Worked with South African stakeholders, public and private, to communicate convincingly and coherently the country’s value proposition to investors of all kinds, policy makers, think tanks and media.

Conceived and implemented the Global South Africans initiative to map and network influential South African émigrés as key partners in marketing the country. Coordinated the relaunch of the South African Chamber of Commerce in America (SACCA).

Wrote and secured publication of persuasive opeds for stakeholders in major US newspapers, including, in the Washington Post, an article under the Minister of Finance’s byline which helped turn the tide when a badly needed World Bank loan for South Africa’s energy sector faced a potential US veto.

Launched a business awards program as part a strategy to enlist US multinationals as third-party endorsers to encourage FDI in South Africa. The inaugural award went to GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt at a New York gala in October 2014. Organised business roundtables and regular dinners for the ambassador with fund manangers and private equity investors.

Successfully pitched positive stories to key media. Convinced the Wall Street Journal to look at the phenomenal success of the Daily Sun, a start-up newspaper aimed at working class black South Africans. Result: page one Journal article using the story to illustrate the country’s economic transformation and its implications for investors.

Simon BarberPrincipal and Founder, Izwi Communications LLC, a public relations, reputation management and nation

branding consultancy, launched after service as US Country Manager for Brand South Africa, based

in Washington DC, from mid-2002 through the end of 2014 following a distinguished career in journalism.

Remains a regular columnist and contributor to South Africa’s Business Day. Izwi is an isiZulu word

meaning voice.

Box 300, Keedysville, MD 21756(202) 276 5084

simon@izwi.com

Telling South Africa’s story well to the right audiences

Network building

The right oped, in the right place, at the right time.

Reaching out to business and investors

Earned Media

Conceived and organized first ever live-blogging tour of South Africa, recruiting well-known US bloggers for a unique technology and innovation safari. Launched Brand South Africa Blog, recruiting local bloggers to break down stereotypes about their country. Teamed with Zoopa.com to run an online contest for best video and print ad capturing South Africa’s essence in the run-up to the 2010 soccer World Cup. Used own social media accounts and comment facilities of the New York Times, Economist and Financial Times as well as letter columns to share Brand South Africa’s perspectives.

Met with Hollywood producers and arranged for studio execs to travel to South Africa as a premier film location. Partnered with the South African wine industry to showcase its products in Whole Foods stores nationwide and at Legal Seafoods restaurants. Provided marketing support for South African citrus growers and women farmers.

Worked with and learned first-hand the strengths and weaknesses of some of the world’s top PR agencies, gaining valuable insight into the selection and management of such firms and pitfalls to be avoided.

Initiated and managed a partnership with Foreign Policy magazine, creating sponsored content and ads for its website and print editions. Conceived and edited a 6-page Washington Post supplement, South Africa Now, working with South Africa’s top newspaper designer.

Assisted stakeholders with crisis communications as well as routine media relations, press release preparation and dissemination, media training and strategic counsel.

Coordinated, branded and acted as media liaison for stakeholder events, including the Washington National Cathedral memorial service for Nelson Mandela and the unveiling on the Mandela statue at the embassy.

Designed and created marketing materials and ads for stakeholders, including “South Africa: The Value Proposition” and “South Africa: Always Something New” brochures, branding for the “Always Something New” exhibit illustrating South Africa achievements in science and technology, and Team SA News, an online newsletter.

Drafted speeches for key stakeholders, including the presidency, cabinet ministers, ambassadors and Brand South Africa management.

New media

Agency management

Paid media

Crisis communications

Event coordination and branding

Marketing collateral

Trade promotion

Speechwriting

OTHER EXPERIENCE

THE WHITAKER GROUPConsultant 2003-6 and currently

Drafted speeches, wrote and placed opeds and created other advocacy materials for the clients and causes of TWG’s founder, former Assistant US Trade Representative for Africa Rosa Whitaker, including several African heads of government, PhRMA and extension the African Growth and Opportunity Act.

BUSINESS DAYUS Bureau Chief and Columnist 1985-2002

Covered economics, business, trade, politics, US foreign policy with a particular focus on US-Africa relations, international financial insititutions.

RAND DAILY MAILWashington Correspondent 1983-5

FREELANCE WRITER 1981-3

NOW! MAGAZINEStaff writer 1979-81

SOUTH AFRICAN ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERSReporter 1977-9

EDUCATION

King’s College, Cambridge, 1974-7MA (Cantab) Classics

Eton College, 1968-73