Mark Barnes

Số 36, Hẻm 72/1/101, Ngõ 72 Nguyễn Trãi, Thanh Xuân, Hanoi

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+84 886 889 402 | www.markbarnes.com.au


Overview

I’m a writer and editor looking for the next big opportunity to advance my career. Most recently I have been working in the development and business sectors in Vietnam.  Ideally, I would like to leverage the knowledge I have developed in both the Vietnamese  media and business sectors into a more permanent, long term position in the press.

Education

2017 - 2018

Melbourne University

Masters of International Relations

2014 – 2016

RMIT University, Melbourne

Communications (Journalism)

Feb  - May 2016

University of the Philippines

Communications (Journalism)

2013 – 2014

Victoria University, Footscray

Communications (Professional Writing)

Professional Overview

May 2021 - Current

Editor

Ardor SEO

Ardor SEO is a content production company based in Saigon.

Role Overview

  • Editing content to ensure it meet client expectations and requirements
  • Applying a high level of attention to detail to ensure writing is clear and effective.
  • Providing analysis and feedback of content to improve writer performance.

Feb 2021 - Jun 2021

Communications Executive

KOTO Vietnam

KOTO Vietnam is an NGO that specialises in training at-risk youth in hospitality.

Role Overview

  • Designing and implementing an organisation wide communications strategy.
  • Content creation and management including: articles, videos, and press releases.
  • Compiling and managing media contacts both local and international.

Achievements

The KOTO Covid Continuity Fund: This project saw the development of a two week fundraising campaign centered around KOTO’s COVID response. During that two weeks we managed to raise just over $11,000 through organic means only.

Sep 2020 - Dec 2020

Editorial Director

The Worldfolio

The Worldfolio produces market profiles of national economies for publication in major national newspapers.

Role Overview

  • Researching Vietnam’s biggest companies, finding unique and interesting angles through developing an in-depth understanding  of Vietnamese industry and trade across a broad range of sectors.
  • Interviewing top CEOs and business people on topics ranging from Industry 4.0 to the EVFTA and CPTPP, and the global trading environment more generally  as it relates to Vietnam.
  • Processing and collating data collected including transcribing interviews, developing company profiles, checking accuracy.

Content

Building A Vietnaemse Success Story

Song Hong: Innovative apparel sourcing

Jun 2020 - Jul 2020

Freelance Contributor

Hanoi Times (Hanoi, Vietnam)

The Hanoi Times is an online publication available throughout Vietnam.

Content

Hanoi’s ‘new normal’: How much has changed for foreigners who chose to stay?

Stand-up comedy in the capital: The funny side of Ha-Ha-Hanoi

Feb 2020 - Jun 2021

Freelance Contributor

Tuoi Tre (Hanoi, Vietnam)

Tuoi Tre is a youth newspaper operating throughout Vietnam.

Role Overview

This is a freelance position covering issues that impact heavily on the expat community in Hanoi.

Content

Hanoi’s live music scene wakes up groggy but ready to bounce back

COVID-19 school closure takes toll on expats' mental health in Vietnam

Expat businesses hit hard by extended COVID-19 school shutdown

COVID-19 border closures: Hanoi’s int'l community grapple with stay/go dilemma

Hanoi pets short of homes as COVID-19 forces owners to leave, deters new adoptive parents

Dec 2019 - Mar 2020

Communications and

Marketing Mentor

Cultural Identity and Resource Use Management (CIRUM) via the Australian Volunteers Program

CIRUM is an NGO that works with ethnic minority groups in Vietnam. It focuses on land rights.

Role Overview

In this role with CIRUM I am responsible for training and upskilling local staff in communications functions and processes. I also edit and assist staff to create English language content. This includes visual content and marketing materials. Furthermore I am a part of product development and developing a social media marketing strategy for CIRUM’s sustainable tourism social enterprise Nep Xua.

Mar - Nov 2019

Communications Mentor

REACH Vietnam via the Australian Volunteers Program

REACH Vietnam is an NGO that provides vocational training to young people throughout Vietnam.

Role Overview

At REACH, as part of the communications team, I assisted in developing the communications program. This included creating content for multiple platforms, public relations, crisis management, English editing, and event coordination. The primary focus, however, was a skills transfer from myself to my local counterpart as part of the Australian Volunteers Program.

Content

Print

Kham Lam FC wins inaugural REACH Rumble!

Local NGO REACH signs MOU with Australia’s Chisholm Institute

Video

Bartending Competition Heightens Thirst For Success

World Drug Day

Step Up Steps Out at Hoan Kiem Lake

Key Achievements

  • Reach Rumble Football Tournament
  • Chisholm-REACH MOU Signing
  • Developed five year communications strategy for entire organisation
  • Reorganised and streamlined communications processes and procedures
  • Established working group to coordinate communications staff across multiple brands operated by the organisation
  • Created and implement professional development plans for communications staff

Aug  - Oct 2018

Editor/Multimedia

Money101 (Melbourne, Australia)

Money101 produces e-learning units for the financial services industry.

Role Overview

At Money101 I shot and edited short promotional videos, wrote blog posts, short ‘engagement’ articles, and e-learning content. Topics were broad and included superannuation, the banking royal commission, financial crimes, and general money related topics such as budgeting.

Outcomes

Nb: video content and engagement documents are behind a paywall.

The Money101 suicide awareness module: our little bit to raise awareness

Budgie-ting for your new fur baby: our new module really is the cat’s meow!

Yabba-dabba-don’t worry, the gender gap is getting smaller!

Jul - Dec 2016

Journalist

City Journal (Melbourne, Australia)

City Journal is an RMIT publication

Role Overview

City Journal is a part of the third year course assessment. We were required to produce video, audio, and written content and publish it online

Outcomes

Fear and Family Violence

RRR Midday News - Tuesday 20 September

RRR Midday News - Tuesday 27 September

Feb  – May 2016

Journalist Intern

Rappler (Manila, Philippines)

Rappler is a major online source of news media in the Philippines.

Role Overview

As an intern I was involved in covering events, hard news writing, interviewing, following leads, engaging with local NGOs, community groups, and political associations to uncover/develop stories and ideas for publication in Rappler.

Outcomes

Duterte operates in zone of ‘cursed and sacred’

The value of Marcos jewels according to the Philippine government

Go back to ‘roots’ – TEDx Miriam College speakers

Too frequent fires at UP Diliman?

Recalling the past, looking to the future: X users react to #EDSA30

July – Dec’ 2015

Floor Manager

Off Beat Mondays is a live variety show on C31.

Role Overview

I was involved in managing talent and floor operations for this one hour variety show filmed weekly. It involved thinking quickly and reacting swiftly to a rapidly changing environment.

June 2015

Freelance Reporter

Channel 31 (Melbourne, Australia)

Channel 31 is a local television station in Australia

Role Overview

Covering local news, researching stories, recording and editing audio and visuals.

Segments Aired

Melbourne Bike Trail Funding Scrapped

Trash in Moonee Ponds Creek, Melbourne 

Mar  – June 2014

Reporter

RMIT Catalyst (Melbourne, Australia)

Catalyst is the RMIT student press. It produces a bi-monthly magazine and online news reporting .

Role Overview

This role involved writing a fortnightly hard news story, using interviews and press releases, and working to tight deadlines.

Outcomes

Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard visits RMIT

Chemical accident causes disruption on city campus

Assessment reviews: “Don’t bother; it doesn’t change anything”

TAFE students’ deadline dilemma

Twenty-seven drug arrests at Maitland’s Groovin’ the Moo

Feb 2013

Freelancer

Hijacked (Melbourne, Australia)

Hijacked is a national web based student publication.

This is a freelance role. It has a focus on student centric content and involves writing opinion pieces, working to deadlines, and finding relevant content.

Outcomes

God and student union dosh a no deal

Miscellaneous

May 2015

Shortlisted, Emerging Writers Festival Monash Prize

This competition was open to all undergraduate students in Australia.

The End of Unemployed Anastasia and the Once Rebellious Panda

June 2015 - 2016

Vice-President/Co-founder

RMIT Press Club

The RMIT Press Club aims to provide industry access and a collaborator website for student content.

Role Overview

As a founding member this role has involved garnering support, promoting membership, and leading the development of the website. It has also involved developing editorial guidelines and processes and a system of content and people management.

Sept’ 2017 - Sept’ 2018

Communications  Officer

University of Melbourne  Postgraduate International Relations Organisation

The University of Melbourne  Postgraduate International Relations Organisation provides networking and social opportunities to students.

Role Overview

As Communications Officer I was responsible for press releases, social media communications, and ensuring all communications with the student body came from a clear, uniform voice.

Other Languages

Intermediary Spanish, Early-Intermediate Vietnamese (In Progress)

Other Qualifications

First Aid 2

Other Work Experience

Aug 2016 – July 2018

Customer Service

Sportsbet

Key Responsibilities

This role involves assessing, analysing, and solving customer queries and concerns. It requires: a vast knowledge of gambling and sports, patience and reasoning skills, and above all a strong ability to communicate.

Mar 2015 – Jan 2016

Market Researcher

DBM Consultants

DBM is an outbound market research call centre.

Key Responsibilities

This role involved outbound calls to a variety of people to conduct market research for a  number of companies and government organisations. Careful questionings, and communication skills were essential to success in this role.

Jul 2007 – Nov 2014

Owner/Founder

Put It On A T-shirt

Put It On A T-shirt was an online  t-shirt printing business.

Key Responsibilities

This role covered all areas of small business management. Including managing staffing, ascertaining and meeting client requirements, and phone, face to face, and online customer service.

Nov 2005 – Nov 2008

Front Line Associate

GE Money

This was an inbound/outbound collections role.

Key Responsibilities

Adhering to compliance legislation, following procedures, problem solving  through rapport building and questioning techniques in order to ascertain a customer's situation and best meet their accounts recovery needs.

Nov 2004 – Nov’ 2005

Customer Service Consultant

UCMS (Telstra)

This role was an inbound customer service role dealing with Telstra dealerships.

Key Responsibilities

Problem solving, applying and removing products from client accounts, and settling customer complaints in a high pressure environment demanding strong communication skills and a broad knowledge base.

References

Name:

Title:

Company:

Phone:

Email:

Gonzalo Illayora

Project Manager

The Worldfolio

+35 1825 980 461

gonzalo@theworldfolio.com

Ms. Tran Thi Hoa

Executive Director

CIRUM

 +84 (24) 37622368

tthoa@cirum.org