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“As a board and management, all this should not concern us at all. No amount of smoke or dust should distract us from forging ahead to produce a scintillating radio product.”
Dr Chimedza said a television station for Zimpapers would be in line with global market trends in the media industry. He said 2011 was a momentous year for Zimpapers as the group successfully defended the
newspaper market with its products remaining dominant.
“The year began with our flagship, The Herald, on high having been crowned the Super Brand of the Year for 2010 in the print category.
“This meant we had to work harder to protect the brand through constant product development, innovation and being consistently relevant to our readers and advertisers.
“It meant we had to provide a total package that would give readers and advertisers value for money. This was not easy given the newsprint challenges that we continued to grapple with throughout the year.
“But in the end it was worthwhile as The Herald, The Sunday Mail and Natprint made it to the podium at the 2011 Superbrands awards.”
He said The Sunday Mail remains the runaway leader in circulation and advertising support, H-Metro continues to be the readers’ darling while Kwayedza was on the rebound.
“Our readers and advertisers have spoken. The market accepts our products and will choose us first. It is now up to us to build on that goodwill to take the business to greater heights in 2012.”
Dr Chimedza, however, expressed regret that the success of Zimpapers’ products did not translate into anticipated and planned profits.
“We have to examine our ratios and continue to make the necessary investments in terms of equipment and machinery to reap the financial rewards that we deserve.”
He said focus would remain on product development and profitability while maintaining control of the news agenda guided by national interests.
“Our commitment to pursuing a Pan-African and nationalist agenda must remain unshakeable, especially given the drive towards resource nationalism as shown by the indigenisation and economic empowerment programme. The readers are looking up to us to set the agenda and define reality for them.
“The credibility of our newspapers must never be questioned. Pettiness and greatness cannot co-exist. If we are to remain great we cannot afford to be petty,” he said.
Dr Chimedza said the group should continue to display maturity in the way it practices journalism.
He hailed the redesign by some of the group’s newspapers adding that the process should be completed at all newspapers.
derick.khumalo