Cape Town — eNCA’s Tech Report creator and former Bloomberg journalist André-Pierre du Plessis has joined the Burn Media group of sites as Memeburn.com’s Managing Editor.
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Burn Media is an independent, award-winning online publishing operation which publishes tech-related content covering a wide variety of themes for South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria. It publishes Memeburn (digital trends), Ventureburn (startup ecosystems), Gearburn (gadget and app reviews), Motorburn (car technology) and runs a job site for the digital industry called Jobsburn.
Du Plessis, a Columbia journalism graduate, created Tech Report, a successful tech-news TV show that has broadcast over 500 episodes on eNCA (DStv 403). Previously Du Plessis worked alongside Media24’s editorial leadership to drive the digital transformation of its print brands. In his most recent position with the company, he spearheaded the expansion of its video operations.
Du Plessis was later hired as associate producer at Bloomberg TV in New York, producing inserts on tech stories ranging from Apple’s ebook pricing lawsuit to Twitter’s IPO. Working on the channel’s flagship tech show broadcast from San Francisco, Bloomberg West, Du Plessis gained special insight into the inner workings of Silicon Valley.
“It’s exciting to join a forward-looking, entrepreneurial team who has over a very short period of time gained an incredible reputation for the work they do,” said Du Plessis. “That’s important at a time when publishers struggle to be profitable online. Legacy and new media companies are on a level playing field right now. By staying nimble and getting our house in order for the next growth phase, Memeburn can only excel. I’m incredibly lucky to fill the big shoes Michelle Atagana left behind and to work with this company’s founder: Matthew Buckland.
“There’s a global appetite for tech news from Africa, and as a leading voice in this space Burn Media is well positioned to take advantage of that. The only way we’ll win your attention will be with really good stories told across our sites.”
2015 is a growth year for Burn Media as it will be extending its online business into physical events, broadcasting and print. “Technology, and its progression, affects almost every single industry. This makes it the most exciting sector around,” says Burn Media GM Kyle Hauptfleisch. “Burn Media is diversifying in very exciting ways. Du Plessis, and his wealth of experience, will be integral for this growth phase; moving our influence into physical events and even print.”
