Carina Smith-Allin - Disruptive PR expert
Founder at Mint PR- Claim this Profile
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French Elementary proficiency
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Afrikaans Full professional proficiency
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German Elementary proficiency
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English Full professional proficiency
Topline Score
Bio
Roché Derksen
Carina made a tremendous impact to DiDi, way beyond the scope of her work. Over and above being a communications and public relations expert, she added significant value in creating awareness of the brand, messaged the values of the company to the public, and implanted best practice within the company to ensure we are aligned on how we communicate across the board. Carina consistently demonstrates her commitment, as an expert communicator, to impact the lives of our riders, drivers, and employees. Carina is an inspirational and empathetic leader and was an absolute pleasure to engage with on a daily basis. She is an asset to any organisation and has proven her adaptability across many companies.
Nel de Jager
It is with great pleasure that I write this recommendation for my colleague, Carina. I have worked with Carina on a number of matters and I have found that she approaches all her work with utmost dedication, precision and enthusiasm. Carina possesses excellent communication skills, thinks big and has commendable knowledge of various of communication channels. She is certainly an expert in her field and I sincerely recommend Carina to any company or individual who wishes their brand to thrive!
Taj Meadows
If you ever get the opportunity, hire Carina! She is an excellent and passionate communications and government affairs expert. Carina cares deeply about what she does, she works hard to build a team and community around her, and she brings real gravitas in a profession where it can be hard at times to find someone with that perfect mix of experience and dedication. Carina helped us build a presence and an approach from the ground up, she helped to establish a strong team culture within the function and across the business, she found strong talent to support her team and she is always a delight to connect with on work, tennis or anything in-between. I’d hire her again in a heartbeat if I could :)
Roché Derksen
Carina made a tremendous impact to DiDi, way beyond the scope of her work. Over and above being a communications and public relations expert, she added significant value in creating awareness of the brand, messaged the values of the company to the public, and implanted best practice within the company to ensure we are aligned on how we communicate across the board. Carina consistently demonstrates her commitment, as an expert communicator, to impact the lives of our riders, drivers, and employees. Carina is an inspirational and empathetic leader and was an absolute pleasure to engage with on a daily basis. She is an asset to any organisation and has proven her adaptability across many companies.
Nel de Jager
It is with great pleasure that I write this recommendation for my colleague, Carina. I have worked with Carina on a number of matters and I have found that she approaches all her work with utmost dedication, precision and enthusiasm. Carina possesses excellent communication skills, thinks big and has commendable knowledge of various of communication channels. She is certainly an expert in her field and I sincerely recommend Carina to any company or individual who wishes their brand to thrive!
Taj Meadows
If you ever get the opportunity, hire Carina! She is an excellent and passionate communications and government affairs expert. Carina cares deeply about what she does, she works hard to build a team and community around her, and she brings real gravitas in a profession where it can be hard at times to find someone with that perfect mix of experience and dedication. Carina helped us build a presence and an approach from the ground up, she helped to establish a strong team culture within the function and across the business, she found strong talent to support her team and she is always a delight to connect with on work, tennis or anything in-between. I’d hire her again in a heartbeat if I could :)
Roché Derksen
Carina made a tremendous impact to DiDi, way beyond the scope of her work. Over and above being a communications and public relations expert, she added significant value in creating awareness of the brand, messaged the values of the company to the public, and implanted best practice within the company to ensure we are aligned on how we communicate across the board. Carina consistently demonstrates her commitment, as an expert communicator, to impact the lives of our riders, drivers, and employees. Carina is an inspirational and empathetic leader and was an absolute pleasure to engage with on a daily basis. She is an asset to any organisation and has proven her adaptability across many companies.
Nel de Jager
It is with great pleasure that I write this recommendation for my colleague, Carina. I have worked with Carina on a number of matters and I have found that she approaches all her work with utmost dedication, precision and enthusiasm. Carina possesses excellent communication skills, thinks big and has commendable knowledge of various of communication channels. She is certainly an expert in her field and I sincerely recommend Carina to any company or individual who wishes their brand to thrive!
Taj Meadows
If you ever get the opportunity, hire Carina! She is an excellent and passionate communications and government affairs expert. Carina cares deeply about what she does, she works hard to build a team and community around her, and she brings real gravitas in a profession where it can be hard at times to find someone with that perfect mix of experience and dedication. Carina helped us build a presence and an approach from the ground up, she helped to establish a strong team culture within the function and across the business, she found strong talent to support her team and she is always a delight to connect with on work, tennis or anything in-between. I’d hire her again in a heartbeat if I could :)
Roché Derksen
Carina made a tremendous impact to DiDi, way beyond the scope of her work. Over and above being a communications and public relations expert, she added significant value in creating awareness of the brand, messaged the values of the company to the public, and implanted best practice within the company to ensure we are aligned on how we communicate across the board. Carina consistently demonstrates her commitment, as an expert communicator, to impact the lives of our riders, drivers, and employees. Carina is an inspirational and empathetic leader and was an absolute pleasure to engage with on a daily basis. She is an asset to any organisation and has proven her adaptability across many companies.
Nel de Jager
It is with great pleasure that I write this recommendation for my colleague, Carina. I have worked with Carina on a number of matters and I have found that she approaches all her work with utmost dedication, precision and enthusiasm. Carina possesses excellent communication skills, thinks big and has commendable knowledge of various of communication channels. She is certainly an expert in her field and I sincerely recommend Carina to any company or individual who wishes their brand to thrive!
Taj Meadows
If you ever get the opportunity, hire Carina! She is an excellent and passionate communications and government affairs expert. Carina cares deeply about what she does, she works hard to build a team and community around her, and she brings real gravitas in a profession where it can be hard at times to find someone with that perfect mix of experience and dedication. Carina helped us build a presence and an approach from the ground up, she helped to establish a strong team culture within the function and across the business, she found strong talent to support her team and she is always a delight to connect with on work, tennis or anything in-between. I’d hire her again in a heartbeat if I could :)
Credentials
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Founding Member
The Marketing SocialFeb, 2023- Nov, 2024
Experience
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Mint PR
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South Africa
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Public Relations and Communications Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Founder
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Jun 2022 - Present
The world needs more disruptors, those who challenge the status quo and and become leaders, not followers. Offering a full suite of disruptive PR, Communications and Marketing approaches to all my clients! The world needs more disruptors, those who challenge the status quo and and become leaders, not followers. Offering a full suite of disruptive PR, Communications and Marketing approaches to all my clients!
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DiDi
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China
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Technology, Information and Internet
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700 & Above Employee
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Head of PR, Communications and Government Affairs Sub-Saharan Africa
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Sep 2021 - Apr 2022
Trusted advisor to global and local leadership Develop and implement a global and localised PR & Comms strategy for DiDi SA Support the team with the implementation of tools that will ensure a centralised communication approach Establishing and implementing of a Government Affairs framework and strategy for DiDi SA Crisis communication - implementation of a plan and committee for when the need arises Brand and reputation management Building and maintaining of media relationships Collaboration with external stakeholders to establish sponsorships and partnerships PR campaigns and events Spokesperson for the brand in the region Establish strategic partnerships Project management Social media marketing Develop regional sustainability approach, projects and narrative Monitoring and tracking of media and communication channels through Google Analytics and other methods Executive communication and elevated speeches Crisis communication and reputation management Policy advocacy Interpret and simplify complex business strategies to be communicated to all stakeholders Business planning Show less
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Pick n Pay
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South Africa
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Retail
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700 & Above Employee
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Head Of Communications
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May 2017 - Jun 2021
Established a fully functional Communications Department Develop and implement company Communication Strategy Transform decentralised communication into a centralised model with measurable results Drive Thought Leadership Produce strategic content for company publications, brochures, digital, etc. Change Management and Change Communication Public Relations and event management Social media marketing Produce content to support cross-functional collaboration that supports the company strategy Create content to support our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Drive communication as a strategic tool that improves morale and business outcomes Centralised company events plans Human Resources support Project Management (CSI, Sustainability and Digital Transformation) Social media management (LinkedIn and People n Planet) Continuous alignment to organizational strategy External communication Business planning Monitoring and tracking of all communication channels on Google Analytics and other methods Marketing campaigns - planning and execution Show less
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South32
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Australia
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Mining
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700 & Above Employee
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Head: Communications, Media, Brand and Events SA region
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Aug 2015 - Apr 2017
Develops the strategy and execution of a holistic communication capability, to enhance the brand and positioning of the orgnisation amongst all stakeholders Strategic communication strategy Public Relations Website Management Change communication and Change Management to support Culture Management Crisis communication Brand positioning nationally and internationally Thought leadership internally and externally Corporate material - content and publication thereof Speech writing for executive leaders - internal and external events Support other functional areas towards supporting the company's values and core branding activities. Create content and support the transformation agenda of the company through internal alignment and external positioning activities Media and social media management Event management Show less
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Rand Refinery Limited
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Bangladesh
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Armed Forces
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300 - 400 Employee
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Head Of Corporate Communications
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Sep 2012 - Aug 2015
Manage, revise and implement internal and external Communications Strategy Media relations, press releases and advertising Company Reports and corporate material (design, layout and content) Management of Corporate Social Investment projects, as well as identifying new projects Company newsletter Responsible for all design work, content management and production of corporate material Events management, global exhibitions and events Manage public relations and internal communications functions Customer relations (content production and management) Website management, content writing and design Assist all departments with campaigns, events, empowerment of employees and audit requirements Relationships with executive team and key stakeholders in other business units Brand Management and brand positioning Subject matter speech writing Positioning of executive members globally Management and development of communications team Social media management Stakeholder management - international and national, including public and private sector Develop and implement a Though Leadership strategy Show less
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Mintails SA
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West Rand
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Group Head: Communications, Events and Stakeholder Engagement
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Jul 2009 - Aug 2012
• Manage investor relations • Internal and external communication strategy • Media management and global announcements • Management of Corporate Social Investment projects and identifying of new projects • ASX and JSE listing requirements • Website management and design • Corporate reputation and stakeholder management • Strategic planning • Company Reports - Due Diligence - Production of all corporate material, including Annual Reports • Manage investor relations • Internal and external communication strategy • Media management and global announcements • Management of Corporate Social Investment projects and identifying of new projects • ASX and JSE listing requirements • Website management and design • Corporate reputation and stakeholder management • Strategic planning • Company Reports - Due Diligence - Production of all corporate material, including Annual Reports
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AngloGold Ashanti
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South Africa
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Mining
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700 & Above Employee
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Senior Communication Manager
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Jul 2003 - Jun 2009
Internal and external communications CSI projects - execution of sponsorships and project management Media releases - 7 operations Stakeholder engagement Internal and external campaigns Production of corporate material Company presentations Internal and external communications CSI projects - execution of sponsorships and project management Media releases - 7 operations Stakeholder engagement Internal and external campaigns Production of corporate material Company presentations
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Education
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1991 - 1995
North-West University/Noordwes-Universiteit
BBK, Communication and Media Studies -
2009 - 2009
Intec College South Africa
Diploma in Advanced Photography, Photography -
1991 - 1995
North-West University / Noordwes-Universiteit
BA Communication, Communication, Radio, Television, Film, Graphic Design, Photography, German, French -
1980 - 1990
Danielskuil High School
BA. Communication, English, Maths, Business Economics -
1980 - 1990
Danielskuil High School
Bachelor of Communication, High School/Secondary Diplomas and Certificates
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