Jess Wright

Experience

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  Jess Wright

  Jul 2014 - Jun 2017

  Content & PR • ABWN, Keyes Art Mile, Jana+Koos, RETURNAfrica, 10and5, Casimir, DROP, Pichulik, etc

  After graduating — plus focused part-time work throughout my degree — I interned, contracted, and ultimately "freelanced" across various disciplines. My intention was to gain authentic and hands-on experience in the work environments that had caught my attention in my four years of studying before making a considered decision to hone in on longer-term opportunities.5TUDIO / BETWEEN 10AND5CONTENT PRODUCTION COORDINATOR— The small team allowed me to be hands-on across conceptualising and coordinating creative campaigns, branded editorial content, script-writing, interviewing, digital video content production, influencer management, and event and project coordination. I also gained exposure to art direction. — Accounts included the Estée Lauder umbrella, adidas, Glenfiddich (working closely with Saatchi & Saatchi BrandsRock), the SA Pavilion at Venice Biennale 2017, and more.KEYES ART MILESOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER; CONTENT CREATOR— I was hired independently by Roelof van Wyk through my work for ABWN (see below).— I assisted with the social media management of the art precinct and worked alongside ABWN to ensure it was an integrated communications strategy. This overlapped digital content, social media management, photography and PR.A BETTER WORLD NETWORK (ABWN)PR ACCOUNT ASSISTANT — I was initially brought on in a freelance capacity to assist with the PR roll-out for Joburg Art Fair 2016, Africa’s leading contemporary Art Fair at the time.— I was subsequently contracted to assist with the media administration of the following accounts: iSimangaliso Wetland Park, SAIA AfriSam Architecture Awards for Sustainability & Innovation, Keyes Art Mile, 44 Stanley, BotCon Africa, LiFT for Orange Babies, and the Tshemba Foundation.JANA + KOOS GRAPHIC DESIGN INTERN RETURNAFRICACONTENT CONTRIBUTORCASIMIR TVDIGITAL CONTENT INTERN DROP MAGAZINECONTENT CONTRIBUTORPICHULIK PRODUCT DESIGN INTERN; PHOTOGRAPHERCITY SIGHTSEEING SAPHOTOGRAPHER; WRITER Show less

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  Joe Public

  Jul 2017 - Oct 2018

  Digital Content Manager

  Joe Public is a full-service advertising agency. I was fully committed to two nation-wide retail accounts, Jet and High Key, and their sub-brands (NTK, Jet Man and Jabari), and assisted other accounts — particularly with digital content planning — where need be. This included South African Breweries (SAB) and GynaGuard.DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGER & MEDIA PLANNER Feb 2018 – September 2018 • 8 mosSitting between the creative, accounts and strategy teams, I acted as the "last stop" before all digital content went live and ensured each campaign was delivered on time and to (or, better yet, above) expectations.I was accountable for formulating media proposals — often in the form of client-facing presentations and motivations — according to creative campaigns and the marketing needs of the brand. I was also in charge of meticulously maintaining multiple content maps for the full team.I was responsible for monitoring objectives and understanding metric KPIs, working closely with Grace Cooper. It was imperative that I stayed up to date with current trends in digital advertising and content marketing, media strategy, and creative forecasting. I was also involved in the initial creative processes, from brainstorming concepts to design reviews, although moved away from that aspect, unfortunately, after my promotion in February 2018.DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGER Jul 2017 – Feb 2018 • 7 mos Show less

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  Art Dubai

  Mar 2018 - Mar 2018

  Media Coordinator • Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, CNN, Mousse, SELECTIONS, Emirates Woman, ELLE Arabia

  A once-off opportunity on site. Art Dubai is a catalyst in the city's cultural development as a global destination for arts and design. My volunteer role within the programme — which invites “driven, excellent art enthusiasts and professionals” to join the team on-site in the UAE each year — was to interact with traditional media teams*, and manage the lines of communication between said media and galleries, artists, art buyers, media exhibition booths, journalists, publishers, and social media teams. *Notable names include Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, CNN, Mousse Magazine, SELECTIONS, Emirates Woman, Gulf News, and ART AFRICA Magazine. Show less

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  Food & Trees for Africa

  Oct 2018 - Jun 2022

  Digital Communications Manager

  I was approached by the Executive Director of Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA), a leading non-profit organisations in South Africa, to head up their digital communications* in July 2018. I worked full-time from October 2018 to August 2019. FTFA was a client from September 2019 to June 2022. For these three years, I managed their social media and monthly newsletters only (no other digital communications) as Makes Your Day. *In this space, I focused on accountable storytelling and making a difference through purpose-driven, social impact communications. My main aim was to increase awareness, educate, and engage with audiences who are actively making a positive impact. It was also about sharing authentic stories on behalf of those who don't yet have an online voice or, in the context of rural or under-resourced areas in South Africa, the social media platforms, marketing tools, or data. Ultimately, the communications and digital strategy needed to support and service measurable marketing and organisation objectives which, like any NPO, revolve around attracting support and donations for beneficiaries' projects. It needed to grow the good work done at FTFA. Show less

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  Makes Your Day

  Sept 2019 - now

  Founder

  Content, communications, collaborations, and community for the creative and lifestyle industries • Makes Your Day is a bite-sized studio that aims to 1) give voice to brands and people that have a positive impact and the potential to create change, or simply the ability to make you smile, and 2) strive for a better world — one that is more inclusive, meaningful, and sustainable, and representative of the diverse society we love and live in. 2020-2024 long-term clients and notable projects include:Latitudes Online RMB Latitudes Art Fair Vinehugger Reyneke Wines Arkeste by Richard Carstens Art School Africa Museum Futures (Goethe Institut) AAKS Centro Sul Lisbon Swartberg Game Reserve Food & Trees for Africa Early Childhood Matters (Bernard Van Leer Foundation) People Nature Connect LAPA Project and Residency Space (Goethe Institut) EduPlant School Gardening and Nutrition Programme The Peacock Pantry Autonomy and the Urban Mobility Weekly Keyes Art Mile Bridges Africa (French Institute of South Africa in partnership with GOBELINS Paris, Diprente, and Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct) Primeira Vista RetreatWant to find out more?Want to work together?Let’s chat!→ jess@makesyourday.co.za Show less

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  Creative Academy

  Jan 2024 - now

  Head Mentor: Business Acumen for Artists

  In collaboration with the Cape Town Creative Academy and the Creative Leadership Consultancy, Business Acumen for Artists (BAA) is a short course focused on business basics — financial management, decisive negotiating skills, pitching and pricing, amongst other topics — and key skills that empower creative professionals who plan on commercialising their creativity to start and manage their own enterprises sustainably. More: → https://creativeacademy.ac.za/short-courses/business-acumen-for-artists/ Show less

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  Fiera Milano Exhibitions Africa (Pty) Ltd

  Jul 2024 - now

  Marketing Manager at Investec Cape Town Art Fair