Supa Strikas was previously distributed by City Press and has enjoyed an exceptional response from readers. The increasing demand for copies has necessitated a move to the Sunday Times - South Africa's largest circulating newspaper.
Supa Strikas is now distributed in four African countries including Botswana, Namibia, Nigeria and South Africa and enjoys an overall circulation of approximately 900 000 copies per month.
Supa Strikas is the gripping story of a professional soccer team and its colourful and entertaining characters. The story begins when the super-talented Shakes Mokena is spotted playing in a local amateur league and follows his colourful rags-to-riches tale.
A weekly full-page strip in the Sunday Times Magazine will complement the mid-month Supa Strikas supplement. Supa Strikas already enjoys a large and very loyal fan base, with thousands of official Supa Strikas Supporters Club members. Literally thousands of fans letters, applications and phone calls are received every month.
Supa Strikas is produced by local entertainment group, Strika Entertainment, and is licensed to Supa Strikas SA (Ltd) a joint venture with the Sunday Times. Supa Strikas has secured team sponsorship from a number of leading brands including Caltex, Nike, Vodacom, Metropolitan Life and Coca Cola.
"Recent research on Supa Strikas by BMI Sponsor Watch and Consumer Insight Agency (CIA) indicated that our readers are exceptionally loyal and would follow the product to a larger circulating carrier. The move to Sunday Times will therefore widen the products exposure without compromising the relationship with existing fans," said Oliver Power, Director Strika Entertainment.
"The Supa Strikas phenomenon continues to gather momentum and the product is rapidly becoming a household brand from Lagos to Cape Town and providing our sponsors with a unique marketing and brand building tool," said Andrew Smith, Director Strika Entertainment.
A number of related products are planned for release later this year including a collector's annual, branded clothing, games and other merchandise.
