Charlene Bonsu

CHARLENE BONSU SUMMARY Experienced Marketing Communications Specialist with over 15 years of expertise in creating and leading successful PR campaigns, enhancing brand visibility, and fostering public engagement through effective storytelling across multiple platforms. Skilled in strategic planning, content creation, and stakeholder communication, adept at improving brand awareness and client relationships. Brings a strong mix of project management abilities and collaborative skills to drive targeted marketing strategies. EXPERIENCE Communications Lead African Center for Economic Transformation | Accra, Ghana | March 2022 December 2024 I managed strategic communications, media relations, and content development for the Ghana Compact: a special program run by the African Center for Economic Transformation, an economic policy institute supporting Africa's long-term growth through transformation. Achievements Provided strategic guidance on external communications campaigns to maximize visibility of the organization's mission and values. Developed and implemented a forward-looking Ghana Compact communication strategy. Organized and managed high-profile corporate events, including press conferences, technical briefings, and cross-national citizen engagement events. Oversaw website content updates to ensure accuracy in messaging across all digital platforms. Provided creative direction for the design of visuals that supported messaging objectives in both print and digital mediums. Cultivated relationships with local media outlets to ensure positive coverage of the organization's initiatives. • Built a social media and online plan to engage audiences across traditional and new media. Curated and produced content and communications to amplify the objectives of the Ghana Compact and ACET's program areas. • Maintained a keen understanding of media and social media industry trends, and created content for social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Spearheaded the creation of compelling marketing materials, including brochures, videos, and presentations. CONTACT --Accra Ghana https://www.youtube.com /watch?v=MFj5LUbpWHY&t=18s SKILLS Strategic Planning Content creation Media relations Digital Marketing Stakeholder Engagement Critical thinking and Problem solving EDUCATION Project Management Professional Certification January 2019 Master's degree Media, Communications, and Public Relations Leicester University, United Kingdom Distance Learning Program January 2011 Bachelor of Arts Linguistics and Theatre Arts (Radio, Television, Video and Film Production Option) University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana GPA: With First Class Honors January 2005 LANGUAGES English: First Language Communications Consultant Freelance | Accra, Ghana | January 2018 - March 2022 Executed brand activities, PR campaigns, and fundraising events for clients including Arthur Legacy Sports, AFAP, IFDC, Standard Chartered, Frytol, Fortune Rice, PZ Cussons, and Kings Oil. Achievements Facilitated brainstorming sessions for new marketing initiatives. Spanish: A2 Elementary (A2) Fante: Advanced (C1) C1 Developed and implemented strategic communications plans to promote organizational initiatives. Worked with brands and creative agencies to devise detailed communication and brand strategies. Worked with stakeholders from different departments to coordinate messaging efforts across various channels. Developed creative concepts for promotional campaigns based on client objectives and target audience. Ensured accuracy, clarity, and consistency in copy to align with brand standards. Collaborated with designers and other creatives to generate original content that resonates with customers. Designed engaging material for digital marketing on various social media channels. Creative Partner SCANAD GHANA | Accra, Ghana | October 2011 - December 2017 Leveraged my considerable expertise in communications solutions to grow multinational brands like Vodafone, Woodin, DStv, and Coca-Cola. Achievements Worked with brand managers to design and implement yearly communication strategies, plans, and activities. Assisted and actively engaged in market storms and qualitative market research to check brand health, assess the effectiveness of campaigns, and garner consumer insights. Translated marketing objectives into creative strategies, designs and plans. Presented creative concepts and strategies to senior management and clients, effectively communicating the vision and rationale behind creative decisions. Provided strategic and creative direction for integrated marketing communications. Supported events teams to design and implement product launches, fundraising events, and media engagements. Generated communications that engage both internal and external stakeholders across diverse media and digital platforms. Led, managed, and trained creatives, as well as fostered a sense of family and teamwork within the creative department. Directed the production of TVCs, radio ads, print shoots, and on-ground activations. Senior Copywriter MMRS OGILVY | Accra, Ghana | March 2010 - October 2011 Managed projects for key accounts including Vodafone, Coca-Cola, DStv and Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel. Accomplishments Conducted research on target audiences to inform messaging strategy. Directed creative processes from briefings to concept development and production. Produced and created communications that increased brand awareness and affinity among targeted audiences.(For instance, growing the Mövenpick brand from one that was largely unknown in Ghana to one that is highly respected and admired) Met with clients to understand message, brand voice and target audience. Managed multiple projects from concept to completion within tight deadlines while maintaining high quality standards. Collaborated with creative teams to brainstorm new promotions, products and ACCOMPLISHMENTS Lead the successful launch of the Ghana Compact initiative in December 2022. Awards: Scanad Ghana became the most awarded agency in the Gong-Gong Awards 2012 with a total of 22 awards (19 Gold and 3 Platinum) I contributed considerably to the winning of these awards as the lead and more often than not only writer on the award-winning work over the time frame. In this role, I created and managed highly effective campaigns that created and expanded markets, and changed perceptions of people worldwide · Was part of the team responsible for the hugely successful rebranding of Areeba to MTN which immediately propelled MTN as the leading telecommunications company in Ghana. AWARDS: Origin8 Saatchi & Saatchi was Ghana's most awarded agency since the inception of the advertising awards in 2003until it was unseated by the company i subsequently joined, Scanad Ghana in 2014. I contributed significantly to this as a member of the creative department from 2006 to 2010. CERTIFICATIONS Green digital skills certificate with INCO Academy 2024 Google Digital skills for Africa 2021 Project Management Professional Certification -) Leicester University, United Kingdom (Distance Learning Program) -) Master's degree in media, Communications, and Public Relations University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana -) Bachelor of Arts (With First Class Honors) in Linguistics and Theatre Arts (Radio, Television, Video and Film Production Option) marketing strategies. Guaranteed that creative output aligned with clients' marketing goals while resonating with the target audience. Translated creative direction and technical details into compelling copy. Lead Copywriter On MTN Account Origin8 Saatchi and Saatchi | Accra, Ghana | June 2006 - May 2010 Accomplishments Was part of the team responsible for the hugely successful rebranding of Areeba to MTN which immediately propelled MTN as the leading telecommunications company in Ghana. Developed and adapted MTN's global campaign, “Go,” into one that was locally relevant, appealing and effective. Wrote effective copy for multimedia campaigns across several media channels. Performed local and international research for consumer insights. Collaborated with Creative Director to develop training programs for creative team. Participated in brand workshops and strategic formulating sessions which informed the development of core brand activities and messaging. Coordinated various aspects of TV, Radio and Print Ads Ensured brand consistency across all written materials. Participated in brainstorming sessions to conceptualize marketing campaigns and strategies. WHEN I AM NOT WORKING I AM... Podcasting, learning a new language, doing some arts and crafts, watching Netflix... WEBSITES, PORTFOLIOS, PROFILES https://ghanacompact.com https://www.modernghana.com/news/-/the-fierce-urgency-of.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e24rZSYAe3k https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXWnVruIQ90 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqPYjQyFce0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgOfwXFquEU REFERENCES References available upon request.