Release: MTN and Aleph Group partner to break new ground for local advertising opportunities

Photo source: Wikipedia

Johannesburg, South Africa - 15 October 2024 - MTN’s Digital Services, the advertising arm of Africa's largest mobile operator, has appointed Aleph Group, as their sales partner for their go-to-market MTN Ads solution. 

This strategic partnership will enable advertisers to leverage MTN’s vast first party data to enable precise audience targeting, while tapping into core telco channels like SMS and platforms like Ayoba, an all-in-one super app developed by the MTN Group.

“It's a unique proposition in the market; one that incorporates our device-agnostic, data-free and rewards solutions. This combination enables businesses to drive immediate engagement regardless of content or user journey, with measurable attribution,” said Jason Probert, General Manager: Digital Services at MTN South Africa. 

With access to MTN’s extensive user base of over 38 million subscribers in South Africa, these advertising solutions provide an excellent opportunity to reach a vast audience across all demographics and device types. 

"We are thrilled to pioneer the MTN Ads solution and continue to contribute to the growth of South Africa's digital advertising ecosystem," said Stephen A. Newton, Managing Director of Sub-Saharan Africa at Aleph Group.

"MTN's vast network and rich data insights, combined with Aleph's expertise in digital advertising, will empower businesses to connect with their target audiences in a more meaningful and effective way, helping to accelerate the transfer from offline to online GDP."

As an official sales partner, Aleph Group will provide a team of experts to collaborate with brands and advertising agencies to develop and execute advertising solutions across MTN's various platforms, including SMS, Rich Business Messaging (RBM), mobile display, and in-app advertising.

"In today's challenging economic climate, businesses are seeking a greater return on advertising spend (ROAS). We believe this partnership will enable businesses to unlock the full potential of digital advertising in South Africa,” added Newton. 

South Africa’s ad spend is projected to reach R40.95 billion by the end of the year, with digital advertising driving much of this growth because of increased urbanisation and mobile network expansion. Furthermore, internet advertising is anticipated to reach R32.77 billion by 2027. 

38% of South African respondents to a recent Aleph survey claimed that they learn about new products via ads that play before online videos they’re watching, highlighting the importance of digital and internet advertising. By 2029, nearly half of total spending will come from digital channels, with mobile advertising accounting for 74% of digital ad spending by 2028. 

This partnership allows MTN and Aleph to capitalise on this shift, empowering brands to reach audiences through impactful, data-driven campaigns. Leveraging telco unique solutions, including zero rating for users and device agnostic solutions, advertisers can now reach all audiences across the digital funnel journey. 

British Airways suspends Moscow routes as Russia bans all UK flights from its airspace

The incident occurred on a British Airways flight
 from San Jose to Heathrow.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

British Airways has suspended flights to Moscow after Russia has announced a ban on UK flights in retaliation to UK sanctions on its airline Aeroflot following the country's invasion of Ukraine.

British Airways has suspended all flights to Moscow and within Russian airspace, following the news that Russia is imposing a ban on all UK flights.

Russia has announced a ban on all UK planes, in a move that came as retaliation after the UK banned any flights from Russian carrier Aeroflot to and from the UK, following the invasion of Ukraine.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps tweeted last night: "I've signed restrictions prohibiting all scheduled #Russian airlines from entering UK airspace or touching down on British soil. Putin's heinous actions will not be ignored, and we will never tolerate those who put people’s lives in danger."

By Julie Delahaye.

Full story at Mirror.

Russia attacks Ukraine as defiant Putin warns US, NATO

By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV, DASHA LITVINOVA, YURAS KARMANAU and JIM HEINTZ

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian troops launched their anticipated attack on Ukraine on Thursday, as President Vladimir Putin cast aside international condemnation and sanctions and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere would lead to “consequences you have never seen.”

Big explosions were heard before dawn in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa as world leaders decried the start of an invasion that could cause massive casualties, topple Ukraine’s democratically elected government and threaten the post-Cold War balance on the continent.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared martial law, saying Russia has targeted Ukraine’s military infrastructure. Ukrainians who had long braced for the prospect of an assault, while never knowing precisely when it would come, were urged to stay home and not to panic even as the country’s border guard agency reported an artillery barrage by Russian troops from neighboring Belarus.

By Associated Press.

Full story at OC Register.

Emirates unveils upgraded lounge at Dubai airport for unaccompanied minors

Emirates has unveiled a revamped 24-hour airport lounge
exclusive to its youngest solo flyers, featuring video games
and snacks, among other kid-friendly perks.

Emirates has unveiled a revamped 24-hour airport lounge exclusive to its youngest solo flyers, featuring video games and snacks, among other kid-friendly perks.

The newly-upgraded lounge was unveiled last week at Dubai International Airport, next door to the airline's First Class Lounge, and is designed specifically for unaccompanied minors.

The bright and contemporary facility also features free WI-FI, comfy new seating areas, PS4 gaming consoles, and washrooms designed with kids in mind.

By Katherine Scott.

Full story at Traveller.

NY man biking across America reveals 'random acts of kindness' in Arkansas

Bob Barnes tells Fox News Digital about the beauty of Arkansas — and how he was treated in Little Rock, his 27th capital visit.

A New York man who is cycling through all 50 U.S. states in the span of a year has discovered "peace and quiet" amid his journey through the southern state of Arkansas. 

But not just that — he's also appreciated random acts of kindness from his fellow Americans "in the middle of nowhere."

Bob Barnes, 52, of Syracuse, N.Y. has been sharing his latest travel experiences and discoveries with Fox News Digital, including his 27th capital visit: Little Rock, Arkansas.

By Ann W. Schmidt.

Full story at Fox News.

You Can Now Buy a Ticket for a Virgin Galactic Space Flight—for $450,000

It'll require $150,000 up front with $25,000 of that being non-refundable.

Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic has finally opened up ticket sales to the public, reports CNBC. Not the general public, of course—just the public with deep enough pocket to afford the $450,000 a seat on one of the company’s suborbital space planes costs.

The tickets, which went on sale on Wednesday, aren’t so much a ticket on a specific space flight as they are reservation for a ticket on a future flight. If you click on the “Fly With Us” button on the Virgin Galactic website you’ll be able to request an application to make a spaceflight reservation.

By Bryan Hood.

Full story at Robb Report.

Disneyland drops mask requirements

A visitor to Disneyland get emotional as she walks up Main Street U.S.A. during the park’s reopening in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, April 30, 2021. The resort’s parks have been closed for 412 days due to the COVID-19 outbreak. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will no longer require vaccinated visitors to wear masks indoors starting on Thursday, Feb. 17.

Disneyland visitors will no longer need to wear COVID-19 face coverings on Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion, but that doesn’t mean they can leave their masks at home just yet.

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will no longer require vaccinated visitors to wear masks indoors starting on Thursday, Feb. 17. Unvaccinated visitors will still be required to wear masks indoors at the Anaheim theme parks.

By Brady Macdonald.

Full story at OC Register.