Bhekisisa Kumalo
Brand Communication Strategy. Graphic Design. Digital Marketing.
Overview
I am a communications practitioner with expertise in Digital Marketing/Advertising, Strategic Brand Communication, and Graphic Design. I have extensive experience designing various print and digital visual assets, with experience in digital marketing and integrated brand communication.
I believe in ‘meaningful brand-building’ and the concept that - brands/organisations must hold shared values with their communities and aim to make a positive impact on the broader society.
Qualifications and Skills.
• Advanced tertiary training in Communications
o B.A Honours in Strategic Brand Communication
o Advanced Diploma in Marketing and Advertising Communications
o Diploma in Graphic Design and New media
• Over five years of professional experience in communications
• Experience copywriting persuasive messaging for various audiences on digital platforms
• Experience designing and producing content for social media, including short-form videos
• Experience proofreading long-form text products, including annual reports, communication strategies and magazines
• An affinity for modern visual design
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite tools (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere Pro, and After Effects)
• Web design experience and proficiency in HTML and CSS with Google Analytics certification
• Native-level fluency in written and oral English in professional settings
• Advanced tertiary training in Communications
o B.A Honours in Strategic Brand Communication
o Advanced Diploma in Marketing and Advertising Communications
o Diploma in Graphic Design and New media
• Over five years of professional experience in communications
• Experience copywriting persuasive messaging for various audiences on digital platforms
• Experience designing and producing content for social media, including short-form videos
• Experience proofreading long-form text products, including annual reports, communication strategies and magazines
• An affinity for modern visual design
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite tools (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere Pro, and After Effects)
• Web design experience and proficiency in HTML and CSS with Google Analytics certification
• Native-level fluency in written and oral English in professional settings
Professional Experience
- Current -
Marketing & Brand Communications Manager
InsightPact - Thailand (Remote)
(01 June 2023 - Present)
In this role, I work closely with the Business Development team to:
• Plan and implement marketing & communication strategies to promote the company's services
• Manage day-to-day operations of marketing and communications efforts
• Track and analyze the performance of marketing campaigns
• Conduct market research and analyze data on market trends
• Manage social media, blogs, podcasts, website and other external communications channels
• Ideate, create and execute visual communications assets for digital communication channels, sales material and training material
• Manage day-to-day operations of marketing and communications efforts
• Track and analyze the performance of marketing campaigns
• Conduct market research and analyze data on market trends
• Manage social media, blogs, podcasts, website and other external communications channels
• Ideate, create and execute visual communications assets for digital communication channels, sales material and training material
- 2022 -
Community Manager
InsightPact - Remote
(30 May 2022 - 01 June 2023)
In this role, I worked closely with the Learning & Community Director to build and grow InsightPact’s brand, online presence, and community. I was responsible for creating and delivering content (including but not limited to graphics, blog posts, social media posts, newsletters and community events) to establish and promote InsightPact’s thought leadership in the professional development industry.
• Social media campaign promoting InsightPact’s Being Considered podcast
• Developing InsightPact’s brand identity blueprint, visual identity & guidelines
• Developing content calendar & graphic/motion design of content to promote InsightPact articles, resources and newsletter
• Developing InsightPact’s brand identity blueprint, visual identity & guidelines
• Developing content calendar & graphic/motion design of content to promote InsightPact articles, resources and newsletter
- 2019 -
GRAPHIC DESIGN & BRAND COMMUNICATION
Consultant - Remote/Online
(March 2018 - Current (Ad-Hoc))
I have worked on various communication projects where I have assumed roles responsible for brand communication strategy, advertising, digital marketing to graphic design.
• Developing brand communication strategies for Eden All Natural butters, and the 2019 Plett Rage festival campaign
• Graphic design and layout of David Tyfield’s ‘Desert Rain’ book, and the Barclays ‘Prosper’ newsletter
• Website design and management for reel.Yellow.com, including social media content creation
• Digital marketing strategy for the 2018 Life Choices campaign, and paid social media promotion of Caijo’s project.
• Brand identity design for Flame eyewear, and Sunday Sessions events
• Graphic design and layout of David Tyfield’s ‘Desert Rain’ book, and the Barclays ‘Prosper’ newsletter
• Website design and management for reel.Yellow.com, including social media content creation
• Digital marketing strategy for the 2018 Life Choices campaign, and paid social media promotion of Caijo’s project.
• Brand identity design for Flame eyewear, and Sunday Sessions events
- 2018 -
Brand Marketing
Reebok - South Africa, Cape Town
(November 2018 - December 2018)
"Bheki shows a mature understanding of the brief with fresh insights and observations."
- Brian Jackson, Brand Activation Specialist, Reebok South Africa.
- 2017 -
Graphic Design (Lead)
Triton Business Forms - Harare, Zimbabwe
(February 2017 - March 2018)
Graphic design and creative consultation for clients such as Boom detergents, Aggreko, PerfLabs, and the design & front-end development of the Triton Business Forms website.
- 2016 -
Graphic Design (jr)
Triton Business Forms - Harare, Zimbabwe
(January 2016 - January 2017)
I designed various brand contact elements for clients such as ZimKings Trading, GroupAir, Motor Sports Club, Leopack Proton Bakeries, KFC, and PUMA Energy.
- 2015 -
Graphic Design (Freelance)
Harare, Zimbabwe
(January 2015 - December 2015)
I worked with various Zimbabwean companies and individuals to develop visual communication elements for a wide range of stakeholders. I designed work for clients that included, Bindura Nickel Corporation Limited, Flame Lily Nails & Beauty, Identity365 Media Lab, and Lomabil Credit.
Volunteer Work
Graphic Design and Brand communication
Shangaan Press: Book Drive - Harare, Zimbabwe
(September 2015 - Current)
Shangaan Press is an African publishing firm dedicated to telling little-known stories from multi-cultural contexts.
The Book Drive aims to improve literacy and the quality of education for children living in remote communities in Africa (2 communities in one country impacted so far) by collecting, reconditioning, and cataloguing books from donors. These books are then donated to the school libraries and in one instance, created the library.
Education
- 2019 -
Bachelor of Arts Honours in Strategic Brand Communication
Vega School - Cape Town, South Africa
(January 2019 - December 2019)
My research paper sought to explore considerations for the development of Employee Assistance
Programmes through an Instrumental Case Study into Reebok South Africa.
Programmes through an Instrumental Case Study into Reebok South Africa.
- 2018 -
Advanced Diploma in Marketing & Advertising Communications
Red & Yellow Creative School of Business - Cape Town, South Africa
(January 2018 - December 2018)
"And all of this culminated in your standing up confidently in front of your peers and the industry, sharing an insightful and thought-provoking look into “Of mice and men: the migration of intelligence”, challenging us to be mindful on the impact we, as individuals, have on the universe around us." - Di, Peta & the Red & Yellow team
- 2014 -
Diploma in Graphic Design and New Media
Zimbabwe Institute of Vigital Arts - Harare, Zimbabwe
(January 2013 - December 2014) *Top Graduating Student 2014
"When you submitted this topic (App A Cab) for your thesis, I was skeptical that you would pull it off but your tenacity and confidence won me over and my skepticism turned to excitement as you clearly proved that you knew exactly what you were doing!" - Prof. Saki Mafundikwa, Z.I.V.A.
View the "App A Cab" project here
Certifications
Certificate for the Fundamentals of Digital Marketing
Google Digital Skills for Africa - Online
(April 2020)
Certificate ID: 6YQ J9W ERF - View credentials here
Design Thinking Training Programme ~ Design Thinking Week
Hasso Plattner School of Design Thinking at the University of Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa (19 - 22 November 2019)
"You helped the team by being calm and empathetic, and open to opposing ideas. I would like to see more of you playing and having fun." - Jason, Design Thinking Training Teammate.
Certificate in Art Studies
Peter Birch School of Art - Harare, Zimbabwe
(February 2012 - July 2012)
Skill Set
Industry Knowledge
Integrated Marketing, Graphic Design, Web Design, Branding & Identity Development, Market Research, Customer Service, Brand Strategy, Digital marketing, Creative Concept Design.
Integrated Marketing, Graphic Design, Web Design, Branding & Identity Development, Market Research, Customer Service, Brand Strategy, Digital marketing, Creative Concept Design.
Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
- Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects, Premier Pro, Dreamweaver, Portfolio)
- Design Thinking
- Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
- Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects, Premier Pro, Dreamweaver, Portfolio)
- Design Thinking
Other Skills
Academic Research, Account Planning, Strategic Planning, Customer Service.
Academic Research, Account Planning, Strategic Planning, Customer Service.
Languages I speak:
- English (Native or Bilingual Proficiency)
- Ndebele (Limited Working Proficiency)
- Shona (Professional working proficiency)
Make Contact
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