Desire Derekford Mugumisa
Senior Corporate Communications Manager
Kampala,102
Summary
A passion-driven dedicated corporate communications professional with over seven years of experience in middle and senior management and a combined 15 years of experience working in the Communications, Media, and Marketing industry. Possesses great networks and good networking skills, great internal communications skills, reputation management, content development, project management, good problem-solving skills, detailed planning and execution, and excellent people and stakeholder management.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Sports Anchor, Analyst, Reporter, Producer and Writer
Next Media
6 2019 - Current
- Produced special features and documentaries showcasing different aspects of the sports world beyond standard event coverage.
- Collaborated with editors and other staff members to refine story angles and content.
- Improved overall program ratings through consistent delivery of entertaining and informative content.
- Delivered compelling stories by highlighting human interest angles within sports narratives.
- Developed relationships with sources and contacts to gain additional insight.
- Attended press conferences and other media events to gather relevant information and quotes for stories.
- Increased audience engagement with the use of multimedia elements in sports coverage.
- Conducted in-depth research on teams, players, and statistics for accurate reporting and analysis.
- Adapted quickly to breaking news situations while maintaining composure onair.
- Contributed to editorial planning meetings, pitching story ideas relevant to current sports events.
- Maintained a strong social media presence, driving fan interaction and promoting network content.
- Enhanced viewer experience by delivering up-to-date sports news and insightful analysis.
- Collaborated with production team to create visually appealing segments for broadcast.
- Participated in editorial meetings to discuss story ideas and content.
- Coordinated with photographers, videographers and graphic designers to supplement stories with multimedia content.
- Participated in community outreach events as a representative of the network, strengthening brand image locally.
- Drafted news headlines for broadcasting to capture listeners with clear and condensed writing.
- Mentored junior reporters, helping them refine their storytelling skills and journalistic techniques.
- Utilized SEO principles to optimize content for search engine rankings.
- Efficiently coordinated with remote crews during live broadcasts for seamless transitions between studio segments and on-location coverage.
- Presented developments in stories in live broadcasts and recordings.
- Developed strong relationships with athletes, coaches, and industry insiders for accurate reporting and exclusive interviews.
- Covered special events and breaking news with eye for detail and tenacious pursuit of important information.
- Selected material to develop interesting and professional presentations for different formats.
Founder and Team Lead
ZYRE Sports Marketing
01.2023 - Current
- Founded ZYRE Sports Marketing with a vision to bridge the gap between sports entities and potential partners/ sponsors in the sports marketing industry through innovative strategies and cutting-edge campaigns.
- Lead a talented team of marketing professionals in the development and execution of impactful marketing campaigns for clients within the sports sector.
- Cultivating strong relationships with clients, providing strategic guidance and delivering exceptional results that exceeded expectations.
- Analyzing market trends and performance metrics to optimize strategies, drive continuous improvement, and maximize ROI for clients.
- Maintaining P&L and shouldering corporate fiscal responsibility.
- Delivering exceptional customer service by addressing client concerns promptly and effectively resolving issues.
- Devising business plans and forecasts.
- Leading the strategic planning process to define business goals and ensure alignment across all departments.
- Cultivated company-wide culture of innovation and collaboration.
Head of Corporate Affairs
Next Media
01.2022 - Current
- Organize, recruit, appraise, develop, and motivate Corporate Affairs staff and develop and innovate work methods and procedures within the available budgets and HR policies
- Ensure the development, planning, review, and execution of the Next Media external communication strategy to position Next Media as a trusted Uganda-first multi-media house and grow Next Media Services’ business
- Provide leadership on consistency and correct messaging usage by all Next Media employees
- Set and ensure service levels of the Next Media’s communication staff to the rest of the organization
- Systematically organize decision-making processes of corporate governance and assure timely staff participation in these processes and communication of decisions and follow-up actions towards the relevant Transformers
- Ensure the smooth flow of internal communications is maintained as a central source of information and ensure basic internal training is in place
- Work with the Legal department to ensure that the Group CEO and Top Management Team receive legal advice on risks and opportunities concerning corporate legal situations affecting Next Media
- Serve as the “owner” of the Next Media Policy house, focusing on consistency, integration, and coherence of all policies and procedures
- Corporate Affairs maintains and communicates policy coherence, whereas ownership and accountability of individual policies are with the relevant department heads
- Work with the internal audit function to ensure the effective operating of governance, policy, and internal control processes
- Ensure that corporate compliance processes and externally demanded organizational assessments are carried out on time
- Act as Next Media’s spokesperson and lead point person in conventional media interactions, such as newspaper interviews, ensuring a positive portrayal of the business at all times
- The Head of Corporate Affairs exercises judgment in prioritizing media opportunities, coordinating with appropriate persons to organize and prepare presentations, speeches, talking points, and other external media relations materials.
Head of Brand and Communications
Next Media
03.2021 - 12.2021
- Ensure all consumer touch points (Communications, Content Marketing, Activations) align with Brand Manual and Next Media Strategy.
- Responsible for reporting and addressing all calendar issues with all NBS TV stakeholders.
- Responsible for maintaining a fully operational calendar and keeping all key stakeholders updated.
- Participate in the strategic planning phase of the brand communication activities for NBS TV in support of the general Next Media Brand Communication strategy.
- Assist in cross-promotion concept sell-in marketing plan coordination and consolidation.
- Maintain a deep operational relationship with Content, Programming and Quality Control to ensure full coordination of brand activities and compliance with the brand activation calendar.
- Resolved problems, improved operations and provided exceptional service.
- Demonstrated a high level of initiative and creativity while tackling difficult tasks.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Learned and adapted quickly to new technology and software applications.
- Proven ability to develop and implement creative solutions to complex problems.
- Developed strong organizational and communication skills through coursework and volunteer activities.
- Provided professional services and support in a dynamic work environment.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Participated in team projects, demonstrating an ability to work collaboratively and effectively.
- Delivered services to customer locations within specific timeframes.
Head of PR and Communications
Next Media
04.2020 - 02.2021
- Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Applied effective time management techniques to meet tight deadlines.
- Resolved problems, improved operations and provided exceptional service.
- Provided professional services and support in a dynamic work environment.
PR & Communications Officer
Next Media
10.2019 - 03.2020
- Produced engaging multimedia content such as videos and infographics to support various marketing efforts.
- Engaged in professional networking to maintain strong relationships with communications and media professionals to drive partnerships and effective dissemination of mass communications.
- Enhanced brand visibility by developing and implementing strategic communication plans.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure consistent messaging across all platforms and materials.
Senior Producer, Current Affairs/ Lifestyle
Urban TV
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Developed production plans and organized resources to achieve prompt delivery of projects.
- Developed schedules for production, editing, and duplication for timely delivery.
- Orchestrated license agreements for music and footage, talent releases, and distribution contracts.
- Implemented risk management practices to mitigate potential issues and ensure smooth project execution.
Promotions Manager, Sports Producer and Anchor
Urban TV
01.2014 - 01.2018
- Worked closely with clients to design effective promotions to meet customer needs and exceed sales goals.
- Analyzed market trends and competitor activities to identify new opportunities for promotional growth.
- Used environmentally-conscious marketing strategies for traditional products.
- Developed advertising tactics and implemented new solutions for increased brand awareness.
Publicity Manager and Music Director
Uganda Broadcasting Corporation
01.2006 - 01.2013
- Identified metrics to measure and evaluate effectiveness of public relations campaigns and initiatives.
- Wrote engaging and successful press releases to control information and public opinion.
- Spearheaded social media campaigns to complement traditional publicity efforts, driving engagement from targeted audiences online.
- Built and strengthened industry partnerships to improve product placements, amplify coverage and maximize effectiveness of marketing strategies.
Education
Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Marketing, CIM Level 7 -
Datamine Technical Business School
Diploma in Professional Marketing, CIM Level 6 - undefined
Datamine Technical Business School
Certificate in Professional Marketing, CIM Level 4 - undefined
Datamine Technical Business School
Foundation Certificate in Marketing, CIM Level 3 - undefined
Datamine Technical Business School
Skills
Affiliations
- Associate Member: Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)
- Member: Baha’i Media Committee - Uganda
Professional Development
- Next Media CEO Mentorship Program, 2022
- Training on Leading High-Performance Teams, Uganda 2021
- Leadership Training on 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Uganda 2015
Stakeholder Management
- Government – President’s Office, Parliament of Uganda, Judiciary
- Ministries – Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Ministry of Environment
- MDAs – Uganda Investment Authority
- Sports Federations – FUFA, FUBA, URU, UTTA, UBF
- Political Parties
- Media Platforms (Local, Regional and International)
- Influencers and Thought Leaders
- Customers
- Agencies
- Communications, Journalists, Broadcasters’ Associations
References
REFERENCES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
Timeline
Founder and Team Lead
ZYRE Sports Marketing
01.2023 - Current
Head of Corporate Affairs
Next Media
01.2022 - Current
Head of Brand and Communications
Next Media
03.2021 - 12.2021
Head of PR and Communications
Next Media
04.2020 - 02.2021
PR & Communications Officer
Next Media
10.2019 - 03.2020
Senior Producer, Current Affairs/ Lifestyle
Urban TV
01.2016 - 01.2018
Promotions Manager, Sports Producer and Anchor
Urban TV
01.2014 - 01.2018
Publicity Manager and Music Director
Uganda Broadcasting Corporation
01.2006 - 01.2013
Sports Anchor, Analyst, Reporter, Producer and Writer
Next Media
6 2019 - Current
Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Marketing, CIM Level 7 -
Datamine Technical Business School
Diploma in Professional Marketing, CIM Level 6 - undefined
Datamine Technical Business School
Certificate in Professional Marketing, CIM Level 4 - undefined
Datamine Technical Business School
Foundation Certificate in Marketing, CIM Level 3 - undefined
Datamine Technical Business School
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