"The 10 events hosted in April attracted a highly engaged audience of 14 953 viewers, which highlights the significant opportunities for companies and brands to get involved through partnership," says Taryn Westoby, head of Arena Events.

"We've adapted to the challenge of the COVID-19 lockdown by creating various online series to ensure event partners and sponsors can continue building relationships with their stakeholders and target audiences. The opt-in levels we're seeing for our branded events is a positive indicator that the market is hungry for relevant content, and wants to remain up-to-date," adds Westoby.

"The online series strengthens public affinity for Arena's legacy brands like Business Day, Financial Mail, Sunday Times and Sowetan, but it also solidifies the platform for advertisers and partners to continue connecting their brands with consumers," Westoby says.

Events already hosted in May include:
  • the first Sunday Times Lifestyle 'How She Does It' conversation 
  • the first Sunday Times Top Brands Quiz Night, and
  • the third round of the Sunday Times Lifestyle Quiz Night 

The rest of May 2020 will the following line-ups:

Wednesday, 13 May at 10:00 — Sunday Times Lifestyle 'How She Does It
Through one-on-one interviews, 'How She Does It' aims to lift the enigma of female success, showing  the importance of character when times are tough. This week, Aspasia Karras, publisher of the Sunday Times Lifestyle, uncovers Dr Philippa Tumubweinee's journey in a highly demanding industry, what she's learnt over the years, what lies ahead in her future and what advice she’d give her younger self. Click here to register or contact [email protected].

Wednesday, 13 May at 20:00 — The MOST Awards Quiz Night
Jason Goliath, along with quizmasters Brad Aigner and Glenda Nevill, as well as Fahmeeda Cassim-Surtee, Gordon Muller and Greg Maloka, will keep participants entertained while challenging knowledge on all things media and MOST related. Click here to register or contact [email protected].

Thursday, 14 May at 20:00 — Sowetan Women's Club Quiz Night Round 2
Sowetan editor Nwabisa Makunga and her quizmasters Emmanuel Tjiya, Londiwe Dlomo, Thembela Khamango, Nkareng Matshe and Thabiso Mahlape will challenge participants' knowledge of entertainment, soapies, food, travel, current affairs, sport, music and literature. Click here to register or contact [email protected].

Tuesday, 19 May at 10:00 — Business Day SME Matters: Extraordinary times call for extraordinary SME support
In this online Business Day SME Matters discussion, we will be uncovering how these initiatives intend to support small businesses and how SMEs can potentially access these funds. Experts will share resilience and recovery strategies SME owners can practically apply to their businesses. Contact [email protected].

Wednesday, 20 May at 10:00 — Business Day Dialogues Online Series: Perspectives on a post-lockdown world from the top dogs at SA's top financial services institutions
Peter Bruce, former editor-in-chief of Business Day and Financial Mail, will speak with CEOs of some of South Africa's most prominent banking and financial services institutions about their expectations of life in a post-lockdown South Africa. Click here to register or contact [email protected].

Thursday, 21 May at 10:00 — The Radio Awards: In conversation with …
Whether a newcomer or legacy brand, all are looking for added value to motivate their spend and provide greater certainty of the traction they'll find in the market. So, what does radio bring to the table? The Radio Awards will look at what turns advertisers on to radio. Click here to register or contact [email protected].

Thursday, 21 May at 20:00 — Sunday Times Lifestyle Quiz Night Round 4
Quizmasters will challenge your knowledge about sport, fashion, travel, literature, food, motoring, music and the world. Contact [email protected].

Friday, 22 May at 14:00 — Wanted Investment: How to look after your investments in the new world 
According to the team, COVID-19 has created a whole new world for investments. They will delve into where we currently stand as a country and explore how you can keep your investments safe through intellectual, ethical and thoughtful decisions. Contact [email protected].

Tuesday, 26 May at 09:30 — Absa Business Day Supplier Development Awards Dialogue about our economic future: where are we going as an economy
The COVID-19 pandemic has forever changed the business landscape, says the team. Experts agree that a global recession is eminent and is due to last for a while. The series will discuss what our economic future looks like in the face of COVID-19, as well as explore our economic future. Contact [email protected].

Wednesday, 27 May at 10:00 — Financial Mail Private Lounge: Money and Investing
Financial Mail will join a panel of experts that aim to discuss the effects of Money and Investing in South Africa during and post COVID-19. Contact [email protected].

Thursday, 28 May at 10:00 — Financial Mail AdFocus: In conversation with …
According to the hosts, the ad-industry is balanced on a razor's edge, forcing a turning point of sorts. "Can agencies afford to stay as they are, maintaining the same-old-same-old status quo; or are they willing to invest in resources and expertise to form true business partnerships with their clients? How far do they need to go in terms of research, data gathering and analysis, to set them ahead of the competition and prove their relevance in a market that is going to become tougher than ever? Do agencies have the balls for the fight?" Contact [email protected].

Friday, 29 May at 10:00 — Adapt and Thrive: The Future of Media
According to the hosts, brands that can weather the storms of disruption brought about by technology, globalisation and national pandemics are those with a future. The team will delve deeper into advertising anthropology, trends and trend spotting, the changing ways of media consumption and consumer behaviour, as well as the adoption of tech in the new world. Contact [email protected].

Friday, 29 May at 20:00 — Sowetan SMag Fashion Challenge
The hosts of the series are calling on individuals to dress up in thier 'Sunday best' and join the S Mag Fashion Challenge. The challenges aim to not only be fun but educational, as the panel of experts share some of their top tips and the 411 on the latest trends. Individuals can enter their 'most glamorous lockdown outfit' now and be selected to be one of the ten to be viewed by our panel of experts. Prizes are up for grabs. Click here to register or contact [email protected].

"We believe now, more than ever, in the importance of connecting, creating and collaborating," concludes Westoby. "We live in a time where technology allows us to be adaptable, to host online events that provide rich valuable content to viewers and an online platform that allows brands to continue in sharing their stories and connecting with their audiences."

For more information or partnership opportunities, visit www.arenaevents.africa or contact [email protected]. You can also follow Arena Events on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.