Marisa Louw (49) is a sought-after professional freelance business writer. A retired marketing- and public relations strategist, she has experience in advertising, media management, personal selling, sales promotions, public relations, sponsorship, direct marketing, and digital communication.
She started her freelance marketing career in 2011 after spending 12 years in corporate and four years at an agency. Also known as 'eM', world-class companies and brands trust Marisa Louw to create general and technical content across various industries like agriculture, finance, engineering, tourism, education, food and beverage, health, arts and culture, manufacturing, wholesale and retail.
Marisa has been an accredited member of the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA) since 2010. In addition, she has served on the PRISA Gauteng Committee for many years. She is also a member of the Southern African Freelancers' Association (SAFREA) and the International Marketing Association (IMA).
Over the years, she has been a guest on various radio and television shows. She is also an editorial contributor to Bizcommunity, MarkLives, and The Media Online.
As a training facilitator, she is well-known for her energy and dedication to workshop delegates. She believes it is crucial to transfer her knowledge to the next generation of marketers.
After a breast cancer diagnosis in August 2019, she took a two-year sabbatical while recovering from a double mastectomy and chemotherapy. She is an activist for the early detection of breast cancer and proper treatment and patient care, especially in remote areas.
A trained classical singer, Marisa is actively involved in the performing arts. She made her stage debut as a singer when she was five and joined the Pretoria State Theatre Opera Chorus in 1994. She met her husband, the now internationally acclaimed tenor Stéfan Louw, back in 1996 during the opera Tosca. Together, they founded two of Gauteng's opera companies and a third in the Free State. Marisa has a versatile voice and sings opera and contemporary songs.
Marisa is passionate about animals and volunteers at various rescue and rehabilitation organisations. When she wants to relax, she escapes into the fantasy world of television series like Game of Thrones, True Blood, and The Witcher. She enjoys historical fiction about Europe's Royal Families and World War II.
