Firehorse Media

collaborate
create
communicate

Firehorse Media
collaborate . create . communicate

What we do…

Firehorse Media is a professional communications consultancy which crafts your brand story through compelling content for impact and relevancy.

We understand that our environment creates our experiences. With a team of professional journalists, editors, content marketers and web developers we engage strategies for understanding your corporate, leisure or lifestyle business, crafting your story and maximizing exposure for your brand on both the print and digital platforms.

With offices in Cape Town and Johannesburg, Firehorse Media works with local and global companies within the B2B and B2C marketplace using creative content development, story-telling, copywriting, social engagement, media relations and publicity over a wide range of industries and across diverse media outlets and platforms.

Boost your media presence or launch your product or service from the ground up with our web development, creative communications, social media management and media strategies for publicity campaigns.

Through knowledge, experience and enthusiasm for the written word we create traction for your brand within your target markets.

About

Firehorse Media is a Communications Consultancy headed up by Media and Marketing Specialist Mercédes Westbrook.

With an extensive career in the custom magazine publishing arena working with top South African brand marketing and management teams, Mercédes offers her clients in-depth experience covering communication and content services across a variety of industries and media platforms.

Mercédes holds Higher Diploma’s in Journalism, Hotel Management, Targeted Account Selling, Sales Negotiation, Effective Speaking and Transformational Writing.

Her areas of expertise include writing, editing, proof reading, training and mentorship, design principles, editorial development, commercial awareness, budgeting, print and digital consultancy and project management.

Mercédes has filled the following key positions:

  • Publicist for 5-star Haywards Grand Safari Company
  • Media consultancy for iCandiCQ
  • Media consultancy for Media Ink
  • Social Media Manager David Barkham Artist
  • Publicist for 4-star DeBergkant Lodge
  • PR Account Manager for GrandWest
  • Consulting Communications Manager at Atmosphere Orange
  • Association Management, Marketing & Print and Digital Editor for the Stationery, Home and Office Products Association of Southern Africa  (SHOP-SA).
  • Editorial Director at Redsand Interactive (Pty) Ltd.  (Received four PICA Magazine Awards from the Magazine Publishers Association of South Africa (MPASA)
  • Marketing Manager at Cadplan: Autodesk Reseller of Architectural Design software (awarded the top South African Reseller for five consecutive years)
  • Head of Publishing at David Barritt & Company: Public Relations/Photographic Library Services

Clients

Testimonials

“As an expert in her chosen field, I have had the privilege to work with Mercedes over a period spanning a decade. Her perceptive insights into critical editorial issues and management processes spans the entire publishing-reader matrix and transforms partnerships to realise potential synergies. She is articulate, intelligent, reliable and efficient, resulting in her completing a magnificent job for us managing the entire Editorial Department and content function for our highly accoladed stable of twenty magazine titles, which covered diverse sectors from lifestyle, sport, travel, motoring, fashion to investment and many others. Mercedes has an invaluable depth and breadth of executive level editorial, PR, management and marketing experience, and would be a valuable asset to any company.”
Mark Leven-Macron

Media & Biotech

“I have had the distinct privilege of working with Mercedes several times over the past 15 years. She is an accomplished writer whose talents have few boundaries. She has written on subjects ranging from interviews with presidents, political figures and celebrities to travel, lifestyle and entertainment and can bring life and colour to even the most boring product placement. As the editorial director of our business, she single-handedly managing seven editors, three sub editors and over one hundred independent journalists; since many of the titles we produced were done on behalf of contract clients such as Vodacom, The AA, Diners Club, RETOSA, SA Tourism, The DTI, The International Marketing Council (Brand South Africa),Link Pharmacy Group, The Southern Africa Tour (PGA), Motorsport SA, Cricket SA and SARFU to name but a few. Mercedes is a rare individual who brings true woman power, integrity, friendship and creativity into her work space. She is an asset to any organisation she works with and will always offer more than she is asked for.”
Grant Viljoen

Owner Publisher

I have known Mercedes Westbrook for many years as a highly regarded magazine editor, businesswoman and writer. Mercedes is passionate about her work, life and people. She never tires of learning, of embracing the new, of ferreting out solutions to old challenges and discovering new ways to approach and solve them. These are essential requirements to meet today’s challenging environment where change leapfrogs over us as we sleep. Mercedes is a gifted writer and a thoughtful commentator with high integrity, dedicated to accuracy and new ways of getting her message, or that of her clients, seen and heard.”
Charlene Smith

Atlanatic Writing Services, Boston, USA

“Mercedes is a superb journalist who can also take first rate photographs. She produces excellent work at a reasonable cost. She is reliable and a dream to work with. Highly recommended.”
Godfrey King

Contact Publications, Owner

“Working in publishing with Mercedes is an absolute pleasure. She is a consummate professional, with a calm demeanour and an organised mind. Her leadership skills stand out and she always seeks to help team members. An asset to any company.”
Fiona Robyn Ingram

Writer

“Working with Mercedes has always created very positive outcomes. She has a very professional analytical approach that is also creative and innovative. A character combination that is rare to find.”
David Sand

Owner, Uwin Iwin

Blog

Go Closer – Slow Down – Be Here Now

Go Closer – Slow Down – Be Here Now

by |

Captured by the quality of natural light available, the atmosphere of stillness, exposed human emotions and the character of its ancient landscape, Botha says, “In slowing down my life, my senses were sharpened. I was able to see again, to smell, to hear, to taste and to feel, almost as if for the first time.”

read more
“The digital platform allows us to embrace a direct and simple means of broadcasting an idea, a product or service in an immediate and compelling way to a global audience. It is an influential tool, voice and platform for anyone willing to engage in the viral power of online media.”
“Technology has opened the door wider to communication, connection and engagement. Has your brand joined the digital revolution? Are you effectively interacting, promoting, and sharing knowledge that captures people’s attention with relevance, velocity and brand impact?”