Michael Smurthwaite Email and Phone Number

WeKurate is a blog that kurates (curates) interesting things. Inspired by minimalism we strive to help others lead a more meaningful life, find their purpose, and get inspired.

Branding and Marketing Solutions for businesses, organisation and brands. Experts in Branded Products, Promotional Gifts, Corporate Gifts, and Branded Clothing. In addition to this, we provide design services, web services and digital marketing services to clients.

LinkBoss.Pro is a professional link management service that enables people to create personalised and easily customisable mini webpage (landing page), that is accessible to their audience, customers, or fans via just one link. Service enhances leads generation, audience growth, engagement, and conversions.

H2O Securities is an innovative water infrastructure finance and investment company. The first in the world to tokenize a water finance agreement, by connecting the water plant via I.o.T to the blockchain. I was contracted to launch and strategically grow the product. Included new website build & deployment, implementation & testing, digital strategy and digital marketing, copyrighting, community management (website, copywriting, social media, staking pools, etc).

Lead the Content, Operations and Editorial Teams in the development, execution, and management of the end to end content and operations strategy. Responsible for the development, implementation and review of the content, operations and editorial strategy. Manage the acquisition and maintenance of relationships with strategic partners and content providers resulting in the attainment and reporting of up-to-date and high-quality content that drives retention and daily active users.

Manage and negotiate commercial content campaigns and exclusives with content providers on an exclusive and commercially viable basis. Manage reciprocal and partner marketing campaigns to extract maximum value from third party relationships. Manage the roll-out of client’s projects and align this with internal project management for technology and content delivery. Manage content planning roadmap via promotions and exclusivity windows. Conceptualise new products with rights holders and clients, ensuring the end delivery to meet the partner and customer’s needs. Draft commercial agreements, business cases and pricing models relating to campaigns, business and partner requirements.

Consulted for BBC Media Action in Zambia for 10 radio stations who were part of the Media Waves project that is run by BBC MA. This work involved assessments of the existing infrastructure, recommendations and plans for the stations as well as training in various areas as required in each station.

Responsible for the development, execution, and management of JOOX’s end to end content strategy. Working with Head of JOOX, ensured that JOOX launched in South Africa within 6 months. Required to build and set up a content management system and processes for the business. Develop, maintain and grow industry partnerships with content providers and key stakeholders.

Recruited to the position of station manager to manage the project from inception to operation. Developed and implemented project timelines which included studio construction, office construction, organisational & operational structures as well as overall station stratgy. In 8 months, the construction, recruitment, and training was complete, equipment installed and tested and test transmission (mid-2010). In 5 years the station has grew from a non-entity to winning 13 Radio Awards and producing notable talent. Negotiated a new license and a new frequency in late 2014 which resulted in the station increasing broadcast coverage. More info on the station can be found at vowfm.co.za, facebook.com/vowfm twitter.com/vowfm Portfolio of project management can be sent should you wish to view this. Key areas of responsibility:Project Management, Strategic Management, Organisational Development, Resource Management, Staff Management&Development, Financial Management, Fundraising &Advertising Management, Developing &Maintaining Strategic Partnerships, Marketing &Public Relations &Advocacy &Lobbying.

Coordinated Wits Radio Academy while the director was on sabbatical. The Wits Radio Academy provides expert training to students looking to obtain a formal qualification in radio broadcasting.

Produced and Engineered Soul Candi Radio Show and Podcast for Sly Media on behalf of Soul Candi. Example of the work done and show can be found at: http://soundcloud.com/soulcandi/soul-candi-sound-system-1

Produced and Presented a weekly show called Nitegroovz which played House music for the African continent. The show played the new emerging music from the african continent while keeping a touch of the classic sound of yesteryear.

Produced station and show imaging, adverts and promotional inserts for clients of Adsat. In addition to this assisted in the coordination of staff who were employed as presenters. This included scheduling shifts, providing feedback and direction as well as monitoring.

Provide Mix Music Inserts for the 5th Element, a radio show on 5FM hosted by Mlu (Mlungisi Dlukulu).

Notes to the position (key achievements/elaboration)o Implemented sound financial policy &procedures which enabled the successful financial turn around of the station (from half a million in debt to profit, installed new studios)o Implemented first stable programming line-up for station in 2002 (ensured continuity of the on-air product)o Developed &implemented employment &recruitment procedures, job appraisals, job profiles&performance criteriao Developed&implemented organisation operations policy (for programming, music resources, technical, marketing)o Successfully managed the revamp of the station’s broadcasting facilities (through fundraising, sponsorships&partnerships)o Developed &set in place staff training&development policy (including programme &material)o Successfully negotiated&renewed the station’s four year sound broadcasting license (2004)o Maintained&developed technical resources of station (for example the station’s transmission system, studio equipment)o Positioned Rhodes Music Radio as a key role player within the Eastern Cape Community Radio sector through involvement in the Eastern Cape Hub Development Network Service (ECHDNS coordinating station cluster 3)o As part of Developing &Maintaining Strategic Partnerships, Liaised &worked on a regular basis with some of the following organisations: Rhodes University Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) South Africa Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) National Community Radio Forum (NCRF) ECHDNS  Advertising Agencies (some of which included: Media Connection,Student Village,Campus Media)Key areas of responsibility:o Strategic Management, Organisational Development, Resource Management, Staff Management&Development, Financial Management, Fundraising &Advertising Management, Developing &Maintaining Strategic Partnerships, Marketing &Public Relations &Advocacy &Lobbying.