Executive Head: Internal Communications and Vodacom Studios at Vodacom
In support of my application I would like to mention that a major part of my working career involves communication management, media communication, editorial, copywriting, public relations, web development, marketing and client and media liaison. In addition to this I am a university graduate in the fields of Media and Communication.
I currently hold the position of Executive Head of Department: Internal Communications and Vodacom Studios. During the last 12 months, we lifted our ENPS (Employee Net Promoter Score - a gauge to ascertain whether staff would recommend our products and services) by 12%, and increased our employee engagement by 1.2%. These figures were previously dropping at Vodacom. We received our highest readership of our internal magazine during my time here (a 552% increase, yes 552%), and I introduced the natural progression to this, The Vodacom Show - a television show for staff that is all done in-house, delivering high levels of production quality. We ran an internal game show, where we were able to procure six cars for six contestants. This engagement programme ran for four months, and educated staff on our P&S. We received great feedback, and were able to complete this without using Internal Communications budget. My plans going forward include, introducing digital signage, aggregating information on an Internal Comms desktop widget and mobile app (both in advanced stages), and celebrating our 20-year anniversary in South Africa.
Up until 2012, I held the position of Senior Specialist: Brand Voice, Publications, Copywriting in the Marketing Division at Vodacom South Africa. I was responsible for products and services, systems and general communications above the line, online and below the line. I have recently taken over the sole responsibility of all new products and services on www.vodacom.co.za, which was previously shared between four employees. I am centrally involved in new brochures, leaflets and articles for various Vodacom publications, and perform various other communication and marketing functions, including SMS copy, print media copy, etc. During our brand migration from blue to red, I was the sole custodian of everything written at Vodacom. I developed a manual and physical training structures for the business, in our new ways of working.
I held the position of Content Editor at Supersport, which entailed administrating the soccer department, writing articles and press releases, liasing with other companies as well as building public relations. During my time there, we were able to establish ourselves as the premier source of sports information in the southern hemisphere, and the leading organisation of this sort in Africa.
I completed my BA Media and Communication degree at the University of Natal in 2002, before being hired by Supersport just ten days later, and gaining promotion eight months thereafter. I received the merit award for Copywriting, the Dean's commendation on a number of occasions, as well as other awards at tertiary level.I am a member of the 'Golden Key International Honour Society' alongside such members as former U.S Secretary of State, Colin Powell.