Lee Cahill
Communications Consultant, Writer and Editor
Currently resides in: Gauteng, South Africa
Born
in Johannesburg
South Africa
I'm an independent communications consultant, freelance writer and editor with many years of work experience.
I have a BA in English and Art History (Wits) and a BA (Hons) in English Language and Literature (Wits). I also completed the Certificate Programme in Strategic Marketing Management at the Wits Business School in 1995, have extensive post-experience training, and have a strong background in marketing.
I've held various senior positions in business, including those of Group Marketing Manager: Business Partners Limited; Marketing Manager: Struik Publishers; and Senior Manager (Promotional Marketing): Nedcor Group.
I've been in my own practice for ten years, and work with both local and international clients including Sappi, Genesis Analytics and African Business Database Limited.
I develop and implement communications and branding strategies; develop corporate, marketing, media, social media and web content; compile and edit corporate, research, business and annual reports; write media releases, editorials and special features; and provide editing services for non-fiction publishers.
Further information about my work and experience is available on my web site: www.leecahill.biz, and a copy of my CV is available on request.
I was also a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group (JAG), which I ran for four years. JAG was an independent, voluntary and self-funded group working for best-practice governance, social justice and environmental protection in the City of Joburg. It was disbanded at the end of 2012 as the volume of voluntary work had become too great for the members to manage in addition to their work and personal commitments. Further information is available at www.joburgadvocacy.org.
Business Address
Professional details
Current Position(s)
Independent Communications Consultant, Writer and Editor |
Cahill Communications
Johannesburg ,
South Africa | 2002 -
present
Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations
I'm an independent communications consultant, writer and editor, and have been in private practice since October 2002. I provide specialist communications services to a wide range of clients.
In my consulting work, I specialise in strategy development, communications planning, creative conceptualisation, branding and project management.
As a writer and editor, I specialise in developing media content for both traditional and new media, as well as in developing all forms of corporate communications such as brochures, pamphlets, ads, newsletters etc. I also provide editing services for non-fiction publishers.
Previous Position(s)
Group Marketing Manager |
Business Partners Limited
Johannesburg, South Africa | 2001 - 2002
Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations
At Business Partners I was tasked with updating and re-launching the Business Partners brand. Business Partners (previously the Small Business Development Corporation) is South Africa’s leading specialist investment group for small and medium enterprises.
My responsibilities included a full update of the group’s corporate image, and of all corporate and marketing communications elements. I also was a guest member of the group’s Executive Committee.
Marketing Manager/Commissioning Editor |
Struik Publishers
Johannesburg, South Africa | 1999 - 2001
Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations
At Struik I was tasked with the re-design and re-launch of the 60-year-old Struik Publishing brand after its purchase by Johnnic Communications, and with the establishment of a full-service marketing department. Struik was, at the time, South Africa’s largest publisher of illustrated non-fiction, and had won many international awards for its books. It has since amalgamated with Random House (South Africa) to form Random House Struik (RHS).
I was directly responsible for the planning and implementation of the company's marketing and communications strategy, as well as for supplier and staff management and author relations. I was also a member of the Management/Commissioning Committee.
Strategic Marketing and Communications Consultant |
Cahill Consulting
1994 - 1999
Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations
My work at this time included strategic marketing and communications management for a range of clients, which included KPMG, HSBC, National Data Systems, Telkom, Primedia Limited, MagiNet, the Johannesburg SPCA, the SA Housing Trust and Research International (SA and UK).
Cahill Consulting’s services included business planning, strategy development, marketing communications planning and management, e-commerce, fundraising and overall communications management. Depending on the nature of the project concerned, responsibilities included strategy development, market assessment, budgeting, overall project management and supplier liaison, general research and research evaluation. Conceptualisation, web architecture development, web content development, copywriting and editorial services were also offered.
Various positions in film and television production, advertising and corporate |
Wits, VZ, Grey Phillips, Y&R, Standard Bank, Nedcor
Johannesburg, South Africa | 1980 - 1993
Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations
I graduated in 1979 and started work in 1980 as a scriptwriter and production assistant at the Wits Central Television Unit. After that, I worked in various ad agencies as a television producer, and was later the executive producer for a commercial film company with four directors.
I took up a position as Manager: Cinema, Radio and Television Advertising at Standard Bank in 1989 as I wanted to broaden the scope of my career. After that I was Senior Manager: Promotional Marketing for the Nedcor Group until I started my own practice as a strategic marketing and communications consultant in 1994. My work at Nedcor involved overseeing the promotional marketing for all seven banking brands in the group at the time, including sponsorship support, event management and affinity marketing support.
Achievements
media exposure
Commentary on plans by municipal-owned entity, uShaka Marine World, to hold a rave in the facility - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on the City of Joburg's plan to deploy 1,300 JMPD officers at ward level - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on the City of Joburg's claims that 200,000 billing complaints were resolved between November 2011 and June 2012 - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on the City of Joburg's claims that the billing crisis backlog has been fully addressed - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on the City of Joburg's debtors' book - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on government's promise to resolve 66,000 backdated billing queries within four months - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on a Consumer Tribunal decision with regard to the Joburg billing crisis - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on e-tolling - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on the City of Joburg SAP billing system - in my capacity as a founding member of the Jobug Advocacy Group.
Commentary on progressive system collapse in the City of Joburg - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on the impact of the proposed e-tolling system on the City of Joburg's budget - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on the new Mayor's State of the City Address - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
SABC 3 TV News | 2012
Commentary on the Joburg billing crisis - in my capacity as founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
SAfm Breakfast Show | 2012
Live interview about the Joburg billing crisis and the state of the city - in my capacity as founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on the billing complaints backlog in the City of Joburg - in my capacity as founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Interview with Radio France Internationale on the role of civil society groups in South Africa following President Jacob Zuma's fourth State of the Nation Address - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Frequent guest on live broadcasts of Jim Powell's 'On the Spot' radio show, which deals with local government issues - in my capacirty as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
A call for system change in the City of Joburg - written by me in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on the human impact of the Joburg billing crisis - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on the City of Joburg's 'billing roadmap' - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group
Commentary on proposed recycling by-laws - in my capacity as a founding member of the Jobrug Advocacy Group.
Commentary on NCC action against the City of Joburg - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary about tariff hikes - in my capacity as a foundign member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on national government intervention in the Joburg billing crisis - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on City of Joburg credit control measures - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on tariff hikes - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
JAG call for a moratorium of services cut-offs.
Commentary on the City of Joburg's SAP billing system - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on 'Tau's Wall of Shame' - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Coverage of JAG's programme to assist residents with billing complaints and disputes.
Coverage of JAG's campaign for direct democracy in the run-up to the 2011 municipal elections.
Commentary on the city's promise to resolve 66,000 billing queries and disputes - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on electricity supply in the City of JOburg - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on the Joburg billing crisis - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on the on-going Joburg billing crisis - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on the restoration of the vandalised Scottish Horse War Memorial in Kensington - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on acid mine drainage (AMD) in Joburg - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on the Joburg billing crisis - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on the Mayor's statements about the Joburg billing crisis - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Coverage of JAG's call on the Gauteng MEC for assistance with the Joburg billing crisis.
Commentary on complaints about electricity bills - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on the City of Joburg's 'billing roadmap' - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on the City of Joburg's 'billing roadmap' - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on compliance notices issued to the City of Joburg in terms of the Consumer Proetction Act - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on backdated charges for refuse removal - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on tariff increases in the City of Joburg - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on a City of Joburg statement about the billing crisis - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on the intervention of the National Consumer Commission (NCC) in the Joburg billing crisis - in my capacity as founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on a media conference held by the Public Protector and the Gauteng MEC for Local Government - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on JAG's appeal to the Public Protector to investigate the Joburg billing crisis - in my capacity as a founding member of the Jobug Advocacy Group.
Commentary on protest action against the City of Joburg with regard to the billing crisis - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on criminal charges brought against the City of Joburg with regard to the billing crisis - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentray on a class action lawsuit agains the City of Joburg - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group
Kaya FM | 2011
Guest on live broadcast from Soweto of 'Today with John Perlman' in the run-up to the 2011 minicipal elections - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on the City of Joburg's electricity cut-off campaign - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on the appointment of the new Mayor, Parks Tau - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on the City of Joburg's eletricity cut-off campaign - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on the restoration of the Scottish Horse War Memorial in Kensington, Johannesburg.
Commentary on electricity and water cut-offs in the City of Joburg - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on a class action lawsuit against the City of Joburg - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on a media conference with the Public Protector and the Gauteng MEC for Local Government - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on the Joburg billing crisis - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Radio France Internationale | 2011
Interview with Radio France Internationale on the significance of the 2011 municipal elections - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Commentary on rates and tariff increases in the City of Joburg - in my cacapcity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
SABC TV News | 2009
Several interviews between 2009 and 2012 - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
eNews Channel | 2010
Member of a select studio audience posing questions to a panel including Helen Zille and Gwede Mantashe in the run-up to the 2010 municipal elections - in my capacity as a Founding Member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Summit TV | 2009
Panel member in discussion on the Joburg billing crisis with the then-City Manager, Mavela Dlamini - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
KayaFM 95.9 | 2009
Guest on live broadcast of 'Today with John Perlman' - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Morning Live | 2009
Interview on the Joburg billing crisis - in my capacity as a founding member of the Joburg Advocacy Group.
Academic Achievements
Certificate: Creative Writing | 2010
Random House Struik/UCT Certificate: Creative Writing (Fiction).
Certificate: Photography | 2005
National School of Photography Certificate: principles and practices of photography.
Certificate: Project Management | 2000
Execu-Prime Certificate in Team-Based Project Management.
Certificate: Strategic Marketing Management | 1995
Wits Business School
Certificate: Principles of Book Publishing | 1994
Independent Publishers' Association Certificate: Principles of Book Publishing.
BA (Hons) (English Language and Literature) | 1979
University of the Witwatersrand
McPhail Bursary for Postgraduate Study | 1979
Postgraduate bursary awarded on the basis of academic achievement in undergraduate studies.
F.G. Connock Bursary for Postgraduate Study in English | 1979
Postgraduate bursary awarded on the basis of academic achievement in undergraduate studies.
BA (English and Art History) | 1978
University of the Witwatersrand
Barclays Bank Scholarship for Undergraduate Study (1976 - 1979) | 1976
One of twelve scholarships for undergraduate studies which were awarded annually for study at a South African university
Jeppe High School for Girls Parents’ Association Bursary | 1975
Bursary awarded to top academic achiever at Jeppe High School for Girls in 1975.
Dr Ingall's Prize for Scholarship | 1975
Prize for Scholarship awarded to the top academic achiever at Jeppe High School for Girls in 1975.
Activities
Memberships
SAFREA (South African Freelancers' Association)
Full Member
University of the Witwatersrand Alumni Association
Member
Wits Business School Association
Member
Sandton Chamber of Commerce
Member, 1995 - 2000
Commercial Producers' Association
Member, 1986 - 1991
Association of Marketers
Corporate Member, 1993 - 1995
Institute of Marketing Management (IMM)
Full Member, 1993 - 2002
community
Marine Life Defenders
Activist, November 2012 - present
I am a member of an ad hoc group of activists, drawn from a number of different organisations, which is working for the protection of marine life. As a group, we focus especially on marine mammals, birds and large cartilaginous species - such as sharks and rays - currently being held in captivity in marine parks.
Founding and Managing Member, January 2009 - December 2012
I founded the Joburg Advocacy Group in 2009 and ran it for four years. The group, which was voluntary and self-funded, advocated for best-practice governance, social justice and environmental protection in the City of Joburg. Our work focused on such issues as the Joburg billing crisis, financial management in the city, acid mine drainage, service delivery, resident/voter rights and water pollution. The group was disbanded at the end of 2012 as the volume of voluntary work had become too great for the members to manage in addition to their work and personal commitments.
Red Ribbon Campaign
Organiser, 2009 - present
The Red Ribbon Campaign is an annual festive season campaign aimed at building strong, empowered and united communities from the ground up. I assist with organising and communications.
Founder and Project Manager, 2010 - 2010
The Kensington Community Work Programme was established under the auspices of the Expanded Public Works Programme to provide work opportunities for unemployed people in the run-up to, during and after the 2010 Fifa World Cup. The focus of the programme was on improving public infrastructure and facilities, and it employed up to 100 people on various projects at any given time. We were unable to continue with this programme because the Kensington area was not regarded as an area of focus for further funding.
Board Member, 1994 - 1996
I was a voluntary board member for the Johannesburg SPCA, the largest of the over 100 SPCAs in South Africa.
Other Activities
Personal Interests
Various, 1971 - present
Personal interests include reading, movies, creative writing, playing the piano, walking, meditation, yoga, dogs, history, ancient civilizations, current affairs.
Blogger, 2007 - 2010
An indie blog offering quality reviews of local and international titles, in-depth features on related issues, and occasional musings on books, life, love and the universe.
