UK: Salisbury-based Zimbabwean woman taking creative business from home to global markets

By salisburyjournal.co.uk

LONDON: A CREATIVE business is helping ethical brands grow through storytelling rooted in African heritage.

Mediabelle, based in Salisbury and founded by Claire White in December 2024, supports brands with a focus on sustainability, culture, and conservation.

Claire, 44, lives in Old Sarum with her family, but she was born in Zimbabwe. She has been in Salisbury for 25 years now and built her marketing career in the UK, said: “The recognition is encouraging because it shows there’s a real appetite for purpose-driven marketing.

“But more importantly, it shines a light on the brands and causes I get to represent. Their stories are what truly deserve the spotlight.”

Mediabelle’s work has already earned national recognition.

Claire was named Digital Marketer of the Year 2025 (Wiltshire) at the SME News Southern Enterprise Awards and has been shortlisted as a finalist in the UK Small Business Awards (Best Digital Marketing Business).

The studio’s recent projects include Zimasa Vodka, a Zimbabwean-inspired premium drinks brand distilled in the UK; Lulu & Boo Sustainable Jeweller, an award-winning Wilton-based jeweller; and Tambarara Houseboat, a hospitality brand on Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe.

Other clients include The Zuri Collection, a sustainable jewellery brand from Zimbabwe, and Brooke Bruk-Jackson, Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2023, for her perfume launch.

Claire travelled to Lake Kariba to create a full content suite for Tambarara Houseboat.

She said: “Shooting on Lake Kariba was a pinch-me moment. The houseboat experience is pure magic. It’s where luxury meets the wild.

“My role was to capture that atmosphere so international travellers could imagine themselves there.”

Her work with Zimasa Vodka involved developing storytelling content that traced the journey of the masau fruit from Zimbabwe to the distillery in Wales.

She said: “Zimasa Vodka is rooted in Zimbabwean pride, but it has the sophistication to sit on any UK bar shelf.

“I wanted the content to reflect both worlds—bold and luxury, but also deeply authentic and community-driven.”

Mediabelle also supports UK brands.

Claire said: “Working with Lulu & Boo was about showing that sustainability can be beautiful and stylish, not just ethical.”

She recently collaborated with The Sober Supper Club LDN on a dining event at Twelve Eatery in Bournemouth.

She said: “The Sober Supper Club LDN is proof that alcohol-free doesn’t mean joy-free – it’s stylish, inclusive, and forward-thinking.”

Looking ahead, Mediabelle is developing new projects focused on tourism and wildlife conservation.

Claire said: “I believe storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have.

“When people connect emotionally with a brand or a place, that’s when real change and growth can happen.”