Amanda Barnes

Amanda Barnes is a communications professional with over twenty years experience of helping organisations make an impact. She has a proven track record of developing successful media and stakeholder engagement strategies for international organisations including WHO, UNICEF, Amnesty International, Greenpeace and Save the Children Fund. Amanda's experience spans media relations, publishing, online communications and advocacy, as well as internal communications.

Amanda has trained numerous international development professionals in communications skills, including crisis management, and broadcast interview skills. She has also helped organisations develop effective strategies for making their communications incorporate the views and voices of the partners and communities with whom they work.

Over the last decade she has held a variety of senior posts with management and strategic responsibilities and has been a communications consultant to a number of high-profile organisations.

Her consultancy assignments have included:

• advising HelpAge International www.helpage.org on advocacy, communications

and media relations

• coordinating the international launch of Plan International's flagship international

publication Because I am a Girl www.plan-international.org.uk

• developing a communications strategy and marketing literature for the

International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) www.aidtransparency.net

• conducting an evaluation of the UK Department of International Development's

strategy to build public support for international development through the media

• conducting an evaluation of UNICEF's international emergencies communications

• developing a communications strategy for the UK's Race Equality Foundation

• developed and implemented the UK media and advocacy strategy for the World

Health Organisation's successful campaign to achieve international commitment to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

Previous posts have included:

Head of Global Media, Plan International 2004-2007 Responsible for strategic management of international communications for this overseas development agency with operations in 60 countries world wide. She headed a team of six communications professionals, with responsibility for media relations, publishing, web communications, advocacy and internal communications. Controlled a budget in excess of £1 million.

Freelance Media Consultant - 1996-2003 (part time) Clients included: Age Concern England; Amnesty International; Diabetes UK; Department of Health; Greenpeace; London Borough of Camden; NCH Action for Children; Plan International; The National Trust; Save the Children; The World Health Organization; Roll Back Malaria.

Head of Media Relations, Amnesty International UK 1996-97 (temporary) Responsible for leading an extremely busy press office promoting human rights to the UK media.

Head of Media Relations, Help the Aged/HelpAge International 1995-96 Responsible for directing Help the Aged and HelpAge International's relations with the national and local print and broadcast media. Line managed ten press and PR personnel, campaigning on social and economic issues in relations to older people, as well as building public awareness of the organisation's UK and international programmes.

Senior Press Officer, Save the Children 1991-94 Responsible for managing Save the Children's relations with the press and broadcast media. Supervised a staff of five and managed the media strategy for the organisation's high profile children in conflict campaign. Member of the Public Affairs Department's senior management team, which undertook strategic planning for all aspects of the charity's external communications. Controlled a budget of £500,000.

Amanda's key skills include:

Strategic • planning and implementing overall communications strategies for one-off projects as well as long term corporate objectives • advising on strategic communications matters

Evaluation • evaluating one-off campaigns or ongoing communications operations

Media relations • achieving profile in local, national, international and specialist media • directing and managing media events such as press conferences and photo- opportunities

• crisis preparedness and on the spot crisis management • advising on how to achieve broadcast profile • video production, including electronic press kits containing TV and radio content

Digital • designing and implementing website and internet strategies • content production, including video, audio and interactive

Publications • planning and implementing publishing strategies • writing for a range of audiences and media • managing all stages of publication production

Internal communications • advising on internal communication strategies • writing and producing internal publications and online content

Training • TV and radio interview training for media spokespeople • training in media and communication skills

Social marketing and consultation • devising bespoke engagement strategies for audiences from diverse backgrounds • designing survey methodology and questionnaires • producing and organising events and exhibitions • writing and editing marketing literature and online copy

Amanda holds an MSc in Geography and diplomas in radio journalism and production journalism. She is currently studying towards an MA in International Communications and Development and City University in London.