Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Zahra Ismail

Media Administration - Transcription | Production | Liaison
Cape Town

Summary

With over 10 years of experience in various media spaces, ranging from documentary production to media liaison and media marketing. Communication and public messaging excite me. I enjoy learning new concepts and techniques that help me bring briefs to life. The fine details interest me, making me a dependable analyst of any task I am entrusted with, be it text, visual or audio.


My experience throughout my career has been freelance based. I appreciate this, as it has allowed me to explore and hone a wide variety of skills, which make me adaptable to different media landscapes and easy to work with. I am very interested in pursuing a full-time role at this stage in my career, where I can grow and build a long-term trajectory with a solid team.


As a hardworking and passionate job seeker, I believe I can add value to your company as a Junior English Editor because of my transcription and quality control experience through media production, giving me an understanding of the skill, dedication, pressure and seriousness of this role.


Here, I share my most relevant work history. I hope that my skills and work experience provide a clear understanding of my abilities, so that you might view me as an asset to your team.

Overview

2026
2026
years of professional experience
2
2
Languages

Work History

Media & Marketing, Research

the Rosy Maple Bakery (Personal Project)
07.2025 - Current
  • Market Analysis
  • Marketing Deck
  • Branding and Company Identity Creation
  • Developing social media marketing strategy
  • Creating and scheduling content for relevant social media such as Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok (still to come)

Data Analysis Management (Supplemental Employment)

The Modus Media
01.2024 - Current
  • Overseeing newly negotiated contract agreements and addenda to existing contracts
  • Liaising with executives to ensure that standards are upheld after handovers to me as a supplemental manager, creating smooth transitions for company satisfaction
  • Managing data of contracts and analysing this data to optimise contractual performance
  • Extracting noteworthy insights from existing company data to evaluate potential risks in contracts
  • Decision-making for contracts as required
  • Assisting with drawing up contracts to appeal to various clients

Media, Marketing and Research

Avaaz Radio (Community Radio Station Concept)
03.2024 - 04.2024
  • Media and Marketing Research (target audience)
  • Competitors Research
  • Creating the marketing deck and other materials and references for pitching
  • Designing logo and company identity
  • Ensuring that the company framework aligned with regulations and laws as per SAMRO, SAMPRA, NCRF and ICASA
  • Research on sourcing and procurement of studio equipment based on the budget

Media Liaison Officer

CA1st (Political Party)
09.2021 - 11.2021
  • Arranging and managing all media engagements for the party, from scheduling to roll-out.
  • Developing and implementing media strategies to optimise the party's media reach (television, print and radio).
  • Responsible for analysing and quantifying relevant political research for speech writing and public debates
  • Managing targeted voter research for reference in public engagement through social media, radio and television
  • Writing articles, op-eds and speeches for publication, which required impactful messaging to resonate with voters
  • Managing internal communications processes to ensure synchronicity between media management and traditional media operations.
  • Acting as the spokesperson for the party when needed, therefore being quoted in media as a party representative in interviews.



Co-Producer & Interviewer - Central Energy Fund

Cut To Black Media
2019 - 2019
  • Following briefs closely, ensuring all licenses, transportation, interviews and equipment were in order for production to run smoothly over 3 days of filming
  • Leading communication between Johannesburg and Cape Town teams to ensure steady production workflow, resulting in successful and timely project completion
  • Interviewing relevant experts and spokespersons
  • Tracking and running feedback to Johannesburg-based senior producer with daily reports for 3 days of filming

Transcriptionist and Translator

Quicksilver Media
2019 - 2019
  • Followed specific guidelines/briefs and style regulations to meet the clients' requirements
  • Ensured accuracy of transcribed material prior to finalisation
  • Translated interviews from Afrikaans to English for international consumption and transcribed my approved translations
  • Translated interviews from Afrikaans and English to advise the client on which soundbites and clips from interviews would be most impactful and relevant to the documentary, as this was an international client
  • Regular updates provided to the client to ensure trust, transparency and client satisfaction

Education

High School Matriculated -

St. George’s Grammar School
Cape Town
01-2012

Drama Performance Licentiate -

Trinity College of London
12-2019

Musical Theatre Performance Licentiate -

Trinity College of London
12-2019

Skills

  • Artistic and Creative Direction
  • Client Relationship Management
  • Research
  • Production for television
  • Communication
  • Punctuality

Timeline

Media & Marketing, Research

the Rosy Maple Bakery (Personal Project)
07.2025 - Current

Media, Marketing and Research

Avaaz Radio (Community Radio Station Concept)
03.2024 - 04.2024

Data Analysis Management (Supplemental Employment)

The Modus Media
01.2024 - Current

Media Liaison Officer

CA1st (Political Party)
09.2021 - 11.2021

Co-Producer & Interviewer - Central Energy Fund

Cut To Black Media
2019 - 2019

Transcriptionist and Translator

Quicksilver Media
2019 - 2019

High School Matriculated -

St. George’s Grammar School

Drama Performance Licentiate -

Trinity College of London

Musical Theatre Performance Licentiate -

Trinity College of London
Zahra IsmailMedia Administration - Transcription | Production | Liaison