Event branding specialist Icon announced today that it has opened an office in Johannesburg, South Africa. This venture is the latest in a series of international developments to be implemented by Icon and increases the company's ability to operate on a truly international scale. The company, which will be led by Mandla Sibeko, has been established in partnership with, and with significant help and support from Johannesburg based Tone Digital (Pty), one of the leading digital print and signage companies in South Africa.

John Francis, managing director of Icon, commented; “The South African market for high quality event branding and signage is burgeoning, especially with the news that the country will be hosting a number of key sporting events including the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2009 and the FIFA World Cup in 2010. We have already worked with Tone Digital on a project in Malawi for Sochi 2014 and found that there was a natural affinity between their knowledge of the local market and our broad experience of handling these large scale events. It is not just football; the governing bodies from cricket, golf and rugby are also considering the country for future international fixtures and tournaments.”

Founded in October 2000, Tone Digital (Pty) Ltd has rapidly established itself as a designer and provider of high quality outdoor advertising installations. Gary Catterick, founder of the company, commented; “We are delighted about the agreement with Icon and I believe that our complementary skills and expertise will provide a highly professional and innovative team, who will utilise our in-house production and logistical resources not only to provide our customers with world class solutions for world class events, but also to establish the legacy of a leading international event branding company based in South Africa.”

Icon South Africa is proud to be part of the BEE (Black Economic Empowerment) scheme.

More information about Icon and its range of products and services can be obtained by visiting the website, www.icondisplay.co.uk or tel: +44 20 8302 4921. For more information about Tone Digital visit www.tonedigital.co.za

Background

Founded in 1947 Icon has over 50 years of experience in signage and branding. From its headquarters in the SE of England it employs nearly 70 full time staff, who are able to offer a full range of services including creative design, digital and screen printing, sign writing and full advice and installation support services across the company's range of signage solutions.

More recently the company's work on international projects has led to the establishment of offices in Berlin, Doha, Ontario and Delhi, and plans are in place for additional new ventures further afield. All this is supplemented by the company's ability to provide complete project management solutions to meet clients' requirements for design, print, permanent and temporary signage.

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For sales enquiries please contact:

Andrew Hodson, Sales & Marketing Director Tel: + 44 (2) 08 269 6213

Icon Mobile: + 44 (0) 7931 382262

Email: andrewh@icondisplay.co.uk

For media enquiries please contact:

Avril Chaffey, PR Consultant Tel: + 44 (0)7765 343565