MIKE
SIMPSON
SHORT SUMMARY
Skills Summary: Editor, journalist, writer, copywriter, copyeditor, subeditor.
Business+finance, lifestyle, B2B, B2C, general news, features, digital, social,
print, online, white papers, PR-focused writing. Also Marketing, PR,
Publishing and TV experience.
Attributes Summary: Highly experienced; varied life skills; global exposure;
mature; responsible; structured; deadline-driven; self-motivated; able to work
remotely; detailed.
Mike has lived on three continents and visited more than 35 countries in a
professional or personal capacity. Currently resident in Johannesburg, South
Africa, Mike works at embodying his payoff line: “It’s all about quality”.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Simpson Media (2008 – Present)
Founder
Mike Simpson operates as Simpson Media, a content producer, content
manager and publisher. He creates high-quality content for multiple platforms.
Work is done on a freelance, regular or contract basis.
Simpson Media was established in 2008. Mike's experience prior to 2008
includes: Media 24 (Media Industry - South Africa); Topcar Media (Publishing
+ Broadcasting - South Africa); Argus Printing & Publishing (Media IndustrySouth Africa); South Australian Regional Media (Media Industry - Australia),
Ayers Rock Resort (Travel Marketing + PR - Australia); The Terrace Adelaide
Hotel (Travel Marketing + PR – Australia).
EDITOR + PUBLISHER EXPERIENCE:
Editor + Publisher of the IMM Journal of Strategic Marketing (print +
digital B2B magazine) for the Institute of Marketing Management;
Editor + Publisher of Strategic Marketing Africa (print + digital B2B
magazine) for the African Marketing Confederation;
Editor of Fire Protection (B2B print and online magazine) for the Fire
Protection Association of Southern Africa;
Editor of The Recorder newspaper, City of Port Pirie, South Australia;
Assistant Editor of Topcar (consumer motoring publication).
COPYEDITOR/SUBEDITOR EXPERIENCE:
Copyediting the IMM Journal of Strategic Marketing (print + digital
B2B magazine) for the Institute of Marketing Management;
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Copyediting Strategic Marketing Africa (print + digital B2B magazine)
for the African Marketing Confederation;
Copyediting Fire Protection (B2B print and online magazine) for the
Fire Protection Association of Southern Africa;
Copyediting Topcar motoring magazine (as part of the Assistant Editor
role);
Copyediting and proofreading for Easy DIY consumer magazine;
Copyediting and proofreading for Focus on Transport and Logistics
B2B magazine;
Copyediting and proofreading for SHEQ Management B2B magazine
(safety, health, environment and quality industry);
Sign off of all marketing collateral (including advertisements,
brochures, newsletters etc) for Ayers Rock Resort, Australia
Sign off of all marketing collateral (including advertisements,
brochures, newsletters etc) for Terrace Adelaide Hotel, Australia.
WRITING/JOURNALISM /CONTENT-CREATION EXPERIENCE
(INCLUDING P.R. CONTENT):
Content for The Star newspaper;
Content for The Pretoria News newspaper;
Content for the Financial Mail business magazine;
Content for The Recorder newspaper, Australia;
Content for the Australian Financial Review newspaper, Australia;
Content for the Advertiser newspaper, Australia;
Content for the Hong Kong Standard newspaper, Hong Kong;
Content for TTG Asia travel B2B magazine, Singapore;
Content for Fire Protection B2B magazine;
Content for Automotive Business Review B2B magazine;
Travel articles for SA Country Life and Travel Ideas magazines/online;
Content for Standpoint, an investment magazine published by Stanlib
asset management;
Content for Private Life, a First National Bank/Rand Merchant Bank
client publication;
Content for Gradient, an Absa Bank client publication;
Correspondent for Xinhua (Chinese) news agency;
Content for Wits Business Journal (Wits University Business School);
Content for Leadership magazine;
Content for Entrepreneur magazine;
Content for Topcar motoring magazine;
Content for TopLife lifestyle magazine;
PR content for 2 x international architecture and design firms;
PR content for clients in fields such as finance + economics, defence
technology, higher education, business coaching and sports promotion;
PR content for Ayers Rock Resort, Australia;
PR content for the Terrace Adelaide Hotel, Australia.
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SOCIAL MEDIA/ONLINE EXPERIENCE:
Social media content for IMM Journal of Strategic Marketing;
Social media content for Strategic Marketing Africa;
Social media content for a photography business;
Blogs for Meltwater UK, a UK-based marketing services firm;
Website content for a leading bank;
Website content for a professional services firm (auditing, tax and
business consulting);
Content creation for Limelight business websites;
Blogs for an immigration consulting business;
SEO writing for an Australian content management company;
Online travel articles for SA Country Life.
BOOK EXPERIENCE:
Rewriting and updating a textbook for the Advertising Media
Association of South Africa (Amasa);
Content for Sponsorship SA, a B2B book on the sponsorship industry;
Content for Behind the Green Veil, a B2C book published by the
Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS).
MARKETING + P.R. EXPERIENCE:
Marketing Manager at Media 24
Marketing department at Ayers Rock Resort, Australia
Marketing department at Terrace Adelaide Hotel, Australia
PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Media 24, South Africa (July 2006 – December 2007)
Marketing Manager
Marketing Manager in the Motoring/Lifestyle division. This included Topcar,
Topbike, Topmotor, Max Power and Topdeals magazines. Key responsibilities:
budgeting and overall marketing and promotions strategy for the above
consumer titles.
Topcar Media, South Africa (June 1996-June 2006)
Head of Business Unit
This business unit was responsible for TV programming and content related to
motoring, motorsport and lifestyle. Key responsibilities: developing &
researching story ideas; scriptwriting; budgeting; planning; management of
staff; administration; liaison with senior company management; liaison with the
motor industry and public; vehicle testing; attending vehicle launches; on-air
presenting; marketing and promotions relating to the business unit.
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Topcar Media, South Africa (June 1995-May 1996)
Assistant Editor, Magazines
Key responsibilities included editing & re-writing of copy from contributors
and staff writers; initiating and writing articles; assisting with the Internet
Edition; maintaining deadline discipline; working with layout artists;
commissioning freelance writers and photographers.
SUMMARY OF EARLIER EMPLOYMENT
Ayers Rock Resort, Central Australia
Media & Information Manager
Worked in the marketing department of this iconic Australian cultural and
tourism landmark. Duties included liaison with media, tour operators, local
communities and government bodies. Producing press releases, brochures,
newsletters, fact files and other information for resort staff, visitors, tour
operators and bodies such as the Australian Tourism Commission.
The Terrace Adelaide Hotel, Australia
PR + Corporate Affairs Manager
Worked in the marketing department of this 5-star, 334-room hotel. Duties
included guest liaison, media liaison, working with travel agents and tour
operators, developing brochures, newsletters, press releases and other
marketing material, assisting with special events and advertising, working with
community and social groups.
The Recorder newspaper, Port Pirie, Australia
Editor
Editor of this newspaper serving the community in the Flinders Ranges &
Spencer Gulf regions of South Australia. Key responsibilities: managing the
editorial team, photographers and freelancers; maintaining deadline discipline;
establishing the news agenda; reviewing copy & layouts; training of junior
staff; representing the newspaper within the community; writing articles.
The Star newspaper, South Africa
Bureau Chief
News gathering and reporting on newsworthy events within the region.
Pretoria News newspaper, South Africa
Journalist
News gathering and reporting on newsworthy events.
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EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Studied for Bachelor of Business (Marketing), Monash University,
Australia (distance education);
Certificate in Professional Services Marketing, South Australian
Institute of Technology;
Diploma in Public Relations, Damelin Management School, RSA;
Journalism Cadetship with Argus Printing & Publishing Company (The
Star, Pretoria News, Cape Argus, Tribune and others, RSA).
LIFE EXPERIENCES
Leader at the Tembisa Souper Group, a faith-based group of volunteers
operating weekly soup kitchens at squatter camps in Tembisa township
on the East Rand
Volunteer with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Uluru, Australia
Volunteer with the Variety Club of South Australia (children’s charity)
Worked as a bartender
Worked part-time as a night duty manager in a 5-star hotel
Was a partner in a restaurant business
Completed the Rubicon 4x4 Trail in the Sierra Nevada Mountains,
USA. Claimed to be “the ultimate challenge for every four wheeler”
Was charged by an elephant in Tanzania
Drove through Rome’s afternoon rush-hour and survived!
Charter member of the Rotary Club of Ayers Rock. At the time “the
most isolated Rotary Club in the world”.
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