VENESSA DACE
COPYWRITER
PROFESSIONAL INFO
Two decades in communications have taught me that there really is no substitute for hard work.
I cut my teeth as a copywriter, moved quickly into magazines and recently dived into digital media.
I do the whole shebang: write, edit, commission and manage projects. Amongst other things I've edited an international magazine so that it has value in a South African context, penned articles on a diverse range of topics – from health and parenting to food and finance – written copy for ad campaigns and digital newsletters, and conjured up content for blogs and websites.
I thrive in the communications space and have worked with some incredible custom publishing clients such
as British Airways High Life Magazine, Fresh Living Magazine, Pick n Pay (online) and Spur. Consumer
titles I've produced content for include Women's Health, Cosmopolitan, Seventeen, Top Billing, Real Simple and Men’s Health.
“I began to realise how
important it was to be an
enthusiast in life. If you are interested in something, no matter what it is, go at it full speed. Embrace it with both arms, hug it, love it and above all become passionate about it.
Lukewarm is no good.”
- Roald Dahl
WORK EXPERIENCE
2014-Present
Independent Editor, Writer and Project Manager
I write, edit and manage projects in print and digital communications.
2011-2013
Deputy Editor, Fresh Living Magazine
Fresh Living is Pick n Pay's custom title. I managed a small editorial team. The size of the staff component provided lots of hands-on opportunities for me to really get stuck in. I brainstormed with the client, compiled briefs for photo shoots, tracked budgets, commissioned writers and photographers, and crafted features. I worked alongside Justine Drake and learnt an incredible amount about food.
2006-2011
Freelance Writer, Editor and Blogger
I wrote for a number of different magazine titles during this time as well as a few websites such as UK-based financial recruitment firm Partner Financial (www.partnerfinancial.co.uk) and FatSak (www.fatsak.co.za). I also managed and edited Spur Totem magazine for a while, and created marketing material for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). My passion project, which spanned a couple of years, was a family lifestyle blogsite that I created called Sprogs 'n Dogs (www.sprogsndogs.com) – unfortunately this is now defunct.