During the last 18 months, Mr. Herbert Armstrong has visited the governmental leaders of most of the 10 states that comprise Southern Africa. As a result of the wide publicity and attention Mr. Armstrong's visits and message have received here in Africa, AICF and the Church have become prominent in the public eye. So the launch of the international edition of QUEST/78 became a must.
Just before the Feast of Tabernacles, Jack Martin and Tony Vinter (Quest's International Circulation Director) arrived in South Africa to investigate the possibilities for Quest. An extremely competent professional team was subsequently selected to handle the launch and distribution of QUEST/78 in January. Promotion of the magazine will be extensive throughout Southern Africa, with a great deal of free publicity being offered to us.
The advertising firm, Bates Wells and Rostron, is one of the most successful around. They have designed ads that will appear in trade journals and consumer publications. They will also use radio spot ads. Cinema ads (cinemas are very popular in SA) will be shown with the films Star Wars and The Deep. QUEST/78 will be displayed in the lobbies of theatres and also on sale at the concession stands. That has never happened in SA before. The firm will also prepare material for each retail outlet to draw attention to QUEST/78. They are all pulling out all the stops to do the best job possible.
The distributors, Central News Agency, are overwhelmingly the largest and most prestigious in Southern Africa. CNA have given a full window display, in all their top shops for the entire week of the launch to QUEST/78, free of charge. They will also give ad space to QUEST/78 in newspapers in all major cities. Again free! A public relations firm, Group Editors, has been engaged by QUEST/78 to provide radio and television interviews, press releases for trade journals and consumer publications, etc.
David Hulme, from England and a minister in the Church, keeps his finger on all the details and assures that everything that needs doing is done. And done in accordance with our overall aims and goals. He will also oversee the direct mail shot of 180,000 to coincide with the launch on January 18.
The spin-off from Quest/78 will be enormous. Enormous is too small a word. Firstly we gain so many contacts, in so many areas; and that is vital in doing other jobs — primarily the visits of Mr. Herbert Armstrong and Mr. Raider proclaiming the Kingdom of God. Secondly, when Mr. HWA is here, or anything occurs that we want promoted, press releases and publicity can now be arranged. This is already being worked on for Mr. Rader's trip this month. Thirdly, with the help of the people engaged in launching OUEST/78, we can also distribute Mr. GTA's book The Real Jesus in Southern Africa. Hopefully, it may also be possible to have his syndicated column in newspapers here. Both are being worked on now. QUEST/78 distribution is also being planned for Kenya, Egypt, and hopefully, Nigeria.
Quest/78 Launch In Africa
Worldwide Church of God