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

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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. 

Impeached Shaibu sheds tears of joy as court reinstates him as Edo deputy governor

The judge held that the allegation on which the House of Assembly based the impeachment proceedings was untenable in law.

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday nullified the impeachment of Phillip Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo.

Justice James Omotosho, in a judgment, ordered his reinstatement to office because the Edo State House of Assembly failed to comply with due process in the purported impeachment. 

Justice Omotosho held that the allegation on which the House of Assembly based the impeachment proceedings was untenable in law and did not constitute gross misconduct.

By News Agency of NG.

Full story at Pulse NG.

Wandsworth prison guard accused of having sex with inmate breaks silence

The Portuguese-born guard spoke in court
 only to confirm her details (ES Composite)

The prison guard accused of having sex with an inmate on camera at a Wandsworth jail has spoken out against internet fraudsters using her identity.

Linda De Sousa Abreu, 30, who faces charges of misconduct in public office following the release of an intimate video in late June, is now out on bail.

The former guard has condemned online copycats who she claims have recreated her sex tape or produced fetish content while posing as her.

By William Mata.

Full story at Yahoo News.

How mentorship can make entrepreneurs do more.

The road to success for entrepreneurs is not the same and is most likely difficult. I am keen on trying to make something out of nothing depending on the given opportunity and the ideation process one needs to follow.

I am trying to be what I am destined to be. I know, I know and the very thing I know; I will never forget. I know where those silicon valley's companies make their money from. As a dice is cast, you await its outcome but is a pity if you don't learn the rope your case will end up like "the more you look; the less you understand." 

Hence, I refer to mentorship as the lifejacket of every entrepreneur. 

With so much love for Tony Elumelu and respect to Tony Elumelu Foundation; I officially turned down the invitation to mentor this year. 

In my email to Moyo Awotile; " I am not in a good space for that now. I promise to be ready next time. All the best with all the entrepreneurs."

By Olagunju, Success Taiwo.

Here's why the Yoruba Party in the UK exists

The party’s agenda to tackle the immigration crisis in the UK is predicated on the belief that Britain is a major cause of the problem.

The Yoruba Party in the UK has been a social media topic in Nigeria following the party’s loss in the just concluded general elections in the United Kingdom.

The party fielded a single candidate, Olusola Oni, to represent the Peckham constituency in the House of Commons.

Peckham has a large population of Nigerians of Yoruba descent and this is one of the major reasons the Yoruba Party in the UK was formed to protect the interests of the Yorubas in the constituency.

By Bayo Wahab.

Full story at Pulse NG.

Election news live: Leaders in final push for votes after Boris Johnson's surprise speech

Boris Johnson talks at a campaign event at the National Army Museum on 2 July. (Getty Images)

Former Conservative prime minister warns against huge Labour victory as campaign enters its final hours.

Boris Johnson made a surprise appearance on the election campaign trail on Tuesday night and urged supporters to "vote Conservative" as Rishi Sunak insisted the party was "united".

As the Tories face the prospect of a heavy defeat, the former PM claimed just 130,000 voters could help stem his party’s predicted losses and warned against a so-called Labout 'supermajoirty

By Andy Wells.

Full story at Yahoo News.

Rudy Giuliani is disbarred in New York over 2020 election

Rudy Giuliani is disbarred in
 New York over 2020 election

Former Trump lawyer and New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has been disbarred in the Empire State after he was found to have made repeated false statements about the 2020 election.

The 31-page ruling issued Tuesday by the Appellate Division, First Department states that Giuliani “is disbarred from the practice of law, effective immediately, and until the further order of this Court, and his name stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law in the State of New York.”

It adds: “The disciplinary charges stem from the allegations that respondent communicated demonstrably false and misleading statements to courts, lawmakers, and the public at large in his capacity as lawyer for former President Donald J. Trump and the Trump campaign in connection with Trump’s failed effort at reelection in 2020.

By Gustaf Kilander.

Full story at Yahoo News.