The Mail & Guardian and Open Communications (a part of the Open Group of marketing and communications companies) have joined forces, with Open Communications having been appointed as the advertising agency for the M&G with effect from October 1 this year.
Commenting on the new relationship, Open Communications director Brian Rogers said: “The media industry is at one of those very interesting crossroads that seem to come along every seven to 10 years.
“Not only is it extremely competitive, but it also has a positive energy again, within which media brands have the opportunity to entrench differentials and flourish in stature.
“To us there was one media account and one media account only that we wanted. The Mail & Guardian has historical roots but, far more importantly, with the integrity of the new ownership, management executive and editorial team, it has a dynamic new future to look for-ward to.”
Garry Rogers, M&G sales and marketing director, said: “While the Open Group might be a relative newcomer in the advertising industry, it has been winning clients throughout the year.
“It was most impressive to us that it secured the highly sought after City of Johannesburg communication account against the toughest of local and global agency competition.
“Through our dealings with the company on its client base we were extremely impressed with its high energy and its totally open way of doing business, with a win-win result for all parties.
“This vitality and upward mobility was extremely attractive to us and we believe our mutual brands will flourish alongside each other.”