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nicole williamson

@nicolewilliamson

Head of Live Journalism at Daily Maverick, producing The Gathering and the Gen AI Masterclass series, which generated R4 million+ in year one.

South Africa

Message

At Daily Maverick, I lead the live journalism and events function, including the end-to-end production of The Gathering. I oversee its marketing, ticket sales, speaker management, audience diversity strategy, venue, production logistics, and digital event.

I co-created the Gen AI Masterclass series, which generated R4 million+ in its first year. I work with commercial and editorial teams to align live events with Daily Maverick's public interest journalism mandate.

At Daily Maverick, I scaled the webinar programme to more than 450 events, grew its audience to 55,000, and generated more than R1.5 million in sponsorship and funding. I also co-created the in-house webinar platform, which has generated revenue for the organisation.

Earlier, at Associated Media Publishing, I led event generation across its portfolio and consistently met a mandate of 40%+ profit on events. At ELLE Magazine South Africa, I progressed from the editorial team to Beauty Editor and Managing Editor, working across editorial planning, brand partnerships, and production.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Head of Live Journalism

Current

Daily Maverick

Jan 2025 - Present (1 year 9 months)

Leads the full live journalism and events function, including large-scale events, webinars, client management, and audience engagement. Oversees end-to-end production of The Gathering and co-created the Gen AI Masterclass series generating R4 million+ in its first year.

Event Management Webinars Client Management Audience Engagement Marketing Ticket Sales Speaker Management Venue Management Production and Logistics Digital Events Commercial Strategy Editorial Alignment

Head of Events and Webinars

Daily Maverick

Jan 2022 - Jan 2025 (3 years)

Scaled the webinar programme to over 450 events, growing the audience to 55,000 and generating over R1.5 million in sponsorship and funding. Negotiated strategic partnerships and co-created the in-house webinar platform.

Webinar Production Audience Growth Sponsorship Acquisition Partnership Negotiation Revenue Strategy Member Services Platform Development Fundraising

Events and Webinars Manager

Daily Maverick

Jan 2021 - Jan 2022 (1 year)

Managed the growing webinar and events calendar, establishing operational systems and supplier relationships that underpinned the programme's subsequent scaling.

Event Planning Webinar Management Operations Supplier Management Calendar Management

Managing Editor, Writer & Events Manager

Daily Maverick

Jan 2019 - Jan 2021 (2 years)

Oversaw editorial operations for Maverick Life, Daily Maverick's lifestyle vertical, while contributing to editorial content. Produced events aligned with the brand's editorial identity to build community engagement.

Editorial Management Content Creation Event Production Community Engagement Brand Alignment

Special Projects Manager

Associated Media Publishing

Jan 2017 - Jan 2019 (2 years)

Led event generation across Associated Media's portfolio of titles including Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, House & Leisure, and Good Housekeeping. Collaborated with editors on event concepts, sponsorship strategy, and execution, consistently meeting a 40%+ profit mandate.

Event Generation Sponsorship Strategy Editorial Collaboration Profit Management Portfolio Management

Beauty Editor & Managing Editor

ELLE Magazine South Africa

Jan 2012 - Jan 2017 (5 years)

Progressed from editorial team to Beauty Editor and then Managing Editor during a five-year tenure. Managed the monthly flatplan, client liaison, brand partnerships, and beauty editorial, including shoots, copy, and production.

Editorial Management Beauty Content Flatplan Management Client Liaison Brand Partnerships Production Writing Contributor Management