Profile
Energetic and creative marketing communications professional with UK and international in-house and agency PR experience. Displays a talent for the design and execution of integrated marketing strategies that add value and deliver key messages on time and on brief. A strategically-focused project manager with proven results in optimising digital platforms such as social media and maximising the marketing mix to achieve results. Highly adaptable and organised with skills in brand management, production of marketing collateral and client account management. Takes a hands-on approach and is comfortable in working at a strategic or operational level.
Objective
Seeking a challenging and rewarding in-house or external marketing position that offers the opportunity to make a positive impact on corporate and client goals and where existing experience and professionalism will be valued. Keen to develop skills and progress career within a dynamic, team based environment.
Selected Achievements
• Provided PR and communications for blue-chip multinationals such as Toshiba and Fujitsu Europe
• Won Employee of the Month at Bite Communications Ltd. following exceptional client account performance
• Pitched and assisted with Edge Employer Awards event at Catalysis Communications; achieved 50+ pieces of online coverage in key regional and vertical publications including cover page feature for The Yorkshire Post
• Achieved excellent cross exposure for the Four Seasons brand hotels in Singapore, Paris and Canary Wharf, UK and Dubai
• Solely managed CSR activities as well as VIP handling related to press coverage for international hotel brands in Mauritius. Achieved nine prestigious travel awards within just two years, including Conde Nast, Trip Advisor and World Travel awards
• Increased Facebook fans for One&Only Le Saint Geran resort from 100 to over 1,000 in just three months
• Established 60-page Crisis Communications Plan for One&Only Resorts
PR And Marketing Experience
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING DIRECTOR (CONTRACT) | MHR London
06/2015 – Present
• Driving all business development activities while managing sales and marketing operations with the key remit of maximising new sales and profitability in line with ambitious company growth
• Using entrepreneurial ability, passion and communications knowledge to shape MHR’s marketing and communication strategies and vision
• Contributing to comprehensive strategic and tactical planning to penetrate new markets
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS (CONTRACT) | Riva Beauty International Ltd., Surrey
02/2015 – 05/2015
• Creatively delivered integrated communications that effectively promoted key sales messages
• Played a key role in research and planning of communications using the full marketing mix to achieve measurable results in line with corporate objectives
• Drove consistent brand management. Used strong understanding of the company’s products and target customer profiles to achieve compliance with the corporate message across all communications
• Wrote and edited targeted copy for all marketing collateral including brochures and letters; generated and updated sector focused website content. Contributed to visual design, artwork and setting of copy
• Managed promotional budgets. Reported on expenditure and highlighting variances
• Provided a competitive edge by performing ongoing competitor analysis to support effective communications and promotional activities
SPECIAL ADVISER IN COMMUNICATION AFFAIRS | Mouvement Travayis Militant (MTM)
2014
• Specially appointed by an ex-senior Minister to facilitate the launch of a new political party with targeted media communications and guidance on the handling of PR relating to sensitive party issues
• Reviewed all communications, provided specialist advice to the ex-Minister during political party activities
• Delivering media briefings to the ex-Minister, liaising with the media to influence reporting, and representing the views of the ex-Minister as authorised
ADVISOR IN COMMUNICATION MATTERS | Prime Minister Office (PMO), Mauritius
2013 – 2014
• Delivered governmental PR, public affairs management and lobbying, plus strategic guidance and business development advice to ministers
• Established proactive and reactive media relations and an integrated media event strategy to effectively inform stakeholders of the Ministry’s key objectives, strategies and achievements
• Developed crisis management strategies to protect the government’s image, prepared speeches and statements such as responses to Parliamentary questions
• Established and maintained a network of key contacts within the government, embassies and the media
• Assisted in creation of a marketing strategy to drive the transformation of Mauritius into a knowledge based economy. Reviewed business intelligence, performed market analysis, monitoring and profiling
• Participated in shaping of the Community Investment strategy; ensured it reflected business vision and values
• Worked with key figures and grass root supporters, resolved issues and developed community relationships
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT, PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER | Kerzner International Group, One&Only Le Saint Geran, Mauritius
2010 – 2013
• Utilised experience in hospitality, celebrity and sports PR to promote the mission, vision and activities of a major high-end hotel, created innovative experiences and provided crisis communications
• Proactively enhanced the hotel’s prestigious image through effective brand management. Pivotal in strategic marketing and communications development plus planning and delivery of the resort’s CSR strategy
• Managed media relations and corporate requests. Coordinated sponsored events; built effective partner relationships. Attained cross exposure with international One&Only resorts including Atlantis The Palm, Dubai
• Drafted press releases, communiqués and newsletters regarding all resort activities and events, locally and internationally. Media trained and facilitated interview between Brett Armitage and international media
• Oversaw the resort’s social media profiles, particularly for Trip Advisor and Facebook; created and maintained all website content ensuring consistency in the brand message. Used social media to develop mailing lists
• Managed and wrote copy for all offline media including direct mail, advertisements and press articles
• Oversaw key product launches including a contemporary grill restaurant, junior spa, kids bootcamp and activities, shipwrecked in style weddings, Chef’s Garden and One&Heaven program (Harmonia)
• Produced monthly management reports, budgets and forecasts
ACCOUNT MANAGER | Level Next Communications
2010
• Delivered advertising, public relations, events and branding support to key clients such as SICOM, Global Board of Trade (GBOT), State Bank of India (SBI), Dr Agarwal Eye Hospital, E.A.L Man Hin
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS | Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita
2008 – 2010
• Provided hospitality, celebrity and sports PR for this global luxury hotel and resorts brand
• Contributed to the pre-launch of the brand in Mauritius; conceptualised and established an on-site ‘love forest’ for newly-wed customers to encourage their return
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE | Bite Communications Ltd., London
2007 – 2008
• Managed key accounts and provided technology PR for clients such as Fujitsu Europe, Toshiba (Europe & EMEA markets), Samsung, Sage UK, Attunity and Openwave Ltd.
GRADUATE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE |Catalysis Communications Ltd., London
2006
• Account management for major clients in the digital marketing, technology and charity sectors including BT Global Services, Edge, Lucent Technologies and Alcatel (Europe)
• Proposed and assisted with the organisation of the Edge Employer Awards event, gaining substantial online media coverage
• Contributed to strategic planning and execution of Ice Edge client program
• Successfully submitted articles to the Daily Mail and attained a feature placement in The Independent and Daily Express. Achieved a cover feature with Computer Business Review on behalf of BT Global Services
• Arranged key spokesperson briefings for Lucent Technologies; secured print interviews with the Financial Times and Business Week publications
GRADUATE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE | Wallace HCL, London
2006
• Contributed to key accounts for clients including HCA International, Foundations, Unotron
• Wrote an internal company newsletter for the HCA International Group
• Attained a three minute broadcast on BBC News on foundations
TRAINEE ACCOUNT HANDLER | Leith Advertising, London
2003 – 2004
PRESS OFFICER, SUNDAY MANAGER, FASHION PR | East Ltd., London
2002 – 2003
Other Professional Experience
RECEPTIONIST & ADMINISTRATOR, OFFICE ASSISTANT (TEMPORARY) | SAB Miller, EG Solutions, Ventia
2015
• Providing efficient office and marketing administration support for a variety of global organisations
LECTURER | Middlesex University, Charles Telfair Institute and the University of Mauritius
2014 – 2015 (CONTRACT)
• Lectured in a range of business, media, PR and communications topics for degree level courses
• Guest Speaker, Careers Fair 2014; subject: personal branding and grooming for success
Education & Qualifications
MSc Corporate Communication | Thames Valley University | 2005 – 2007 | Attained Bursary Award – Scholarship
BA (Hons) Advertising with Public Relations (1st Class Honours) | Thames Valley University | 2002 – 2005
Diploma International Travel Management, Personnel Management and Airline Travel Agency | International Studies Centre, London | 2000 – 2001
Diploma Tourism and Business Studies | Institute of Commercial Management, London | 1999 – 2000
Additional Skills
Languages: English and French (mother tongue), Hindi, Urdu and Creole (good), Italian (basic)
Personal Details
• British and Mauritian Citizenship
• Interests include: Travel; Indian Classical Dance – certificate with distinction (2013 – 2014)
