Four of the most dynamic publishing groups in South Africa have joined
forces to form the publications consortium for the 2003 Cricket World Cup.
They are New Africa Publications (NAP), Mail & Guardian Publishing (M&G),
Penguin Books (South Africa) and Touchline Media.
Together they will produce all the official publications, ranging from match
programmes, the glossy tournament brochure, a variety of cricket books that
will include a coffee table pictorial history of the previous seven World
Cup tournaments, media and visitors guides and tourist information
booklets.
Ali Bacher, executive director of 2003 CWC, said: "We are delighted that
publishing groups representing such different backgrounds have come together
in this exciting project. The Cricket World Cup in South Africa goes way
beyond mere bat and ball and the diversity represented by the companies in
our publications consortium is indicative of our desire to conquer new
horizons. Through the many respected titles published by these companies the
message of the Cricket World Cup will now be taken into all the communities
of our country."
NAP, which forms part of the NAIL group, publishes the influential,
mass-circulation Sowetan and its weekend partner, Sowetan Sunday World, the
fastest growing Sunday title in South Africa. Among its other subsidiaries
is David Phillip Publishers.
Touchline Media, South Africa's most successful sports and healthy
lifestyle publisher whose variety of popular magazines includes SA Sports
Illustrated, represents Media24, a company which forms part of the giant
Naspers group.
M&G Media's flagship publication is the Mail & Guardian newspaper
and is partly owned by the Scott Trust in London, which also owns the
respected UK daily, The Guardian.
Penguin Books needs little introduction to a country that is broadly
familiar with its famous imprint and equally renowned stable of authors.
Colin Hall, chairman of the 2003 CWC selection committee that considered all
tenderers for the tournament's publications requirements, said the
motivation for selecting four companies to form a consortium was to
encourage synergies which would benefit one of the greatest sporting events
ever to be held on the African continent.
Dr Bacher also announced that the consortium companies will have sole right
as publishers to the use of the World Cup logo and mascot as part of their
promotional material for the tournament which will run from February 7 to
March 19, 2003.
The four companies had the following to say about their appointment:
Marc Blachowitz, Managing Director, Touchline Media: "Touchline Media is
immensely proud and honoured to have been selected as one of the print
consortium members responsible for all the print projects for this historic
event. With a ten-year proven track record as South Africa's most successful
and respected sports and healthy lifestyle publisher, our vision is to
produce world-class publications that will positively contribute to the
overall effectiveness of the event."
Alison Lowry Managing Director, Penguin Books: "Penguin Books looks forward
to working side by side with our publishing partners on a range of exciting
products for the 2003 Cricket World Cup. We are delighted to be able to
make a contribution to this prestigious event."
Alec Davis, Financial Director, NAP: "New Africa Publications is honoured to
be part of the Print Consortium for the Cricket World Cup 2003. We are, and
will remain, committed to producing print product that will be in keeping
with the spirit of inclusiveness, and the overriding intention will be the
benefit to sporting development and acknowledgment of all South Africans who
have contributed to the sport in this country, irrespective of colour."
Maggie Davey, Publisher, M&G Media: "Mail & Guardian Publishing is delighted
to be a partner in the print consortium for the Cricket World Cup 2003. We
will be producing several products which we are confident will do the CWC
and the country proud. It is a great opportunity to highlight the game of
cricket, cricketing heroes, emerging talent and the spirit of Africa."