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The subject on the minds of every citizen of the world this week is the Coronavirus – how does it affect me, what should I do about it, what will happen next? The questions just pile up. The real-time feedback loops of digital social media channels are already feeding a fear loop of misinformation and mistrust. Political actors climb into these discussions to achieve their own agendas, further dividing us – for example, right-wing politicians in the United States are now referring to it as the “Wuhan Flu”, a very deliberate “othering” that will create issues of social cohesion and effective crisis management that will affect all humans, not just those of a particular class or political stripe. To deal with this crisis, we will be falling back on our communities and our ability to support and sustain our community members through this disruption. While there is a lot of focus on the role of social media on the response to the first global crisis rooted in our common humanity to take place in the digital era, there are elements of this crisis that elevate a very traditional medium to centre stage at a time like this. Not because of the technology but because of the human dynamics. As a human-centred medium, radio has been a high trust, high community medium ever since inception. Time and again, in times of crisis, radio has risen as the preferred, trusted and resilient medium of information distribution to citizens. During the coming hunger for trusted information and community support and resilience, because of its real-time, human and curated nature, radio will find a new relevance against the digital platforms. I would bet that citizens are going to turn to their radio communities with a far greater immersion and trust than their digital communities. Radio needs to think carefully on how it can meet these expectations when people are depending on it for their lives. As a modern digital station powered by Fabrik, you have a unique ability to amplify the trust and information dissemination on behalf of various stakeholders – government, community and faith organisations, residents and private sector – in a real-time, choreography that is simply impossible for your competitors to replicate without such a platform. We suggest you adopt a best practice methodology to service your audience hunger for information AND engagement around this crisis. Create a “Coronavirus Updates” channel that is curated by the news and content teams. Add ‘Trusted Members’ from the Metro and Provincial Departments of Health so as to be able to publish direct information from their stakeholders. Negotiate a private feedback loop to Health or Social Welfare authorities or the regional Coronavirus “war room” to have citizens engage and log needs, updates, status and information directly with the authorities. This Cloud Contact Centre is already functional in your environment and your listeners have already registered with you – so it allows authorities to rapidly listen to your audience on a private loop around emerging conditions in their areas. Create a cross-station, interdepartmental co-ordination team for blending on-air, social, direct digital, events and on-demand content and engagement together that builds your status as a high trust, reliable and consistent information partner. And when it all blows over, just switch the channel off again. It’s that simple. But what you want to do, is be the credible source of information, not for posting memes or fostering half-truths, but to be a trusted information channel that builds a deeper relationship with its audience.

This month’s Mindshift event held earlier today brought with it new questions for our attendees from the real-estate industry. ATTENDEE FROM THE REAL-ESTATE INDUSTRY “Fabrik offers brands the chance to focus on the main challenge ahead of them. How to retool your habits, workflows, and operations to a serve a real-time audience that is co-creating and participatory with you,” said Mindshift presenter and founder of the immedia ecosystem, Anice Hassim. The audience was introduced to digital practices and tools that can be implemented by businesses and the individual consumer that will take them into the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and directly impact their business strategy. In reaction to the seminar, an attendee in the Real-Estate Industry pondered on the implications for the future of their business, profession and customers. “Fascinating and thought-provoking… Completely challenged my ideas of social media i.e. how we are trying to use it like mass media and not how it is intended – real-time communication being key. “We’re grappling with how to create the ecosystem and add value to communities. Would love to explore how it could be applied to my real-estate career and I would like to explore this… “In an extremely competitive environment, all real-estate agents have the same platforms to market themselves on. All agencies receive the same training and it is outdated. We must consider how feasible and possible it is to change this way of thinking.”

Mindshift has kicked off for 2020! With an average audience of about 8 to 10, the seminar saw all kinds of people from manufacturing, healthcare, and education sectors in attendance. Regular Mindshift events are designed around sharing insight around the constantly-connected consumer of today, contextualised within the technological shifts that have brought us here, and how to get started taking advantage of digital workflows that empower your business and customers. The audience was introduced to digital practices and tools that can be implemented by businesses and the individual consumer that will take them into the Fourth Industrial Revolution and directly impact their business strategy. In reaction to the seminar, attendee Vineshree Pillay, BDM of Software Solutions at Mustek, remarked, “Everything you do, you do to perfection! From the invite to registration process, to event and post-event – excellent… “Anice manages to capture his audience – I loved it, very inspiring!”

The first Thursday in November, November 07, saw immedia host yet another session of its monthly Mindshift digital transformation seminars. Focused on helping to navigate businesses through the technological shift, the seminar was attended by entrepreneurs, members of the general public and technology enthusiasts. Speaking about the seminar, Mindshift co-ordinator Kelly Pringle stated that the real focus of the event was to share information around how businesses can prepare for digitally-aware consumers. With an average audience of about 10 to 15, the seminar saw people from all kinds of industries and sectors in attendance. Titled ‘Patterns of The Future’, the event was led by founder of immedia and now CEO Anice Hassim. With an actively engaged audience, Hassim briefly took attendees through the company’s 24-year history and the long-standing business principles and practices in existence at immedia. The CEO, with a history lesson through the ages as context, firmly navigated the audience through all things digital. Through his vast experience and analysis in the digital space, Anice walked the audience through real-world applications of digitisation. Hassim stated that digitisation has and is still yet to bring many positive changes to the world as we know it. “The ability to empower kinds of behaviour and spread kinds of fluidity and patterns of thinking – is what digitalisation is doing to our communities,” said Hassim. Turning to the main goal of the seminar, he demonstrated the importance of digitally active businesses by taking consensus of how many members of the audience actively use technology, most especially their cellphones. Through this, Hassim actively demonstrated those present that consumers, most especially in Durban need businesses that tap into their use of data. This access to data and information by both the consumer and the business will result in changes to business practices and patterns. “As an emerging technology business in the 90s, we made sure we rapidly gained access to information. The way we transformed our customers was by liberating their own data to them, so that their behaviour change could start,” said Hassim. The audience was introduced to digital practices and tools that can be implemented by businesses and the individual consumer that will take them into the fourth industrial revolution and directly impact their business practices. “In order for businesses to go digital and take advantage of the economy, to find their own space in said economy, it is not just about deploying tech tools – it’s about changing culture and mindsets,” said Hassim. Cautioning attendees, the CEO stated the digital is not limited to social media, it’s changing how stories are told and what value they bring to a human society. “How do we service and make our ecosystems and consumers lives better?” said Hassim. “In the new world, consumers have the ability to influence company ethics and value systems by leveraging their buying power. Businesses need to be authentic because consumers are now individually empowered to make their up own minds,” said Hassim. In reaction to the seminar, attendee Sandile Majola said: “the event was very productive. I have learnt many ways of using our phones on a day to day basis. The most powerful thing I have learnt is that I can actually use my phone as my office and actually make money using the apps. It was a powerful session.”

The Fabrik team were in attendance at the Southern African Broadcasting Association (SABA) Broadcasting Convention & Annual General Meeting (AGM) from 29 – 31 October at Victoria Falls, Livingstone, Zambia. The largest annual gathering of media owners, managers and professionals in Southern Africa, the annual Convention aims to enable industry decision-makers and executives review innovations and find solutions to strategic and operational issues within the context of the constant evolutionary changes of the digital ecosystem. With the theme “Connecting People With Vibrant, Converged Broadcast Media”, this flagship gathering is an excellent opportunity for TV, radio, film, music, telecoms and advertising professional to activate digitisation tools to connect the peoples of Southern Africa sustainably. Information courtesy Independent Broadcasting Authority. Zambian President urges SADC to harness acting talent among young people to revamp economies. How do we generate revenue from internet radio and television which are extremely viable, yet not regulated, asks President Edgar Lungu. The Mast – October 30 2019

This morning our team had the honour of speaking at the Durban Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s Coffee Connection, held at the Standard Bank offices in Kingsmead, Durban. The regular Coffee Connection, a vital initiative that empowers conversations around #DurbanMustRise sentiments, was made possible by sponsors Standard Bank Corporate & Investment Banking, CCI South Africa and Vodacom Business. Our Mindshift talk delivered that morning was well-received by a KwaZulu-Natal based audience ranging from corporate entities to emerging small-to-medium businesses, all leaders in their fields.

Create a ‘Distribution Group’  to schedule and send updates across either multiple Twitter accounts or Facebook pages simultaneously. Tired of copy/pasting the same message to the many social media pages you administer? Smashboard has always been a great tool to view & respond to incoming messages from your app, Facebook page/s and Twitter mentions, and to post or schedule your social content. Super-users of Smashboard often manage multiple social media accounts simultaneously and have the need to post the same message on many Facebook pages, or send out the same tweet via many Twitter accounts. In this update, you now have the ability to create a ‘Distribution Group’  to schedule and send updates to all your Twitter or Facebook pages simultaneously, saving you precious copy/paste time. Here’s how it works: Step 1: Link your Twitter and/or Facebook Accounts First make sure all the social accounts you’d like to include in the Distribution Group are added as Providers within Smashboard. If you haven’t done so already, here’s how: a) Select ‘Provider Manager’ from the menu at the top-right. You should see the pop-up window that looks like this: b) Link each Facebook or Twitter account by entering the name of the account, and clicking the ‘+’ button. You will then be prompted to log in to that account to complete the process (make sure you have access or Admin privileges to the account first). Step 2: Create a Distribution Group Once you’ve added all the social accounts you’d like to include in the Distribution Group, you’re ready to create your first one! a) Switch to the ‘Distribution Group’ tab, as indicated below. b) Enter the name you’d like to use to identify the Distribution Group. c) Choose which provider you would like to use (either Facebook or Twitter), and then insert the names of each linked provider in the box that titled ‘Twitter Providers’ or ‘Facebook Providers’. d) Then click ‘Create Distribution Group’. Step 3: Schedule or post your Social Content Now that you’ve set up your Distribution Group, you’re ready to post or schedule an update, which will be shared across all the accounts you’ve added. a) Select ‘Compose Message’ from the menu at the top-right, and choose the social media type you’d like to use (Facebook or Twitter). Once you’ve done so, you should see the screen below: b) Choose your desired Distribution Group, type your message, upload attachments, and post or schedule!

Originally posted on iol Business Report. DURBAN – The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry held its 163rd Annual Gala Dinner on the 21st of August 2019 where the chamber inaugurated a new President. Present at the event were members of the KwaZulu-Natal business community, entrepreneurs, members of local government, the MEC of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Nomusa Dube-Ncube as well as former Presidents of the Durban Chamber. The theme for the night was “From Durban, with love” and showcased Durban’s energy and vibrancy as a significant economic hub on the rise in line with the City’s vision to be the most caring and liveable city in Africa. Nigel Ward, President of the Durban Chamber Commerce and Industry said that it is a big honour and he is humbled  by the opportunity to be inaugurated as the new President. He also thanked his predecessor for his contribution. “The economic and business context in eThekwini, the province and the country as a whole, is not an easy one currently. Indeed, this is a challenging and uneasy period, with a lot of domestic and international pressures. However, it is also a period full of promise. The eThekwini business sector needs strong representation,” said Ward. He added, “This is why Durban Chamber and the Chamber Movement need to step even further into the forefront, actively engaging with stakeholders in this role and presenting a clear and concise economic message – that eThekwini is primed for business”. Long-time member and technology partner, Vodacom, was a gold sponsor for the event. The additional digital innovations launched at this year’s event are: Durban Chamber Mobile App in partnership with Fabrik, a division of the immedia ecosystem, which permits members to have exclusive access to a secure real-time communication platform. BoardPAC Management Software in partnership with Vodacom Business to streamline our operational efficiency and improve our overall governance structures, especially at the executive level. Durban Chamber Website has been upgraded to an innovative platform that ensures that our site stays up to date with the latest technology, trends and user needs. Palesa Phili, Chief Executive of the Durban Chamber Commerce and Industry said, “As a future-focused organisation, the Durban Chamber wants to put a spotlight on technology and digital innovation.  We need to highlight how leveraging disruptive technologies and innovations can play a role in driving our inclusive and sustainable economic growth objectives.”

Originally posted on iol Business Report. DURBAN – The new President of the The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry will be inaugurated at their 163rd Annual Gala Dinner. The new Board and Council of the Durban Chamber will also be announced at the event too. Other highlights of the evening include the launch of special members-only benefits designed to turbo-charge Durban business, as well as the Durban Chamber’s new mobile app that will connect Durban businesses to all the top business and networking opportunities. The mobile app has been developed in partnership with Fabrik, a division of the immedia ecosystem. The Durban Chamber Mobile App will be used as an exclusive communication tool that will notify members of important business-related opportunities, notices, information, documents and communications for ease of access and reference. “The Durban Chamber Mobile App is basically a communication tool that will be of great benefit to members by allowing for greater collaboration between the Durban Chamber and its members,” said Palesa Phili, Chief Executive Officer of the Durban Chamber.

Originally posted on © Radioinfo.com.au. Find out more about our Radio Days Africa 2019 experience. Radio Tomorrow with James Cridland Johannesburg, South Africa, is a place like no other to hold a radio conference, and I was privileged to be at Radiodays Africa recently on their tenth anniversary. Radio is an important part of life in Africa generally. Radio reaches people who cannot read or write; and plays the part of an educator in many parts of the continent. Here’s the excellent Steve Martin from the BBC talking about radio in Africa from 2013. It’s a good overview in how progressive African radio stations are, as well as how they think about radio in a different way to many of us. But radio in Africa is also, partially, stations like 94.7 in Johannesburg (tagline: “You love Johannesburg – we love you”), who sound as polished as the big top 40 stations you’d hear elsewhere. However, it was Bérard Duprès from the Seychelles Broadcasting Company that got me thinking a little. He began by explaining where the Seychelles were – they’re here in case you didn’t know – and spoke about the stations that the SBC run. One of the things Bérard showed was the radio station’s app. Obviously you can listen to the radio station on it, but you can also send a voice message to the station in high quality audio. The station uses a product called Fabrik, made in South Africa, which acts as a kind of private WhatsApp for the station, who are then able to edit and broadcast the messages. It’s a simple and straightforward way to get more voices on the air. They’re not alone. Radio X in the UK is using a rather less private WhatsApp – well, they’re using WhatApp itself – to get messages into the studio for Chris Moyles. And they seem to be having great fun with it, even if most of the callers want just to say the word willy and bum. For radio stations everywhere, though, services like this makes it really easy to remain real and relevant to your audience. For SBC, who run radio stations that broadcast to over a hundred different islands off the coast of East Africa, it’s a great way to hear directly from your audience. For Radio X, it’s a very good way to hear them swear at you. Getting proper, decent audience audio on the air has never been easier. If you don’t have this function in your radio app – what’s stopping you? About The Author James Cridland, the radio futurologist, is a conference speaker, writer and consultant. He runs the media information website media.info and helps organise the yearly Next Radio conference. He also publishes podnews.net, a daily briefing on podcasting and on-demand, and writes a weekly international radio trends newsletter, at james.crid.land. Contact James at james@crid.land or @jamescridland Photograph of Bérard Duprès: @RadioDaysAfrica

We addressed delegates and shared the impact of Fabrik at Radio Days Africa 2019 in Johannesburg from 3 to 5 July 2019, whilst our team demonstrated how technology can elevate radio at our stand. Our Sessions Back to the Future: Anice Hassim The rise of digital has been a quest to be of service to humans through authentic, trusted and intimate engagement, all while maintaining a human and community driven value system. Radio has been on the journey all along. Digital platforms can amplify radio’s core assets as radio learns new tools, but not new values. Anice Hassim (Lead Strategist) tells us how radio’s digital promise is rooted in its human past. Listen to the podcast. Public Broadcasting Reform: Phil Molefe, Bérard Duprès (SBC) Public broadcasting is seen as crucial to democracy but has come under increasing strain recently. At the same time, African public broadcasters in many cases struggle to move out of the shadow of the state. Join Franz Krüger (Director Wits Radio Academy and Head of Journalism), Nada Wotshela (SABC Radio GE), Bérard Duprès (Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation CEO) and Phil Molefe (Southern African Broadcasting Association) as they discuss the current state of public broadcasting in Africa and if there is any sign of reforming these services. Listen to the podcast. Connecting the Islands, and the World, Digitally: Bérard Duprès (SBC) Radio remains a powerful and instant way to communicate news, share knowledge and engage with audiences. Remaining a champion of the people is key in small communities. Bérard Duprès (Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation CEO) tells us more about the SBC and how they have embraced the digital era by modernising their radio broadcast technology whilst remaining engaged with their communities, both locally and internationally. Listen to the podcast.

This month, we’ve developed and improved features that will allow our audio broadcast clients to offer your audience a better podcasting and live-streaming experience! We've launched a new podcast widget that can be embedded on your website. This will display all the podcasts you've recorded through Echocast in one easy place for listeners to find on your site. We've improved our streaming options and we can now offer a more efficient 64kbps livestream. Your listener will experience nearly the same audio quality but spend half the data! In addition both the livestream widget and the podcast both support pre-roll advertisements!