BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – SKNVibes, the Federation’s largest online multi-media organization, has added a new face to its staff as it gears up to fulfil major objectives for 2009.
Newly appointed Creative Director, Valencia Grant brings over 13 years of professional experience to the company as she has functioned in a number of managerial positions not only in Marketing but also in Public Relations. Grant was educated at the Carleton University, Canada where she attained her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication in 2001. She subsequently matriculated into Columbia University and successfully earned her Master of Science Degree in Journalism with a concentration in Broadcast in late 2005.
Coupled with her academic achievements in the field of journalism, Grant also has completed Graduate Courses in Sociology and was awarded the Student Award of Excellence by the Canadian Nurses Association Media Awards for her excellence in journalism. During her stint at the government-run information agency SKNIS, Grant also penned speeches for Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas.
In an exclusive interview with SKNVibes, Grant said with her extensive journalism training and her experience in public relations and marketing, she is “well prepared” to introduce creative initiatives to advance business goals. She added that her first aim would be to “strengthen journalist aspects to make SKNVibes more appealing to larger numbers”.
“SKNVibes is uniquely positioned in an era when more online media houses are being established. Being online creates countless opportunities to be creative and issue-focused and reach a much wider market. The company offers an amalgamation of audio and video elements which enhance its presentation of information and make the site very attractive. SKNVibes has a lot of creative potential certainly because it is on the cutting edge of technology and I think it can go very far.
“SKNVibes has a number of young talented reporters and learned editors; many of them have been the cream of the crop in their respective peer groups. They are very knowledgeable, intelligent and assertive and do a very good job at disseminating g information. And so, I intend to work closely with reporters through training as we focus on honing research and analytical skills to improve our quality of production. A good story must not only be a presentation of the bare facts, but must also include an intelligent interpretation of the issues.
“A lot of my job would be behind the scene, involved in enhancing the look and feel of SKNVibes and making it more user friendly, content driven and picture-oriented. The site must not only deal with words, but must also include the design. My work here comprises a human resource development aspect and another in brand development and management. Honing in on our brand of SKNVibes, strengthening the company’s personality and identity and driving the philosophy of the company are what we are planning to do. We have asked ourselves what SKNVibes is going to be and have road mapped a plan on how are we going to achieve company objectives.”
Grant informed that as SKNVibes continues to evolve, she would work to improve the company’s creative projects including PEP Radio and TV. She further stated that that she would also work to “map out an improved strategy for news gathering and storytelling to attract more persons to the site” as she attempts to give SKNVibes a new feel and look.
