Kagiso Media Radio (KMR) has announced the appointment of Mervyn Naidu as Commercial Manager for Time Out South Africa, a move aimed at strengthening the company’s leadership and driving new revenue opportunities across the radio and lifestyle media sectors.
In his new role, Naidu will oversee business operations and lead commercial growth initiatives, working closely with the editorial and finance teams to maximize opportunities for both audiences and advertisers.
KMR’s partnership with Time Out, the global lifestyle brand that connects people with the best experiences in their cities, was launched in December 2024 as part of the broadcaster’s strategy to expand its reach beyond traditional radio. Time Out South Africa currently operates in Cape Town and Johannesburg, with Durban and Pretoria next in line for rollout.
Naidu brings over 20 years of media industry experience, having previously served as Head of Business Development at Mediamark and worked in direct sales at Jacaranda FM. His appointment reflects KMR’s ongoing commitment to creating strong synergies between radio broadcasting and experiential lifestyle media.
“I love the opportunity of a challenge,” Naidu said. “This role brings the experience economy to life and opens creative spaces for brands to get involved. The strength and reputation of the Time Out brand, combined with its successful international campaigns, offer great leverage and opportunity across South Africa.”
He added that his focus will be on building lasting partnerships with local clients and delivering trusted, creative campaign executions that meet the evolving needs of advertisers.
Anthea Carstens, General Manager of Kagiso Media Radio Publishing and Time Out South Africa, described Naidu’s appointment as “a key step in KMR’s mission to create meaningful audience and brand experiences.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Mervyn as our new Commercial Head,” Carstens said. “His expertise will be instrumental in driving growth and ensuring we deliver innovative value to our clients and audiences. Together, we look forward to achieving new milestones and creating offerings that combine creativity, impact, and audience engagement.”
With Naidu’s appointment, KMR aims to further align its radio and digital platforms with lifestyle-driven content, giving advertisers a powerful blend of reach, relevance, and cultural connection across South Africa’s vibrant cities.