Print Media S.A in partnership with Rhodes University hosted a one day seminar with Professor Robert Picard.  The seminar was held at The Grace Hotel, Rosebank, Johannesburg on the 31st of October 2008.

Picard is a leading world expert on Media Economics and New Media initiatives, has published scores of books in his field and is the director of the Management and Transformation Centre at the Jonkoping University in Sweden.

Robert G. Picard, Hamrin professor of economics and director of the Media Management and Transformation Centre, Jönköping International Business School, Jönköping University, Sweden, is one of the world's leading academic specialists in media economics and management. The Media Management and Transformation Centre is Europe’s premier centre on media business issues.

His research focuses on economic structures of media markets, media industries and firms, demand for media products and services, business models and strategies of media operations, productivity of media firms, financial performance, and government policies affecting economic aspects of media. His research has involved print media, advertising, broadcasting, and new media.

Max cannot be bought, he has proven to be a courageous journalist, outspoken, brave and prepared to put a great deal at risk in the pursuit of the truth.

Jacques Pauw worked for Max at the Vrye Weekblad and in his book describes the risks that the two of them took in exposing the atrocities committed at Vlakplaats and John Vorster square. This makes for spine chilling reading and is a testament to journalists at the time who despite many obstacles, persevered in the pursuit of great journalism.

Max has written four books. Mostly contentious and very well researched. His unauthorised biography of Louis Luyt is a good example of his work. His other books such as Unusual Stories of SA's past and Memories of a Renegade Reporter should be required reading for those wanting to enter the investigative journalism field.

Print Media S.A is pleased to announce that Prakash Desai, Group CEO of Avusa Limited, has been elected President of Print Media SA, the body which represents publishers of newspapers and magazines in South Africa and its constituent association, the Newspaper Association of South Africa (NASA). His appointment is initially for two years.

He succeeds Trevor Ncube, owner and CEO of The Mail and Guardian.

Desai was appointed to the PMSA board on August 17, 2006, when he also joined the board of the Newspaper Association of SA (NASA).

He has held a number of senior positions in the print media industry since 1999. Formerly he was Group Finance and Operations Director of what was then Johnnic Publishing Limited. With the merger of Johnnic Publishing and Johnnic Entertainment to form Avusa, Desai was appointed as Finance Director and later Group Finance and Operations Director. In September 2006 he was appointed Acting Group CEO of Avusa and six months later he was appointed Group CEO. Desai’s other interests include a directorship at the Wits Health Consortium and he is a member of the board of governors of the University of Venda Foundation.

Ncube steps down after a distinguished four years as president of PMSA and NASA. His tenure was the longest of any PMSA president-- from 2003 to 2005 and again from 2006 to 2008.

Tony Howard, Vice President of Print Media South Africa and Chief Executive of Independent Newspapers said “in his nearly four years as President of the Newspaper Association and the Print Media Association, Trevor had played a major part in settling the Associations into a new structure and ensuring that they functioned professionally within the strategies that had been set for them. He is a staunch supporter of print media and this saw him head many delegations to deal with issues confronting the industry. But it is his involvement in and the leadership he provided to ensure the success of the World Association of Newspaper’s International Conference in Cape Town in 2007 that will stand amongst the highlights of his very successful tenure as President. The Boards of the two Associations thank him for his leadership over this period”.