Public Relations Communications Specialist

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PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

I am a consumer-centric Public Relations and Communications Specialist with extensive experience across diverse industries. I offer advanced stakeholder engagement skills, as well as expertise in directing client relations, developing strategic communications programmes, managing in-depth campaigns and managing highly impactful events. I possess an innate ability to influence decision-making, forge strategic alliances and build consensus, with a proven track record in ensuring Marketing and Communication Excellence. I have excelled in spearheading projects for some of the most influential Global and Local organisations. I am committed to §performance improvement and provide a full capability offering in optimising internal outputs and improving brand awareness to drive business and revenue growth.

Key Clients: McDonalds, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, J&B MET, J&B, ITHUBA National Lottery, Emperors Palace Casino & Resorts, Peermont Holdings, Multichoice, BET, Comedy Central, MTV, MTV Base, ABSA and Standard Bank.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Client Services Leadership

Performance Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Project Management

PR Strategies

Strategic Communications Programmes

Account Management & Development

Budget Management & Cost Control

Campaign Design & Management

Brand Positioning & Awareness

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

ARCAY CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS:

Secured R10m PR value for the first Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation African visit.

Successfully managed the logistics for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation visit.

SPEAKERS CORNER:

Achieved double digit growth on bottom line for J&B Met and J&B Jet due to increased awareness.

Secured R6m in PR value for the J&B MET through key strategic stakeholder partnerships.

Successfully launched the first ever Heineken Sky Bar during the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Launched J&B Jet and implemented various ground-breaking experiential activations.

ABSA GROUP LIMITED:

Launched the Absa Business Banking portal connecting Business Bankers across Africa.

Established a content portal for visually impaired staff at Absa.

BLACK SAM SMOQUE:

Launched one of the first bespoke American Style BBQ outfits in the country.

Featured in the Sunday Times Food Weekly Top 3 BBQ eateries.

Invited to participate in key festival and artisanal events.

VIACOM INTERNATIONAL MEDIA NETWORKS AFRICA (VIMN AFRICA):

Developed the VIMN Africa corporate social media platforms and internal communications programme.

EDUCATION & CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Master’s Degree Corporate Communications Management, Tech Technological University, 2024

Project Management Certificate, Milpark Business School, 2013

National Diploma Public Relations, Technikon Witwatersrand, 2000

Grade 12, Victoria Girls High School, 1997

CAREER HISTORY

Client Services Director Character International May 2021 – October 2022

Responsibilities

•Lead the development and execution of PR/communication strategies that create positive and successful brand image and awareness.

•Developed client servicing procedures and related documentation to drive productivity and efficiency improvements.

•Assumed leadership for all performance management, process reengineering, best practices and client management.

•Assisted in employee recruitment, training, performance evaluation, promotion, retention and termination activities.

•Appointed as the Senior Advisor to the Managing Director for matters relating to strategic interactions with media, company public relations and crisis management.

•Designed and implemented key integrated internal communication strategies, messaging, Q&As and media.

•Directed the writing, editing and publishing of organisational publications.

•Provided training and worked closely with PR executives to leverage knowledge, skills and thought leadership.

•Formulated PR plan measurement and success metrics, maintained master schedule of media contacts and ensured continued positive productive communication and relationships with key media.

•Actively identified and established proactive and reactive media relations strategies and opportunities.

•Key Clients: ITHUBA National Lottery, Gibela Rail Transport Consortium, Naspers Labs

Communications Specialist ABSA Group Limited Oct 2017 – Sept 2019

Responsibilities

•Developed, executed and managed internal communications plans and campaigns specific to the Business Unit (BU).

•Facilitated performance improvement through management of all internal and external communication.

•Optimised internal communication channels to improve understanding of strategic and operational imperatives, including enhancement of the flow of information within and between the BU, the business division and the Group.

•Drove effective content management, in consultation with BU leadership, by ensuring the communication strategy delivered messaging aligned with the Group’s business agenda and positioning.

•Project managed communication interventions and oversaw the output of materials and the execution of events.

•Facilitated effective business focus and planning to solve business problems and achieve organisational objectives.

•Developed and maintained robust relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.

Senior Communications Manager Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN) Apr 2016 – Mar 2017

Responsibilities

•Developed strategies that leveraged key communication mediums, including digital, media, events, PR, activations, TV and radio, to position VIMN Africa as a thought leader on youth entertainment and culture.

•Developed and executed the Internal Communications strategy and all related functions.

•Spearhead the planning, conceptualisation, development and fine-tuning of corporate marketing communications, including online copy, direct mail, press releases and monthly business newsletter.

•Worked with the senior executive team and international communications team to define the business roadmap, positioning and go-to-market strategies across multi functions, brands and regions.

•Key Clients: BET, Comedy Central, MTV, MTV Base, Nickelodeon, Commercial (AD Sales), Research, Digital, Distribution and employees of VIMN Africa.

Co-founder and Brand Manager Black Sam Smoque Apr 2014 – Mar 2016

Responsibilities

•Spearheaded the start-up of an American style barbeque food business, initially operating from a food truck, focusing on the street sale market before identifying a gap in the festival and artisanal market space.

•Successfully motivated for the inclusion of our brand at key aspirational events including 702 Walk the Talk, 94.7 Joburg Day, One Heart Festival (Sacred Heart College), Bassline Óver the Bridge music sessions, Irene Village Market and the Sheds @ 1 Fox.

•Developed the marketing, brand positioning and corporate identity and identified a suitable supply chain.

•Played an integral part in the growth of the brand, developing the business workflow process, and hiring and training staff.

•Successfully increased brand awareness and customer base through strategic media and marketing efforts.

National Consultant ABSA Jun 2010 – Mar 2014

Responsibilities

•Engaged with internal stakeholders to market the department's communication delivery services through regional visits geared towards recruiting new service providers and training new adopters.

•Worked closely with the department content editor to streamline content for the communication delivery tools, namely ‘mailer communications’ and intranet sites.

•Sourced, compiled and voice recorded content for visually impaired staff.

•Created mini-sites for various departments within the Retail and Business Banking division, which served as a communication portal for Barclays’ staff across Africa.

Internal Communications Manager Standard Bank Nov 2009 – May 2010

Responsibilities

•Serviced Standard Bank Corporate Investment Banking (CIB), with clients from various Business Units including, Investment Banking and Global Markets.

•Managed relationships between units, stakeholders and specialists, and played an integral role in the compilation of the division’s in-house magazine, providing content and design direction.

Account Manager Speakers Corner Jan 2006 – Oct 2009

Responsibilities

•Developed and implemented PR and communication strategies and performed a project management function for the implementation of key client tent pole projects and events.

•Key Clients: J&B Rare, J&B Jet, J&B MET, Smirnoff, Heineken, Emperors Palace Casino & Resorts, Peermont Holdings, Multichoice, Lifestyle SA Festival.

Account Executive Arcay Corporate Communications Jan 2003 – Dec 2005

Responsibilities

•Developed the PR, communication and crisis management strategy for clients.

•Key Clients: McDonalds, Ronald McDonald, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Brand South Africa (International Marketing Council), Schick Intuition.

Account Assistant International Trade Projects Jan 2001 – Dec 2003

Account Assistant (Internship) Makwetla & Associates 2000

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Languages: English, Xhosa and Zulu

Driver’s License: Code 08 driver’s license

Computer Literacy: MS Office, MS Excel, PowerPoint, CANVA, InDesign

Anda Sebesho

Client Services Director ND in Public Relations

072-***-**** ***********@*****.*** Gauteng, South Africa

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