
of the JCSA and attracts local and international exhibitors – as
well as exhibitors from SADC countries. The position is not unfamiliar
to Jason who has in recent years served in this capacity.
2 April 2007
Added-value for GardenTalk Advertisers
GardenTalk, GardenShop’s lifestyle magazine distributed nationally
to GardenShop’s GardenRewards members, now brings advertisers
exceptional added-value! Each issue of the publication is uploaded
to GardenShop’s website – in its entirety after mailing
out – where they can be easily downloaded in PDF file format.
All advertisements in each issue appear as they do in the printed magazine,
thus affording advertisers an extended reach – at no extra
cost! Simply click on http://www.gardenshop.co.za/GardenTalk.asp. BLOOMING
MARVELLOUS!
March 2007
Social Responsibility Project for BPM
BPM is delighted to announce the renewal of KwaZulu-Natal University’s
Opera Studio & Choral Academy (OSCA) as its 2007 social responsibility
project. “This year, our main focus will be in the PR and media
relations sectors for the OSCA Benefit Concert 2007 - a fundraising
event to be held in October at Summer Place, Hyde Park, Johannesburg,” says
BPM’s Jason Aarons. “We are also extremely fortunate
to be working with HotHouse South Africa and Free Your Mind Productions
who are acting as event directors.”
This exclusive event - previously staged in London and New York
- features performances by some of the country’s brightest operatic
stars from the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Opera Studio and
Choral Academy (OSCA). The evening will be hosted by internationally-renowned
musicologist, former chief opera and music critic to the London Financial
Times and associate editor of Opera magazine, Max Loppert
and his wife, OSCA co-founder Delayne Loppert. The guest speaker
is Cheryl Carolus — one of South Africa's most highly regarded
businesswomen and long-time supporter of the Arts in South Africa.
Patrons of the
event include: internationally acclaimed diva Sibongile Khumalo;
Wendy Luhabe - esteemed entrepreneur, named as one of the 20 most
powerful
women in SA; Joseph Shabalala - universally renowned musician, composer
and founder of Ladysmith Black Mambazo; Philip Miller - celebrated
South African composer and producer; and Benjamin Zander
- famed conductor of the Boston Philharmonic and professor at the
prestigious
New England Conservatory of Music.
The OSCA Benefit Concerts attract high profile individuals and
companies who are committed to meeting the needs of our developing
society
through their support of the arts, educational programs and social
change. The
evening will provide an exceptional opportunity for companies to
show their support of such projects, as well as a unique opportunity
for
profiling their organisations in front of key decision makers from
across South Africa and further afield. Funds raised through this
outstanding series of benefit concerts address those needs through
the generosity
of individual donations and corporate sponsorships.
For the full concert programme, event & sponsorship opportunities,
contact info visit the OSCA Benefit Concert web site at http://www.oscabenefitconcert.co.za
1 February 2007
Pick ‘n Pay Publication for BPM
Blue Planet Media has been awarded the contract to publish Pick ‘n
Pay’s current Talk About publication focussing on Women & Child
Abuse. The Talk About series of booklets, launched in 1989, are straight-talking
publications aimed at addressing matters of a social nature and are
distributed through all Pick 'n Pay stores free of charge.
9 January 2007
2007 PICA Committee Nomination
BPM’s Jason Aarons has been nominated – and has accepted
the same – to serve as a committee member on the Magazine Publishers
Association of SA’s 2007 PICA Awards Committee. The awards
acknowledge standards of excellence in local publishing, and through
these, the
Association believes that member publishers will aspire to sustain
and advance the quality of their titles for the benefit of their
readers.
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