Curriculum Vitae
Last updated March 2019
PROFILE
I am an awarding winning journalist, winning the category of Best Online Media at the Diageo Responsible Drinking Media Awards in 2016 for an article entitled The Cost of Addiction. I had a second article nominated in the same category titled How binge drinking affects your health.
I have experience with editing and proofreading both colleagues' and contributors' work, as well as in writing for a host of platforms, including the production of in-house and web-based content. I furthermore have experience writing press releases on both financial topics as well as for industry (mining, agriculture etc.) and lifestyle and event related topics. In addition to website content production, I have experience monitoring and maintaining social media accounts, and communicating with the public to offer assistance and sort out customer issues.
EDUCATION
Jan. 2010 – Dec. 2012 Bachelor of Arts in Journalism
2013 Bachelor of Arts Honours in Journalism
2014 Certificate in Graphic Design certified by the University of Cape Town
2015 Events Management course certified by University of Cape Town
2016 Feature writing course certified by University of Cape Town
2016 Diploma in blogging and content management from Shaw Academy
2016 Diploma in digital marketing from Shaw Academy
2019 qualified Mental Health First Aider (training through Mental Health First Aid England)
WORK EXPERIENCE
August 2018 - Present
Oliver Agency, United Kingdom (Copywriter)
I work as part of a team on-site at one of Oliver's clients, generating a range of collateral and copy for a variety of platforms, including the UK and other EMEA websites, brochures, flyers, social media copy and contributing to campaign copy (emails, blog posts etc.)
In addition to my copywriting responsibilities, I assist with design work, designing brochures, data sheets, PPTs, social media graphics and more, reporting to our on-site senior designer.
I am the on-site Ambassador for my team, acting as the conduit between my team and the head office. My responsibilities as an Ambassador include relaying important company information, following up on questions and queries my team may have with the head office, finding ways to improve the connection between on-site teams and the head office and working with the larger Ambassador network to improve the work processes for all employees.
To help with my role as an Ambassador and to better support my team, I have also undertaken mental health first aid training, and am now a qualified Mental Health Frist Aider.
May 2018 - August 2018
Freelance writing for a range of companies, largely based in South Africa.
Sept 2017 – May 2018
OnBrand, London, United Kingdom (Copywriter)
I amwasresponsible for the production of a variety of copy, for both OnBrand communications and the website, as well as client communication and website copy.
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Sourcing in-store offers for shopping centre clients, including images, and writing and posting the copy for their websites and social media channels
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Conception and production of monthly style articles
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Newsletter copy for OnBrand and its clients
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Case study copy
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Press release copy
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Updating and generating website and video copy
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Assist the marketing team when necessary – including managing client social media channels, from generating the post copy to scheduling it and managing any queries that come through.
The primary focus of all client focused copy is on shopping, retail and lifestyle, as the clients are shopping centres. All copy is produced with the aim of being engaging and encouraging readers/social media followers to engage on the various platforms it is published, as well as visit the shopping centres. For OnBrand, the copy is designed to inform current and potential clients about our services and accomplishments and keep them informed of any changes and achievements within the business.
Jan 2015 - Jul 2017
Justmoney.co.za and Moneybags.co.za, Cape Town, South Africa (Writer)
Journalist at two online publications, the primary one being Justmoney.co.za, the other is Moneybags. They are both personal finance websites, which provide the public with practical and valuable information relating to financial topics which can and may have an influence on them.
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Developed article and feature ideas
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Writing
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Editing of colleague and contributor work
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Website management
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Social media management
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Liaising with industry experts
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Managing reader communication
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Newsletter development, build and management
A breakdown of my skills can be found here: http://jessannewood.wixsite.com/jessannewood/skills
Nominated as a top three finalist at the Brandhouse Responsible Drinking Media Awards in the Best Online category for 2015. In 2016, the awards were hosted by Diageo, and I was the winner in the category of Best Online Media for the Responsible Drinking Media Awards, having two articles nominated in the top three.
Jun. 2013 - Dec. 2014
NGAGE, Johannesburg, South Africa (Junior writer)
I started working at NGAGE as a part-time junior writer intern in June 2013, as part of my honours degree. The internship was for three months but was extended to the end of November. From December 2013 I was hired as a full-time junior writer intern, and from July 2014 as a full-time employee.
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Interview transcriptions
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Writing press releases in line with client requirements
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Content production to meet a range of needs, including advertising and brochure content.
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Interviewing clients
Articles and topics covered various industry subjects and products from generators, piping, specialised machine and hand tools used in the mining, engineering and construction sectors. I often had to carry out several tasks at once and work under deadlines, which I always met. I was part of a vibrant team who communicated and worked well together. (Letter of reference available)
Jan. 2013 – Dec. 2013
University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa (Journalism tutor)
As a bursary student I was required to act as a tutor. I oversaw the third year journalism class with a fellow tutor and honours student.
Responsibilities included:
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Assisting the lecturers in overseeing tests and exams.
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Assisting students with queries and issues.
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Generating tutorial material such as Microsoft PowerPoint presentations in line with cirriculum topics.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
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Online Journalist of the year 2016 at the Diageo Responsible Drinking Media Awards, with a second article in the top three.
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Selected as a top three finalist in the Brandhouse Responsible Drinking Media Awards in 2015 for an article entitled ‘What is Foetal Alcohol Syndrome?’
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Elected Managing Editor of the Journalism Honours magazine (Hashtag) for 2013 by my fellow students and lecturer. My duties involved managing the team and setting and managing deadlines, as well as co-ordinating with other members of the team.