Experience

FinMark Trust
• South Africa
• Financial Services
• 1 - 100 Employee
• Writer and Digital Communications Specialist

  • Nov 2022 - Present


Meraki Inc. (Pty) Ltd

• South Africa
• Public Relations and Communications Services

• Co-founder and Director

  • Jul 2016 - Present

  Media engagement strategy and implementation (message development, press releases, briefing packs, Q&A, fact sheets, interview support) Content marketing, strategy, development and implementation on key digital platforms (website, social media posts, management and reporting) E-mail marketing, creation and distribution (newsletters, e-mailers, invitations, database management) Marketing communications support and coordination Media engagement strategy and implementation (message development, press releases, briefing packs, Q&A, fact sheets, interview support) Content marketing, strategy, development and implementation on key digital platforms (website, social media posts, management and reporting) E-mail marketing, creation and distribution (newsletters, e-mailers, invitations, database management) Marketing communications support and coordination



DS Communications Practice

• Director

  • Feb 2016 - Present

  Marketing communications planning and implementation Internal communications plans, copy development and distribution E-mail marketing, automation and database administration on Mailchimp E-learning content development (script writing, instructional copy, assessments) and upload to Falkor Event coordination and copy development Business, corporate and professional profiles Business presentation and brochure content and layout Website copywriting and upload to WordPress Writing, editing and proofreading articles, opinion editorials, thought leadership, etc. Show less



Writing/Communications Consultant

• United States
• Writing and Editing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Writer

  • Aug 2015 - Feb 2016

  Writing: - Originating and developing content for newsletters, e-mailers, media releases, advertorials, opinion editorials, speeches, letters, business proposals, presentations, reports and any other writing requirements, according to the brief provided. Copy-editing: - Proof-reading and ensuring style consistency (prescribed style guides used when available) - Cross-referencing facts in content - Improving overall flow and quality of writing - Clarifying ambiguity and cutting down on jargon/wordiness Proof-reading: - Checking spelling, grammar, punctuation, typos - Incorporating regional English use - Cross-checking document against earlier versions Show less



Airports Company South Africa

• South Africa
• Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Communications Officer

  • Jan 2012 - Jul 2015

  - Support to all portfolios including Stakeholder Management, Socio-Economic Development, Brand and Experiential Marketing and Corporate Communications, which was the central contact point for all business units and airports at Airports Company South Africa. - All aspects of corporate communications, ranging from internal communications, external communications (media and brand) and internet/intranet management. Creativity, confidentiality and a high level of responsibility were required to deliver on briefs submitted by each portfolio and business unit. - Strategy and budgeting – adopting the business strategy and objectives while considering the media climate and customer needs for strategy preparation. Research, meetings with BU team leads and conceptualising ideas for activation to meet objectives were important for the planning process for the year ahead. Anticipating crises for media training and consciousness, developing external profiling campaigns and aligning corporate communications objectives to business strategies. - Interfacing directly with the CEO and executives was necessary for instances where information was confidential and needed to be treated with integrity and privacy. Direct instructions were issued to corporate communications for activation and delivery over and above daily operations. - Internet/intranet platform migration in collaboration with IT requirements – revamping, refreshing web content and meeting internal user needs to incorporate into the strategy before website go live. - Media monitoring and other measurement tools like surveys were key to understanding shortcomings and addressing them through the strategy. - Integrated Annual Report and Financial Results announcement – all requirements including event management, media management, message management and executive preparation where I played an integral role. Show less



Cotlands

• South Africa
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Fund Development: Communications

  • Jul 2009 - Dec 2011

  - Meeting fund development budget targets that required strong project management from concept to delivery, relationship management with all relevant stakeholders and developing suitable content for all communications platforms (acknowledgement letters, proposals, website content, electronic newsletters, direct mail) to maintain donor relations and support, as well as inspire corporates and individuals to support the organisation and its objectives. - The portfolio included Collection Tin Project Management (target: R1,2 million); Direct Mail (target: R3,3 million); Individual Giving (target: R1 million) website and intranet development; e-newsletter content development and distribution; social media and media releases. - The most successful projects and campaigns were the ones that were based on real interaction, creative execution and donor involvement. Participation in exhibitions, corporate events, site tours and visits, outings and party arrangements for the children formed part of the monthly activities of the organisation. - Media monitoring was used to measure and manage the high-risk perception that the organisation ‘wealthy’ when in fact, what was unknown at the time was that the NGO had a presence in six provinces that provided support for thousands of children in South Africa. - Involved in the change management process when the organisation changed strategic direction due to the low number of admissions of HIV-infected births in Gauteng. Reputation management was important in this instance to ensure the community and donors understood the reason behind, and the impact of, the decision to ensure sustainability of the organisation's objectives to continue its support for the children, where it was needed most. Show less



Adcorp Jobvest

• Accounts Executive

  • Sep 2007 - Jul 2009

  Facilitated recruitment advertising development and placement through content formatting, preparation and overwriting; queuing for DTP layout and ensuring compliance with brand templates; and submitting for media placement as requested by client.

• Quality Controller

  • Mar 2007 - Aug 2007

  Ensured the final delivery of screened and shortlisted candidates for vacancies were captured accurately and screened thoroughly.


Brandboxmedia / VIP24Seven
• VIP Contact Support Agent/Copywriter/Traffic Controller

  • Nov 2004 - Feb 2007