Leanne Mitchell Email & Phone Number

Cape Town

I have 15 years' experience in writing and communications, having worked as a journalist for the Cape Times (2 years), a senior account executive for a PR firm (4 years), a marketing and communications coordinator for an international environmental programme (2 years) and, currently, as a freelance writer. I've been freelancing since 2012 for an array of clients including NGOs, small and medium businesses, and PR/Communication firms. I write in clear, concise and compelling copy in plain language. Some of my recent clients include: TooMuchWifi, A Greener World (AGW), Tekkie Town, GrandWest Casino, ACTIVATE!, The Clothing Bank, Atlantis Seafood Distributors, Santam, Cape Point Route, Soapbox Communications, the Noordhoek Ratepayers Association, Hurst & Wills, Sea Harvest and many others. I write press releases, articles, web copy, blogs, newsletters, interviews and books. Examples of writing and testimonials sent on request. I also work for Simplified as their Head of Training for their Advanced Business Writing and Effective Business Writing courses. The one- or two-day course uses plain language principles to train delegates how to write effectively for business. Our clients are mostly large corporates and law firms, such as Discovery, FNB and Webber Wentzel.

Johannesburg & Cape Town

I work for a small Johannesburg-based company, Simplified, as Head of Training for their Advanced Business Writing and Effective Business Writing courses. This one- or two-day course uses plain language principles to train delegates how to write effectively for business. Clear communication is more important than ever with legislation increasingly protecting customers and putting the onus on firms to provide clear communication that is easy to understand. Our clients are predominately large corporates, law firms and investment companies, such as Discovery, FNB and Webber Wentzel.

44 Wale Street, Cape Town

My primary responsibility was to develop and implement the ICLEI Cities Biodiversity Centre’s (ICLEI CBC) international marketing and communications strategy, and manage the communications team. I wrote regular newsletters and press releases, articles for the website and ensured the site was kept updated. Produced marketing material (primarily brochures and flyers), exhibition material (mainly banners) and edited my teams writing. Our team also did social media updates from the UNFCCC COP17. Relationship building and managing relationships with mayors, deputy mayors, city leaders and international organisations in particular the United Nations Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) and UN-Habitat, was also one of my tasks. This required much email correspondence or official letters and meetings and networking at international events. I was involved in the event management of various global and local events for local governments, including developing programmes, logistics, registration, shepherding and assisting groups of mayors, attending and occasionally presenting at these events.

Cape Town

At HWB I was responsible for the communication strategies and publicity campaigns for various clients, including: The City of Cape Town’s Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) MyCiti rapid bus transit system, the Western Cape Department of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, ADT Security, JAG Investments, De Grendel, UCT, Toureagle.com, N’Lighten, The Teamworks, acsis Financial Services, among others. My Tasks included: -Strategising and developing media and publicity campaigns for clients, and ensuring the successful implementation of these campaigns-Identifying story angles and writing press releases-Writing copy for pamphlets, brochures & websites-Updating websites -Writing and proofreading copy for brochures, websites & speeches-Regularly liaising with media, dealing with enquiries, responding to media articles & sending and informing the media of press releases -Arranging press conferences, media briefings, and other media-related events -Compiling presentations and advising clients on delivering presentations

Newspaper House, Cape Town

I was a journalist for the daily Cape Times newspaper - working on stories for pages 1 to 7. I also studied Journalism at Stellenbosch in 2005, (a one year Honours course) and so during that year I worked weekends, nights and full time in the university holidays. Once I completed my degree I worked at the paper full time on a contract basis. While I was there Tony Weaver was the News Editor, Chris Whitfield the Editor, it was the best, most exciting job I ever had!

B.Phil Journalism (Journalism Honours), Journalism, Honours

Activities and Societies: Journalism Practical Feature Articles Cultural Literacy Media Ethics International Journalism Media & Society.

B.Social Science, English & Economics, Undergraduate Degree

Activities and Societies: Hockey and various social societiesMy subjects were: English Major Economics Major Sociology Psychology