Simone Thomas
Marketing Enthusiast, Young Researcher, Entrepreneur
Cape Town
Summary
Simone Thomas is a highly experienced Marketing lecturer with a strong background in both private and public education sectors in South Africa and Germany. With a Master of Marketing and ongoing pursuit of a Doctor of Commerce in Marketing, Simone's research focuses on consumer behavior in brand management, particularly within the context of Black women wearing natural hair. Simone's expertise extends beyond academia, as she has also gained valuable experience in Brand Management within the media and FMCG industry in South Africa. Her skill set includes Marketing, Brand Management, Event Management, Public Relations, and Social & Digital Marketing.
Simone's passion for her research and advocacy for natural hair is evident through her role as the founder and owner of KroesRocks, an apparel and cultural education brand established in 2016.
Additionally, she is a sought-after speaker and advocate for natural hair, and has played a pivotal role as one of the co-founders of the Cape Town Natural Hair Festival, the largest festival of its kind on the African continent. In this role, Simone successfully managed the Marketing & Operations portfolio, showcasing her ability to drive impactful initiatives. With her strong academic background, industry experience, and entrepreneurial spirit, Simone is a valuable asset to any haircare brand seeking to make a meaningful impact in the market.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
18
18
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Languages
Work History
Research Assistant
Koblenz University of Applied Sciences
03.2021 - Current
- Development of new module entitled Diversity in Marketing, undergraduate course averaging 20 students per semester, covering following topics: diversity in marketing, diversity in retail, diversity in brand management
- Developed and moderated tests, assignments, exams, and tutorials
- Research supervisor
- Grading and providing thesis feedback.
Marketing Lecturer
STADIO Higher Education
01.2019 - 02.2021
- Taught various marketing modules to diploma and degree students, NQF 5, 6 + 7 averaging 40 students per module
- Developed and moderated tests, assignments, exams, and tutorials
- Revised syllabus to meet accreditation standards
- Coordinated grading with team of 4 Lecturers
- Additional tasks and responsibilities: Coordinated Marketing Winter School, 2019
- Coordinated School of Commerce Open Days, 2019
- Coordinated student grading and identifying at-risk students and formulating corrective actions.
Lecturer
Damelin College
04.2018 - 12.2018
- Taught various marketing modules diploma and degree courses, NQF 5, 6, 7
- Grading and moderation of tests, assignments, and exams
- Coordinated student grading and identifying at-risk students and formulating corrective actions
- Committees: Research and Cultural Diversity Day.
- Used variety of learning modalities and support materials to facilitate learning process and accentuate presentations
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning
- Arranged syllabus, developed schedule, and determined reading list for varied courses simultaneously, giving students appropriate time to complete assignments and absorb information
- Implemented instructional technologies in course delivery to engage and educate students
Brand manager
Media24
11.2015 - 06.2017
- Generate income through event marketing and editorial projects
- Develop, implement, and manage brand strategies, budgets and plans that deliver on relevant brand objectives and business goals
- Key responsibilities: Identifying and qualifying appropriate sponsorship prospects, management and event execution
- Prepare and present winning sales pitches and presentations to meet income targets
- Manage magazine reader events and special editorial projects
- Attending industry networking events and conferences
- Initiate and manage effective relationships with clients, sales department, and editorial team
- Develop and manage prospect database on ongoing basis
- Tracking and reporting on new business development
- Ensure brand integrity across all marketing and communication across material for magazine
- Managing all social media platforms
- Ensure brand alignment with overall division’s brand strategy.
- Established performance metrics to evaluate campaign success, making data-driven adjustments as needed to optimize results
- Conducted market research to identify key trends, ensuring brand remained competitive in its industry
- Developed and executed branding campaigns to educate target audiences on product features, benefits and values
- Organized focus groups or surveys to gather valuable customer insights that informed future branding decisions
- Created and managed budgets to maximize brand reach and engagement
- Monitored and evaluated marketing and advertising campaigns to support brand consistency and engagement
- Analyzed competitor offerings to identify opportunities for differentiation and capitalize on unique selling points
- Researched and identified new opportunities for product and brand development
- Managed budgets, ensuring efficient allocation of resources for maximum return on investment in marketing initiatives
- Managed and oversaw creative projects to drive quality, accuracy and deadline management
- Developed strategic partnerships with complementary brands, expanding market reach and driving collaborative promotions
- Conducted research and analysis to determine brand positioning and messaging
- Planned, implemented, and tracked sales and marketing strategies to promote brand products
- Analyzed customer feedback and market trends to make informed decisions about product and brand messaging
- Increased customer loyalty through effective management of consumer feedback and timely resolution of concerns
Brand assistant
Pioneer Foods
09.2014 - 10.2015
- Assist in achieving portfolio profitability
- Manage brand budgets effectively and consistently
- Assist with the development of brand plans for meals, baking, and spreads
- Assist with portfolio strategy for seven brands and roll-out in line with the portfolio plan
- Assist with actions from the factory, meeting minutes, and internal briefs
- Maintain and manage artwork and handling colour standards, coordination of point of sale
- Develop and manage monthly communication plans across all social media for spreads and baking portfolio
- Co-ordination of logistics system
- Storage and requests handling and communication
- Assist with the volume-driving campaign for the spreads portfolio
- Preparing presentations and quarterly and monthly marketing reports
- Implementation of annual customer promotions of portfolio
- Social media communication planning.
- Streamlined processes within the team by introducing project management tools which improved efficiency significantly
- Designed eye-catching graphics and promotional materials that effectively communicated brand messaging to target audiences
- Increased consumer engagement with the development of innovative social media content and initiatives
- Established relationships with key influencers and bloggers, leveraging their networks for increased visibility and credibility
- Conducted market research to identify opportunities for growth, resulting in new customer acquisition and increased revenue
- Supported product launches, ensuring seamless execution and strong promotional materials for maximum impact
- Managed budgets for various marketing projects, ensuring cost-effectiveness while achieving desired outcomes
Marketing & Events Coordinator
Media24
07.2011 - 08.2014
- Assisting in coordination of all below-the-line activities aimed at circulation growth
- Assist in gathering information for compiling advertorials, competitions, and events
- Sourcing product sponsorships for below-the-line competitions and campaigns
- Execution of all client campaigns
- Assist in client liaison between magazine and readers
- Handling all competition inquiries
- Drawing up contracts for barter competitions
- Ensuring bookings are made with bookings department
- Handling subscription queries
- Public Relations and Customer relation management
- Marketing administration: contracts, invoices, bookings.
- Event coordination: Event coordination and planning included set-up and breakdown of all elements of reader lifestyle events
- Assist marketing manager in program run at all reader events
- Budgeting: sourcing quotes for various food, décor, and venue hire suppliers; budget tracking; ensuring on-time payments of all suppliers and vendors
- Interact with readers and sponsors at events
- Venue sourcing and arranging site visits with partners
- Coordination of all print marketing campaigns
- Social media: Management and contributor of social media platforms.
Education
Research Assistant -
Koblenz University of Applied Sciences
Koblenz, Germany 03.2021 - 01.2024
Marketing Lecturer - undefined
STADIO Higher Education
Bellville, Cape Town 01.2019 - 02.2021
Lecturer - undefined
Damelin College
Mowbray, Cape Town 04.2018 - 12.2018
Ph.D. - Marketing
Cape Peninsula University of Technolgy
Cape Town, South Africa 03.2021 - Current
M.D. - Marketing
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Cape Town, South Africa 03.2016 - 12.2020
BTech - Marketing
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Cape Town, South Africa 02.2011 - 04.2012
Diploma - Marketing
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Cape Town, South Africa 02.2008 - 04.2011
Skills
Microsoft Wordundefined
Professional Service
Simone Thomas Inc. Consulting, Mar 2020 - Current, Marketing and Brand Consulting for small business owners
Cape Town Naturally Pty. Ltd., Aug 2016, Mar 2021, Co-owner, Overseeing the annual Cape Town Natural Hair Fest's Marketing, Branding, and Operations portfolio
Community Service
- Hair care project, Citrusdal, 2019, Current
- Sanitary Towel Drive, Forest Village Leadership Academy, Cape Town, March 2022
- Care Pack Drive, School of Hope, Observatory, Cape Town, June 2020, August 2020
- Shekinah Full Gospel Church of God, Mitchell’s Plain, Cape Town, 2015, 2016, Project leader: winter feeding project, Youth Working committee, Church dance leader
References
- Dr P. Steenkamp, Principal Doctoral Research Supervisor, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, SteenkampPi@cput.ac.za, +27 21 460 8399, +2772 566 8319
- Mr Grant Heynes, Business Development Specialist, grantheynes@iafrica.com, +2782 551 2226
- Jaydene Cupido, Academic Manager, STADIO Higher Education, JaydeneC@stadio.ac.za, +2783 749 7619
Training
- German language, March 2021, November 2022, Successful completion of the A1 and A1+ German language courses
- Moodle Certification, June 2020, Moodle Admin Basics
Timeline
Ph.D. - Marketing
Cape Peninsula University of Technolgy
03.2021 - Current
Research Assistant
Koblenz University of Applied Sciences
03.2021 - Current
Research Assistant -
Koblenz University of Applied Sciences
03.2021 - 01.2024
Marketing Lecturer
STADIO Higher Education
01.2019 - 02.2021
Marketing Lecturer - undefined
STADIO Higher Education
01.2019 - 02.2021
Lecturer
Damelin College
04.2018 - 12.2018
Lecturer - undefined
Damelin College
04.2018 - 12.2018
M.D. - Marketing
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
03.2016 - 12.2020
Brand manager
Media24
11.2015 - 06.2017
Brand assistant
Pioneer Foods
09.2014 - 10.2015
Marketing & Events Coordinator
Media24
07.2011 - 08.2014
BTech - Marketing
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
02.2011 - 04.2012
Diploma - Marketing
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
02.2008 - 04.2011
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