In June 2010, Konica Minolta and the Vodafone Warriors launched the third annual League in Libraries programme in Auckland.

The Alexander Communications team was challenged to show kids that ‘reading and writing is cool’, and to encourage them to learn that reading is a valuable life skill whether they dream of becoming a rugby league player, doctor, firefighter or dancer.

Children were invited to write a short story or poem about their favourite Vodafone Warriors player for the chance to win a reading and writing session at an Auckland library with some of the team’s players. The four selected libraries that hosted League in Libraries 2010 were Pakuranga Library, Waitakere City Library, Glenfield Library and Manurewa Library.

Konica Minolta has received an overwhelming response from Auckland schools since the programme began in 2008. From just two schools, the programme grew to 50 schools (more than 500 entries) in 2009.

Each year, Konica Minolta has the tough job of choosing eight winning schools from the many entries. Not only do the students get to meet their favourite Vodafone Warriors players, but each of the eight schools receives two Canterbury of New Zealand rugby league balls and tickets to a Vodafone Warriors home game.

In addition to the library literacy sessions, League in Libraries 2010 included a surprise school visit from Vodafone Warriors NRL Reading Captain Jerome Ropati. Dropping by Northcote Primary School, Ropati presented overall winner Finn Nicholson with a signed Vodafone Warriors shirt, and tickets to a Vodafone Warriors home game for his entire class. Finn’s winning entry was a brilliant short story about the Warriors hat-trick win against the Brisbane Broncos which included colourful descriptions like ‘fighting over the ball like lions’.

Because League in Libraries Auckland received such a great response, there is consideration for a national campaign. To get the ball rolling, some of the Vodafone Warriors took the programme to one lucky Christchurch school – Central New Brighton School. Two classes were selected to meet some of the Vodafone Warriors players and take part in a League in Libraries activity afternoon. 

Results

The local community newspapers were very supportive and super-keen on the involvement of the Vodafone Warriors. We achieved excellent coverage in the Eastern Courier, Howick and Pakuranga Times, North Shore Times, Upstart Magazine, Christchurch Mail and Pegasus Bay News.

Popular children’s television show Studio 2 Live (TVNZ) were most interested in this initiative and sent host Matt Gibb along with his television crew to capture the action at Pakuranga Library. 

The clip included interviews with Vodafone Warriors NRL Reading Captain Jerome Ropati, team mate Michael Luck and stories read by participating students from Oranga School and Sunnyhills Primary School.

Vodafone Warriors Reading Captain Jerome Ropati reads with students from Te Papapa School, Onehunga

“Kevin Locke attacks the other team like he is a champion of wrestling. Steve Price is as tough as elephant skin, yet moves as slippery as a gecko. Brent Tate is like a train with no brakes – accelerating, huffing but never puffing.”

This inventive description of three Vodafone Warriors is the work of one of the many Auckland children whose creative juices are still flowing after the success of the Vodafone Warriors League in Libraries programme with two Auckland schools in 2008, and 50 schools (more than 500 entries) in 2009.

While the Vodafone Warriors aim to make their way up the National Rugby League (NRL) ladder this season, their latest endeavour off the field is continuing to inspire Auckland children to get reading and writing through the third annual League in Libraries programme, supported by Konica Minolta.

The League in Libraries initiative aims to improve the literacy levels of children aged seven to nine by encouraging them to learn the valuable life skills of reading and writing at an age where reading can become difficult.

“Konica Minolta has strong partnerships with many schools so we’re delighted to be supporting child development and education through the League in Libraries programme for a third year in a row and to help give Year Four and Five kids throughout Auckland a chance to be involved,” says National Marketing Manager Josh Byers. “The Vodafone Warriors are great ambassadors for the programme. If they say reading is cool, it means a lot in the minds of their young fans and we hope it will inspire kids to put pen to paper and get stuck into a good book.”

For a chance to meet the rugby league stars, children are asked to express their creative side by submitting an illustrated short story or poem incorporating their favourite Vodafone Warriors player.

The best classroom entries will be judged by Konica Minolta as well as Vodafone Warriors NRL Reading Captain Jerome Ropati. The top eight winning schools will be invited to meet some of the Vodafone Warriors at four special local library visits in July and August. To ensure all the winning schools get the chance to meet their favourite players, Konica Minolta will be providing transport to and from the library visits.

While the players are visiting the library, they will work with children to complete four literary activities, two of them centred on New Zealand books: Papa’s Donuts by Kate Moetaua, and Henry & the Flea by Brian Faulkner, a story about a young boy who dreams of one day playing for the Vodafone Warriors. Each child attending the library visit will receive a free copy of one of these books to take home.

The eight selected schools will also receive two Canterbury of New Zealand rugby league balls and tickets to a Vodafone Warriors home game. The student with the best overall story or poem will receive a signed 2010 Vodafone Warriors rugby league jersey.

“Working with the community is a big part of what we do,” says Vodafone Warriors player Jerome Ropati. “Players need to have more in their lives than simply training and playing, and initiatives such as the League in Libraries programme are a great opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our young people. Helping kids to develop their literacy skills is a really positive way to go.”

Schools can receive entry details by contacting Sonya Mills on 09 356 6897 or email sonya.mills@konicaminolta.co.nz. Completed entry forms and the short stories and poems from year 4 and 5 classrooms in the Auckland region can be sent to: League in Libraries Programme, Konica Minolta, Private Bag 92635 Symonds Street, Auckland. One entry form per classroom (unlimited student entries permitted per class). Entries close on Friday 4 June. The eight winning schools will be notified by 25 June.

The League in Libraries day will take place at the following locations and dates:

Pakuranga Library – Tue 20 July
Waitakere Library – Tue 27 July
Glenfield Library – Tue 3 August
Manurewa Library – Tue 10 August 

Visit www.warriors.co.nz for more information.

ends

Konica Minolta New Zealand’s new parent company, CSG Australia plans to expand its associated leasing operation, Leasing Solutions across the Tasman. 

CSG operates an identical print service in Australia, but does not have its own leasing business. 

Taking Leasing Solutions across to Australia has the potential to “double or triple the size of the business over the next few years” says Managing Director Denis Mackenzie.

Evan Johnson CEO Onesource

When our clients Konica Minolta informed us of their acquisition by a leading Australasian IT provider, Alexander Communications was on hand to advise on media strategy and also to handle the distribution of the breaking news and engage with media.

The change for Konica Minolta came with their purchase from parent company Onesource New Zealand by CSG, one of Australia’s leading IT services companies, providing integrated technology solutions to all major Australian markets. 

The move presents significant opportunity for Konica Minolta New Zealand. With the continued support of Konica Minolta Business Technologies Japan (which maintains its 10% stake in Konica Minolta New Zealand) and the new expertise of a larger Australian counterpart, Konica Minolta is well resourced and positioned for the future. 

Onesource Chief Executive Evan Johnson says Konica Minolta has prospered under the current ownership structure and management team, having continued to grow in a particularly difficult business environment.

This positive and transparent outlook has been maintained for the duration of the project, contributing to the responsive media coverage that the team secured. 

Results

The news of Konica Minolta’s acquisition by an Australian organization was widely received within a short timeframe. 

The AC team worked efficiently to distribute the breaking news across print publications and online platforms to secure widespread coverage.

The CSG acquisition featured across the main print publications including but not limited to the New Zealand Herald, National Business Review, Dominion Post and the Otago Daily Times.

The team also achieved great online mentions both locally and internationally, from computerworld.co.nz, skynews.co.nz and scoop.co.nz, to the Australian Securities Exchange – asx.com, the Sydney Morning Herald – news.smh.com.au, money.ninemsn.com and bigpondnews.com.

Evan Johnson CEO Onesource

CSG Limited of Australia has announced today that it has acquired the Onesource New Zealand businesses which include Konica Minolta Business Solutions New Zealand Limited and Leasing Solutions Limited for $132m NZD.

Konica Minolta New Zealand, a market leader in the provision of document management and print solutions, along with specialist equipment financing company Leasing Solutions Limited, has been sold to leading IT services and print solutions company CSG Limited of Australia.

CSG is one of Australia’s leading IT services companies providing end to end integrated technology solutions in all major Australian markets. CSG is the largest independent document solutions provider in Australia and the only ASX listed company head-quartered in the Northern Territory. CSG has significant expertise in the provision of integrated technology solutions to business and government.

The transaction has the full support of Konica Minolta Business Technologies in Japan, which will retain its 10% shareholding in the New Zealand business, as part of a long term joint venture relationship that ensures exclusive distribution and support of Konica Minolta products and services to the New Zealand market. It also facilitates direct access to Konica Minolta’s substantial research and development and manufacturing resources in Japan.

CSG is acquiring Onesource from the management buyout team led by Evan Johnson, which purchased the businesses in 2005.

Onesource chief executive Evan Johnson says the Konica Minolta and Leasing Solutions businesses have prospered under the current ownership structure and management team. Despite a difficult recessionary environment in recent times the businesses have continued to develop, grow and produce strong returns. Having come through the recession in good shape the businesses are well positioned for the future.

Mr Johnson says that teaming up with one of Australasia’s largest IT and print services companies and retaining the continued support of Konica Minolta Business Technologies in Japan will position the New Zealand business very strongly for continued success and growth. We are passing from one successful ownership structure to another – with an opportunity to build on the great results we have achieved in the past several years.

Mr Johnson will retain his role as the Managing Director of the New Zealand businesses and will join the CSG Australasian Steering Committee to support the development of the CSG business on both sides of the Tasman. “This is an exciting opportunity for our business as we combine our leadership position in New Zealand alongside a highly skilled team in Australia with the resources, the ability and the desire to embark on a significant growth programme.”

Mr Johnson will join a high powered team of print industry experts; including Philip Chambers, the current Chairman of CSG and ex Managing Director of Fuji Xerox Australia; David Ward, the ex head of Sales and Marketing for Fuji Xerox Australia; and Denis Mackenzie, the CEO and foundation shareholder of CSG. This team has worked together in the past very successfully and are looking forward to the opportunity to join forces again to set the market alight.

“From a customer viewpoint, the new ownership has a number of advantages,” Evan Johnson says. “Clearly CSG has significant financial strength and views Konica Minolta New Zealand as a long term, strategic business. The keys to success in the document solutions market are providing tangible value for customers, and matching high quality products with outstanding levels of service and support. We have excelled in all these areas in a difficult climate and we will continue to invest to ensure we stay at the top.”

Both Konica Minolta New Zealand and CSG are the largest independent document solutions providers in their respective countries. There are clear synergies between the two businesses. Evan Johnson says that the new ownership is extremely exciting for staff and customers.

According to Philip Chambers, “Onesource was a standout acquisition target due to its outstanding performance in the New Zealand market and the high calibre of the management team.”

The New Zealand businesses will continue to operate as independent operating companies within the CSG group.

Ends.

About CSG Australia
CSG Limited is one of Australia’s leading IT services and print solutions companies providing end to end integrated technology solutions in all major Australian markets including the Northern Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Western Australia.

CSG is the largest independent document solutions provider in Australia.

CSG is the only nationally listed company head-quartered in the Northern Territory. CSG is the largest ICT Company in the NT with significant expertise in the provision of integrated technology solutions to business and government.

Their client base is broad and covers both government, small to medium and large enterprises in the Northern Territory, Western Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland.

CSG offers services through three main business units: Managed Services, Enterprise Services and Print Services.

http://www.csg.com.au

Konica Minolta Business Solutions New Zealand
Konica Minolta Business Solutions New Zealand Limited is a unique, independent, Australasian-owned and operated business. Our clients benefit from our local management presence and ownership. Through our previous incarnation, U-Bix, we have been working with New Zealand businesses for over 35 years, helping to efficiently manage information flow and harness new document technology.

90% of Konica Minolta New Zealand is owned by CSG Australia. CSG Limited is one of Australia’s leading IT services and print solutions companies providing end-to-end integrated technology solutions in all major Australian markets. CSG is the largest independent document solutions provider in Australia and the only nationally listed company head-quartered in the Northern Territory. CSG has significant expertise in the provision of integrated technology solutions to business and government, clearly complimenting the Konica Minolta New Zealand business.

10% of our company is owned by the Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Japan. This connection gives us access to world acclaimed solutions, research and development, while still allowing us to service and support our customers with an award winning local service team.

Our goal is to be New Zealand’s leading printer and document solutions company; already we lead the market in solutions integration, office colour, production print and black and white printer/copiers and are now well placed to further consolidate our leadership position.

In addition to our connection with Konica Minolta in Japan, we have long-standing partnerships with other international technology leaders such as Oce, Hewlett Packard, Oki, Toshiba, Monitor, Create/Form, Alto and Alchemy. In fact, we have the most extensive hardware and software range in New Zealand.

www.konicaminolta.co.nz

Leasing Solutions Limited
Leasing Solutions provides leasing products for office technology equipment. Key customers include Konica Minolta New Zealand and other businesses such as Cogent Zintel, who operate in the telecommunications market.

Leasing Solutions commenced operations in 1995 and has been successfully managed by experienced financier, Peter March since 2002. Leasing Solutions is a stand-alone business in New Zealand

About Konica Minolta Corporation
Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc., is a global market leader in digital copying and printing. The group was formed on August 5, 2003 following an exchange of shares between Konica Corporation and Minolta Co., Ltd.  The merged entity has five operating companies and two ‘common function’ companies (research and development, and management support services).

Largest of the operating companies is Konica Minolta Business Technologies which carries out manufacturing, sale and related services of copiers, printers, facsimiles and related supplies.  Other operating companies handle optics, photographic materials and film technologies for medical and graphic imaging. In the latest quarter, Konica Minolta Business Technologies reported net sales of 144 billion yen, making up a substantial portion of the consolidated net sales for the group of 262 billion yen.

Manu Vatuvei and students from Ranui Primary school share a good book. Image courtesy of Photo Sport

In June 2009 Konica Minolta together with the Vodafone Warriors launched Rugby League Reads in Auckland.

The AC team was challenged to show kids that ‘reading is cool’ and to encourage them to learn that reading is a valuable life skill whether they dream of becoming a rugby league player, doctor, fire fighter or dancer.

Children were invited to write a short story or poem about their favourite Vodafone Warriors player for the chance to win a reading session at an Auckland library with some team members. There were four select libraries who hosted RLR 2009, a big thank you to Pakuranga, Waitakere, Glenfield and Manurewa libraries.

Konica Minolta received an overwhelming response from 50 Auckland schools and over 500 individual entries; unfortunately, they could only select eight winning schools.

In addition to the library readings, RLR 2009 included a surprise school visit from Manu Vatuvei. Dropping by Room 11 at St Thomas’s school, winner Zac Chan was presented a signed Warriors shirt by Vatuvei.

Results

The local community newspapers were very supportive and super keen on the involvement of the Vodafone Warriors. We achieved excellent coverage in the East and Bays Courier, Howick and Pakuranga Times, North Shore Times and the Western Leader.

The Vodafone Warriors Community Ambassador Manu Vatuvei was especially appealing and gained coverage in the New Zealand Herald on two occasions; Warriors fire young literary imaginations and Warriors at school spread the words.

Select Vodafone Warriors were also interviewed on radio; Kevin Locke and Manu Vatuvei featured on Newstalk ZB with Mike Hosking discussing their views on literacy and joking about each others reading skills.
Brent Jameson was interviewed on both BigFM and Radio Rhema regarding the RLR programme.

Online media also played a role on helping generate awareness about RLR with articles featured on times.co.nz, nzherald.co.nz, stuff.co.nz, infonews.co.nz and voxy.co.nz