I have more than 13 years experience in media and marketing. During this time I have held several senior editorial positions at newspapers, consumer magazines and B2B titles in South Africa and the UAE.
Awards Received:
• 2001- MPASA PICA award for best magazine in the Safety and Security Sector.
• 2002- MPASA PICA award for best magazine in the Safety and Security Sector.
• Sportsman of the year – New West Secondary School (1992)
Expertise/Skills:
• Strong command of the English language.
• Computer literate with extensive knowledge of various software for both
PC and Apple Macintosh operations.
• Good negotiating, presentation and liaison skills.
• Ability to communicate (written and verbal) in four languages.
• I have established media contacts in various private corporations and government departments around the world.
• Ability to work as a team player.
• Strong leadership qualities ie. The ability to lead a team
for various tasks and projects.
• Good at developing marketing and PR strategies.
• Able to formulate and manage budgets.
• Broad general knowledge and aimiable personality allows me to communicate effectively at all levels.
• Extensive knowledge of entire print/electronic media production procedures.
Professional: Media and Communications Related Fields
1. Employer: Al Nisr Media – Contract Publishing Department
Position: Contract Publishing Editor
Duration: Current (since July 2008)
Role:
• Oversee the production of sponsored supplements and contract publications, including planning, budgeting, editing and proofing. Regular titles include: Al Nawras,
the inflight magazine for Air Arabia; Muscle Mag, a fitness magazine; and In Dubai,
a tourist information magazine.
• Manage a team of writers, freelancers, designers, sub-editors and production staff
to produce various publications.
• Develop marketing and promotion strategies for contract publishing projects.
• Meet with potential clients to boost advertising revenues.
• Generate ideas and business proposals for new titles.
2. Employer: Al Nisr Media – Wheels magazine
Position: Sub-editor
Duration: August 2006-July 2008
Role:
• Sub-edit/edit articles submitted by other journalists, contributors and PR agencies for
this weekly automotive magazine.
• Test drive cars and write automotive reviews.
• Write articles on motorsport in the UAE and internationally.
• Help develop sales and marketing strategies for the magazine.
• Oversee the development of wheels.ae, the magazine’s online version.
2. Employer: Tabloid Community Newspaper Group
Position: Editor
Duration: January 20004 – March 2004
Role:
• Led a team of editorial, design and sales staff in order to produce the Group’s community newspapers on a weekly basis.
• Formulate and manage the newspapers freelance budgets.
• Edit and proof articles from journalists and contributors.
• Conduct interviews and compile articles for newspaper group.
• Oversee all newspapers for the company (5 English, 2 IsiZulu)
• Check and sign-off final proofs at printers before distribution.
• Play a PR and business management role by liaising with clients, companies
and individuals in order to promote advertising for the newspaper group.
3. Employer: Sunday Times Newspaper
Position: Freelance Journalist
Duration: October 2003 – December 2003
Role:
• Compile news articles for this weekly newspaper.
4. Employer: Technews Trust
Position: Editor – Hi-Tech Security Solutions, Computer Graphics, SafeGuard
Duration: February 2000 – September 2003
Role:
• Led a team of editorial, design and sales staff in order to produce the above-mentioned B2B titles on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. Also responsible for online content (www.technews.co.za)
• Edit articles and layout above-mentioned titles.
• Conduct interviews and compile articles for above-mentioned titles.
• Play a PR and business management role by liaising with clients, companies and individuals in the various industries that each title represents.
• Development marketing and media planning strategies for the company.
5. Employer: Sisters Publications
Position: Journalist/Sub-editor
Duration: March 1999 – February 2000
Role:
• Conduct interviews and compile feature articles for this monthly women’s magazine.
• Sub-edit articles submitted by other journalists, freelancers and PR agencies
for the magazine.
• Check and sign off magazine print runs at printers.
• Assist in layout of magazine.
6. Employer: Asian Newspaper
Position: Journalist/News editor
Duration: September 1997- October 1998
Role:
• Compile news articles for this weekly newspaper.
• Edit and proof articles from journalists and contributors.
• Mentor the company’s editorial interns.
• Compile and co-ordinate news items for on-line newspaper – www.asian-online.com
• Assist with layout of newspaper.
References:
1. Dawn Montgomery
Position: Former Managing Editor – Al Nisr Publishing
Tel: 001 613 878 6431
2. Amit Benjamin
Position: Editor – wheels magazine
Tel: +971 50 978 8599
3. Mishqa Joosab
Position: Production Editor – Tabloid Media
Tel: +2731 581 1800, +2783 264 9786
4. Cathy Eberle
Position: Owner and Editor – Sisters magazine
Tel: +2731 201 0794
5. Preggie Govender
Position: News editor – Sunday Times
Tel: +2731 250 8500
6. Annie Dorasamy
Position: Senior Journalist – Independent Newspapers
Tel: +2731 308 2000
7. Roy Moodley
Position: Councillor – Durban Metropolitan Council and Chairperson of
Phoenix Body Corporate Association.
Tel: +2731 539 5375
8. Inbanathan Naidoo
Position: Councillor – Durban Metropolitan Local Government
Tel: (+27) 083 231 0562
9. Alphia Naidoo
Position: Human Resource Officer – Edcon Group
Tel: +2731 304 9838