CURRICULUM VITAE LAURA EVANSCel: 082 804 8525E-mail: thelastword@mweb.co.zaNorthcliff, JohannesburgLinkedIN Profile: https://www.linkedin. com/in/laura-evans-91296017?trk=hp-identity-name

ID Number : 7306090059084Nationality : South African / BritishLanguages : English, Afrikaans, FrenchInterests : Healthcare, pharmaceuticals, mental wellbeing, design, architecture, photography,

cooking, reading, nature, wildlife and the bushveld

Educational QualificationsTertiary Education1994: BA - University of the WitwatersrandMajors: English III

Geography III (Human Geography)History of Art IIFrench I AdvancedSocial Anthropology I

Secondary Education 1991: JMB Matriculation - St Andrew’s School, JohannesburgAggregate: BSubjects (HG): English; Afrikaans; French; Maths; Additional Maths; Science; Biology

I am a passionate communicator, with 17 years of experience in communicating, marketing and manipulating content, concepts and images to create awareness or share knowledge with identified audiences. I am self-disciplined and deadline driven, having worked for myself for over 10 years. I enjoy collaborating, but I am equally able to strategize and implement communication and publishing plans, guiding and managing the implementation team and service providers.

I work well with others, but I am not afraid to engage in robust, constructive discussions and challenge the status quo or offer alternative solutions where appropriate. I enjoy multi-tasking and being involved in all areas of communication and marketing creation and delivery, whether from an oversight perspective, or doing the required tasks. My varied experience and skills make me uniquely able to understand and thus appropriately manage all areas of communication, marketing and publishing.

IndustriesI have worked across a broad spectrum of industries, including but not limited to: medical, healthcare, organisational wellbeing, architecture, interior design, retail, pharmaceutical, financial services and investment, veterinary, travel and incentive and marketing.

SkillsDuring a 17-year career in the communication, marketing, PR and publishing spaces I have developed and applied a broad range of skills. These include:

Communication and publication conception and realisation Strategic marketing and communication implementation plans Communication and/or publication strategy design and implementation Website content creation and management Social media channel management Content curation Interviewing and feature writing Copywriting Editing, proofreading, sub-editing and rewriting Photography Picture editing Design, layout and DTP Management of internal and external providers and team members

A full description of my skills, industry and client history is available on request

Courses and Training

National College : Portrait and People photography Courseof Photography Advanced Photography Course

Intermediate Photography CourseSpecialist Press Association : Feature writing course

Sub-editing course

Computer Programme LiteracyWindowsMac OS XMicrosoft Office for Mac 2016, including Entourage, Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint (Basic)Adobe Creative Suite CC2015 - Photoshop, In Design, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Acrobat Pro

Awards

Siemens /CSIR Profile Awards: Profile Award for Journalistic Excellence in Building Technologies Mondi - MPSASA Journalism Awards: Finalist Award in Specialised Readership CategorySpecialist Press Association : Pica Award for Journalistic Excellence. Sector - Landscaping, Horticulture and

Environmental PlanningPica Highly Commended Certificate for Journalistic Excellence. Sector - Architecture, Building and Interior Design

Employment History

February 2013 to current: Senior Communication Specialist, Healthi Choices (a Europ Assistance Group Company)

I was offered and accepted permanent employment with Healthi Choices, having worked for them on a contract basis until October 2014 (20 months).

Industry: Healthi Choices is an organisational wellbeing provider offering employee wellbeing solutions, as well as health and wellbeing solutions to affinity groups and medical schemes. Healthi Choices partners with clients and a national network of healthcare and allied professionals to offer holistic health and wellbeing solutions across the dimensions of wellbeing, including: psychosocial, physical, work, financial, legal, maternity and executive.

Management: I currently manage two full time staff members, and an external team of two freelancers and a number of service providers.

Responsibilities Content creation: research, copywriting, rewriting and editing for printed and web content and infographics

Content management: I am the content management specialist – sourcing, writing, editing and syndicating the appropriate content for our audiences. I am also responsible for tailoring the content for the appropriate communication channels and the audience.

Online and social media: I work closely with a small team looking after the communications and innovations environment which includes developing online interactive tools, looking at the user experience and constant product development of both printed and online content and collateral. We currently manage 25 websites and a Facebook page, Facebook Group and Twitter handle.

Outbound communications: I am responsible for all outbound communications to clients and their employees: social media, e-newsletters from mobi-enabled websites, sms and printed outbound communications as well as targeted campaigns. This includes writing, copyediting, proofreading, sub editing, sourcing supporting images, picture editing, creating infographics and designing the look and feel of all communications.

We communicate with a diverse client base and to a number of audiences, adjusting the tone, style, look and feel and content for each audience.

Branding and design: I am also a designer and I look after 15 brands – designing for and communicating on behalf of these brands to their target audiences. This includes designing and creating digital and print-ready brochures, posters, newsletters, and event collateral and working closely with other teams in the wellbeing environment to create ad hoc material (presentations, proposals, topic campaigns etc.)

New business development: implementing new clients and ‘onboarding’ key stakeholders as well as supporting the sales and development teams. Working on tenders and proposals and attending client meetings with key stakeholders from potential and existing clients.

Marketing: sourcing appropriate gifts and promotional items, branding and supplying artwork, managing suppliers, creating gift tags with copy, hand-outs for marketing events

Events: onsite and online campaign creation to include event activities, budgets, sourcing materials, designing event collateral (banners, brochures, hand-outs, gifts), Liaising with suppliers and events teams to deliver events.

Clients Government Employee Medical Scheme (GEMS), Massmart, Old Mutual, AngloGold Ashanti, SAA, the dti, the Independent Development Corporation (IDC), Liberty, Zurich, Department of Arts and Culture, Aon SA, Sizwe, University of Zululand, Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Grand Parade Investments

Skills applied Team management; design of internal and external communication strategies and implementation plans; briefing copy and design specialists; graphic design and layout; copywriting; proofreading; editing; campaign creation and implementation across online and onsite platforms; project planning and management; coordinating all communications, promotions and marketing; managing internal and external suppliers, including developers, web designers and web administrators

Independent contractor The Last Word – freelance journalism, communications and photography

February 2006 to March 2011: Contracted to United Pharmaceutical Distributors (UPD, a division of Clicks Holdings) and Link (pharmacy brand)

Work completed Link to YOU magazine (bimonthly) December 2009 to October 2011: Concept and design, managing editor, editor, journalist, photographer, layout and DTP for Link to YOU magazine, a business-to-business magazine published by United Pharmaceutical Distributors, circulated monthly to their Link pharmacies and pharmaceutical suppliers.

Graphic design, copy writing and picture sourcing and editing for Link

adverts, diary covers, special publications, in-pharmacy branding and promotional material.

Advertising: advertising for Cape Argus, The Star, The Mercury and Pretoria News. Magazine adverts for Southern Sun’s Equinox magazine, adverts for Life Healthcare magazine.

Marketing: seasonal promotional material, catalogues and creation of branding and marketing material.

Branding: Creating a series of lifestyle posters and images to visually solidify the brand identity and ethos of Link within the pharmacy environments countrywide. Liaison with Dalit Shekel, Link Brand Manager to create a brand identity through the print communications, in-store branding, marketing material and adverts.

PR: writing of press releases for national newspapers. Additional: Link Diary Cover Design, Supplier’s Evening Invitation, and Advert

for Link National Road Pharmacy.

Link to Good Health magazine (monthly) August 2007 to March 2011: Conceptualised and created the design and editorial programme for this monthly consumer health magazine, circulated to Link pharmacy customers in-pharmacy countrywide. Ongoing role as managing editor, writer, designer and publisher. 50 000 issues published monthly.

Update magazine (monthly) February 2006 to October 2009: Editor, journalist and photographer for Update magazine, a business-to-business in-house magazine published by United Pharmaceutical Distributors, circulated monthly to their pharmaceutical suppliers and pharmacies.

Responsibilities: Managing editor, editor, journalist, picture editor, photographer, magazine concept design, graphic design, layout and DTP, proofreading, sub-editing, pagination, publishing advisor

Independent contractor The Last Word – freelance journalism, communications and photography Freelance Assignments (2001 to 2014):

o Wedding Whiz website - newsletter writing, copy editing, layout and design www.weddingwhiz.co.zao Freight and Trading Weekly (Now Media) - news journalismo Simon Says Communications – copywriting, editing and rewriting on articles and press releaseso Annual and corporate strategic reports - proofreading, writing and editing on behalf of IE Communicationso Imperial www.ipledge.co.za website - copywriting around road safety issueso Beat the Market – Investor Profileo What’s New Doc Issue 16 to 18: topical articles for doctors and healthcare specialist: Obesity in Children

and Adolescents, Generics in South Africa, Malaria: Prevention is better Than Cure, Macular Degenerationo Cables and Ties magazine: Editor, journalist and photographer for launch issue and further issue for Malnor

Publishingo SA Builder (Malnor Publishing) - business-to-business articleso SJC Creative Copy writing for o Uwin Iwin Incentives, Event Engine, Blue Lemon, Creative Incentives and WOW Incentives and Events -

copywriting and editing for their merchandise and travel incentive divisions.o Your Baby – feature writingo Finance Week and Finansies & Tegniek (Media24) – 10 month contract as picture editor and photographer o Vision magazine, Vetmed magazine and SA Ophthalmic News (MD Publications) - feature writing and

photographyo Hausberger & Associates (an insurance and financial advice consultancy) – writing of content for quarterly

newsletter In Touch o Architect and Builder magazine - front cover and inside photographyo Potential Africa - compiling and editing a human resources newsletter targeted at the top management in

big corporationso Photography for Financial Mailo Photography for Marketing Mixo Feature Writing and photography for IE Magazine Jan/March 2002 (Ant Publishing).o 1 to 1 Direct Africa Nov 2002 (Systems Publishing) - feature writing for a supplement to Marketing Mix.

Marketing Mix Sales Management supplement (Systems Publishers)o Salamandra – financial services copywriting

Previous Employment Promech PublishingPeriod: March 2003 to October 2005

Position: Editor: Architect & Specificator magazine and Stainless Steel magazine

Architect & Specificator is the official magazine of AAAMSA (The Association of Architectural Aluminium Manufacturers of South Africa). The magazine is a professional trade journal aimed at the architects, engineers, built-environment professionals, property developers, manufacturers and specifiers of architectural and associated products.

Stainless Steel magazine is the official journal of the South African Stainless Steel Development Association (SASSDA). The magazine is circulated alternate monthly to all parties involved in the stainless steel industry from CEOs to one-man bands.

Responsibilities: Editorial planning, interviewing and writing of all articles, layout, design, photography and sub-

editing to print ready status

Previous Employment: Ant PublishingPeriod of Employment: 25 July 2001 to 1 November 2001 (published 2 issues)

Position: Managing Editor: IE MagazineMagazine IE magazine is a business-to-business magazine highlighting the latest in architectural and interior

design as well as the key players in these fields at work and at play.

Responsibilities: Editorial planning, briefing freelance writers and photographers, setting up photo shoots, interviewing and writing of articles, photography and sub-editing to print ready status

Previous Employment: Johnnic Publishing, Business Magazine Division (previously Avonwold Publishing and Times Media)

Period of Employment: September 1998 to July 2001

Position: Editor: Building magazineBuilding is an architectural, design and construction publication. It is published alternate monthly with a national circulation of 5500 to architectural and related professionals.

Previous Position: Assistant Editor Building magazine, Planning magazine, Parks and Grounds magazine

Additional: Feature writing and photography :SA Homeowner’s Buyers Guide, Professions and Project Register.Photography:Titles: SA Homeowner, Turf and Landscape Maintenance, Professional Caterer and Hotelkeeper, Fast Food and Family Restaurant, Procsa Register

References

Carlo Budree Head: Wellbeing Innovations, Healthi Choices 082 320 9848Elsabe Bothma Owner of IE Communications elsabe@iecomm.co.zaLauren Copley Editor, What’s New Doc/Beat the Market magazines 0027 71 190 1221

innovatrix1@gmail.comMelanie Stevens Owner of Simon Says Communications 011 465 9815Dalit Shekel Link Brand Manager (2009 to 2011) 082 299 2129Keith Elliott CEO, Tony Ferguson and Met-S Cares 082 441 6249

Previously Marketing director, United Pharmaceutical Distributors (Clicks Holdings Ltd) Link (2007 to 2008)

Gail Botha WOW Incentives and Events 082 808 2117and Uwin Iwin Incentives gail@wowie.co.za

(Full skills and publication history, portfolio, award and qualification certificates available on request)