As the biggest soccer publication in Africa, and in the top three in the world, you might think that Soccer Laduma is only in the business of soccer reporting, breaking news and telling stories. That's all we thought we were as well. But we were wrong, we're so much more than that.
By stepping back and studying the 131 internal reports generated monthly (yes, 131!) and by analysing its outcomes, the failures even more so than the wins, we've discovered something beautiful for us, and powerful for you!
We're in the business of growing communities, of building spaces and platforms that allow like-minded, passionate people the ability to connect, to hold hands, to communicate and to tell others.
As a potential client, that's what should be most important to you. We can connect you to this community. We can tell your story and our community will listen!
Partner With Us:
While your brand may not be involved in soccer, we're sure it is in the business of people, of potential clients and of market share. Access to vast numbers of people is something we have.
Yes, soccer news is the most powerful tool in our arsenal to cultivate these communities, to excite them and to keep them coming back, but what we are really curating is not only soccer per se. It's passion, enthusiasm, engagement, trust, tribalism and the need to belong – everything you need to get the most out of your product, service or campaign.
The Multi-Platform Approach:
We already have the traction and, more importantly, the trust of the market you want to speak to. The numbers are there for you to see: a paper readership of 3.3 million people; a Facebook community of 1.2 million people; a Twitter community of a quarter of a million people; fifty million plus page views a month on our website, which houses 1.5 million unique browsers; and a recently launched SLTV channel already closing in on a million video views.
We're also the first publication in South Africa to launch a program that empowers our readers, helping them find jobs and secure bursaries, fittingly called Laduma Connect.
Soccer Laduma is the quintessential multi-platform media house, we offer a comprehensive 360-degree offering to make sure your brand's voice and message is amplified!
A Completely Unique Offering:
We're a conundrum in our industry – a niche publication that's the giant of our group (Naspers). In contrast to the rest of the newspaper industry, where many newspapers have shrinking circulation, we are still growing!
In fact, while the biggest soccer teams in the country struggle to fill their stadiums and blame a diminishing passion for the sport, we sell 350 000 'tickets' to our show each and every week.
We fill 34 Soccer City Stadiums (capacity of 95 000) every week, year-on-year! Because we are consistent, and have been for close to 1000 editions over 19 years, there is a trust that has been established between us and our readers.
Who's The Boss:
We work for two bosses - our readers and our advertisers. That's the rule we apply at Soccer Laduma from ground level up. If it doesn't serve both to the highest standards, then it does not go out.
We break 90% of all leading soccer news in this country. We do it because we are better, faster and more prepared than any other title out there. We have developed an incredible network in the industry to ensure that soccer news flows directly to us first.
While Soccer Laduma readers trust that any big soccer news will be covered by our publication on at least one of our platforms, agents, clubs and players make up an influential part of that readership!
As for our advertisers, we endeavour to reach their success metrics and then some. If they win, we win!
The Rise Of Consumer Insights:
Through trial and error, the Soccer Laduma team has learnt that creativity has to be mirrored by business results. With that in mind, we have launched the Soccer Laduma Consumer Insights department, which allows us to conduct surveys unique in this industry.
What makes our research so powerful is that, through hyper segmentation of our 47 000 (and counting) Supporters Club members, we are able to get a response rate of up to 40% on sample groups as large as 8000!
This is phenomenal considering the industry standard is around 15%, with 20-30% considered highly successful. Our drop-off rate on surveys also sits at an incredibly low 11%!
This allows Soccer Laduma to delve into the intricacies of your brand, and better serve you, to be real partners, rather than just a third party you hope works for your strategy.
We Want You To Win:
To achieve optimal campaign results, we aim for complete understanding upfront between our advertisers and us. The Soccer Laduma team want complete communication, honesty and clarity from your brand, to determine it's campaign metric for success.
This allows us to track, monitor and report on campaigns, and then make the necessary adjustments if needed to ensure your investment is on track. A dynamic working relationship with our team means we want your campaign to work for the both of us!
What We Can Do:
We are currently the number-one single copy newspaper in the country, and with each new independent audit we increase the gap between the following pack and ourselves.
In five years' time we aim to be the biggest overall paper in the country, overtaking the current leader whose numbers include bulk and subscription sales. This is not a promise; it is a fact!
Our digital footprint both on web, mobile and social media is one to be reckoned with, one that will leave a lasting impression for your brand.
That's why it is the right time for you to partner with us. Now is the time to jump on board. Take ownership of the well-loved environments we have created and the communities we have nurtured before anyone else has the opportunity to.
We talk to millions of South Africans each and every day. Harness and share in the power that is generated by this magnificent community, and become part of South Africa's biggest conversation!
