Page 22 - Business Sense-11.4 - KZN Top Business Awards Supplement -EBOOK

WHY HIRE A SOUTH AFRICAN MEDIA

TEAM OVERSEAS?

ow many times do you He explains why the work is higher than many people
read about a famous partnership works so seamlessly: realise, and it makes a lasting
Hperson doing some “All they have to do is send impression on international
incredible and unique work us the event details for the companies. If you deliver on your
overseas only to find out that they following year and arrange a promises, opportunities will
are from South Africa? small office for us on-site. We follow. Who knows who your next
arrive knowing exactly what client will be?”
Similarly, Wade Howard,
director at Ocean Driven Media they need, get on with the job, Working internationally has
are available for any requests,
(ODM) is often asked: why and deliver everything required not only given the ODM team
would an international client before we leave. For them, it’s incredible experiences but also
hire a South African media completely stress-free.” boosted their confidence and
team to work in places like made their portfolio extremely
Perth, Kazakhstan, or Chicago? Clients never have to worry impressive. “Local businesses
His answer is straightforward. about missed moments or see that our work is trusted on a
Because South Africans are the whether the team can handle long global stage,” Wade explains. “It
best,” he says with a smile. hours. “The days are long, often gives them confidence that we can
12 to 15 hours,” Wade shares. “For handle their events, conference
Since 2017, Wade and his or promotional video at the same
team have been travelling us, we just love the excitement world-class level.”
and adrenaline as we run
internationally at least four times around covering everything and
a year, covering events on every delivering imagery throughout A World-Class Team
continent except Antarctica. With 20+ years of experience, The ODM team knows how to work with fast-
each day (and night). “We thrive ODM’s strength lies in its paced environments, tight schedules, and unpredictable action.
Their international journey on the energy of these events, structure as a fully integrated
began in 2015 when an United being part of a big team, and team. “We’re not a one-man
Kingdom based firm was looking knowing that our high-quality band,” Wade says. “We have
for a photography and filming imagery helps market future photographers, videographers,
company to cover one of the events and keeps sponsors happy.” editors, assistants, managers, and
largest conferences ever held in This September, ODM will mark production managers. Everyone
Durban. After a lengthy quotation ten years of working with the specialises in their various
and interview process, ODM same client when they head to departments, which ensures the
was selected. “We clearly made company runs smoothly and
quite an impression,” Wade Hong Kong. clients are not dealing with one
recalls. “Not only did we deliver The Power of Excellence and person who does it all.”
a fantastic job in Durban, but Consistency ODM’s journey proves that
we were invited to cover all their South African talent, hard work,
events around the world.” Wade believes that their success and dedication transcend borders.
carries a lesson for other South
Becoming the “Dream Team” African creatives. “If you maintain As Wade concludes: “For those
a high standard of work and wondering why international
For many, it seems unusual that consistently deliver exceptional clients hire South Africans, the
a global client would not simply answer is simple: we deliver
hire local photographers and quality, you too can work with excellence, every single time.” 
videographers in each country. overseas clients,” he says.
But for this particular client, He credits South Africa’s strong M: +27 (0)83 331 6796
ODM is irreplaceable. “They call work ethic as a competitive E: wade@odmedia.co.za Comprehensive videography services for conferences and corporate events are
us their dream team,” Wade says. advantage. “Our standard of W: www.odmedia.co.za provided by ODM.

TOYOTA REAFFIRMS INVESTMENT IN KZN

oyota South Africa Motors at strengthening collaboration Precinct, home to TSAM’s sewer networks and pump TSAM President Andrew
(TSAM) has reaffirmed its on strategic infrastructure and manufacturing operations. stations. Additionally, the City has Kirby echoed the company’s
Tcommitment to long-term economic development. invested in refurbishing power long-standing commitment
Mayor Xaba was joined by
investment in Durban and the The meeting focused on City Manager Musa Mbhele, substations that service TSAM and assured the mayor that
broader KwaZulu-Natal region. and surrounding industries. they will continue to be part of
critical enablers for industrial Economic Development
This was the central theme of a growth, including road Chairperson Councillor A Partnership Built on Trust and the solution to grow the city’s
high-level engagement between upgrades, stable electricity Thembo Ntuli, Trading Services Shared Growth economy.
eThekwini Mayor, Councillor supply, and improvements Chairperson Councillor Mduduzi “Even after the catastrophic
Cyril Xaba, and TSAM President to water and sanitation Nkosi, and EXCO member Mayor Xaba described TSAM floods, it was never a
and CEO, Andrew Kirby, aimed infrastructure in the Prospecton Councillor Andre Beetge. as one of eThekwini’s most consideration to leave Durban.
significant investors, with a
To support industrial activity partnership spanning more than The strength of our relationship
in Prospecton, the municipality five decades. with the city has always been a
is investing over R450 million key factor,” said Kirby.
in road infrastructure projects “We are not taking this TSAM contributes R18 billion
currently at various stages of relationship lightly. That’s why in national taxes annually, with
implementation. we are committed to accelerating the municipality collecting over
current infrastructure projects
A major water infrastructure by shortening lead times for R6 million in rates from the
upgrade is also underway, construction and repair work,” company each year.
involving the replacement of a said Mayor Xaba.
The municipality has pledged
375mm asbestos cement pipeline to collaborate with TSAM
with a new 400mm steel pipeline, He further emphasised that the
a move expected to significantly city’s dedicated support team, on strategic initiatives to
improve water supply in the area. led by the City Manager, will further promote automotive
continue working closely with manufacturing in eThekwini,
In response to flood damage, TSAM to resolve infrastructure reinforcing the city’s position as
EThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba and Toyota South Africa President over R120 million has been
and CEO Andrew Kirby reaffirm a powerful partnership for Durban’s challenges and ensure regular a hub of industrial innovation
industrial future. allocated to repair and upgrade progress updates. and resilience. 

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