Ares Holdings – Brand communications internship

Brand communications internships can help graduates build practical experience in social media, content creation, public relations, partnerships, campaign activations, reporting, consumer insights and brand strategy. VANS, through Ares Holdings, is recruiting for a Brand Communications Internship in Cape Town, Western Cape.

This is a contract internship opportunity for an applicant who wants hands-on exposure to brand communications for global brands in the South African market.

Important: This opportunity is advertised as an internship. It is not advertised as a learnership or YES youth opportunity. The official advert does not state a specific qualification requirement, salary, stipend, benefits, contract duration, exact working hours or number of available positions.

At a glance

What this opportunity is

This is a Brand Communications Internship with VANS, under Ares Holdings, based in Cape Town.

The official advert states that the Brand Communications Graduate will learn the exciting and dynamic world of brand communications for global brands in the South African market.

The internship offers exposure to strategy design, consumer insights, creative campaign applications, channel management, activation execution, KPI measurement and reporting.

The successful applicant will support social media management, content creation, partnerships, collaborations, public relations, reporting, analysis, office communication and brand-related ad hoc duties.

The official advert does not state the salary, stipend, benefits, contract duration, exact working hours, number of available positions, exact start date or whether permanent employment may be available after the internship.

Who this opportunity may suit

This internship may suit a graduate or early-career applicant who wants to build experience in brand communications, marketing, digital media, public relations, social media, content creation, campaign support or consumer-facing brand work.

It may be suitable for someone who enjoys writing, storytelling, social media, creative campaigns, working with agencies, supporting events, understanding consumers and tracking campaign performance.

The role may also suit applicants with academic or practical exposure to marketing, communications, public relations, digital marketing, brand management, media studies, journalism, content creation, events or retail brand support.

Because the role is based in Cape Town, applicants should consider whether they can work from the required location before applying.

What you will do and learn

The official vacancy lists the following key accountabilities and exposure areas:

Social media management and content creation

• Learn to develop, implement and manage various social media channels.
• Assist in developing engaging brand narratives and content for communication channels.
• Support content creation for social media, blogs, press releases and internal communications.
• Collaborate with creative teams and agencies to ensure content aligns with the brand’s voice and guidelines.
• Stay informed about industry trends, digital media advancements and emerging communication platforms.

Partnerships, collaborations and activations

• Support the identification and research of potential strategic partnerships and collaborations.
• Assist in coordinating partnerships, collaborations and related activations.
• Gain on-the-ground experience in activations and events.
• Learn how partnerships support brand communication and consumer engagement.
• Build exposure to event and activation execution in a retail brand environment.

Cross-functional collaboration

• Collaborate with internal teams such as marketing, creative agencies and product.
• Support alignment of brand communication initiatives with broader brand strategies.
• Gain understanding of supplier management.
• Learn internal working processes within an organisation.
• Develop professional communication with internal and external stakeholders.

Public relations support

• Assist in building and maintaining relationships with key media outlets, influencers and industry partners.
• Support the coordination of media inquiries.
• Support sample requests.
• Support press release distribution.
• Learn about reporting metrics and measurement tools.

Reporting, analysis and administration

• Assist in gathering and analysing data to evaluate brand communication initiatives and activations.
• Support the preparation of reports to track progress and identify areas for improvement.
• Respond to emails and office correspondence.
• Keep the work area clean and tidy.
• Support the mission, vision and core values of the company.
• Meet prescribed deadlines and targets.
• Interact professionally with customers, suppliers and employees.
• Perform reasonable and lawful ad hoc tasks or duties when required.

Important: The duties above are based on the official vacancy. Ares Holdings and VANS may allocate additional reasonable brand communications, marketing, PR, social media, event, reporting, administration, stakeholder-management or retail brand support duties according to business and internship requirements.

Eligibility requirements

Applicant requirements

• The official advert identifies the opportunity as a Brand Communications Internship.
• The official advert describes the role as a Brand Communications Graduate opportunity.
• Applicants should be interested in brand communications for global brands in the South African market.
• Applicants should be able to support social media management and content creation.
• Applicants should be able to collaborate with creative teams, agencies, internal teams and external partners.
• Applicants should be willing to support activations and events.
• Applicants should be comfortable supporting PR, media, influencer and industry partner communication.
• Applicants should be able to support reporting, analysis, office correspondence and ad hoc duties.
• Applicants must provide complete, accurate and truthful information during the official application process.

Qualification note

The official advert does not state a specific qualification requirement in the visible vacancy details.

However, the advert refers to the successful applicant as a Brand Communications Graduate. Applicants with relevant studies in marketing, communications, public relations, media, journalism, digital marketing, brand management or a related field should show this clearly on the CV.

Applicants should prepare copies of qualifications and academic records if requested through the official VANS / Ares Holdings Simplify application platform.

Social media and content skills explained

The official advert includes social media management and content creation as key accountabilities.

Applicants should show any relevant experience with social media platforms, content calendars, copywriting, blogs, short-form content, press releases, internal communications, campaign ideas or brand storytelling.

Good examples can come from academic projects, internships, volunteer work, personal portfolios, student societies, small business support, part-time work or previous communications exposure.

PR, partnerships and activations explained

The official advert includes partnerships, collaborations, activations, public relations support and media or influencer relationship support.

Applicants should highlight any exposure to events, campaign activations, influencer coordination, media lists, PR writing, stakeholder communication, sample coordination, supplier communication or partnership research.

This is useful because the role includes hands-on learning in brand activations, media coordination and cross-functional collaboration.

Reporting and analysis explained

The official advert includes KPI measurement, reporting, campaign analysis and evaluating the effectiveness of brand communication initiatives and activations.

Applicants should show any experience with reporting, analytics, campaign tracking, social media insights, spreadsheets, presentation summaries, research findings or performance reports.

Applicants should not overstate their reporting experience. It is better to list tools and tasks they can perform confidently and accurately.

Leadership and relationship behaviours listed in the advert

The official advert lists the following leadership and relationship behaviours:

• Collaboration.
• Influencing skills.
• Team support.
• Stakeholder management.
• Effective communication.
• Conflict resolution.
• Adaptability.
• Leadership by example.

Technical and functional competencies listed in the advert

The official advert lists the following technical and functional competencies:

• Brand strategy implementation.
• Content creation.
• Media relations.
• Project management.
• Digital marketing.
• Campaign analysis.
• Brand consistency.
• Crisis communication.
• Market research.
• Visual communication.

Skills and personal attributes that may help

• Interest in brand communications and global lifestyle brands.
• Strong writing and editing ability.
• Creative thinking and brand storytelling ability.
• Social media awareness and digital trend awareness.
• Ability to work with agencies and internal teams.
• Confidence supporting events, collaborations and activations.
• Professional communication with media, influencers, suppliers and employees.
• Attention to brand voice, guidelines and consistency.
• Ability to gather information and support reports.
• Organisation and deadline management.
• Adaptability when priorities shift.
• Willingness to learn and take on ad hoc duties.

What this opportunity really means

This is a practical internship in brand communications for a global retail and lifestyle brand environment.

The successful applicant should expect exposure to social media management, content creation, PR support, partnerships, activations, stakeholder communication, internal processes, reporting, campaign measurement and brand strategy implementation.

The internship may help applicants build experience for future roles in brand communications, marketing, public relations, social media, digital marketing, campaign coordination or retail brand support.

Applicants should not treat this internship as a guaranteed permanent job unless Ares Holdings or VANS confirms this directly during the recruitment process.

Applicants should confirm salary or stipend, contract duration, working hours, reporting line, start date, workplace arrangements and any additional internship conditions directly with Ares Holdings if shortlisted.

Application checklist

Prepare the following before applying:

• Updated CV.
• Clear copy of South African ID or valid identity document, if requested.
• Proof of relevant qualification or academic record, if requested.
• Examples of social media, content creation or brand communication work, if available.
• Examples of writing, editing, blog, press release or internal communication work, if available.
• Examples of PR, media, influencer, partnership or activation exposure, if applicable.
• Examples of campaign reporting, analytics, research or performance tracking, if applicable.
• Examples of teamwork with agencies, marketing teams, creative teams or product teams.
• Reliable cellphone number and professional email address.
• Any supporting documents requested through the official VANS / Ares Holdings Simplify application platform.

Need assistance with CVs, certified documents and application preparation? Visit our Learnership Resources and Guides.

Important note for applicants

This is a Brand Communications Internship. It is not advertised as a learnership or YES youth opportunity.

The official advert describes the successful applicant as a Brand Communications Graduate and states that the internship gives exposure to strategy design, consumer insights, creative campaign applications, channel management, activation execution and KPI measurement and reporting.

The official advert does not state a specific qualification requirement, salary, stipend, benefits, contract duration, exact working hours, number of available positions, exact start date or whether permanent employment may be available after the internship.

Applicants should apply before the official closing date and should ensure that their CV clearly connects to brand communications, social media, content creation, PR, marketing, reporting, activations or digital media where relevant.

Should applicants not be contacted regarding this position within 2 weeks from the closing date, they should regard their application as unsuccessful.

About the sponsor

Ares Holdings is a Southern African distributor of global footwear, apparel and accessories brands.

Ares Holdings’ official website states that its mission is to be the premium distribution company in Southern Africa, delivering leading global footwear, apparel and accessories brands to consumers with excellence.

VANS is one of the brands linked to Ares Holdings. Ares Holdings’ official VANS page describes Vans as an action sports footwear, apparel and accessories brand with a global presence.

This Brand Communications Internship is linked to the VANS division in Cape Town, Western Cape.

Learn more through the official Ares Holdings website and official Ares Holdings VANS page

Quick tips for applicants

• Apply before the official closing date of 28 July 2026.
• Submit by 27 July 2026 to reduce the risk of missing the deadline.
• Make sure your CV clearly shows any relevant marketing, communications, PR, media, digital marketing or brand-related studies.
• Highlight social media, content creation, copywriting, blogs, press releases or internal communications experience if you have it.
• Include examples of campaign work, activations, events, partnerships or collaborations if applicable.
• Show reporting, analytics, KPI tracking or research experience where relevant.
• Show that you can collaborate with internal teams, agencies, suppliers and external partners.
• Prepare a simple portfolio or examples of work if you have relevant content or campaign samples.
• Check that your cellphone number and email address are correct before submitting.
• Apply only through the official VANS / Ares Holdings Simplify vacancy page.

Common mistakes that get applicants rejected

• Submitting a generic CV that does not connect to brand communications.
• Not showing social media or content creation interest clearly.
• Leaving PR, marketing, event, campaign or activation exposure off the CV where relevant.
• Not showing writing, editing or communication skills.
• Not showing reporting, analytics, research or performance measurement exposure where applicable.
• Not showing collaboration with teams, agencies, suppliers or stakeholders.
• Providing unclear or incorrect education, experience or employment information.
• Using an incorrect cellphone number or email address.
• Uploading an outdated or incomplete CV.
• Applying through unofficial links instead of the official VANS / Ares Holdings Simplify vacancy page.
• Submitting the application after 28 July 2026.

Scam warning (important)

Applicants should apply only through the official VANS / Ares Holdings Simplify recruitment page or another vacancy page clearly linked from an official Ares Holdings or VANS careers website.

Do not pay anyone for registration, an application, an interview, background checks, training, equipment, transport, accommodation or placement. Legitimate employers do not require applicants to pay money to secure an internship opportunity.

Do not share banking PINs, passwords, one-time PINs, email passwords, system passwords or unnecessary financial information with anyone claiming that they can guarantee a VANS or Ares Holdings internship.

Be cautious of recruitment messages sent from unofficial email addresses, private social-media accounts or cellphone numbers that request payment, favours, banking information or confidential documents outside the official application process.

Upload identity documents, qualifications, CVs and other sensitive documents only through the official and secure recruitment process.

Always return to the official VANS / Ares Holdings vacancy page to confirm that the opportunity and application link remain genuine and available.

How this opportunity was verified

This opportunity was verified from the official VANS / Ares Holdings Simplify recruitment listing for Brand Communications Internship.

The official listing confirmed the job title, employer, Cape Town location, Western Cape province, contract employment type, posted date, closing date, VANS division, internship minimum experience level, Retail primary industry and job functional area.

The official listing also confirmed the job description, key accountabilities, social media management duties, content creation duties, partnership and collaboration duties, cross-functional collaboration duties, PR support duties, reporting and analysis duties, ad hoc duties, competency profile and response-time note.

The official advert does not state a specific qualification requirement, salary, stipend, benefits, contract duration, exact working hours, number of available positions, exact start date or whether permanent employment may be available after the internship when last checked.

Read more about our verification process on the How We Verify Listings page.

How to apply

1. Open the official VANS / Ares Holdings application link below.
2. Read the complete Brand Communications Internship advert carefully.
3. Prepare your updated CV and any supporting documents requested by the official Simplify platform.
4. Highlight relevant brand communications, marketing, PR, social media, content creation, campaign, reporting or activation experience where applicable.
5. Select the Apply option on the official vacancy page.
6. Create a Simplify candidate profile or sign in if you already have one.
7. Complete all personal, education, qualification, experience and screening questions honestly.
8. Enter your social media, content creation, PR, partnerships, campaign, reporting, stakeholder-management and communication experience accurately where applicable.
9. Upload your CV and any documents requested by the official platform.
10. Read the recruitment and privacy terms carefully before submitting personal information.
11. Check that your cellphone number, email address, qualification details and uploaded documents are correct.
12. Submit the application by 27 July 2026 where possible.
13. Keep the application confirmation or proof of submission.

Application Closing Date

The official closing date is 28 July 2026.

The official vacancy does not state the exact closing time. Applicants should submit by 27 July 2026 to reduce the risk of missing the deadline because of technical issues, missing documents or an incomplete online profile.