Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Technical Skills
Additional Information
Websites
Timeline
Generic

Medusa Iro

Digital Marketing and Communications
Bellville,Cape Town

Summary

A visionary, creative, and multilingual specialist in communications and digital marketing, with over a decade (10+ years) of experience leading impactful media campaigns, digital strategy, and brand development across industrial, corporate, and human rights sectors. My approach blends strategic insight with human-centred storytelling — from designing rights-based campaigns and managing content ecosystems to engaging stakeholders, building international partnerships, and expanding brand presence across diverse platforms. Deeply committed to social justice, diversity, and inclusion, I bring lived and professional experience in working with refugee communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and migration narratives. Fluent in English and Farsi, I translate complex social issues into powerful, human-driven content — content that not only resonates with audiences but also mobilises policy, resources, and public consciousness.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Media, Marketing and Communications Officer

Gender DynamiX
05.2023 - Current
  • Designed and executed a strategic communications plan, growing digital visibility by 300% and tripling international engagement.
  • Led national advocacy campaigns focused on trans refugee rights, shifting public narratives and influencing policy.
  • Created high-impact multimedia content (Wall of Resilience series, toolkits, newsletters) grounded in trauma-informed and intersectional principles.
  • Developed digital safety systems, including cyber-response protocols and real-time monitoring infrastructure, to protect vulnerable online communities.
  • Built strategic partnerships with funders, media, and civil society, strengthening long-term donor trust and external visibility.
  • Facilitated staff workshops on ethical storytelling and social media governance to boost internal capacity and cohesion.
  • Conceptualised and launched the LIRA platform (lira.gdx.ngo) – a first-of-its-kind linkage and referral application supporting LGBTQIA+ communities in Southern Africa, connecting users to affirming healthcare, legal aid, psychosocial support, and advocacy resources.

PR and Digital Marketing Director

Iran Insurance Company
05.2020 - 01.2022
  • Directed corporate communications and stakeholder relations for a leading national insurance firm.
  • Developed cost-efficient marketing strategies, reducing marketing expenditures by 35% while increasing lead generation.
  • Launched a comprehensive CSR campaign, enhancing the company’s public image and sustainability initiatives.
  • Developed and executed comprehensive digital marketing strategies to enhance brand visibility.
  • Managed social media platforms, increasing engagement through targeted content strategies.

PR and Marketing Manager

Honar Studio
05.2017 - 01.2020
  • Led branding efforts and media expansion, increasing customer engagement by 250%.
  • Developed market penetration strategies that boosted profitability by 300%.
  • Strengthened brand storytelling and audience outreach, doubling the studio’s international influence.
  • Conducted market research to identify trends and opportunities, informing product development and positioning strategies.
  • Analyzed campaign performance metrics, optimizing strategies based on consumer insights and feedback for continuous improvement.

Public Relations Manager

Sepahan Sport Club
01.2014 - 01.2017
  • Managed media relations and press communications, elevating the football club’s national and international reputation.
  • Led fan engagement initiatives, increasing social media interaction by 150%.
  • Developed sponsorship and partnership strategies, securing major funding to fuel the club’s growth.
  • Directed media relations strategies to enhance club's public image and engagement.
  • Developed comprehensive PR campaigns to increase brand visibility and fan interaction.
  • Implemented innovative social media initiatives to expand reach and follower base.

Education

Master of Arts - Communication Sciences – Specialisation in Media & Culture Studies

01.2022

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) - Doctoral coursework completed

01.2019

Skills

  • Strategic Communications & Digital Marketing
  • Human Rights Advocacy & Social Impact Storytelling
  • Refugee, LGBTQIA & Migration-Focused Storytelling & Advocacy
  • Campaign Design, Execution & Impact Measurement
  • Brand Development, Positioning & Multimedia Production
  • Public Relations, Media Engagement & Crisis Communication
  • Content Creation, SEO, Web Management, Analytics & Market Research
  • Stakeholder Engagement & Donor Relationship Management
  • Fundraising Strategy
  • Cross-cultural Audience Engagement & Intersectional Messaging
  • Project & Team Leadership, Reporting & Organisational Strategy
  • Talent Acquisition, Capacity Building & Internal Communication
  • Reputation Management & Values-Based Communication Ecosystems

Certification

  • A Human Rights-Based Approach to AI – Global Campus of Human Rights / Right Livelihood (April 2025)
  • I Know Gender 16: Gender Equality and Migration – UN Women Training Centre (September 2024)
  • I Know Gender 1-2-3: Gender Concepts, Frameworks & UN System – UN Women Training Centre (September 2024)
  • Google Ads Certification – AI-Powered Performance Ads (March 2024)
  • YouTube Music Certification (March 2024)

Technical Skills

•    Social Media & Analytics: Meta Business Suite, Google Analytics (GA4), SEO, Google Ads, Hootsuite

•    CRM & Marketing Automation: HubSpot, Mailchimp, Salesforce

•    Content & Design: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Premiere Pro), WordPress, Wix

•    Project Management: Asana, Monday.com

•    Data & AI: OpenAI (ChatGPT API), Google Cloud AI, Python

•    Media Production: Photography, Videography, Photo & Video Editing, Graphic Design, AI-Assisted Content Creation

•    Writing & Editorial: Journalism, Copywriting

Additional Information

  • Experienced in rights-based content creation for migrant, queer, and refugee communities.
  • Skilled in managing multiple content platforms with ethical, audience-sensitive communication practices.
  • Deep alignment with values of dignity, access to rights, and community-driven advocacy.

Timeline

Media, Marketing and Communications Officer

Gender DynamiX
05.2023 - Current

PR and Digital Marketing Director

Iran Insurance Company
05.2020 - 01.2022

PR and Marketing Manager

Honar Studio
05.2017 - 01.2020

Public Relations Manager

Sepahan Sport Club
01.2014 - 01.2017

Master of Arts - Communication Sciences – Specialisation in Media & Culture Studies

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) - Doctoral coursework completed

Medusa IroDigital Marketing and Communications