There is never a dull moment in the South African media landscape, and September was no exception. Each month, we track PR Trends and Investor Communications Trends shaping the market, highlighting developments that matter to our stakeholders.
This month’s update covers:
- Google search insights and what audiences are prioritising.
- The growing visibility of leaders such as Fabricio Bloisi.
- The rise of companies like Heartwood Properties.
- The decline of legacy publications like the Financial Mail.
- The emergence of Newsday as a new player in South African media.
- Shifts in focus from industry leaders like Alec Hogg and Biznews.
What search data tells us about PR trends
As a leading provider of B2B communications and financial PR solutions, we track traffic from both our website and Google searches. This helps us identify the themes and names attracting the most attention — a direct insight into what keeps our stakeholders engaged.
In September, key search phrases included:
- Fabricio Bloisi
- Heartwood Properties
- Impact Reporting
- Investor Communications
- Reporting Cadence
These terms reflect the growing overlap between corporate governance, reporting standards, and executive leadership.
Fabricio bloisi and leadership visibility
Shares in Prosus (+78% YoY) and Naspers (+70% YoY) have delivered strong performance, and a lot of attention has focused on Fabricio Bloisi and his “moonshot award.”
In a recent blog, we argued that Bloisi deserves credit not only for his leadership but also for his communications strategy. His approach demonstrates how strong PR and investor messaging can reinforce credibility at the helm of a listed multinational.
Heartwood properties
Heartwood Properties, listed on the Cape Town Stock Exchange, has been another key focus this month. With limited mainstream media coverage, the company has leaned on direct engagement strategies.
We recently featured Heartwood Properties on our Meet the Management podcast, giving investors direct access to leadership insights. This reinforces a growing trend: when traditional media coverage is scarce, owned media becomes essential in investor communications.
The rise of Reporting Cadence
One of the more interesting terms trending this month was “reporting cadence.” This highlights a shift in how organisations view internal communication and governance.
We are increasingly seeing businesses request support with board reporting processes. From writing reports to developing structured reporting cadences, this trend underscores the importance of clear, consistent, and credible communications between management and boards.
The Decusatio Team in the Media
September was also a busy month for our team in thought leadership and media engagement:
- An opinion piece for Daily Maverick explored why investing in journalism in South Africa matters.
- A BizCommunity article I also unpacked how governance can enhance enterprise value — and the communications strategies that support it.
- Ane Human wrote for BizCommunity on the role of Impact Reports in shaping organisational trust.
We always welcome feedback on these pieces as we refine our approach to thought leadership.
End of the road for the Financial Mail
September also brought major news: the Financial Mail announced it will publish its final edition on 30 October 2025. After 65 years, the publication will fold into Business Day as part of a broader restructuring.
This represents another blow to South Africa’s business media environment. The decline of print publications reinforces the need for companies to build owned media platforms — channels they control directly. As traditional media shrinks, organisations must increasingly rely on PR strategies that combine earned, owned, and digital media.
Newsday: Gaining traction in South Africa
In our August update, we highlighted the launch of Newsday in South Africa. Just weeks later, the publication appears to be gaining traction.
It remains early days, but Newsday’s progress is worth monitoring as it could become an important player in the shifting business media landscape.
Biznews and Alec Hogg’s strategic pPivot
The Alec Hogg-founded Biznews has long been a niche leader in South Africa, especially around political economy coverage. Its Biznews TV channel alone has attracted over 270,000 followers — evidence of its strong influence.
However, in a recent interview, Alec Hogg revealed that Biznews will pivot back toward business and finance coverage, moving away from politics. This repositioning is significant, particularly given the decline of legacy players like the Financial Mail. For communications professionals, it’s a signal that business-focused content is regaining prominence.
Looking for a PR agency to drive your strategy?
If you are seeking a PR or communications agency to elevate your stakeholder engagement, we can help. At Decusatio Investor Communications, we have a proven track record of securing coverage across television, radio, digital, and tier-one business media.
Whether you need:
- Investor communications support,
- PR strategy development, or
- B2B media visibility,
our team is ready to assist.
Contact us today to discuss how we can support your communications needs.
Conclusion: Key PR and Investor Communications Trends
September 2024 delivered several lessons for communications professionals:
- Data-driven insights (search trends) reveal what stakeholders are really focusing on.
- Leadership visibility, as shown by Fabricio Bloisi, remains vital.
- Owned media platforms are essential in a shrinking traditional media environment.
- Emerging players like Newsday can quickly reshape the media landscape.
- Strategic pivots by industry leaders, such as Alec Hogg, signal where audiences are shifting.
The South African PR and investor communications industry continues to evolve -— and those who adapt fastest will remain ahead.