Our History

2010

An exciting new ‘Soccer World Cup’ year dawns for South Africa.

RMS Media recognizing the need to encourage excellence in media representation is co-sponsor of the 2010 MOST Awards.

Rob Smuts remains committed to media education in South Africa, continuing in the capacity as Director of AMASA, a Section 21 company.

2009

RMS Media continues to build relationships, consolidating its client base and position in the media industry.

The specialist media agency celebrates record annual billings at their Wierda Valley, Sandton base.

2008

A move to custom built offices in Wierda Valley, provides a solid foundation for future growth in a space encouraging creative energy whilst serving as a welcome oasis for clients

2007

Merissa Himraj joins RMS Media from a client agency, bringing valuable new skills to the team

2005/8

Rob Smuts serves as Chairman of AMASA, successfully guiding the media association through a period when there is such critical need for delivery of media education in South Africa

2003

RMS Media celebrates its 10th Birthday by becoming the Johannesburg affiliate of Aegis Media’s Carat. A subsequent sale of the business was not concluded – RMS Media retaining its independence

Gloria Larkan joins RMS Media from Independent Newspapers to manage cash flow - the life blood of any Media Buying Agency

2002

RMS Media catches the attention of global media giant Carat - the media agency which pioneered the concept of media specialization in Paris in 1969

2000

RMS Media is bolstered by the addition of Angie Archer to the team. Angie having spent many years within the Y&R group, came across from Media by Storm (Media Edge). Angie’s wealth of experience has stood RMS Media’s clients in very good stead.

1997

Having shared office space with strategic business partners, RMS Media moves to an independent site in centrally located in Wierda Valley, Sandton

1994/95

RMS Media establishes a relationship with Gail Curtis’ fledging Old Shanghai network, and many of RMS Media’s early blue-chip account gains can be attributed to this powerful relationship. Fifteen years on, RMS Media is still active with the group.

1993/4

Early account gains include travel industry leader Logan’s Tours, whose directors launched regional airline Phoenix Airways and chartered Sudan Airways flights from Johannesburg to London.

RMS Media became the media partner to the consortium of communications specialists consulting to the IFP in the build-up to SA’s first democratic elections. The task became less about media strategy and more about mediation and negotiation, with the team playing a significant role in persuading the IFP to participate in the elections, and by so doing avoiding potential civil conflict.

Rob Smuts’ ex BLGK colleague, Erna Storm launches Media by Storm and awards the media buying of her new agency to RMS Media.

1993

Rob Smuts leaves Initiative Media to establish his own media business and in May 1993 RMS Media is launched.

1992/3

Rob Smuts in the position of Media Group Head at Lintas, (now Lowe Bull) is part of the team which establishes media agency Initiative Media - the global media arm of the Lintas worldwide network