BROADCASTING

Broadcast Research Council announces board changes and 2025 plans

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025

Antonio Lee succeeds Monde Twala as Chairperson. Nick Grubb and Jonathan Procter join the board of South African body.

The Broadcast Research Council of South Africa (BRC) has announced leadership changes, updates and initiatives that it says will shape the organisation’s direction in the coming year.

It has appointed Antonio Lee, Chief Operating Officer of eMedia Investments, as its new Chairperson.

Lee succeeds Monde Twala, Senior Vice President & Co-General Manager for Paramount Africa & Lead BET International, who has served as Chairperson since 2018. Twala will remain an active board member to ensure continuity and strategic consistency.

Antonio Lee, Chairperson of the BRC. Photo: eMedia Investments

“This transition promises to drive innovation and precision in audience research,” the BRC says in a press release.

Complementing Lee’s appointment, the council has welcomed two media executives to its board. They are Nick Grubb, Chief Executive of Radio for Kagiso Media; and Jonathan Procter, Group CEO of Primedia.

Outgoing board members Melissa Mc Nally and Tracy Stafford will transition to focus on technical oversight within the Radio Research Committee, ensuring their continued contribution to the organisation’s research initiatives.

Strategic roadmap for audience measurement

This year, the BRC is set to undertake research procurement and development processes that will further enhance audience measurement capabilities. Key initiatives include:

– Radio Audience Measurement (RAMS)

A new Request for Proposal (RFP) was launched in Q4 2024.

Supplier appointment is expected by the end of Q1 2025.

– Television Audience Measurement (TAMS)

RFP process scheduled across Q1 and Q2 2025.

Aim is to enhance television audience research methodologies.

– Establishment Survey

Research company Ask Afrika has been appointed to conduct a comprehensive Establishment Survey.

BRC will provide universe updates for both television and radio sectors in 2025.

“These strategic moves are not just about changes or procuring new research,” Lee emphasises. “They represent our commitment to delivering nuanced, accurate and timely audience insights that will drive strategic decision-making across the media, marketing and advertising landscapes.”

Adds Gary Whitaker, CEO of the BRC: “Our ongoing mission remains the same – to provide objective, transparent data that empowers our industry’s understanding of audience dynamics.”

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