Steel Matters
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The Brandwatch digital measuring and evaluation tool has enabled Aprio and its client - the South African Iron and Steel Institute (SAISI) - to build an informed view among key stakeholders on the role the steel industry is playing in the South African economy.
The tool made it possible for the Aprio Digital team to conduct an assessment of the numerous conversations about the South African steel industry over the past year (Feb 26, 2021 - Feb 01, 2022) and is serving as a baseline to measure the success of Aprio’s strategic communications campaign over the coming months.
It has provided information about the real growth potential for the industry and where the steel industry can add value to South Africa’s much needed growth and development, while also addressing the various challenges being faced.
Brandwatch Assessment (Feb 26, 2021 - Feb 01, 2022)
The information has also enabled Aprio to clarify and define messaging that SAISI is using to educate and inform the sector, and other steel industry participants in the country. The channels used are largely SAISI’s social media platforms, which is ideal to motivate the carefully considered audience to share interesting steel facts among their own constituents. The platform’s following has seen steady growth over the past few months, attracting many close industry followers.
A monthly “SteelMatters” newsletter provides some insightful steel statistics and analysis of the current steel market, both locally and abroad.
There is a traditional media campaign underway and the Aprio team also prepared the first of a series of articles covering topics such as: A healthy economy needs a healthy steel industry and A real commitment to infrastructure will revitalise SA construction and SA steel (linked to SONA).
An exciting development in the coming months will be the publication of the SAISI-produced ‘South African Steel Report’. This first-of-its-kind report for South Africa will provide an informed snapshot of the South African Steel Industry, its challenges and opportunities, and the sector’s outlook. We hope that the report will grow into a useful, sought-after and regularly produced resource that positions SAISI as a major contributor to the development of South Africa.
To find out more about Aprio's offering contact Julian Gwillim or visit www.aprio.co.za
Aprio Credence, our crisis and issue management division has had a busy couple of months with deliverables including:
- Supporting a financial services client through a criminal data breach, where Aprio Credence’s proprietary, battle-hardened cyber breach “playbook” served as an invaluable resource Providing ongoing advisory and reputation management support to a major alcohol industry player through the complex challenges of COVID-19 lockdowns and alcohol bans
- Successfully delivering more than 100 executive media training sessions in the “new normal” of remote, video conferencing-based learning sessions
- Implementing elements of Aprio Credence’s ARMOUR reputational risk and resilience programme – spanning vulnerability audits, policy, playbook and protocol development, crisis leadership training, and simulation stress-tests – for a range of JSE-listed and private companies.
Aprio Digital has had a busy couple of months, as the demand for digital communications increased during the pandemic. This included the development of a LinkedIn strategy to position Capital Appreciation’s leadership team, and the leaders of each of its underlying investments as tech-savvy thought leaders in the Fintech industry. We teamed up with the marketing experts at Synthesis, one of Capital Appreciation’s underlying investments, to align our strategy and co-create a fit-for-purpose marketing approach for Capital Appreciation.
The shift from traditional communications methods towards more digitally led channels is well underway and our clients are already seeing the benefits of some of our cross-channel efforts. We’ve helped a number of high-profile investment clients unpack and understand the online conversations that impact their reputation and the reputation of their investments, using the powerful insights provided by Brandwatch. The team continued to deliver high-quality digital magazines that present thought-leadership in a high impact, reader-friendly and long-form medium. Absa Evolve is now entering its 10th edition – the result of a four-year partnership with the Absa team that has seen the launch of several new digital products.
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Aprio Strategic Communications has been active on numerous interesting multi-stakeholder reputation campaigns for clients in the resources, packaging, investments, food, healthcare, digital retailing, financial services, ICT, steel and entertainment sectors.
The year has also seen significant advancements in the Aprio group structure. Aprio Credence, Aprio Investor Relations and Aprio Digital have been bedded down - each division has dedicated leadership and teams of skilled people focused on delivering value for clients, while continuing to enhance their respective project and service offerings.
We also launched a new division during the year: Aprio - Africa Regional Markets (or Aprio ARM). The division is led by Managing Partner, Webster Malido, who has extensive working knowledge and experience across all of the continent’s regions including East Africa covering Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda; in West Africa covering Ghana and Nigeria; in North Africa covering Egypt; in Southern Africa covering Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe; and in the Indian Ocean covering Mauritius and the Seychelles. In other African markets, we work with our strategic agency partners and affiliates to deliver services and support. Aprio ARM has already delivered projects in Mozambique, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Nigeria, Namibia, Botswana, Ghana, Ethiopia and other regions for several multinational clients.
Aprio Update
May 2022