Skills and experience of Simon Hinds web writing, publicity, media relations, speechwriting, social media
Email: simongah@blueyonder.co.uk Mobile: 07876 336 807
Organisations need help to tell their stories. I have the expertise to do it.
Simon Hinds can give you communications expertise if you need it for a project, particularly for web writing advertorials. I can offer a unique mix that means communications can have the:
- effectiveness of professional communications,
- newsworthiness of journalism, and
- insights of marketing.
I am trained and experienced in both journalism and marketing communications. I have experience representing SMEs and experience of communications at a high level. I have a history of achievements. I can produce:
- newsworthy press releases,
- persuasive advertorials, features and briefing,
- edited copy,
- written and edited speeches and articles for the web, and
- written and edited adverts and publications,
- promotion through social media, Facebook and Twitter
Examples of successful work include:
- receiving a letter of commendation for successfully publicising a Haringey Council local business project,
- receiving praise from government ministers and a permanent secretary for speechwriting work,
- receiving praise from a Secretary of State for improving a government department?s key journal, and
- increasing the number of visitors to a section of a government website over six months by 15,000.
My interests include: promoting equality, economic development and social regeneration. I am black British. My bottom line is that your communications will be clear, concise, newsworthy and geared to a communications objective. So, get in touch!
Simon Hinds
Key skills: writing and subbing
Unique selling points: training and experience in PR & journalism.
Interests: regeneration, business development, and as I am black British, equal opportunities.
Experience 3 years in education and training communications in a further education college, Newham College.
10 years in the Government Information and Communication Service: Information Officer, Highways Agency, Department of Transport; Press Officer, Small Business Service (DTI agency); Assistant Editor, Employment Department; Information Officer, British Antarctic Survey.
3 years in local authority: Commnunications Officer, Stevenage Council; Temp Media Officer, Havering Council; Press Officer, Luton Council, Press Officer, Welwyn Hatfield Council; Publicity Officer, Haringey Council; Temp. Marketing Officer, Tower Hamlets Council.
Freelance writing for: local, Sunday national, black newspapers; community publications
Four years as a general reporter and news editor: The Voice Training Advanced Certificate in Marketing, Chartered Institute of Marketing.
Three Months Reporters Block-release Course, Stradbroke College, Sheffield.
B.A. (Hons) Media Studies, Polytechnic of Central London.
Information Technology NVQ Level III, Birmingham City & Guilds. Short courses in: web writing, web design and HTML, crisis management, proofreading, subbing, photography, layout and design, speechwriting, e-communications; introduction to/fundraising in the voluntary sector.
Skills and abilities
- writing news and features
- subbing and proofreading
- identifying news values and angles
- media relations
- social media
- speechwriting
- web writing
- shorthand and touch-typing
- photography
- Information Technology
- analysis of media coverage
- marketing communications
- producing newsletters
Praise: From: Cxxxxx-Bxxxxx Carlos -EXEC Sent: 29 February 2012 14:55
To: Hinds Simon -SMKT Cc: Bxxxxx Ray -SMKT
Subject: Yesterday’s Executive Board
Hello Simon. As mentioned to you earlier, I just wanted to let you know that your excellent work in improving the College’s visibility/PR was noted at yesterday’s Executive Board. Well done on achieving such outstanding results, please keep up the good work.
Small Business Service performance report: Mr Hinds ‘…demonstrated that he was a meticulous and experienced press officer. He has made a real effort to develop an ordered and robust media relations service against a sometimes difficult background. He dealt with 90% of press enquiries within agreed deadlines and increased the number of substantive press notices to around one a week. He produced media handling plans for press releases and communication strategies for a number of areas. He has shown himself always willing to overcome a problem and has been willing to take responsibility. He has also shown creativity and is analytical.’
