The Parlotones, multiple award-winners and South Africa's biggest name in music, has partnered with Rectron in launching a Parlotones-branded Gigabyte notebook.
As a major local player in the ICT and consumer electronics markets, Rectron is sole local distributor for Gigabyte, a global leader in the manufacture of motherboards, notebook and desktop PCs, digital home appliances, networking servers, communications, mobile and handheld devices.
The Parlotones are very excited to work with Gigabyte as not only is the relationship unique and innovative, but both brands are on a similar path to prominent global positioning, says Raphael Domalik, Parlotones manager.
Yolandi Venter, Rectron marketing manager, adds that Rectron is currently working with Gigabyte to design and manufacture a tailor-made Parlotones notebook featuring custom screen savers and desktop wallpapers.
Everything is being custom-designed, from the packaging and notebook skin to the notebook sleeve itself, she explained.
We're looking at making the Parlotones-branded Gigabyte netbook widely available in retail stores across South Africa, including music stores. There are quite a few very exciting things happening in concert with their new tour coming up in October/November, and you'll see quite a bit of Gigabyte branding and promotion revolving around the tour.
SA's most important music brand
Domalik describes the Parlotones as the most important music brand in South Africa.
It is a brand that has been established on the highest levels of delivery not only in their live performances, but also in their recordings and their interaction with their fans, he says.
The Parlotones endorsing another brand immediately transcend their position in the market to such a brand. The Parlotones will involve Gigabyte in future tours and projects, which will emphasise their relationship and commitment to the brand.
Gigabyte is also being featured in the Parlotones' latest video, which Domalik says is the group's best; with a production value close to R2 million, he predicts it will receive global airtime in the millions.
“We are not only confident the video will receive global exposure, but will win many awards, as our videos always do,” he adds.
Music, style, dynamism
Venter adds that Rectron has long admired the Parlotones' music, style and dynamism, all of which have made the group very successful.
“We actually had the Parlotones for our year-end function last year and everyone in our company enjoyed their music,” she said.
“We then realised that this would be a good opportunity to partner with a great band like the Parlotones. They're clearly committed to out‑of-the-box thinking, and doing things differently, which is very similar to our style at Rectron. We don't like imitating or doing things like everyone else.”
She also emphasised that the partnership with the Parlotones was not a mere short-term project, but would be ongoing.
Venter points out that the Parlotones has been voted the best local band in South Africa, but has a much broader reach than most other local bands.
“They clearly have international appeal and will take South African music to new heights internationally,” she added. “They have delivered over 280 shows in 2008 across SA, the UK and Europe, with performances that have included Live Earth, Coke Fest, SXSW, Midem, Africa Day, IPL Global Broadcast and the 2009 Presidential Inauguration.”
The Parlotones' latest album is already platinum in South Africa and is due for release in UK/Europe and the US at the end of 2009.
The group recently added another endorsement to its string of awards; South Africa's Music Star of the Year at the fifth annual YOU Spectacular, held at the beginning of August 2009, at Emperors Palace, near Johannesburg.
Other awards include:
* South African Music Awards 2006: Best Rock Album
* You Awards 2007: Best Band
* FHM Readers Choice 2007
* MK Awards 2007: Best Video
* Resfest 2007 Best Video (nomination)
* Peoples Choice Awards 2008: Best Music Act
* Best Band Award: Caxton's best of JHB
* Loerie Kraft Award 2008 (first time a music video has won at the Loeries)
* MTV Africa 2008: Best Group nomination
* MTV Africa 2008: Best Alternative nomination
* MK Awards 2009: Best Video
* MK Awards 2009: Best Animation
* MK Awards 2009: Best Serenade
* SAMA Awards 2009: MTN Record of the year (nomination)
* SAMA Awards 2009: Best Global Chart DVD (nomination)
* SAMA Awards 2009: Best Music Video Of The Year
* International Songwriting Competition (ISC) 2008 Music Video (first place)
* International Songwriting Competition (ISC) 2008 Performance (second place)
Technical specifications of the new Parlotones Gigabyte notebook:
Rectron has based the new Parlotones-branded notebook on Gigabytes M1305.
“It's perfect for mobility empowerment,” explains Venter.
* Intel Core 2 Duo ULV U4100
* 13.3-inch LCD panel/WXGA with resolution high enough to allow users to watch movies, surf the Internet, and so on.
* Windows 7 compliance
* 2GB memory
* 320GB hard disk drive
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