PUBLISHING
During her eighteen-year career as an academic publisher, Justa worked with a wide variety of authors, publications, departments and institutions in the Higher Education sector. She was responsible for the commissioning, development, production, marketing and project management of numerous leading academic and professional publications. During her publishing career, she gained extensive experience and knowledge of the entire sphere of publishing for the tertiary and professional market at major publishing houses, including McGraw-Hill Book Company, Macmillan-SA, Southern Book Publishers, Juta & Company and Van Schaik Publishers.
NEW MEDIA
In 2001, Justa published “CYBERLAW @ SA, The Law of the Internet in South Africa” – a project which coincided with the start of the digital revolution in the publishing industry. This publication was also the point in her career where her focus moved to electronic and digital publishing platforms. Justa’s career was further enhanced by business and organisational experience, gained while working on the following projects:
Content Solutions Online (CSOL) – In 1999 Justa conceptualised, developed, established and managed the first South African content packaging and print-on-demand business enterprise, focussed on the tertiary market.
Naspers DAM Project (Digital Asset Management) – As Content Manager of the Project Team, Justa did research on a business, technical and legal model for a centralised digital repository, digital rights management and digital distribution of Naspers/Media24 Group content.
Naspers (N, M & E Media Groups) – Business Development/Content Broker
Eduflex.com – New Business Development
McGregor-BFA (InSite) – Content Consultant
EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE
Considerable experience of:
content-commerce models;
technology trends; and
electronic publishing.
An understanding of the content requirements of tertiary, academic and corporate markets.
Knowledge of intellectual property and the copyright requirements of content owners.
Experience of successful transition from traditional publishing to new media.
Understanding and knowledge of the technical requirements for content packaging, in various formats, for delivery to different platforms.
AFRICAN SUN MeDIA (ASM)
Towards the end of 2002 Justa submitted a proposal to Stellenbosch University for the establishment of a university press, based on an integrated, new media model. AFRICAN SUN MeDIA was subsequently launched on 1 March 2003, as an incubation project within the University, under Justa’s management.
Based on an integrated model for publishing and trading of various content types, SUN MeDIA was soon established as a publisher of scholarly, research and general content – under the imprints SUN PReSS and Rapid Access Publishers (RAP). Since July 2004 all ASM publications have been sold via their own online store, SUN-e-SHOP, as well as through leading bookstores.
In July 2006 the Printing Department of Stellenbosch University was also placed under ASM management, in order to prepare this service department for privatisation and commercialisation within ASM.
SUN MeDIA Stellenbosch was established as a company in January 2007, in partnership with Stellenbosch University and with Justa as the CEO and MD. Under her management, the digital printing and binding units of the print plant were privatised and incorporated into the new company in August 2007.
SUN MeDIA Bloemfontein, based on the same integrated model, was established with Justa as the CEO and MD in January 2009, in partnership with the University of the Free State.
SUN MeDIA MeTRO, providing the same value offering, services and products to clients in Gauteng and surrounding areas, was established in Gauteng in March 2010, with Justa as the CEO and MD.
These companies form part of AFRICAN SUN MeDIA (Pty) Ltd (the holding company), of which Justa is the Managing Director.
Combining the background of her years as an academic publisher with her subsequent development in the area of digital platforms and new media, Justa is well equipped to further build and position AFRICAN SUN MeDIA as a leading publishing group, integrated content manager and specialist supplier of publishing and printing services for the higher education market and the private sector.