Experience

• 

  Optiven Limited

  • Nairobi, Kenya

  • Head of Media & Advertising

    • Feb 2017 - Present
    • Nairobi, Kenya

    • Developing and implementing public relations/communication strategies and policies for the Group.• Developing and maintaining comprehensive stakeholder relations for both the external and internal publics.• Proactively liaising with media to highlight a positive image of the entire Group’s Strategic Business Units and the Group’s Foundation.• Creating, editing and dispatching information/content for dissemination to the public and the media.• Creating innovative and relevant content for the Group’s Website and blogs.• Management of internal publications including the Group’s Newsletter.• Planning and managing all the Group’s internal and external events.• Media monitoring for print and electronic media, identifying areas that need the Group’s attention and appropriate action.• Ensuring preparation of media materials: supplements, documentaries, press releases/media features.• Providing counsel and oversight for the corporate image, reputation and communication to the management.

• 

  Commerce & Industry Magazine (Contact Publishers Limited)

  • Nairobi - Kenya

  • Managing Editor

    • Apr 2012 - Jan 2016
    • Nairobi - Kenya

    Reading copy to detect and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax; Preparing rewriting and editing copy to improve readability/supervising others who do this work; Developing story or content ideas, considering reader or audience appeal; Verifying facts, dates, and statistics, using standard reference sources and Editing for libel.Reading, evaluating and editing manuscripts or other materials submitted for publication and conferring with authors regarding changes in content, style, organization, or and house style; Acting as chief custodian of media house policy; Reviewing and approving proofs submitted by composing room prior to publication production; Conferring with management and editorial staff members regarding placement and emphasis of developing news stories and Planning the contents of publications according to the publication's style, editorial policy, and publishing requirements.Chairing regular meetings with writers, designers, marketing directors, and production managers to discuss projects and resolve problems; Overseeing publication production, including artwork, layout, computer typesetting, and printing, ensuring adherence to deadlines and budget requirements; Allocating print space for story text, photos, and illustrations according to space parameters and copy significance, using knowledge of layout principles; Monitoring news-gathering operations to ensure utilization of all news sources, such as press releases, telephone contacts, radio, television, wire services, and other reporters; Assigning topics, events and stories to individual writers/reporters for coverage and Making manuscript acceptance or revision recommendations to the publisher.Interviewing and hiring writers and reporters, negotiating contracts, royalties, and payments.

• 

  Commerce & Industry Magazine

  • Nairobi - Kenya

  • Senior Business Writer

    • Feb 2008 - Apr 2012
    • Nairobi - Kenya

    Reporting and writing news stories for publication.Preparing press interview protocols. Arranging press interviews with people who can provide information about a particular business stories.Carrying out press interviews.Attending press conferences and press briefings.Reviewing copy and correcting errors in content, grammar, and punctuation, following prescribed editorial style and formatting guidelines.Reviewing and evaluating notes taken about event aspects in order to isolate pertinent facts and details.Determining a story's emphasis, length, and format, and organizing material accordingly.Researching and analyzing background information related to stories in order to be able to provide complete and accurate information.Filing stories.

• 

  http://www.kenyalondonnews.org (London Africa Media Network Limited)

  • London - United Kingdom

  • Correspondent News Writer

    • Mar 2006 - Feb 2008
    • London - United Kingdom

    Preparing press interview protocols.Carrying out press interviews.Attending press conferences and press briefings.Researching and analyzing background information related to assigned stories.Filing and uploading stories on news website.