Casting its web

This according to Dennis Herold, manager of Now Media Webcasting, who says the video of the speech will be available during June as video-on-demand and will be linked to a number of key travel websites including South African Tourism, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) and Now Media's Travel News Now. .

The opening address was edited and made available for broadcast through over 10 000 media servers worldwide as far afield as Mexico, Taiwan, Australia, the US, Canada, Europe and the United Kingdom.

Herold says statistics show an average of 466 downloads for the narrowband video and 271 for broadband.

Herold admits that the South African target audience was initially a little apprehensive as it was difficult for clients locally to view the streaming videos: "As broadband became more readily available in South Africa, more clients have come onboard."

"Timely, powerful communication of marketing messages will give companies a distinct advantage over their competitors. It will enhance their ability to communicate with relevant stakeholders all over the world, and ensure openness and transparency in any relevant communication.

The immediacy of the internet is surpassing standard communication platforms such as television. It also means that people are not tied down to specific dictated viewing patterns, and can access information on demand," says Herold.