Fiona McGuirk, Marketing, Management & Entrepreneurship

About

I have been a marketer since I can first remember, from the formative years of navigating my way around mom and dad , and then officially when entering the professional marketplace. I have been primarily in the healthcare space for 18 years, with a broad range of experience and roles, however mostly falling within marketing, new business development and sales. Three years ago I invested in a digital platform for Healthcare Professionals to be able to engage safely via digital means. For a number of reasons, including consequences of the pandemic, the launch was delayed, and South Africa seemed to not be the market to launch the product. As a result, investment dried up and the platform didn't go further. So I am reaching out to progressive companies that value the overarching benefits of digital within the healthcare space, as my skill set is primarily marketing innovation, thinking outside of the box, and I have the unique experience of having started a digital platform, with a very entrepreneurial mind set and drive.

Experience

MediFellows

Oct 2018 – Present

Cape Town

Founder & CEO

WHAT I DO: I endeavour to facilitate MEANINGFUL engagement between all participants within the Health Care sector, via digital. HOW I DO IT: I have created a SECURE ENGAGEMENT PLATFORM FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS. Registration is free, however authenticated against industry councils. By digitizing this engagement in a secure platform, we not only EXTEND REACH AND ACCESSIBILITY to others in this sphere, but also comply with responsible E-PROFESSIONALISM, in that stakeholders have an alternative, closed social network to share sensitive industry information.

Cipla

May 2015 – Jun 2018

Cape Town

Product Manager

Brand manager for Antibiotics, scheduled allergy products and hospital IV portfolio.

Breakthru Dance Company & Freelance

Jan 2002 – Jan 2016

South Africa

Professional Dancer

Trained in dancing since I was 3 years old - primarily ballet and contemporary, but also learnt various other disciplines. I danced professionally during University, part time when I started work and also did some sports modeling work. Besides free lance corporate work, I was a founding member and soloist at Break-Thru Dance Company in KZN (RSA) and an Adidas sponsored athlete.

Cipla

May 2012 – May 2015

Durban

Sales representative

Detailing rep in Respiratory

LifeSound

Jul 2009 – Apr 2012

Durban

Marketing & Project Manager

o Brand identity o Below & above the line marketing & campaigns o Assisted with staff recruitment, training and community marketing over this time. - Head project manager (Jan 2011- Feb 2012) o Store front retail operation: Merchandising, logistics, sales, suppliers, returns & repairs, customers, HR & lease negotiation o Backend audiology practice: booth test referrals, call centre -liaising with practices and follow up consultation o Pastal POS, payroll, budget - with book keeping assistance o I also had a BCOM qualified assistant (2011-2012)

Janet Smith Incorporated

Jan 2011 – Feb 2012

Durban

Marketing Manager

o Below the line marketing: Branding ID, patient database marketing – newsletters, follow up sms’s, seasonal campaigns o Above the line marketing: Website domain & splash page, community management, print & radio advertising, PR – editorials, donations, sponsored presentations, radio o HR – staff recruitment, interviews & queries

Private Property - Short Term Rentals & Sales - Marketing Manager

Jan 2010 – Feb 2012

Durban

Brendan Pam Properties

o Marketing for holiday rentals & property sales - Marketing material, advertising, website & community management, database marketing - Holiday rental -> agency marketing o Point of contact for property sales agents - Liaised with agents and potential property buyers - Sourced & disseminated necessary info: blue prints, extension plans, rates and other queries

Private Commercial Property

Jan 2010 – Feb 2012

Durban & Cape Town

Commercial property development & sales

o Marketing material & mail outs with specs & pics o Liaised with agents and potential property buyers o Sourced & disseminated info when needed: blue prints, extension plans, rates and other queries/info o Liaised with draughtsmen, builders & quantity surveyors finalizing plans, municipal queries, etc.

Windhoek Hearing Aids

Jan 2008 – Feb 2012

Windhoek, Namibia

Marketing Consultant

o Below the line: Brand ID, marketing material, in-store POS material, Patient database marketing o Above the line: Print & radio advertising, community management, PR (editorials, features, donations)

Widex South Africa

Jan 2006 – Jun 2009

Durban, South Africa

Marketing & New Business Development

Widex is a premium, Danish hearing aid manufacturer & international distributor Responsibilities: - Below & above the line marketing to the public & to Audiologists/Acousticians & ENTs - Grow the existing business - Marketing consultation - International Hearing Aid conferences in Germany (training)

Education

Vega School

Jan 2016 – Jan 2017

Digital Branding, Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia

National Asthma Education Programme

Jan 2013 – Jan 2014

Diploma, Asthma & Allergy Education

University of Pretoria/Universiteit van Pretoria

Jan 2006 – Jan 2008

Advanced Diploma, Hearing Aid Acoustics

University of KwaZulu-Natal / University of Natal

Jan 2002 – Jan 2005

Bachelor of Commerce - Honours, Marketing, Management & Entrepreneurship

Crawford North Coast

– Jan 2001

Matric Exemption

Fiona McGuirk

Marketing, Management & Entrepreneurship

Skills

Languages