Managing client relationships and building long-term partnerships with key (creative and tech) suppliersGenerating new business and identifying growth opportunities within current client contractsDeveloping the Sprout consultants-based teamOverseeing PR campaigns from creative brief to implementation and deliveryTaking ownership of storytelling with new and creative ideas, driving the editorial strategy with content pitches, press alerts and new campaigns in a range of mediaMonitoring the industry and external climate to provide strategic counsel to clientsManaging relationships with media, key commentators, industry thought leaders, and influencersClients: Standard Bank, DHL, Momentum, Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, Futureworld, BlackPay, Okuhle Media, Cognitive Systems, etc.

Design and implement PR strategies that cultivate relationships with media, engage various key (internal and external) stakeholders, and boost brand awareness.Key responsibilities include (but are not limited to) the following:Establishing and driving a multi-channel communications strategyCrafting and managing all communications material -- long-tail content, newsletters, social interactions, and other marketing collateral Developing brand voice and maintaining brand integrity across all platformsResearching and identifying emerging issues and challenges that are facing the business/product, alongside Risk & ComplianceManaging media relations and cultivating meaningful relationships with media members, influencers, and thought leaders, and Bettr partnersTracking coverage and insights across mediumsReporting on the success of PR efforts

Driving communication strategy for the Singita group - internally and externallyActively maintaining relationships with media and influencersActing as the group liaison to the PR agencies representing Singita in the US, UK, Europe and East AfricaDrafting and maintaining all press materialsWriting for multiple brand platforms/channels such as the website, blog, mail campaigns, collateral, etc.Coordinating all photo shoots, film projects, and media visitsManaging all eventsCoordinating all product launches (and training and communications around them)Developing tools in support of the sales team + supporting the HR marketing strategyWorking collaboratively with the digital marketing specialist Overseeing Singita’s social media team as they worked to promote initiatives across appropriate channelsCollaborating with lodge staff on revenue-driving and buzz-building ideas to drive press coverageWorking closely with and supporting marketing manager and international PR teams in crisis managementTravel: Host media across Singita properties in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Tanzania

Drive awareness of talentDevelop and manage the execution of publicity campaigns Build and maintain strong relationships with relevant media and influencersEffectively recommend, hire and manage external suppliers Keep current on trends, issues and news about both the business and consumer worlds of music and entertainmentManage relationships with agents, managers, etc.Digital PublicitySocial Media ManagementEvent Management

Internal:Manage company brand and reputationMedia relations on behalf of senior agency reps in order to secure features Ensure that all opportunities for the Group MD are fully vettedDrive corporate strategy and message development, pitch and announcement strategiesDevelop internal publications such as newsletters, email announcements, online, etc.Social media managementHire and train PR assistants and account executivesEtc.Agency clients:Developing and implementing PR campaignsEstablishing and maintaining strong relationships within the online, trade and mainstream media outletsCreating, distributing and editing press materialsDigital PublicitySocial media managementStrategy development,Strategic planning

Strategy: Formulating an in-depth understanding of the company's business strategy and translating that into an effective public relations plan and communication strategy to achieve company goalsExternal clients: Working closely with the relevant personnel and marketing department in providing a holistic communications offering to clientsMedia management: Cultivating and maintaining relationships with key media in support of both the company and its clientsInternal client: Providing creative solutions to raise the profiles and awareness of the key people, activities, products and achievements within the businessWriting: Developing compelling story angles for media, maintaining and drafting online content in conjunction with Social Media Strategist(s), preparing and supervising the production of brochures, handouts, direct mail, etc.Events: Identifying opportunities for events that would achieve the company’s public exposure needs and arranging both internal and external events (e.g. conferences, workshops or promotional events)Manage budgets and campaign ROIClients included: SABC2 (Hectic Nine-9), SABC3 (Bitten), Sea Harvest and Blue Ribbon

Responsible for taking client campaigns from concept to execution. This included the management of the budget, production teams, suppliers and the final event, in order to meet the client's objectives.Key campaigns: World's first floating vending machine (Lipton Ice Tea), World's first pop-up skate park (Mountain Dew), etc.

PublicityWeb PRBrand and product launchesEvent managementNew business developmen

Contract position: Research and strategic public relations support to Senior Spark colleagues in San Francisco, New York and London

In order to gain and sustain viewership, as well as increase audience ratings and share, as a department we were responsible for strategically marketing the channel’s programming by means of researched information. Responsibilities included:Creating daily transmission schedulesPromotion planning and meeting contractual agreements (radio and TV)Creating promo reportsSupervising live broadcastsResearching competitor activity, as well as industry trends

Client relationship maintenanceLiaising with mediaProject managementCommunication management on behalf of clientsMedia training and monitoringGeneral office administration

Planning in-store campaignsTraining and managing promotions staff across the Western Cape regionLiaising with store managers in the setup of marketing materials and visual merchandisingMaintaining warehouse stockReporting on outcomes of promotional campaigns

Appointed to assist with secretariat, media and PR functions for the Nobel Square Project – a partnership between the Provincial Government and V&A Waterfront, paying tribute to South Africa’s four Nobel Peace Prize Laureates through sculpture.