EXCEPTIONAL MARKS
JOANNE RAPHAEL KATZ
She began her career with an academic background in Law commencing University at just 16 years of age. This led her into the fascinating area of Intellectual Property, Trademarks, Copyright and Licensing and she established the largest most successful Marketing, Television, Publishing, Consumer products Licensing Company in South Africa specializing in building brands, events and exploiting famous Trademarks and Copy Rights.
She obtained the South African rights to DC, Marvel, Harvey and Warner Bros Studios for Comics and published them in all the various vernaculars. The comic medium, which is in effect a scripted story board, is an ideal medium for semi -literate audiences and the Publishing division was highly successful resulting in South Africa’s biggest wholesaler Metro Cash and Carry, placing substantial orders for the comics.
Not only content with the Publishing rights she obtained but all the Consumer Products, Television, Video and Promotional rights from the Major Hollywood studios as well.
She worked with UIP, Gallo and Ster Kinekor distributors for theatrical exhibition and video store distribution on behalf of the major Studios as well as TV stations for programme sales. This was for a number of years and led to her extensive experience in content, rights, licensing and strategy. Some of the highlights of my career, she created the famous Nederburg Fashion Fair, The Universal Studios themed shop within shop at 36 top Edgars stores, which housed Universal Studios properties and copyrights, the Jet and Sales House loyalty Club Card programmes, youth banking in South Africa with First National Bank, a youth television channel K.T.V with M Net – Multichoice and many more.
She worked with UIP, Gallo and Ster Kinekor distributors for theatrical exhibition and video store distribution on behalf of the major Studios as well as TV stations for programme sales. This was for a number of years and led to my extensive experience in content, rights, licensing and strategy.
Some of the highlights of my career, I created the famous Nederburg Fashion Fair, The Universal Studios themed shop within shop at 36 top Edgars stores, which housed Universal Studios properties and copyrights, the Jet and Sales House loyalty Club Card programmes, youth banking in South Africa with First National Bank, a youth television channel K.T.V with M Net – Multichoice and many more.
Johannesburg Stock Exchange listed Johnnic ( now Times Media Group) bought my company Americom which was the leading licensing agency both by brands it represented and by market share and revenue, consistently producing over R20m nett royalties per annum or around R200m at wholesale. Americom was rated the top up-and-coming Company in South Africa by Corporate Research Surveys. In that time Americom under my leadership represented a whole host of brands.
CREATING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
It is one thing to handle existing Intellectual Properties and quite another thing to
create Intellectual Property. Joanne has accomplished this successfully, examples being:
South Africa’s largest cause -related marketing and merchandising campaign. I have the trademark rights in Canada and will be producing the event in 2018 together with the leading broadcaster Shaw Media.
A children’s newspaper sponsored by Standard Bank written by children for children for their youth banking
A national Film Education Outcomes based Visual Literacy programme in partnership with schools nationwide and Nu Metro Theatres.
After a five year restraint of trade, she returned back to the industry and opened the doors of Exceptional Marks! a branding, licensing and television content company. One of the Television channels in its stable, Fashion One, has grown enormously in less than 3 years in Africa under her expert eye, from zero to 11 million in Africa alone, and is the fastest growing network both regionally and internationally.
Joanne has represented many licensors for content through Africa both linear channels and individual programmes.
Fashion One is distributed by DStv in South Africa, MultiChoice in 48 African States, Starsat in South Africa, Consat in Nigeria, Mauritius Telecom, Cable and Wireless Seychelles, Zuku in Kenya and Kwese TV. It is the largest and most distributed Fashion Channel in Africa with an African audience of over 20 million eyeballs and a global audience of 200 million with International distribution in 170 countries.
She also have a Joint Venture with Globecast in a company that delivers technical solutions for the moving of pictures whether through satellite, digital, fibre or other means. Through this relationship I have introduced Globecast as she is the point of reference person who have spent considerable time already advising Huawei technically and preparing quotes – after which channels are not secured meaning a waste of time.
She furthermore has a joint ventures with Smartcall Technology Solutions (STS – a large WASPA who have just signed an agreement with Huawei) on various VOD platforms Just Flicks – www.justflicks.co.za and Pride TV – a movie LGBT site www.pridetv.co.za Through my relationship with STS, Huawei have signed an agreement with STS as their WASPA.
I consult strategically to the CEO of Siyaya TV, Aubrey Tau, and the new PAY TV encumbant. Through this relationship I have presented Huawei with the opportunity of leasing Siyaya’s TV licence in a manner to ensure ICASA approval. These discussions have not been furthered as the Project got moved to Ghana as a launch. To stream any TV channel in SA you need a PAY TV license. This opportunity is invaluable. And if not pursued by Huawei will be snatched by others soon!
I work closely with Starsat, supplying content and have worked strategically with Mr Pang and Tonnel Liu ( Legal) in bidding for top international sports rights
I operate 3 offices. 1 at Globecast in Richmond, the other at STS in Dunkeld and a satellite office at my home.
There is a combined staff of over 30 between the companies.
I am well regarded in the industry locally and internationally and my track record of success and entrepreneurship is unblemished and widely acknowledged.
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