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Riyaz Patel

Riyaz Patel

Writer-Editor-Connector

Media & Communications in International Team Environments
Dublin/Johannesburg/Moscow (1501) South Africa
Employed Open to opportunities
Polished and incredibly connected MA professional with a stellar 15 year record of managing international hybrid newsrooms and communication programmes... A ‘media diplomat’ with the editorial gravitas to earn global audience trust and the leadership attributes to manage, yet work within a team.

— Mary Holland Scholar (Ireland)
— Steve Biko Scholar (Zambia)
Resume created on DoYouBuzz
  • Develop communication plans and enterprise stories which support RT’s strategic brand positioning
  • Craft high-impact talking points and briefing materials for senior management
  • Boost brand awareness through integrated communications and marketing campaigns, ensuring consistent implementation of brand/corporate identity
  • Manage communications budget and programme specific finances
  • Administer regional social media accounts; ensuring it's embedded in team strategy and consistently maximised to achieve company objectives
  • Nurture relations with African media houses and online platforms to optimize brand visibility and reach
  • Deep research to refine innovative programs to maximize profit and value added concepts for RT brand
  • Build capacity by providing in-house communication training sessions
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  • KAS Africa brand and reputation management
  • Strategic guidance to Africa Director and senior managers in Berlin
  • Shrewd finance management yielded 20-30% saving on annual programme spend
  • Developed relations to deepen engagement with African media houses, think tanks and influencers
  • Conceptualised and implemented high-profile media leader engagement platforms
  • Coordinated design and content of annual reports and conference programmes
  • Reviewed funding applications and partnership proposals resulting in sustainable alliances
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  • Deliver convincing and compelling digital media strategies for NGOs and NPOs
  • Evaluate and boost impact of client’s digital media presence
  • Coordinate research, production, publishing of text, images, video, audio and infographics ensuring meaningful engagement
  • Tap into extensive global network to enhance visibility and maximise content distribution
  • Bespoke in-house digital media training
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  • Instilled exceptional practice based skills in students (undergrad and postgrad) while breaking down complex research
  • Enhanced writing by introducing poetry in lesson plans; drawing commendations from peers and students
  • Persuaded skeptical colleagues to infuse International Mandela Day into curriculum by demonstrating the striking nexus between Journalism, Democracy and Development
  • Successfully ushered in 'Digital Storytelling' concept
  • Negotiated sustainable partnerships with local community organizations
  • Completed dissertation on: The language the BBC used to frame 'Operation Cast Lead' – Israel's War on Gaza (2008-2009)
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  • Managed a team which edited, fact checked, redrafted and enhanced copy ensuring it's crisp, consistent, coherent and error-free
  • Determined story ideas and refined angles and treatment
  • Enhanced output by conducting individual coaching sessions with desk writers and field reporters
  • Engaged and briefed political, business and civil society leaders
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  • Took charge of the news production cycle while serving as the last point of QA before publishing
  • Directed the 'first line of attack' on major stories that emerged overnight
  • Activated strong communication skills to cultivate relations with emergency personnel which yielded RTE 'Exclusives'
  • Refreshing approaches to storytelling through cooperative working environment
  • Resident RTE analyst on developmental trends emanating from Southern Africa
  • Courted by powerhouse Irish NGO quartet: Concern, Trocaire, Dochas and Irish Aid
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  • Offered broader perspectives on political activity; unpacking the impact of policy beyond the formal framework of formal institutions
  • Innovative approach to WSSD 2002 coverage led directly to some 100 families (12 babies) being sheltered, clothed and fed
  • Dedicated Nelson Mandela and foreign heads of state correspondent
  • Executive Producer on the African Connection Rally – 22 day, 11 country odyssey which began at Africa’s northernmost point in Tunisia and ended at Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of the continent
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  • Microsoft Office & Apple Suit
    Expert
  • Google Analytics
    Advanced
  • Google Public Data
    Advanced
  • Storyful Multisearch
    Advanced
  • i-Movie
    Advanced
  • Adobe Premiere
    Intermediate

MA (International Journalism)

Dublin Institute of Technology

August 2008 to February 2010
Advanced Writing and Reporting
International Finance and Microeconomics
Journalism in a Globalised World
Critiquing Development and Human Rights
International Media Law and Ethics
Digital and Social Media

Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing

Shaw Academy

Since January 2018
Social Media Management & Monitoring
Turning Fans Into Buyers
Optimising Social Media Strategy
Creating Ads In The Digital Space
SEO
Growth Hacking

Certificate

Institute of Technology Blanchardstown, Ireland

2007
Introduction to Advocacy
Advocating for Rights and Representation
Advocacy Communications

TEFL Certificate

Global Language Trainer

March 2017 to May 2017
150 hours English Teaching Master Course
  • Campaigns and Advocacy
  • Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Biographies
  • Self-development
  • Football
  • Athletics
  • Historical Period Dramas
  • Documentaries