Joy! to get Afrikaans sister edition

“We are aware that times are hard, [what] with the economic meltdown and all, [and] superior content is needed in tough times. This time also presents a need for a publication focused on the Christian family,” says Pieter Joubert, MD of Independent Christian Media.

According to Joubert, the growing interest in Christianity and related activities that is developing among South Africans, and the large percentage of Afrikaans-speaking people of all race groups who are Christians (80% are Christians, he says), highlights the potential for a new publication aimed at the Christian family.

Juig! should hit the shelves of major retailers and convenience stores by 27 April with a cover price of R24.95. The print run will be 25 000, with a target circulation comprising 22 000 counter sales and 3000 subscribers initially. Distribution will be by RNA.

The magazine will be marketed through a ‘founder subscriber offer' to all Afrikaans church members - the Dutch Reformed Church alone is reported to have over 1.1 million members; special newsstand promotions at CNA, Spar, CUM stores and other major Christian bookstores; radio and TV promotions; special multimedia presentations at all major Afrikaans churches in South Africa and Namibia; advertising in major Afrikaans church publications such as Die Kerkbode and on the e-Kerk/e-Church email newsletter which is supposed to reach over 60 000 Christians daily; and via press releases to all major Afrikaans newspapers and marketing publications and websites.