Sophie Mathewson CV & Cover Letter

CONTACT

📞 +61 498 291 644

🗺️ Home is Margaret River, Western Australia - on Wadandi Boodja (Salt Water People’s Country). Can travel as needed.

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SOPHIE MATHEWSON | CREATIVE PRODUCER & CONTENT SPECIALIST

Why not?

That is the question that has shaped the best part of my creative work. I’m told ‘No’ quite a lot. Often told ‘We don’t do it that way.’ Sometimes I’m called disruptive.

But at the heart of what I do, is the question we so often forget to ask ourselves. Why not? Why can’t we do it that way? Why shouldn’t we do it another way? And who said it has to be done like that?

As a content specialist and producer with over 15 years of industry experience working in television and digital media, my professional life has been about riding this flux of continuous evolution in content production, distribution, and audience engagement.

Firstly, I love stories. In all shapes and sizes. I have experience producing content across a broad range of media - from traditional methods like print and film production to tailored digital media concepts in web, app development, and podcasting. My love for stories will always come first - before my passion for embracing emerging tech and interactivity. Because great stories are timeless.

But storytelling and brand strategy need constant adaptation, and it’s integral to find the pulse of what’s happening now, and what’s on the horizon - across tech, social, brands and marketing, VFX, and art - to make an impact.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

I completed a Masters Degree in Production Design and Producing at The WA Screen Academy in 2009, where I was the recipient of the University Dux Award for my year group. Upon graduating, I was nominated for Best Production Designer for the short film Stuffed in the WA Screen Awards and went on to work on a number of West Australian feature films then to Victoria to work in television.

I cut my teeth professionally working as an Executive Producer’s Assistant for the Australian serial drama Neighbours (fortunately for me at the time Margot Robbie was there), but I eventually found my niche when I moved into the digital industry. I was a Producer at a digital agency Studio Ish in Melbourne, and produced content for brands including Penguin Publishing, the Australian Football League, and the ABC.

After having children and moving regionally, my most recent work has been connected to the tourism industry. From 2017 - 2022, as Destination Marketing Manager & Content Specialist for Australia’s largest local tourism organisation, I spearheaded the website redevelopment and rebrand for the Margaret River Region. I edited and wrote for a regional magazine, Tales & Trails (Highly Commended for Travel Publication of the Year 2022 at the Mumbrella Travel Marketing Awards - beating industry leads including QANTAS magazine), and developed the content calendar for margaretriver.com, which receives up to three million page views annually.

In 2017, I produced an online documentary series for ABC iview, The Kununurra Kid, which was a finalist in the Australian Screen Producer’s Awards for Best Factual Online Series.

In 2023 I moved to Vietnam to give my children an experience living outside of Australia, and was based in Hoi An, Vietnam, where I worked for 15 months as the Marketing Director of Hoi An International School.

I managed all social media accounts, produced viral reels and stories for LinkedIn, FB, IG, and TikTok, wrote blog content, EDM newsletters, managed the website CMS (Wordpress), and produced a brand film which screened at local cinemas. My work amassed increased social media followings and school enrolments by 30%.

Upon finishing the role, I partnered with local Vietnamese creatives to launch a digital agency Liminal, which supports Austrade’s recent Creative / Tech Landing hub in HCMC, and Australia’s bilateral trade agreement with Vietnam on digital growth. We aim to provide SMEs and startups with high-quality brand and marketing assets at affordable prices.

Being technically savvy with a number of software platforms, I can work autonomously and am also happy to be hands-on chatting over the phone, and building durable relationships with teams.

Ultimately - what I’ve discovered in my career journey, is that my imagination has been my most powerful asset. I can take all of the research and experience, production development, successes and failures – and none of it measures against the power gained from creative thought.

I acknowledge that the landscape is constantly shifting beneath us and I am passionate about remaining curious and adaptable in my thinking.

PORTFOLIO

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Glorious Stories

EXPERIENCE

Founder & Executive Producer, Oct 2024 - Present

Hey Liminal

I recently launched our Liminal brand film at SXSW Sydney at the East Meets West networking event. Since then, the film has been viewed nearly 60k times on Youtube. Liminal is a cross continent brand agency, working with partners in South East Asia to produce cost effective projects that are outside the box. Liminal's tagline 'The space in between' is at the heart of our vision. We don't believe in black and white thinking, and have an endless curiosity to explore the unknown, whether that means embracing new technology, perspectives, or using drama, quirk and humour.

Digital Content Specialist, July 2024 - Present

Clean Slate

While living in Vietnam, I have been working remotely as a Content Specialist for Clean Slate - Australia’s only telehealth company that allows people to detox from alcohol and other substances safely from home. I produced five animated reels for social media for Dry July and Dry January (example of one reel here), flew to Melbourne to interview the Co-Founders and produce video content of the Clean Slate Story, and have written blogs and managed the social accounts.

Marketing Director, Jan 2023 - April 2024

Hoi An International School

I relocated to Vietnam last year to give my children a cultural experience living outside Australia, and was employed as Marketing Director of Central Vietnam’s leading International School for 15 months. I liaised with Vietnamese staff, partnership stakeholders such as RMIT, AusCham, and The Ministry of Education. Within two months of starting the role I produced a brand campaign which amassed 126k views in 2 months and screened as a trailer at Lotte Cinema in Hoi An and Da Nang over summer. I also produced a Wes Anderson style reel for Tik Tok that went viral within days reaching over 200k views total on social media.

Content Specialist / Destination Marketing Manager, Aug 2017 - Jan 2023

Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association

Responsible for producing a regional magazine, Tales & Trails , working to support members through the creation of an influencer reels campaign with Jarrad Seng, producing a film to encourage visitors to shop on the main street of Margaret River, coordinating seasonal instameets with groups of influencers and photographers, managing content and contributing to copywriting on mr.com. Managed the design of the arrivals hall at the new Busselton Margaret River airport for 2021 Jetstar route direct from Melbourne.

Producer, Dec 2020 - Mar 2021

Brand Film Margaret River Wine Association

Concept ideation, crewing up, talent coordination, managing budgets, field producing and set dressing on location, managing post production for Margaret River Wine Association branding campaign, Breathtaking.

Producer, Mar 2019 - July 2019

Podcast Wine Unearthed

Concept ideation, research, pre-interviews, story development, managing post production, budgets, fact checking, managing stakeholder relationships with funding partners of podcast series Wine Unearthed.

Producer, May 2017 - Aug 2017

Documentary Series *The Kununurra Kid - Princess Pictures*

Producer for a 8 -part documentary series for ABC iview following the 'Kununurra Kid' (Tom Forrest) around Australia and to the US. Responsible for researching key characters and talent, conducting pre-interviews, providing main cast with background information on episodes and talent, organising legal agreements, filming permissions, flights, accommodation, and safety reports.

Communications Manager, Apr 2013 - Sep 2015

Margaret River Press (now The Centre for Stories)

Marketing publications for publishing company Margaret River Press. Managing events, digital copywriting, shooting and editing short videos, managing social media pages, applying for government grants, and working on digital strategies with partner organisations.

Producer, Jun 2011 - Jan 2013

Stu*dio Ish Digital Agenc y*

Producing digital marketing strategies for brands in both the corporate and entertainment sectors including Penguin Books, AFL, and the ABC. Producing short web-series' for online and smartphone applications. Studio Ish closed it’s doors in 2013 but my reference Kylie Robertson can be contacted for further information.

Location Coordinator, Apr 2011 - Jun 2011

Conspiracy 365 (Mini-Series) - Circa 365 & Foxtel

Location Coordination for children’s mini-series shot for Australian Pay TV/Foxtel. Left due to maternity reasons.

Executive Assistant, Apr 2010 - Apr 2011

Neighbours (Serial Drama) - FremantleMedia

Assistant to the Executive Producer (Susan Bower) of long-running serial drama Neighbours. Responsible for scheduling, coordinating travel, cast and crew event management, writing promotional material and media comments, and compiling presentations on behalf of Neighbours Producers. Also heavily involved in script department meetings, and day to day communications with Channel FIVE in the UK.

Production Assistant, Jan 2010 - Mar 2010

Blame (Feature Film) - Monkey Factor Films

Production Assistant for Australian Feature Film starring Sophie Lowe (Beautiful Kate), and Kestie Morassi (Wolf Creek).

Props & Set Dresser, Oct 2009 - Dec 2009

Needle (Feature Film) - Filmscope Entertainment

Art direction of sets, purchasing props, managing set budgets, dressing sets. Feature film starred Ben Mendolsohn (Bloodline), and Travis Fimmel (Vikings).

EDUCATION

2009

Masters in Professional Communications (Majoring in Producing & Production Design)

Edith Cowan University / WA Screen Academy & Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA)

Grade Average: High Distinction

Recipient of the University Excellence Award - DUX

2005

Certificate of English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA)

International House - Prague, Czech Republic

2004

Bachelor of Arts (Journalism & Film/TV)

Curtin University Western Australia

Grade Average: Distinction

2001

Certificate V in Broadcasting

Central TAFE - Western Australia

KEY COMPETENCIES

Communication:

From my many years of living and working abroad, I have developed a natural ability to communicate with people of all ages and cultural backgrounds.

Copywriting:

I can produce professional, polished written work across many styles including journalistic, academic, scripted, corporate and promotional.

Deadlines:

I have worked in diverse areas of high turn-around production both in Australia and overseas and have acquired the skills to meet tight deadlines and remain calm in high-pressure situations.

Leadership:

I have an inclusive, collegial approach, respecting individual differences and demonstrating a commitment to shared goals.

Computer Literacy:

I am competent in a number of software packages including Meta Advertising, Canva, Descript, Campaign Monitor, CMS platforms such as Wordpress and Squarespace, and Google Analytics 4.