John Gitari
Nairobi
Summary
A dynamic communications consultant and former news editor with more than twenty years of experience providing effective and beyond expectation support in design and execution of various aspects of communications solutions including strategy, advocacy, project design and implementation and journalism (both print and media), among others.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Consultant
Life in Motion Consulting
2018.02 - Current
- Provide strategic guidance and leadership, manage and oversee the team to ensure communication projects and campaigns are delivered beyond expectation and that service level agreements are met
- Build and grow relationships with clients and key stakeholders, deliver new business and grow existing client accounts.
Communication Consultant
The Regional Network on Equity in Health in East and Southern Africa (EQUINET)
2023.01 - 2024.07
- Support national and regional teams to document evidence-based multi-stakeholder project work and develop advocacy briefs to influence policy and practices that promote healthy ecosystems in east and southern Africa through training in strategic communication, case-study concept development, writing and photography; follow through and revise edit content for quality and style.
Training and Staff Development Consultant
Transcend Media Group
2021.01 - 2022.12
- Provided background and direct support to a portfolio of public and private sector clients, and coached teams on client services including strategic communication planning and development, stakeholder engagement, monitoring, evaluation and reporting, media relations, crisis communication management, writing, among other skills.
Lead Consultant
County Pension Fund (CPF)
2020.11 - 2021.11
- Trained the CEO and entire management team on media handling
- Developed media kits including press releases, fact sheets, and backgrounders
- Carried out media relations before, during and after events to ensure maximum coverage with key messages
- Developed two Op-eds per month that were published in leading newspapers
- Provided policy level/stakeholder engagement support.
Lead Consultant
Nutrition International
2020.07 - 2021.02
- Developed communication and advocacy tools to scale up - nutrition efforts, government investment and cross-sector coordination in 6 counties facing the heaviest burden of malnutrition.
Lead Consultant
Self Help Africa (SHA)
2020.02 - 2020.03
- Developed a 5-Year (2018-2022) Communication Strategy for the EU funded Strengthening the Competitiveness of the Cassava Value Chain Programme in Kenya in seven counties
- Carried out a needs assessment including a desktop review, media coverage analysis, and interviews among key government and county government officials, Implementing Partners including SHA, experts including nutritionists and millers; held focus groups with farmers, farmer groups, seed entrepreneurs, cooperatives, among others to identify communication gaps, barriers and enablers
- Carried out an audience analysis, developed key messages and a 5-year Communication Strategy with measurable outcomes and an implementation plan for the strategy
- Developed a communication and visibility style guide to support interventions.
Account Director
Apex Porter Novelli, brand partner for global PR agency, Porter Novelli
2016.01 - 2018.01
- Supported the social mission of Unilever’s Blue Band through the Good Breakfast for children Campaign, Lifebuoy’s award winning handwashing campaign and Pepsodent’s oral health campaigns through concept development, stakeholder engagement and enrolment
- Media relations and event management
- Supported other brands such as Google, Athi Water, Bamburi and Philips through development and execution of communication campaigns
- Carried out media handling training for top executives of organisations such as William Grants and Sons - Europe, Africa, Middle East and India team, the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), the Karen Hospital, The WaTER Towers Programme and Caritas.
2nd Key Expert to the EU
Delegation (Embassy) of the European Union in Kenya
2016.02 - 2018.01
- Supported the development of the EU Communications Strategy (2017-2020) to identify key issues needed to build awareness, understanding and support for the work of the EU in Kenya
- This included stakeholder engagement, cross-tabulation of data from a national survey carried out by IPSOS, presentation at high level meetings at the embassy to align and validate the strategy, revised and made the final presentation to the EU
- Led design of the 3-Year WaTER Towers Protection and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Programme (2017-2020) and Message Framework development
- Developed communication plans and Information, Communication and Education (IEC) materials for Agriculture and Rural Development, Governance, Infrastructure, Political and Trade Sections
- Designed and implemented awareness creation strategies for implementing Partners of EU programmes, developed media kits and carried out media relations and coordination that saw a more than 200% increase in positive stories on the EU
- Developed messaging frameworks, aligned with government and non-state agencies implementing EU programmes and wrote speeches for the Ambassador, Head of Cooperation, Cabinet Secretaries and other high level dignitaries
- Developed guidelines for social media kits including key messages and infographics, engaged and coordinated influencers during events and followed through on management of the platforms
- Monitored media for the EU, reviewed and submitted event/activity, daily, monthly and analytical half year reports.
Editorial Director
K24 Television
2007.10 - 2014.03
- Provided strategic direction, coordination and operational direction that enhanced the viewership and visibility of the Mediamax Network Ltd brand
- Delivered exponential growth for the Mediamax Group digital platforms in terms of views, engagement and revenues once the department was placed under my docket
- Supervised the production of content in all news programmes, magazines and features including current affairs, entertainment, sports, science and technology and lifestyle including the flagship HIVOS sponsored show, Face the Nation, and ensured that all outputs were of the highest quality possible and promoted teamwork
- Hired, coached and supervised production and editorial personnel.
News Editor
Kenya Television Network
2005.12 - 2007.09
- Was responsible for the quality and flow of bulletins, properties and products
- Ensured quality news (and programmes) and ensured that they were topical, informative, credible and analytical through intensive research and interviews
- Revised scripts for quality and conformity with the house style and editorial policy
- Part of Finance and Strategy team at KTN that provided strategic leadership and direction that sustained KTN as Kenya’s then leading TV News station.
News Reporter/Alternate Assignments Editor
Kenya Television Network (KTN – The Standard Media Group)
1998.03 - 2005.11
- Generated and translated ideas into creative story scripts and packages
- Gathered, verified and analyzed information regarding stories
- Ensured the shooting, writing, editing, digitizing and packaging of material on time
- Verified and ensured that content is accurate, in proper language and met the highest professional and ethical standards before broadcast
- Enforced quality controls on scripts, visuals and sound
- Coordinated news gathering and carried out copy editing as an alternate assignment’s editor.
Education
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication -
Daystar University
CNN Journalism Fellow -
CNN Headquarters
Atlanta, GeorgiaCatherine W. Fanning Research Fellow in Journalism - Journalism And Democracy
Charles F. Kettering Foundation, A Thinktank
Dayton, OhioSkills
Communication strategy development;
Stakeholder engagement and enrollment;
Planning and implementing insight-driven advocacy and visibility campaigns including through digital and social media;
Monitoring and evaluation for measurable results, evidence based learning and re-planning;
Content development including videography and photography, scripting and editing for cross-platform consumption and interaction;
Public speaking, crisis communications, presentation and media handling training and coaching;
Leadership, management and cross-sector coordination;
Event management;
Among others
Personal Information
Nationality: Kenyan
Awards
- CNN Africa Journalist of the Year Award for TV News.
- 1st Prize, The Peter Jenkins East African Journalism Award for Environment and Conservation.
- 1st Runners Up, UNESCO HIV/AIDS Red Ribbon Media Award for Eastern and Southern Africa.
- Kenya TV Journalist of the Year Award for dynamism, depth, flair and bravery in reporting a wide range of issues.
- Governance, Justice, Law and Order Sector (GJLOS) Marekebisho Media Award for Excellence.
References
- Tony Gatheca, CEO, Transcend Media Group, +254 722 669181, tony@transcendmedia.co.ke
- Nancy Karanja, Strategic Communication Consultant, The Mason Africa Group, +254 725 616229, +254 739 488 594, nancyciruk@gmail.com
- Rufus C. E. Eshuchi PhD., Social Mobilization and Development Manager|Polio Team Lead, UNICEF Eastern Region – Afghanistan, +93 799987493, +254 722 709180, reshuchi@unicef.org
Timeline
Communication Consultant
The Regional Network on Equity in Health in East and Southern Africa (EQUINET)
2023.01 - 2024.07
Training and Staff Development Consultant
Transcend Media Group
2021.01 - 2022.12
Lead Consultant
County Pension Fund (CPF)
2020.11 - 2021.11
Lead Consultant
Nutrition International
2020.07 - 2021.02
Lead Consultant
Self Help Africa (SHA)
2020.02 - 2020.03
Lead Consultant
Life in Motion Consulting
2018.02 - Current
2nd Key Expert to the EU
Delegation (Embassy) of the European Union in Kenya
2016.02 - 2018.01
Account Director
Apex Porter Novelli, brand partner for global PR agency, Porter Novelli
2016.01 - 2018.01
Editorial Director
K24 Television
2007.10 - 2014.03
News Editor
Kenya Television Network
2005.12 - 2007.09
News Reporter/Alternate Assignments Editor
Kenya Television Network (KTN – The Standard Media Group)
1998.03 - 2005.11
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication -
Daystar University
CNN Journalism Fellow -
CNN Headquarters
Catherine W. Fanning Research Fellow in Journalism - Journalism And Democracy
Charles F. Kettering Foundation, A Thinktank
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