ABOUT BLANKPAGE CONSULTINGBlankPage Consulting was founded in September 2017, by Deirdré van Zyl Smit after she had served for nearly two decades in a variety of communication roles - including a colourful stint at one of South Africa’s top banks and loyalty programmes. The BlankPage Consulting team have extensive experience in both the agency and corporate worlds, at a senior level. BlankPage Consulting’s services include Change Management, Internal & Stakeholder Communications, Brand Management, and Social Media – from niche ventures to big-budget projects and everything in between. The team has deep domain expertise in a number of sectors including financial services, loyalty, ICT, and consumer goods & services. Extensive experience in strategy, planning, and implementing in both B2B and B2C campaigns, allows the BlankPage Consulting team to pull from both corporate and agency experience in fulfilling client briefs, something that is especially pertinent today as these spaces increasingly overlap. The future of change-tactics and communication is bright and exciting; technology has allowed us to become and communicate so much more and quicker while reaching a wider audience compared to what was possible just the other day. BlankPage Consulting specialises in serving mid-size customers, helping them to establish their brands, and take their products and services to market. ABOUT MEAs a communications all-rounder, I have a passion for communication in all its various forms – fuelled by a desire to connect people through truthful and impactful messages. I started BlankPage Consulting in the quest for better work life-balance, and a chance to start with a fresh slate - for me - and fill a blank page for my clients. I’m inspired by gutsy businesses and leaders who are keen to experiment and embrace different methods of communication to bring about fundamental change in small and large organisations alike. On a personal note - I’m a wife and mom. I make sure I am visible, involved, and available for the small things too – because like Robert Brault said, one day, the small things will turn out to be the big things. Let’s connect!Deirdré
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OwnerBlankpage ConsultingCape Town, Wc, Za
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Lead FacilitatorSense To Solve Jan 2020 - PresentSpecialises in:FacilitationChange ManagementContent creationApplied creativityStrategyLeadership developmentDecision-makingThinking skills and toolsBehavioural scienceLEGO Serious Play® certified facilitator -
OwnerBlankpage Consulting Sep 2017 - PresentCape Town, Western Cape, South AfricaFor businesses to thrive in this connected era, they need to build relationships with their suppliers, employees, customers and the communities they live and work in. At BlankPage Consulting, we believe that communications are the most effective tool businesses can use to reach such a wide variety of audiences, engage meaningfully with them, and build those relationships. A business’ brand is a code that tells the world what that business is about, what it values, and what it stands for. This branding needs to be appropriately aligned with your business’ identity, and extend from email signatures and stationery, to your website, social media, and anywhere you have a physical or virtual presence. Your brand sets the scene, and communications drives the production forward. What you say, how you say it, how you engage your people, all need to align with your stated brand values. BlankPage Consulting has deep insights into the overall communications function and how this can drive business goals - from branding to social media, corporate communications and change management. Contact us today to discuss your needs and how we can bring them to life. Highlights:Judge: Internal/Change communication category for IABC Atlanta entries (Sep 2017)Keynote: Change Management (Feb 2018)Keynote: Change Management (May 2018)Community & Stakeholder engagement (Mar 2019)Keynote: Internal Branding & Employee Experience (Jul 2019)Keynote to Nuffic Neso South Africa, in partnership with Scharp Communication: Your personal brand on Social Media (Sep 2019)Keynote: Internal Brand Communication & Engagement Summit (Nov 2019)Keynote: Internal Communication & Employee Engagement Amid CoVid-19 Virtual Summit (Jul 2020)
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Change & Internal CommunicationFnb South Africa Jul 2016 - Aug 2017SandtonDay-to-day my team and I were responsible for all communication from the Bank's Product Houses to frontline bankers, across 3 sub-segments. Accuracy and timeous delivery of info were critical to business success. In addition, the department under my leadership were responsible for all campaigns about new products & services, with concise delivery of information being crucial to ensure understanding and change in behaviour. Highlights:Initiated a communications repository to serve as an efficient and controlled communications hub (2017)Judged Financial Services category for Prism Awards (2017) -
Head Of Corporate CommunicationsEbucks Jan 2013 - Jun 2016Johannesburg Area, South AfricaAs head of corporate communications at the leading South African rewards programme, I was responsible for developing and driving the internal and external communications strategy for eBucks Rewards. I worked closely with the senior management team, as well as FNB and RMB Private Bank to define and communicate news for the reward landscape in South Africa.Highlights:2013 - Communicating the eBucks Rewards rebrand2015 - Effectively managing internal communication about the incorporation of a 60-person external team into the core eBucks Rewards team2015 - Drove announcement of the hugely significant R5 billion in rewards-milestone in eBucks Rewards’ 15th year2016 - Launched the FNB Withdraw service with PayPal in Botswana -
Account Director & Johannesburg Branch ManagerRed Ribbon Communications Jan 2007 - Dec 2012Johannesburg Area, South AfricaResponsible for formulating and implementing targeted PR and media relations campaigns for local and multi-national ICT clients. Quality media relations ensured maximum media coverage in a very challenging environment.Highlights:2009 - Promoted to Account Director2009 - Opened up the Johannesburg arm of the business2010 - Grew the team and drove new business -
Account ExecutiveLange Strategic Communications Aug 2004 - Dec 2006Cape Town Area, South AfricaAssisted in managing media relations for several blue-chip clients, including Levi Strauss SA, Johnnie Walker, Archers Aqua and Cape Velvet Cream. I managed product placement for all the brands in leading consumer magazines.Highlights:2007 – Assisted with the launch of Johnnie Walker Gold 2008 – Assisted with the introduction of Baileys Irish Cream to the South African consumer market
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Pr & Marketing CoordinatorGourmet Festival Oct 2002 - Jul 2004Cape Town Area, South AfricaThis was a dream first job. I jumped straight into the action by driving the PR for the Good Food & Wine Show, which was the most prominent food & wine shows in South Africa at the time. I got to rub shoulders with international celebrity chefs, and built on their attendance to drive publicity for the events associated with the bi-annual Gourmet Festival.
Deirdre Van Zyl Smit Skills
Deirdre Van Zyl Smit Education Details
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Public Relations Management -
Outeniqua High School
Frequently Asked Questions about Deirdre Van Zyl Smit
What company does Deirdre Van Zyl Smit work for?
Deirdre Van Zyl Smit works for Blankpage Consulting
What is Deirdre Van Zyl Smit's role at the current company?
Deirdre Van Zyl Smit's current role is Owner.
What schools did Deirdre Van Zyl Smit attend?
Deirdre Van Zyl Smit attended Cape Peninsula University Of Technology, Outeniqua High School.
What are some of Deirdre Van Zyl Smit's interests?
Deirdre Van Zyl Smit has interest in Ict Trends, New Technology, Children, Environment, Education.
What skills is Deirdre Van Zyl Smit known for?
Deirdre Van Zyl Smit has skills like Public Relations, Account Management, Marketing Communications, Online Marketing, Media Relations, Publicity, Marketing Strategy, Copywriting, Social Media, Online Advertising, Strategic Planning, Profile Building.
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