Naspers focuses on media businesses in growing markets
in which it has attained or hopes to attain sustainable market
positions. Geographically the group is focused on the BRICSA
countries ( Brazil, Russia, India, China, South and sub-Saharan
Africa), which we believe present above-average growth opportunities. During
the current fiscal year, Naspers acquired a 30% equity stake in a leading Brazilian
media company, Abril, and also established development offices in Russia and
India. Naspers uses content, brands and distribution channels from existing
businesses to grow in other markets and to develop new businesses. Naspers
has integrated the internet into each of its businesses to better reach customers
and increase the value of its content. Naspers’ key objectives are as
follows:
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| Focus on Investments and Technology |
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| Naspers has made substantial investments in recent years to upgrade and enhance
its subscriber platforms. Naspers intends to consolidate the leading positions
it holds in many markets and to expand into new ones. Most of Naspers’ pay-television
platforms offer digital subscriptions and feature interactive or enhanced services.
Naspers is presently researching the opportunity of broadcasting television channels
to mobile devices. Naspers has expanded its printing facilities by investing
in advanced printing and related facilities. Additional newspaper and magazine
titles have been launched when market opportunities present themselves. Naspers
has further launched several internet related businesses. |
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| Build Digital Subscriber Base |
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| Naspers seeks to continue to expand MIH Holdings’ digital pay-television
subscriber base, both by converting its current analogue customers to the digital
service and by gaining new digital customers. MIH Holdings offers subscribers
movie and sports programming, and is adding interactive services to its bouquets
(the term used to describe the channels offered by a pay-television provider
on a given platform). |
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| Grow Internet Businesses |
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| Naspers intends, by offering content and superior service,
to grow M-Web Holdings as an internet service provider and
content portal in Africa. Naspers is also focused on e-commerce
opportunities and on internet service provider ("ISP")
operations. Naspers has an interest in the operations of China’s
leading instant messaging platform, Tencent. It will continue
to develop such interests in China and elsewhere. Naspers’ print
media and book publishing businesses are using their core competencies
to create new business opportunities over the internet. |
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| Maintain Local Approach |
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| Naspers has a track record of establishing or acquiring businesses
in developing markets such as Africa, the Mediterranean, Asia
and, more recently, Brazil. Naspers believes that a component
of its success in these markets is its emphasis on taking a local
approach. This may involve local partners and management teams
and incorporating linguistically and culturally tailored local
content in its service offerings. Naspers’ strategy is
to continue to take a local approach to content as it expands
its pay-television and internet businesses. |
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| Provide Quality Service |
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| Naspers views its subscriber platform business primarily
as a service business and, accordingly, places emphasis on
providing customer service. Naspers believes that this helps
build customer loyalty and reduce “churn” (a term
used to describe subscriber loss). Naspers seeks to achieve
quality customer service by operating service centers and utilising
advanced computer systems, which allow customer service representatives
to address customer concerns more quickly. |
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