KATAIKE SUSAN
COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS SPECIALIST
KAMPALA
Summary
Accomplished Communications Officer with eighteen years of experience in government communication and public relations.
Experienced in devising successful media strategies and orchestrating special events.
Meticulous in managing and carrying out special events by arranging for media presence, composing written documents, booking photographers, reserving event venues and preparing eye-catching graphics.
Highly adept in authoring speeches, press releases, and marketing materials.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
PRINCIPAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Ministry of Works and Transport Head Office
09.2019 - 12.2024
- Serve as spokesperson of Ministry of Works and Transport
- Serve as the spokesperson of the Integrated Transport and Infrastructure Services program coordinating eight communication centers
- Enhance Ministry brand visibility by developing and implementing strategic communication plans.
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure consistent messaging across all platforms and materials.
- Produce engaging multimedia content such as videos and infographics to support various sensitization efforts.
- Monitoring media coverage of the ministry closely to identify opportunities for proactive outreach.
- Manage crisis communications, effectively mitigating potential reputational damage.
- Evaluating campaign performance using analytics tools, refining strategies based on data-driven insights.
- Maintain a comprehensive library of up-to-date promotional materials for use in presentations, pitches, or events.
- Spearhead public relations efforts that lead to successful partnerships with influencers within the industry.
- Led teams in creating engaging content, increasing follower engagement across platforms.
- Design and execute successful public relations campaigns, raising company profile.
- Enhance brand visibility by developing and implementing comprehensive social media strategies.
- Build relationships with key media personnel, securing favorable coverage.
- Advise senior management on communication strategies, influencing ministry direction.
- Manage crisis communications, minimizing negative press during sensitive events.
- Streamline communication channels between departments, enhancing overall efficiency.
- Increased audience understanding with clear, concise press releases.
- Conducted market research to inform targeted communication strategies.
- Organized press conferences for product launches, significantly boosting media coverage.
- Prepared or edited organizational publications such as employee newsletters or stockholder reports for internal or external audiences.
- Coordinated media interviews with organization staff, board members and volunteers.
- Engaged in professional networking to maintain strong relationships with communications and media professionals to drive partnerships and effective dissemination of mass communications.
- Managed media relations for organizations to produce successful results.
- Collaborated with internal and external stakeholders to identify key messages and create compelling content for press releases and other materials.
- Conducted media relations and responded to media requests for information.
- Built and maintained positive relationships with public by utilizing strategic plans.
- Used various social media platforms for media and blogger outreach.
- Created and executed targeted PR campaigns to raise awareness of organization and initiatives.
- Drafted press releases detailing relevant newsworthy information and supporting brand image, and worked with news media to spread positions.
- Monitored media coverage and produced detailed reports to analyze impact of PR efforts.
- Developed comprehensive media outreach plan to increase visibility of organization in local, regional and national markets.
- Wrote press releases and other materials utilizing SEO practices.
- Produced and distributed brochures, newsletters and press kits.
- Studied objectives, promotional policies or needs of organizations to develop public relations strategies influencing public opinion or promoting ideas.
- Developed and implemented social media strategy to increase engagement and reach new audiences.
- Increased revenues and supported business goals by developing public relations strategies and campaigns.
- Cultivated strong relationships with media representatives to secure widespread coverage and feature stories.
- Facilitated press conferences and other outreach events to raise visibility of the ministry of works and transport.
Senior Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Works and Transport
07.2006 - 05.2018
- Served as a spokesperson for the Ministry of Works and Transport, effectively addressing media inquiries and representing governments' best interests in public forums.
- Coordinated overall communication efforts of the Ministry of Works and Transport with the four agencies and departments under the Ministry. A total of six communication centers.
- Led successful service launches through coordinated PR efforts and promotional events.
- Secured positive media coverage for clients through targeted press releases and tailored pitches.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with key media contacts, leading to increased coverage opportunities. Leveraged on my media relations to gain more airtime through broadcast media, and presence through print media
- Successfully pitched story ideas resulting in feature articles in top-tier publications like the daily monitor publications and the new vision paper, boosting credibility within the industry.
- Oversaw the development of corporate collateral materials such, brochures, newsletters, and websites.
- Managed public relations budgets to maximize impact while adhering to financial constraints.
- Managed crisis communications, effectively mitigating potential damage to client reputation.
- Produced and distributed internal and external communications.
- Developed campaigns to increase public awareness of company and engage customers.
- Forged strong media relationships to further public relations goals.
- Helped with photo and video production and performed visual and sound editing tasks. produced over ten documentaries and over ten thousand project photos
- Wrote press releases for routine use and crisis management.
- Conducted media relations and responded to media requests for information.
- Engaged in professional networking to maintain strong relationships with communications and media professionals to drive partnerships and effective dissemination of mass communications.
- Produced and distributed brochures, newsletters and press kits.
- Coordinated media interviews with organization staff, board members and volunteers.
Public Relations Executive
Uganda Peoples Defence Forces
01.2004 - 02.2006
- Contributed twenty articles in the monthly magazine
- Contributed over one hundred twenty million shillings in advertising revenue for the magazine
Education
Master of Arts - PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MEDIA MANAGMENT
CAVENDISH UNIVERSITY
KAMPALA UGANDA 02.2011 - 11.2012
BACHELORS OF ARTS IN MASS COMMUNICATION - PUBLIC RELATIONS
MAKERERE UNIVERSITY
KAMPALA UGANDA 04.2001 -
Skills
Media relations
Photography
Press release writing
Marketing communications
Crisis management
Podcast production
Internal communications
Community relations
Media communications
PR strategy development
Problem-solving
Accomplishments
Was part of the team selected to develop a national communication policy for government.
Was also the leader of the team that developed a communication and marketing strategy for the digital number plates project.
Certification
[International certificate in public relations and marketing
Timeline
PRINCIPAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Ministry of Works and Transport Head Office
09.2019 - 12.2024
Master of Arts - PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MEDIA MANAGMENT
CAVENDISH UNIVERSITY
02.2011 - 11.2012
[International certificate in public relations and marketing
08-2008
Senior Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Works and Transport
07.2006 - 05.2018
Public Relations Executive
Uganda Peoples Defence Forces
01.2004 - 02.2006
BACHELORS OF ARTS IN MASS COMMUNICATION - PUBLIC RELATIONS
MAKERERE UNIVERSITY
04.2001 -
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