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JEANNIE D – TOP BILLING PRESENTER
Born and bred in Johannesburg, Jeannie knew from a young age that performing was her forte; as soon as she turned 12, she auditioned at The National School of the Arts (drama) and honed in on her acting and vocal skills. She accomplished and successfully managed to secure a number of lead roles in several theatre productions and a variety of commercials – such as inflight videos and as a poster girl for SAA. At 18 she enrolled at RAU where she studied a BA in Communications, joined the campus radio station Rau Radio, and managed to win the Miss Rau competition in 2002, all in a short period of time.
Looking for a new challenge, Jeannie packed her bags and relocated to the Mother City. With acting and radio experience under her belt, she happened to be in the right place at the right time when Good Hope FM was looking for new talent. Jeannie started off on the graveyard shift on a weekend slot as well as a daytime news reader – and within two months was given one of the top shows in radio - The Jeannie D Show.
She has fulfilled her dream by working in two of her favourite mediums. She is best known as the husky sensual voice on Good Hope FM whereby the city had the opportunity to tune into an energetic show every Monday to Friday for four hours, from 6pm to 10pm. She left in September 2006 to pursue her television career full time. From being the only lady in the dynamic DIY team of Janez, herself and Aidan, she has grown into one of South Africa’s most loved television personalities, and adds glamour, class and wit to any event she attends.
With Jeannie’s first-hand knowledge of the qualities needed in a Top Billing presenter, she will be lending her skills to help find the newest addition to the Top Billing team.
ALAN FORD – TELEVISION PRODUCER
Alan started his broadcast career with Radio 702 presenting a daily morning show and a weekend society show, interviewing the country’s top celebrities. He also produced Gareth Cliff's morning show on the same station. But it was television that called Alan and seven years ago he started 3talk on SABC3, wanting to bring the medium of daily talk to South African televisions for the first time. He then brought in Noeleen with great applause, and directed and produced the show every day.
Through the course of the years Alan has also produced a kids show, MC’ed for many premium events and contributed to many other shows and ideas. At the start of this year he created and produced his first independent television show with Tswelopele Productions Life's a Journey. Alan is also consulting producer for the new prime time talk show No Reservations. Now, after 12 years of broadcasting experience Alan has been called to use his extensive knowledge to help find South Africa's newest television star for Top Billing.
RISUNA MAYIMELE – SABC3 MARKETING MANAGER
Risuna Mayimele, the new SABC3 Marketing Manager is our third judge. Her passion for media and broadcast started when she enrolled for a journalism degree at Rhodes University, and since then she has never looked back. Risuna has extensive experience as a strategic planner in the advertising industry. She has worked in leading global advertising agencies in the area of strategic planning, both in South Africa and outside the country. She is also a seasoned researcher. Her encounter with the SABC started at Draft FCB as the Head Strategic Planner on the SABC account, where she played a major role in re-positioning SABC brands, including SABC1.
Prior to joining SABC Marketing, Risuna was working as a consultant in strategy and advertising, mainly in the areas of telecommunications and media locally and internationally. With combined understanding of advertising, a degree in communications and branding, Risuna is well poised to be part of the team selecting the newest Top Billing asset. She also brings with her fresh insight into both SABC3 and Top Billing brand.
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