14 August 2006

The International Marketing Council of SA hosts the first in a series of 2010 World Cup National Communication Partnership Conferences this week, kicking off the official campaign to promote South Africa in the lead-up to 2010 - and beyond.

The one-day event, taking place in Johannesburg, will bring together the country's marketers, communicators and others dedicated to establishing South Africa as a prominent and desirable global brand.

Hosted on behalf of the 2010 National Communication Partnership Task Team - which includes representatives from the government, business and the 2010 Local Organising Committee - it will be the first in a series of official 2010 World Cup National Communication Partnership Conferences, to be held annually in the lead-up to 2010.

More information on the conference, the full programme and speakers, can be found on the International Marketing Council website

IMC CEO Yvonne Johnston describes the conference as a "unique event allowing all stakeholders to coordinate communication messages for 2010, to explore marketing opportunities and partnerships, as well as to study the key learnings from the 2006 Fifa World Cup in Germany.

"We are already looking beyond 2010 to where we want to position South Africa in the next decade," Johnston told The Star.

"A major event such as the soccer World Cup attracts global attention, but it has to be supported by strategies and structures to ensure a lasting legacy."

The conference will open with inputs from a number of high-profile speakers, followed by outcomes-oriented working group discussions. A glittering gala dinner will end proceedings.

The speakers and their topics are as follows:

• Mike de Vries, MD FC Deutschland GmbH, organising company for Land of Ideas campaign: German case study - brand positioning campaign pre Fifa World Cup 2006.

• Raul Peralba, partner director at Trout & Partners Consulting: the branding and marketing opportunities provided by a major event.

• Wolfgang Grulke, CEO Futureworld: Global vision - Africa and South Africa in the 21st century.

• Danny Jordaan, CEO 2010 Local Organising Committee: Marketing opportunities for South African corporates.

• Yvonne Johnston, IMC CEO: Brand South Africa's future strategy - your role.

• Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad: opportunities for the continent brought about by the World Cup.

• Themba Maseko, CEO of the Government Communication and Information System: the government's commitment to and expectations of 2010.

• Thaninga Shope-Linney, Nepad general manager of communications and outreach: perspectives and opportunities for Africa.

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2010 Fifa World Cup SA - We've hosted major international events, but the Football World Cup is in a class of its own. Come June 2010, the eyes of millions of visitors and billions of TV viewers will be focused on the southern tip of Africa. We don't aim to disappoint.

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