South African Rhino Newsmaker Of The Year

The South African rhino has been named the National Press Club / Aon South Africa Newsmaker of the Year for 2012. 

Newsmaker of the Year 2012 - South Africa

National Press Club Chairperson, Antoinette Slabbert, says rhino poaching has been in the news consistently the entire year and has evoked strong emotions.

“In many respects history was made last year - a record number of 668 rhinos were poached, a harsh sentence of 40 years for a kingpin in the poaching industry was handed down and an international accord to try and stop poaching was signed, to name but a few.

“The onslaught on these African giants has not only resulted in much debate in the country and elsewhere in the world, but has also united people to rally behind campaigns against the bleeding of our heritage. It is critical for governments, corporates, individuals and the media to stand up and take action to stop the killing of our rhinos,” says Slabbert.

Aon South Africa Chief Executive Officer Anton Roux says the award recognises the efforts of ordinary people, the courts, government, SANParks and other conservation bodies and law enforcement agencies to stop rhino poaching.

“While the rhino has dominated headlines for all the wrong reasons, the media has played a fundamental role in informing not only South Africans, but the world, about the massive tragedy that is unfolding in our country. The media coverage has been pivotal in being able to galvanise the breadth of South African society in the fight to save one of our big five icons. South Africa’s rhino heritage is a precious privilege that can never be forfeited. 

“Aon South Africa is proud to be associated with the fight against rhino poaching with our own insurance programmes. The fact that the rhino is now our newsmaker of the year further demonstrates just how urgent this fight is. South Africa’s media is a fundamental driver of awareness and action and we fully support this continued focus in the hope that we will turn the corner very soon on the criminal, cruel and immoral practice of rhino poaching.

“Aon South Africa is proud to be associated with such an award that recognises issues that capture public sentiment and fuel open, democratic debate.” 

Slabbert says the award is made on the grounds of impact, news value and media attention in electronic, print, online and social media.

The club is synonymous with the Newsmaker of the Year award. Over the years the club has recognised and awarded many newsmakers. Previous recipients include President Jacob Zuma, former presidents FW de Klerk, Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki. Other newsmakers include Hollywood star Charlize Theron, Zachie Achmat and the Treatment Action Campaign, the late Hansie Cronjé and various other sporting personalities, DA Leader Helen Zille, ESKOM and Cope and FIFA’s Sepp Blatter and Danny Jordaan also received the award in recent years. Last year the newsmakers were Public Protector Thuli Madonsela and Julius Malema.

The awards function will be hosted in Pretoria soon. The winner of the National Press Club / North-West University Journalist of the Year competition will also be announced at the function. The Proudly South African media award will again be made this year in conjunction with the National Press Club and Aon. The award will be made to a journalist, media organisation or media initiative which promotes national unity and pride, patriotism and/or supporting local business.

Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA)

Africa Movie Academy Awards

Since its inception in 2005, AMAA (Africa Movie Academy Awards) has established itself as the most prestigious and glamorous awards celebrating film making on the continent. The gala event, which is televised live around the world, attracts Hollywood celebrities alongside their African counterparts, as well as African politicians and media.

Today, African films serve as a link for Africans in the Diaspora with Africans at home. These films have the potential to serve as a shared collective experience, a reminder that Africa is a vibrant continent filled with colour, energy and possibility.

“There is this great awareness of the possibilities in Africa. This has been an exciting year for African cinema as many big budget productions have been produced on the continent and distribution is becoming more accessible to African films,” says AMAA Founder and CEO Peace Anyiam-Osigwe.

AMAA 2013 call for entries

The Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) is calling for feature length films, shorts and documentary entries for its 2013 edition which will be held in April in Nigeria.

Only films produced, premiered and or released between December 2011 and November 2012 are eligible. Features may not exceed 120 minutes and shorts should not be longer than 40 minutes.

http://www.ama-awards.com/
https://www.facebook.com/AfricanMirrorincFilm

Psychic Predictions for 2013

Insights span such diverse categories as politics, fashion and health

Can Blair Robertson see into the future? His successful forecasts of coming events seem to prove he can.

His past predictions include the Japanese 8.9 earthquake and tsunami, Whitney Houston’s death, sinking of the Costa Concordia, the train fire in India, William and Kate’s pregnancy, accurately predicting the Oscars, and more.

“I call it ‘time projected empathy,’ where I imagine myself reading the headlines in the future,” says Robertson. “I remember the future.”

2013 is looking to be an eventful year, according to Robertson, who has put together his annual predictions.

Blair Robertson Predictions 2013

• I predict a boxer will be killed in the ring (or die shortly thereafter) within the year.
• I predict a famous boxing legend will pass this year.
• I predict that Rihanna and Chris Brown will get engaged.
• I predict it will be revealed Vice President Joe Biden has been under medical care for senile dementia. I predicted his ailment back in 2012.
• 2013 will see the passing of a number of former world heads of state as well as their spouses.
• Japan and China tensions will greatly escalate in the spring.
• Watch for news of a propane tank explosion on the east coast of the US that destroys a “complex.”
• I predict another very large earthquake for Japan and subsequent tsunami within 60 days. I pray I am wrong.
• I predict fewer tornadoes for the USA, but those that do hit will be much more devastating in their power. A possible large one for western Ontario in late April.
• I predict generally bad weather for the southeast and a hurricane that makes landfall in Florida this fall.
• I predict unusual levels of volcanic activity around the Pacific Rim, particularly mid 2013.
• Watch for news of mine disaster in China within 3 months. Many deaths.
• Fashion tragedy: I predict the return of mesh shirts for men.
• Worldwide, I predict we will see more mysterious mass bird deaths and tens of thousands of fish washing up on shore throughout the year. Conspiracy theories will abound.
• I predict a breast cancer breakthrough.
• I predict there will be an unusual amount of people reporting that their diabetes has disappeared. I don’t know if this is a “breakthrough,” but it will puzzle the medical profession.
• I’m seeing an animal removed from the endangered species list this year. I hope it is for a positive reason.
• I’m seeing a massive space collision or accident affecting satellites and communications.
• I predict the next doomsday “fad” will be Solar Flares.
• I predict that the world will not end in 2013. I stake my professional reputation on that. If wrong, I will stop issuing predictions.

http://www.blairrobertson.com 

Pantone Reveals Colour of the Year for 2013: PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald

Radiant, jewel-toned Emerald promotes balance and harmony

Pantone LLC, an X-Rite company and the global authority on colour and provider of professional colour standards for the design industries, announced PANTONE^® 17-5641 Emerald, a lively, radiant, lush green, as the Colour of the Year for 2013.

Photo:  Business Wire

The 2012 Colour of the Year, PANTONE 17-1463 Tangerine Tango, a spirited, reddish orange, provided the energy boost we needed to recharge and move forward. Emerald, a vivid, verdant green, enhances our sense of well-being further by inspiring insight, as well as promoting balance and harmony.

Most often associated with brilliant, precious gemstones, the perception of Emerald is sophisticated and luxurious. Since antiquity, this luminous, magnificent hue has been the colour of beauty and new life in many cultures and religions. It’s also the colour of growth, renewal and prosperity - no other colour conveys regeneration more than green. For centuries, many countries have chosen green to represent healing and unity.

“Green is the most abundant hue in nature - the human eye sees more green than any other colour in the spectrum,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Colour Institute^®. “As it has throughout history, multifaceted Emerald continues to sparkle and fascinate. Symbolically, Emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, which is so important in today’s complex world. This powerful and universally appealing tone translates easily to both fashion and home interiors.”

Emerald for Fashion

The prevalence of green has been steadily rising for several seasons, especially in the fashion and couture markets, and even on the red carpet. Appropriate for every occasion, Emerald’s classic elegance makes for striking and irresistible women’s formal and everyday wear as well as accessories. Emerald also makes a strong statement in men’s sportswear, knitwear and ties. Fashion designers featured in the PANTONE Fashion Colour Report Spring 2013, including Tracy Reese, Nanette Lepore, Barbara Tfank, NAHM and Marimekko, are incorporating Emerald into their spring collections. Balanced yet sophisticated, Emerald enlivens all colours in the spectrum and will continue to make a statement beyond spring and summer into fall and winter.

Emerald for Beauty

Equally harmonious on the cosmetic colour wheel, Emerald dramatises all eye colours as it beautifully enhances green eyes, is compatible to blue eyes, emphasizes the green undertone in hazel eyes and intensifies brown eyes to make them appear deeper. Emerald is also a perfect complement to peaches, pinks, roses, ruby reds and aubergines - offering a variety of lipstick and blush options. For those who want to sparkle and stand out, Emerald is the perfect punctuation point in nail colour because of its complementary nature.

Sephora and Pantone proudly announce the SEPHORA + PANTONE UNIVERSE™ 2013 Colour of the Year beauty collection featuring PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald, which will be available exclusively at Sephora in March 2013. Sharing a strong passion for how colour can transform a face, mood or even an attitude, Sephora and Pantone continue to change how consumers wear, feel and think about colour through the second annual radiant and modern Colour of the Year beauty collection.

“At Sephora, we pride ourselves on giving our clients first access to what’s on trend – whether that’s a colour, a formula or an ingredient story. With the 2013 Colour of the Year collection, we achieve all of the above and we couldn’t have a better partner than Pantone,” said Margarita Arriagada, senior vice president of merchandising for Sephora.

The limited edition 2013 Colour of the Year beauty collection features a variety of products in Emerald, including eye shadow, nail polish and accessories, and will be available at Sephora stores across the US, Sephora inside JCP and Sephora.com.

Photo: Business Wire

Emerald for Interiors

Enhance your sense of well-being at home by rejuvenating the interior with Emerald paint, accents and accessories. This jewel-like hue will create a luxurious feel in an entryway, powder room, dining room or study, and bring life to a living room as an accent wall. Add a splash of colour to the kitchen and dining room areas with Emerald dinnerware, stemware and appliances.

About the PANTONE Colour of the Year

The Colour of the Year selection is a very thoughtful process. To arrive at the selection, Pantone quite literally combs the world looking for colour influences. This can include the entertainment industry and films that are in production, travelling art collections, hot new artists, popular travel destinations and other socio-economic conditions. Influences may also stem from technology, availability of new textures and effects that impact colour, and even upcoming sports events that capture worldwide attention.

For more than a decade, Pantone’s Colour of the Year has influenced product development and purchasing decisions in multiple industries, including fashion, home and industrial design, as well as product packaging and graphic design. Past colours include:

• PANTONE 17-1463 Tangerine Tango (2012)
• PANTONE 18-2120 Honeysuckle (2011)
• PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise (2010)
• PANTONE 14-0848 Mimosa (2009)
• PANTONE 18-3943 Blue Iris (2008)
• PANTONE 19-1557 Chili Pepper (2007)
• PANTONE 13-1106 Sand Dollar (2006)
• PANTONE 15-5217 Blue Turquoise (2005)
• PANTONE 17-1456 Tigerlily (2004)
• PANTONE 14-4811 Aqua Sky (2003)
• PANTONE 19-1664 True Red (2002)
• PANTONE 17-2031 Fuchsia Rose (2001)
• PANTONE 15-4020 Cerulean (2000)

www.pantone.com