HELLO! I’M
CARINE VAN ZYL
Welcome to My Site
ABOUT ME
Personal Profile
I am creative. I love to learn. I think that life is a journey.
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We are the custodians of our dreams, and with determination, we can create a gripping narrative.
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I am a marketing professional, designer and photographer with more than ten years of experience in marketing. I have done several high-profile strategies and events for international and local clients. I believe a holistic view of marketing is needed to function strategically. I understand that agile marketing tactics are required to adapt to the ever-changing consumer and B2B markets.
BRAND VOICE
"Traditional marketers are screaming at the top of their lungs on advertising platforms, while consumers want to hear the whispers of authenticity." - CVZ
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The marketing landscape has changed tremendously. In an instance, we have the world at our fingertips. Marketers can create a unique brand voice with raw videos on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.
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Suddenly we have a younger audience seen as the most informed consumers ever. They are digital natives, and we, as marketers, need to be authentic, agile and inspiring.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Summarised Background & Expertise
August 2023 - Present
CHIEF OFFICER: Innovation and Integrated Marketing | University of the Free State
This role assists the University of the Free State with strategic implementation of integrated marketing and innovative marketing applications to reach application targets. This includes above-the-line and below-the-line marketing initiatives. It includes market research and innovative technologies such as eye-tracking to ensure that marketing initiatives are efficient.
Jan 2017Â - Present
ENTREPRENEUR, MERACI MARKETING AND LIFESTYLE AGENCY PTY. LTD.
In January 2017, Meraci Marketing and Lifestyle Agency was established in Bloemfontein. The company focuses on offering expertise in photography, design and marketing. Previous clients were retained and serviced. Meraci relocated to Pretoria in 2020. B2B clients included AECI Animal Health and AECI Industrial Chemicals. PR management for Russian Ballet South Africa with Edouard Maisnikov, Marketing research for Boerperd South Africa, Marketing Strategy Development for Letelle and various B2C clients for Meraci Photography.
Nov 2022 - August 2023
GROUP MARKETING MANAGER
NIL Learning & Go Fourth Institute of Technology
NIL Learning has had limited marketing exposure, and a complete overhaul of the brand and the affiliate brand was necessary. Customer touchpoints and website site maps were redesigned and are currently in the second iteration of development. The company is undergoing change management, and I am currently playing a pivotal role in the re-alignment of company strategy, which includes explicitly pricing and product offerings. Digital marketing solutions are a cost-effective strategy for the company, and we are specifically focusing on social media and email campaigns.
April 2021Â - Jul 2022
NATIONAL MARKETING MANAGER,
CTU TRAINING SOLUTIONS
The role was a holistic application of marketing for both traditional marketing and digital marketing. This included national campaigns and events. Supplier and stakeholder management. Event management on a national level in several locations simultaneously. Creative marketing approaches such as influencer marketing on several digital channels. B2B & B2C marketing solutions. Above-the-line and Below-the-line marketing campaigns. Customer journey mapping and process flow designs for CRM systems.
MARKETER, GRAPHIC DESIGNER & UI DESIGNER, MICROZONE SOLUTIONS
Marketing Coordination with a specific focus on the rebranding strategy for MicroZone Solutions. Corporate events management with high-profile delegates from the private and public sectors was managed and hosted.  The position also required graphic and UI design for external application development projects. I also retained and served external customers and brought in revenue for MicroZone Solutions.
January 2014 - December 2015
EVENTS MANAGER, MARKETING COORDINATOR, GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND PR CONSULTANT, Z2A VILLAGE
The role was a holistic solution for an advertising and events agency based in the capital of jurisdiction in South Africa (Bloemfontein). High Profile clients included Audi, SPAR, PACOFSÂ (Department of Arts & Culture) and several agriculture clients. PR campaigns included international clients such as the Russian Ballet. Tertiary clients
Jan 2016 - Dec 2017
January 2013 - December 2013
CAREER MARKETER (SALES REPRESENTATIVE), CTU TRAINING SOLUTIONS
This was a pure sales representative role, and I had to accumulate as many enrolments within 12 months. I excelled in the role and achieved 3rd place in sales nationally.
June 2011  - December 2012
EVENTS & MARKETING MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT AND GRAPHIC DESIGNER , Z2A CREATIVE & BRAND NEW
I started as an Intern at Z2A Creative. I assisted with a high-profile event with a CSI activation for Khumba Iron Ore and personally assisted the Minister of Health at the event. I assisted with the Clarens Centenary Festival and helped with fundraising initiatives. I also provided various graphic design solutions for signage, publications, and below-the-line advertising design.
EDUCATION
Celebrating Lifelong Learning
October 2021 - 2022
MBA GRADUATE | GORDON INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS SCIENCE (GIBS)
I completed my MBA at the world-renowned GIBS. My master's research focus: "Understanding the influence of digital marketing on the decision-making process of the Generation Z age cohort for the tertiary education industry."
June 2020 - September 2020
CERTIFICATE IN DIGITAL COPY WRITING | UCT
Online short course in copy writing for digital platforms such as social media channels and user interface platforms such as blogs.
June 2018 - July 2019
P.G.DIP. (BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION) | UFS BUSINESS SCHOOL (CUM LAUDE)
Awarded: Top Student
Best student in Financial Accounting in the cohort.
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The post-graduate diploma is the foundational qualification for the Master in Business Administration (MBA). The subjects included Marketing, Financial Accounting, Leadership, Relationship Marketing, Systemic Thinking, Operational Management, Business Calculations and Human Resource Management.
January 2011 - December 2011
DIPLOMA IN PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY | IPSA
Packaging technology includes the business aspects of packaging, package planning, packaging practices, product handling and packaging, packaging materials, graphic design in packaging, food packaging and unique applications.
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My year project was sustainable packaging design.
January 2010 - December 2011
DIPLOMA IN GRAPHIC DESIGN AND PHOTOGRAPHY FOR ADVERTISING | PLANET PIXL
Awarded: Top Student - First Year
Top Photography Student - First Year
Top Photography Student - Second Year
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This specific qualification focused on advertising, history of art and design, graphic design, reproduction, photography, marketing, drawing, packaging, Adobe Flash, digital illustration and photo editing.
January 2007Â - May 2010
B.COMMERCI (MARKETING) | UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE
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The marketing focus included organisational management, marketing management and human resources subjects. Other subjects had statistics, micro and macroeconomics, accounting, financial management, communications and commercial law.
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Leadership: Residence Committee Member (Academics, Marketing and RAG)
Awarded:
- Best RC RAG (Ladies)
- 2nd Place Overall RAG (Ladies)
- 3rd Place Residence Ranking - UFS Open Day
- 3rd Place Residence Ranking - Academics
MY TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES
ADOBE CREATIVE SUITE
Adobe Indesign, Photoshop, Lightroom & Illustrator.
MICROSOFT 365
Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, Planner, Teams and CRM Dynamics.
GO-TO WEBINAR
Online webinar software
CONTENT GENERATION
Photography, Graphic Design, Copywriting and Academic Writing.
STRATEGIC, TACTICAL AND OPERATIONAL SOLUTIONS FOR MARKETING AND EVENTS
The application of solutions in different industries.
PROCESS FLOW DESIGN IN VISIO
Creating scaled process flows for marketing lead generation.
"If you want something you've never had, you must be willing to do something you've never done"
Thomas Jefferson
MY INTERESTS
Work-life balance fulfilled
I believe in South African sunsets. I think that each old building has a story to tell. My father gave me the philosophy book, "The Fountainhead", to read when I was 12 years old, inspiring me to be the best version of myself. It inspired me to be creative, explore my talents and be unconditionally authentic to who I am. I have creative interests that shape my day-to-day outlook on life.
NATURE
Lover of natural beauty
I am a nature lover and regularly go for walks to get inspired and meditate on new ideas. I believe in a sustainable lifestyle, and 66% of my animals have been adopted from shelters.
FINE DINING AND FOOD "DESIGN"
Food for thought
I believe that we evoke the senses with fine cuisine. I love "designing" new dishes that not only taste great, but stimulate senses like smell and visual representation. On weekends you will find me at a good restaurant with friends.
TRAVEL AND HIKING
Storytelling through travel
I have travelled extensively through South Africa and taken many forgotten roads to beautiful destinations. I believe that there is beauty in the unknown and find beauty in die smallest of treasures.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Meraci Photography
You can find me some weekends taking photos and capturing the joy of life. I was awarded Best Photography Student at Planet Pixl in both my first and second year of studies. Capturing life through a unique perspective provides joy to myself and others.
"We find from experience that yellow excites a warm and agreeable impression.. The eye is gladdened, the heart expanded and cheered, a glow seems at once to breathe toward us."
- Johann Wolfgang Vone Goethe
Scribbles: A Blog
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