Experience

BLACKLIST

• United Kingdom
• Advertising Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• General Manager NL

  • Sep 2023 - Present

• Creative Services Director

  • Oct 2022 - Sep 2023



Greenpark

• United Kingdom
• Advertising Services
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Head Of Production

  • Jun 2020 - Oct 2022

  As an integral part of our organization’s business development efforts, I'm primarily in charge of planning, producing and implementing superior quality production strategies while cultivating an efficient production team in the UK, ensuring seamless production operations. My daily commitments include mentoring team in developing exemplary content on scale aligned with project timeline and budget. I review and refine team framework, production techniques to outline achievable production costs estimates while generating high profits, enhancing system efficiency and increasing productivity. Additionally, I design and pitch creative content and concepts to potential clients. I address and resolve client concerns on matters of production to ensure maximum client satisfaction. I have also represented the organisation in UK Partnership meetings. My most notable achievements in this role include:• Established new creative department by splitting production team to effectuate higher performance and creative outcome; Appointed senior level employee as department head.• Expanded team of two producers into 15-member team of production, post-production and content specialists.• Increased largest production account on Unilever Food Solutions from 200K p.a. to 750K p.a. within three years.• Enlarged GPC production services to include remote production services, 2D animation and motion graphics design, and a production and creative team based in South Africa to oversee campaigns worth up to 100K within two years.• Fostered enduring and productive relationships with senior clients as primary point of contact, and nurture healthy collaboration within GPC production team. Show less

• Senior Content Strategist

  • Oct 2019 - Aug 2020

  In this position, I have administered branded social media content creation for client's channels by integrating client requirements with knowledge of respective industry, market trends and business growth potentials. I was at the helm of guiding diverse client portfolios in strategy building and execution. I tracked quality standards within content development and production teams, while introducing new quality control process within GPC. Further, I provided internal support on campaigns, coordinating with freelancers and respective teams to meet deadlines on content strategy and production activities and aid content integration. While I drafted and audited budget estimates for production and content-related operations, I have also analysed data and insights to apply to content planning and production strategies using SEO, consumer insights platforms and social media analytics. Show less



Little Lumps

• Johannesburg Metropolitan Area

• Digital Marketing Specialist

  • Jan 2014 - Sep 2022

  In successful completion of my responsibilities, I oversee website development and migration of ecommerce site from WooCommerce to Shopify. I augment social media and SEO content strategy building for website while executing Google AdWords campaigns and Facebook retargeting campaigns. I lead newsletter campaigns and development of seasonal campaigns and wholesale content strategies. I also direct sales with wholesale customers, and administer event and exhibition setups, marketing and management. I am in charge of implementing POS software and ecommerce payment gateway to enhance accuracy, consistency and efficiency in sales operations. I also engage in supplier negotiations. Some of my most notable achievements in this role include: • Acquired collective social media following of 45K. • Exceeded former online sales target of ZAR 60K p.a. in 2012 to generate up to ZAR 1M every year. • Secured Page 1 Google ranking for multiple organic pages. Show less



MediaRight

• Johannesburg Area, South Africa

• Director - Digital Marketing & Content Strategy

  • Mar 2017 - Oct 2019

  I established this organisation with the aim of tackling the high volumes of client portfolio by offering expertise in social media and digital marketing, as well as PR operations within the hospitality and tourism sectors. I strived to ensure timely development and delivery of transformational projects and social/digital media content to enhance client's brand image and improve brand visibility on digital platforms. I have also liaised with writers, developers and photographers to integrate social media, photography, online marketing, content writing, website management and PR skills to produce comprehensive, result-oriented and customised solutions aimed at creating impactful and high-quality brand management programmes. My key achievements in this position include: • Mobilised a four-member agency team to secure an average profit margin of 45%. • Supervised Tsogo Sun Hotels' social media account for offshore portfolio of eight hotels. Show less



Kate Els

• Johannesburg Area, South Africa

• Digital Marketing Consultant & Social Media Strategist

  • Jan 2013 - Feb 2017

  I partnered with clients from diverse industries in South Africa and emerging African markets to strategically develop business initiatives that were geared towards driving commercial growth. I sought to optimise market competitiveness of businesses by monitoring and launching digital marketing and social media programmes. I have also spearheaded a team of SMEs and build innovative projects aimed at accomplishing all objectives, while streamlining campaign strategies and engagement operations. My key achievements in this role include: • Collaborated with multiple eminent hotel groups, owning hotels in Africa and globally, and strengthened brand's prospects for organic growth by conducting in-depth research on multiple regional markets. • Strategised market-oriented social media activities and consulted for renowned brands, such as Jack Daniels, Tsogo Sun Hotels, AFKTravel, The Collection by Liz McGrath Hotel Group, Soweto Gold, African Travel Market Magazine, Intrepid Traveler Magazine, Native VML, Man&Machine, WAYN.com, Food & Home Entertaining, Sawubona Magazine, Licorice Africa and Poshprezzi Online Store. • Acquired 20K followers for Tsogo Sun Hotels Instagram account within three months by leveraging knowledge of social media strategy. Show less



South African Tourism

• South Africa
• Travel Arrangements
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Content Editor

  • Dec 2011 - Dec 2013

  My daily commitments in this position included designing digital/online convention, trade and consumer content and improving the content strategy to achieve company's growth objectives. I strived to navigated partnerships with various agencies to develop campaigns using appropriate marketing strategies, with a focus on effectively communicating messages to target audience. In doing so, I have boosted audience/consumer awareness by drafting external and internal marketing materials, and upgrading content proposition tactics. My key achievements in this role include: • Directed a 13-member editorial team in creating innovative and top-of-line website content to target South African Tourism Board's core markets; content translated and distributed to eight markets globally. • Orchestrated comprehensive content audit and migration of 5K+ articles into new CMS. • Collaborated with social media team in producing engaging content and custom-made materials for Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Wanderfly, Google+, TripAdvisor, Flickr and LinkedIn. Show less



Hotel & Restaurant magazine

• Johannesburg Area, South Africa

• Deputy Editor Gauteng

  • Mar 2011 - Dec 2011

  • Played a key role in ensuring coverage of key topics and contributed to the editorial direction of the online & print magazine. • Supported the audience growth and retention strategy by developing best digital practice – created a rolling schedule of social media updates across Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube. • Partnered with the sales team to devise execution strategies for online campaigns and provided regular reports on growth statistics. • Took the lead in writing promotional stories for clients and suppliers and developed bespoke content suited to the online and print publications. • Managed the design of the promotional website page and liaised with clients on creating appropriate online campaigns. • Acted as the main point of contact with developers to mitigate website errors and work on new developments. Briefed the design department on any required website changes in line with the strategic growth plans. Show less



Now Media (Pty) Ltd

• South Africa
• Book and Periodical Publishing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Deputy Editor

  • Jan 2008 - Mar 2011

  • I was responsible for managing the production of daily news, researching stories and determining suitability for the appropriate audience of inbound tour operators and local ground handlers. • Led the digital media strategy to effectively engage with relevant audiences. • Managed a team of freelance and in-house journalists to ensure production of high-quality content on a daily basis. • Performed analytical research on relevant industry trends that influenced the South African tourism landscape. • Wrote key features and attended national/international industry events and exhibitions, ensuring up-to-date coverage of major topics. • Led the development of a photo database to be used across all Now Media publications, sourcing pictures from various online sources, partners and clients. • Ensured that a consistent style was maintained across the publication and developed a style guide, driving continuous improvement efforts and promoting best practice across all departments. Show less



UJ Observer

• Johannesburg Area, South Africa

• News Editor

  • Oct 2005 - Oct 2007

  • Led key stories and brought together teams as needed to drive forward news operations. • Managed a small workforce, providing editorial and developmental guidance to fulfil required job parameters within required deadlines. • Planned coverage priorities for upcoming news events and provided continuous updates to the editorial team about relevant topics. • Wrote high-quality stories to suit a relevant student audience and liaised with other editorial departments to ensure consistency of content. • Attended weekly editorial staff meetings and led key discussions to promote best practice across all departments. • Oversaw production of the news section of the publication including the front page. • Planned and managed special projects and secured exclusive editorial content. Show less