I report to the Marketing Manager (MM) and I am tasked with managing all external communication for the local subsidiary here in South Africa and its export territories:• Work with the MM and business development team to understand sales trends as well as our customers’ needs and generate new ideas and strategies that build brand awareness and customer loyalty.• Plan and manage the design, content, and production of all marketing materials.• Create communication and marketing tools for new products, launches, events, and promotions.• Ensure consistent informative and interesting press releases (in conjunction with a press agency) as well as digital and print advertising.• Creation of video and photographic content for our social media platforms, posting and also reacting to customer queries and comments.• Work with the web agency to constantly update the local website. • Drafting and sending of company newsletters and/or notifications.• Assist colleagues in preparing their letters and emails as well as overseeing presentation, content and quality.

Main task was to maintain and grow the Metroplitain Brand by way of:• In-store merchandising displays (concept – to execution) across all stores• In-store promotional activity (ranging from leafleting to events)• Advert, poster and promotional material design• Full control of web activity which included updating of products, banner designs, promotions, and general maintenance• Monthly e-zines: copy writing, design and mailing to full database • Contact person within the company for all media (majority above the line and on the line) – controlled press release product insertions and all relevant enquiries

Dealt directly with CEO’s and senior management of multinational & blue chip companies as well as local industry• Members’ Directory – an annual printed directory which listed each and every member (referencing company details and profile). Responsibility included: - Production Manager – sourcing of all details and client liaison, pagination, proofing, and final sign-off • Responsible for all on-line and web based updates and design – e-zines, business events, latest news and the online version of the Members Directory• Membership • - The organisations’ member liaison and points person - Assisted with account and budget setting and met annual target of R900k- To recruit new memberships through promotional activity (events, newsletters, etc.) • Graphic design - personally tasked with designing posters, adverts, invitations, etc• Events – directed and conceptualized a varied number of key functions and events per year ranging from the annual French Gala Dinner (for dignitaries, state officials, etc) to B2B seminars.Achievement: Was elected to act as General Manager of the Chamber on behalf of the CEO from April to May 2009 while she was on a leave of absence – covering all sectors of the business incl. board reports, staff management, etc

I moved to Paris towards the end of 1999 where I had the opportunity to travel parts of Europe and took time to learn the French language. The first company I began working at ended up being the only one as I managed to move up the management ladder rapidly. My initial position was that of a junior one but over the five years I was employed, I achieved a position in management.Public relations – this included:- Dealing with celebrities and International Authors as the shop was popular for launches and book releases- Negotiations with all major publishing houses (international) by way of selling floor space for book launches, author appearances for book signings, etc. • Events, in-store promotions and merchandising• Strategy development/building and tasked with execution • Brand activation and external publicity campaigns which incl. poster design and store signageStore management – line of reporting for all staff, front of house management (staff allocation, till floats and cash collection, operations – liaised with security company, etc.)

• Compilation of albums, including license negotiation for the tracks• Marketing and promotion of the label• Promotional liaison with radio stations, clubs and DJ’s• Customer liaison and development of customer relationships.• Selling of product, order taking and processing

Management and running of the store in the absence of the owners, including: ordering, receiving, shrinkage control and sales.• Management of the sales staff• Customer service• Banking and administration

Ordering and shrinkage control• Customer Service• Sales• Administration (Accounts, Budgets)