“We discovered that TheMediaOnline was at risk of losing its appeal and that it lacked social media apps,” says Sandra Gordon, CEO of Wag the Dog Publishers. “Other reader comments included providing editorial that informs, educates and challenges and revising an apparently outdated Content Management System (CMS). Not daring to question the wisdom of our readers, we are moving on and up and in a big way.”

The first step was to engage with Matthew Buckland and his online publishing business, Creative Spark, to create a new CMS. Buckland, who made his name developing and growing on-line publications for the M&G Online and Media24, is well known to the publisher, having recently been appointed to The Media magazine’s editorial board.

“The most noticeable difference of TheMediaOnline is its new look and feel, and functionality,” says Gordon. “The layout is now easy to read and offers the user all the information they need in an easy-navigable manner. We have added new apps like Facebook and Twitter, and provided greater interaction with our readers and journalists through the use of blogs and polls.”

Wag the Dog prides itself on providing industry-leading commentary on the news that affects the fourth estate.

Content is the main driver of readership and the publisher is very happy to announce that Glenda Nevill has been appointed as the new Editor and Content Manager of TheMediaOnline.

Nevill has spent 20 years in journalism including nine years with the Sunday Times, was launch editor of The Property magazine and edited The Big Issue for six years.

“From the research, we also discovered that a majority of our readers are tech-savvy and are constantly on the move,” says Gordon. “In response to this, we have ensured that the new TheMediaOnline can now be accessed via mobile phone, giving readers instant access to top industry news as and when it happens.”

In addition, the on-line resource will deliver fresh daily content, straight from the sources.

The Media magazine's lead stories and columnists will continue to be archived on the site, however; the two brands are positioned differently to enable advertisers to reach multiple readers across the media agency, advertiser and media owner spectrum.

To subscribe to TheMediaOnline, go to www.themediaonline.co.za and click on the subscribe tab.