Laura Cornish
Johannesburg
Summary
My career in the mining - publishing and digital fields - has been one of achievement and success, and showcases my evolution from a proficient journalist to a well rounded, respected and recognised editor and content generator of mining content across the African continent and further afield. My passion and enthusiasm for the mining industry is evident in the role I have played in transforming the content and relationships Mining Indaba has - into one that is evolving with the rapid changes occuring in the mining industry and ensuring relevant, engaging and stimulating conversations and debates about what is needed to ensure a sustainable future for mining in Africa.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Content:
Hyve Group - Investing in African Mining Indaba
Johannesburg
01.2023 - Current
- Responsible for developing content strategy for Mining Indaba - conceptual theme through to full delivery of messaging on site
- Deliver full programmes across Mining Indaba - a total of 9 programmes per event
- Execute marketing strategy in support of content strategy
- Execute sales strategy in support of content strategy
- Create and manage Mining Indaba Advisory Boards and Committees
- Engage regularly with all stakeholders within the African mining sector to support and engage with programmes
Group Director: Mining
VUKA Group
Johannesburg
01.2022 - 12.2022
- Overall responsibility for the mining portfolio at VUKA Group - including DRC Mining Week, Nigeria Mining Week, our newly launch DRC-Africa Battery Metals Forum - and Mining Review Africa
- This includes delivering strategic objectives for the portfolio, exploring and delivering new opportunities to take to market, and ensuring Mining Review Africa continues to grow
- Supporting and leading the full mining team at VUKA
- Overseeing marketing strategy for the portfolio
- Ensuring all content delivered on behalf of the portfolio is relevant, accurate and of interest to specific audiences.
Editor - Mining Review Africa and miningreview.com
Spintelligent (now VUKA Group)
Johannesburg
11.2013 - 06.2020
- Producing original content for both magazine, website and online newsletter
- Co-ordinate with sales consultants on advertising content and opportunities
- Identify opportunities for events - creating forums for mining debate topics and creating brand awareness of mining products
- Drive social media platforms - on twitter and facebook
- Establish opportunities to grow brand through marketing concepts and events
- Driving online website traffic through website appearance and content
- Interviewing and researching
- Taking photographs
- Copywriting.
Editor and brand manager - Inside Mining and miningne.ws (website)
3S Media
Johannesburg
11.2011 - 11.2013
- Produced original content for both magazine, website and online newsletter
- Co-ordinated with sales consultants on advertising content and opportunities
- Identified opportunities for events - creating forums for mining debate topics and creating brand awareness of mining products
- Drove social media platforms - on Twitter and Facebook
- Established opportunities to grow brand through marketing concepts and events
- Drove online website traffic through website appearance and content
- Conducted interviews and research
- Took photographs
- Copywriting.
Editor - SA Mining mag and Deputy editor - Built magazine
Avusa Media
Johannesburg
03.2007 - 11.2011
- Responsible for magazine layout/pagination
- Co-ordinated editorial and sales staff
- Edited press releases
- Collaborated with sales team for editorial contributions and advertisements
- Sourced and generated stories and leads
- Interviews
- Research
- Took photographs.
Editor-In-Chief - Mining Review Africa and miningreview.com
Clarion Events (now VUKA Group)
Johannesburg
06.2020
- Print magazine: Oversee content themes and articles per edition
- Generate exclusive content per edition through interviews
- Manage content team
- Ensure effective transition between print content and digital content
- Oversee and generate content for social media platforms
- Collaborate with sales team to generate sales that aligns with content
- Collaborate with marketing teams to ensure successful brand awareness in industry
- Establish opportunities to grow brand through marketing concepts and events
- Taking photographs
- Copywriting
- Digital: Produce webinars (content generation, securing speakers, managing webinar production and marketing team, moderation)
- Generate content for website
- Manage digital content team
- Drive online website traffic through website appearance and content
- Oversee and produce content for social media platforms
- Host and conduct video interviews with senior management of mining companies
- Host and conduct podcast interviews with senior management of mining companies
- Host and conduct Webinars with senior management of mining companies
- Collaborate with sales team to generate sales that aligns with content
- Collaborate with marketing teams to ensure successful brand awareness in industry.
Head of Content
Clarion Events (now VUKA Group)
Johannesburg
06.2020
- Successfully assisted on transitioning live events to digital events during COVID-19
- Oversee all content production for digital and live events - Africa Mining Forum, DRC Mining Week and Nigeria Mining Week
- Oversee and contribute to programme for digital and live events
- Manage event content team
- Ensure content alignment with Mining Review Africa and miningreview.com
- Collaborate closely with marketing to ensure successful brand identification.
Education
Honours - BA Journalism
RAU University (Now University of Johannesburg)
2004
Skills
- Time Management Skills
- Multitasking Skills
- Collaboration & Teamwork
- Business Development
- Excellent Customer Service Skills
Timeline
Head of Content:
Hyve Group - Investing in African Mining Indaba
01.2023 - Current
Group Director: Mining
VUKA Group
01.2022 - 12.2022
Editor-In-Chief - Mining Review Africa and miningreview.com
Clarion Events (now VUKA Group)
06.2020
Head of Content
Clarion Events (now VUKA Group)
06.2020
Editor - Mining Review Africa and miningreview.com
Spintelligent (now VUKA Group)
11.2013 - 06.2020
Editor and brand manager - Inside Mining and miningne.ws (website)
3S Media
11.2011 - 11.2013
Editor - SA Mining mag and Deputy editor - Built magazine
Avusa Media
03.2007 - 11.2011
Honours - BA Journalism
RAU University (Now University of Johannesburg)