Candice Jones

BA Journalism and Linguistics

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineering course

A+ hardware certificate

Matric

Acting Executive: Communications

I am currently acting in the position of Executive of Communications leading a team of professionals in media relations, stakeholder communications, internal communications, social media engagement, social media customer care and customer care communications. I am responsible for the development and implementation of a strategic direction that encompasses the entire division and ensure that this direction aligns with company strategy based on constant interactions with members of the executive committee and the internal audit division to ensure good governance practice. The provision of professional expertise and advice with regards to effective communications practices falls within my purview and I am expected to guide executive management in this regard. While I am managing a team of people, I am also expected to continue the work I have done in Media and Stakeholder relations, which includes writing of press material and media relations management. This includes, commercial media, finance media, business and legal content and corporate social responsibility coverage, among others. Additionally, I advise on risk mitigation and the execution of any crisis communication requirements. Internally, I am expected to ensure that all 2500 employees are adequately informed as required and provide targeted communication to complete this task. Additionally, within an organisation that is undergoing rapid change, I am required to support change management and ensure continued motivation among staff. I play an advisory role in the communication to customer care agents to ensure that information is adequately shared in the service of customers. I also play a role in the approval of direct to customer communication including SMSes and bill run communications.

Senior Manager: External Communications

I am responsible for the audit and control of all external communications, Development of divisional strategy in line with organisation strategy, team mentorship and development. To maintain a positive image of Cell C by favourably positioning the company and its products and services to ensure that all key stakeholders see Cell C as a world-class MNO. Actively leverage the company’s Image and maintain high levels of awareness, understanding and interest in Cell C. Strategically establish and maintain mutually beneficial relationships between Cell C and key stakeholders in order to meet key business objectives.

Media Relations Manager

In 2012, I was promoted to Media Relations Manager after a departmental restructuring process. While my title stated manager, my duties are those of a senior manager. I have been responsible for driving the company strategy through media channels, maintaining the company’s profile as an opinion leader, as well as highlight new product offerings through media. Working closely with the former CEO of the company, Alan Knott-Craig, I leveraged the media as a strategic tool in influencing public opinion and government and regulatory circles. I also manage photo shoots for publications and internal use of all executives. I also assisted with writing all public facing documentation, except the Web site, which was then managed by the company advertising agency.

Company writer and Media Advisor

In 2011, then CEO of Cell C asked me to join the company to effectively act as an agency for the company’s media relations. I was responsible for writing all public facing documentation, including press materials, Web site copy, social media interactions, customer responses (for VIP clients), business profiles and brochures. I assisted with managing internal communications and helped shape the company’s internal magazine. I also assisted the VIP customer care team in communications.

Deputy Editor

I was asked to join TechCentral just under a year after the publication was formed by Duncan McLeod, former Technology Editor for the Financial Mail. Helped develop ideas to expand readership and generate content for the site. I helped target potential growth areas for the business. I was also instrumental in the production of TechCentral’s weekly podcast, editing both audio and video content for publication.

News journalist and Telecoms Editor

In 2008, I was promoted to the hard news desk where I was responsible for sourcing breaking news coverage. I excelled in the telecommunications coverage and was promoted to Telecoms Editor later that year. My responsibilities included coverage and analysis of the sector. I was also tasked with comprehensive research and understanding of the technologies used in the sector, as well as concrete knowledge of government and regulatory influences. All content that was written by other journalists covering the issues in telecoms was passed through me for checking. I also started the social media spaces for the company, through Facebook and Twitter.

Portals Deputy Editor

In June that year I was promoted to a journalist and later that year again to portals deputy editor. I was tasked with covering softer news angles and ensuring content driven through the niche areas remained consistent. I was responsible for tracking international trends across all the available portals on ITWeb and growing contact lists for the various industry sectors. I was also responsible for sourcing and checking content from potential industry experts in the various sectors. During my term as portals deputy editor, I was also responsible for developing and putting together newsletters for each of the covered sectors, including mobile.

Journalist

I was appointed to ITWeb as a junior journalist in February 2007. My responsibilities were to source and develop content in certain niche areas, including banking, e-billing, healthcare technologies, mobile, gaming and biometrics. I was also tasked with building relationships with key industry players and growing the contact list available to those niche areas.

Intern

Three month internship at ITWeb in 2006 as required by the university for the honours degree. I was tasked with sourcing usable press releases and rewriting them for publication according to the style of ITWeb. I was later tasked with sourcing original content and turning into copy that covered certain niche areas in technology.

Intern

Tectonic was an online publication focusing on the open source environment. As part of my studies I interned at the company for three weeks. I was responsible for sourcing and writing stories aimed at capturing the open source community.

Hotel manager

For 2002 I took a travel experience to Italy to learn the language. I worked at several hostels, hotels and an Internet Café. I lived and worked in Rome for a year. Responsibilities at the hotel included marketing, guest management and service orientation.

Network administrator and IT services support

ITS contracted us to advertising firms and media placement companies to install and manage networks. Primary sites included Ogilvy & Mather and Grey SA, plus their respective planning and buying agencies in Johannesburg. It included support for hardware and software, user management and data management. Both Unix and Windows environments were managed.