Four of the most dynamic publishing groups in South Africa have joined forces to form the publications consortium for the 2003 Cricket World Cup. They are New Africa Publications (NAP), Mail & Guardian Publishing (M&G), Penguin Books (South Africa) and Touchline Media.

Together they will produce all the official publications, ranging from match programmes, the glossy tournament brochure, a variety of cricket books that will include a coffee table pictorial history of the previous seven World Cup tournaments, media and visitors guides and tourist information booklets.

Ali Bacher, executive director of 2003 CWC, said: "We are delighted that publishing groups representing such different backgrounds have come together in this exciting project. The Cricket World Cup in South Africa goes way beyond mere bat and ball and the diversity represented by the companies in our publications consortium is indicative of our desire to conquer new horizons. Through the many respected titles published by these companies the message of the Cricket World Cup will now be taken into all the communities of our country."

NAP, which forms part of the NAIL group, publishes the influential, mass-circulation Sowetan and its weekend partner, Sowetan Sunday World, the fastest growing Sunday title in South Africa. Among its other subsidiaries is David Phillip Publishers.

Touchline Media, South Africa's most successful sports and healthy lifestyle publisher whose variety of popular magazines includes SA Sports Illustrated, represents Media24, a company which forms part of the giant Naspers group.

M&G Media's flagship publication is the Mail & Guardian newspaper and is partly owned by the Scott Trust in London, which also owns the respected UK daily, The Guardian.

Penguin Books needs little introduction to a country that is broadly familiar with its famous imprint and equally renowned stable of authors.

Colin Hall, chairman of the 2003 CWC selection committee that considered all tenderers for the tournament's publications requirements, said the motivation for selecting four companies to form a consortium was to encourage synergies which would benefit one of the greatest sporting events ever to be held on the African continent.

Dr Bacher also announced that the consortium companies will have sole right as publishers to the use of the World Cup logo and mascot as part of their promotional material for the tournament which will run from February 7 to March 19, 2003.

The four companies had the following to say about their appointment:

Marc Blachowitz, Managing Director, Touchline Media: "Touchline Media is immensely proud and honoured to have been selected as one of the print consortium members responsible for all the print projects for this historic event. With a ten-year proven track record as South Africa's most successful and respected sports and healthy lifestyle publisher, our vision is to produce world-class publications that will positively contribute to the overall effectiveness of the event."

Alison Lowry Managing Director, Penguin Books: "Penguin Books looks forward to working side by side with our publishing partners on a range of exciting products for the 2003 Cricket World Cup. We are delighted to be able to make a contribution to this prestigious event."

Alec Davis, Financial Director, NAP: "New Africa Publications is honoured to be part of the Print Consortium for the Cricket World Cup 2003. We are, and will remain, committed to producing print product that will be in keeping with the spirit of inclusiveness, and the overriding intention will be the benefit to sporting development and acknowledgment of all South Africans who have contributed to the sport in this country, irrespective of colour."

Maggie Davey, Publisher, M&G Media: "Mail & Guardian Publishing is delighted to be a partner in the print consortium for the Cricket World Cup 2003. We will be producing several products which we are confident will do the CWC and the country proud. It is a great opportunity to highlight the game of cricket, cricketing heroes, emerging talent and the spirit of Africa."

© 2003 CWC