Catalyst Lab | Content Intern

Aug 17, 2026

Internship

Catalyst Labs is a media and strategy platform focused on culture, storytelling, film, entertainment, brands and the global African creative economy. We cover the people, ideas, companies and cultural shifts shaping African and Black diaspora attention — from film, TV, fashion and creator culture to distribution, audience-building, festivals, brand strategy and media business. Catalyst Labs is being built as a high-signal editorial platform across newsletter and social, with a focus on sharp insight, cultural taste and useful industry intelligence.

THE ROLE

We’re looking for a Content Intern to support Catalyst Labs’ newsletter and Instagram presence.

This is a support role for someone who is curious, organised, online, culturally aware and interested in media, film, fashion, entertainment, African creative industries and audience-building.

You will help research stories, organise links, draft newsletter sections, package ideas for Instagram and support the day-to-day content workflow. You should be comfortable moving between editorial research, social media packaging and light admin.

This is not a senior editorial strategy role. You will work from the founder’s direction, editorial priorities and brand voice

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Newsletter Support

  • Support the weekly Catalyst Labs newsletter workflow.
  • Research stories, links, reports, interviews, releases and industry updates relevant to African film, entertainment, creator culture, fashion, media and brand strategy.
  • Help prepare curated link roundups with short summaries and why they matter.
  • Draft first-pass newsletter sections, including short blurbs, headlines, captions, intros and calls to action.
  • Help fact-check names, titles, dates, companies, projects, links and credits.
  • Keep a running archive of useful stories, reports, talent, companies and industry references.

Instagram Content Support

  • Help turn newsletter ideas and cultural observations into Instagram posts.
  • Support simple content formats such as:
    • Industry news explainers
    • “Why this matters” posts
    • Film/festival/talent spotlights
    • Carousel breakdowns
    • Quote cards
    • Cultural trend observations
    • Newsletter promo posts
  • Draft captions, hooks and CTAs in the Catalyst Labs tone.
  • Create simple Instagram graphics using templates in Canva.
  • Help schedule and publish approved posts.
  • Ensure all names, tags, credits and links are accurate before posting.

Research + Cultural Intelligence

  • Track relevant stories across African film, Nollywood, Canadian film, Black diaspora media, fashion, beauty, creator culture, festivals, platforms, brands and audience trends.
  • Monitor newsletters, trade publications, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube and other relevant sources for useful insights.
  • Identify interesting talent, companies, campaigns, launches, events and conversations Catalyst Labs should be watching.
  • Share a weekly research note with 5–10 items worth considering for the newsletter or Instagram.

Editorial Packaging

  • Help translate raw ideas into clear, engaging formats.
  • Suggest headlines, carousel angles, newsletter subject lines and Instagram hooks.
  • Help make industry ideas accessible without dumbing them down.
  • Support the development of recurring formats and series for Instagram and the newsletter.

Community + Audience Support

  • Support Instagram engagement, including comments, replies, reposts and relevant account interaction.
  • Help identify potential newsletter subscribers, collaborators, interview subjects, contributors and community partners.
  • Track audience questions, replies and comments that could become future content ideas.
  • Support light outreach where needed, using approved templates.

Asset + Workflow Organisation

  • Keep content assets, research links, drafts and references organised in Google Drive, Notion, Airtable or another approved workspace.
  • Maintain a simple content tracker for newsletter ideas, Instagram posts, drafts and publishing status.
  • Archive published newsletters, posts, captions and useful references.

Reporting Support

  • Help collect simple weekly performance notes across newsletter and Instagram.
  • Track metrics such as newsletter opens, clicks, subscriber growth, Instagram reach, saves, shares, comments and profile visits.
  • Flag what performed well and suggest simple reasons why.
  • Support the founder in identifying what to repeat, improve or stop.

What You Will Not Own

  • You will not be responsible for final editorial strategy.
  • You will not publish anything without approval unless explicitly authorised.
  • You will not independently represent Catalyst Labs to partners, talent or press without approval.
  • You will not be expected to run paid campaigns.
  • You will not be expected to produce original video or photography unless separately agreed.
  • You will not write opinion pieces under your own byline unless approved.

What Success Looks Like

  • Newsletter research is organised, useful and delivered on time.
  • Instagram posts are accurate, visually clean and aligned with Catalyst Labs’ point of view.
  • Captions, hooks and headlines improve over time.
  • Research is thoughtful and not generic.
  • The founder spends less time chasing links, drafts and basic content admin.
  • You show initiative, strong judgement, attention to detail and the ability to take feedback quickly.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Strong interest in African creative industries, film, TV, fashion, media, entertainment, creator culture and cultural business.
  • Strong writing instincts and ability to summarise ideas clearly.
  • Good eye for Instagram packaging, headlines, captions and visual presentation.
  • Comfortable using Instagram, Canva, Google Drive and basic content planning tools.
  • Highly organised and detail-oriented.
  • Able to meet deadlines and communicate clearly.
  • Comfortable taking direction, revising work and learning quickly.
  • Strong internet research skills.

Nice to Have

  • Previous internship, freelance or school experience in media, journalism, social media, newsletters, film, fashion, entertainment or culture.
  • Familiarity with tools such as Substack, Mailchimp, Beehiiv, Notion, Airtable, Later or Buffer.
  • Basic Canva design experience.
  • Awareness of African film, Nollywood, TIFF, film festivals, streaming platforms, creator economy conversations or fashion/media newsletters.
  • Experience writing captions, short articles, blog posts, newsletters or carousel copy.

Working Rhythm

The role may include:

  • Weekly newsletter research support
  • Drafting short newsletter blurbs and link summaries
  • 3–5 Instagram post drafts per week
  • Light Instagram engagement several times a week
  • Weekly research note with stories, links and cultural observations
  • Weekly check-in with the founder
  • Light reporting at the end of each week

How to Apply

Please send:

  • Your CV or LinkedIn
  • 2–3 examples of writing, research, newsletter, social media or editorial work
  • A short note explaining why you’re interested in Catalyst Labs
  • 3 stories, trends or people in African film/media/culture you think Catalyst Labs should be paying attention to and why
  • One newsletter, media brand or Instagram account you think does strong editorial packaging and why

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