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Movings/Shakings: 24 February

Radio intrigue continues

There’s plenty of action in the radio scene at the moment, with duelling competitors attempting to agree on updating an antiquated research methodology. The Radio Bureau, which represents New Zealand’s commercial radio industry at a national level and is jointly owned by MediaWorks and NZME, is in the middle, and its general manager Gill Stewart has resigned. 

MediaWorks chief executive Mark Weldon and NZME chief executive Jane Hastings paid tribute to Stewart in a joint statement:

“On behalf of NZME and MediaWorks, we thank Gill for her service to TRB and the wider radio industry. TRB has played an important role in ensuring the medium continues to deliver outstanding value to the industry and our customers. Gill has led this business and achieved tremendous success year on year.  On a personal note, we have both enjoyed working with Gill and wish her well for the future.”

Gill Stewart says:  “It has been a privilege and pleasure leading The Radio Bureau. I am very proud of my team, and what we have achieved together on behalf of the shareholders and stakeholders. I am looking forward to the opportunity of new challenges ahead, both personally and professionally. I would also like to warmly acknowledge and thank NZME and MediaWorks, the board and the independent radio stations for their support.”

This change comes off the back of NZME’s recent decision to independently fund a research survey into radio listenership, following an announcement earlier in the year that the T1 survey would not be taking place.

This move caught MediaWorks off-guard, leading the network to dismiss the survey funded by NZME as a “piece of research“.

Over the past year, the radio two networks have become increasingly competitive as they have branched out into different channels and now offer bundled packages to advertisers. NZME now sells a radio and print bundle, while MediaWorks sells TV and radio together.       

The radio industry has not yet announced a replacement for Stewart, but is set to do so in the near future. 

A reunion

MediaWorks has announced that Hilary Barry and Perlina Lau will be joining Paul Henry’s new cross-channel show, which will be broadcast on RadioLive and TV3 simultaneously. 

Barry, who currently presents on 3News and RadioLive, will be the news anchor in a four-strong presenting lineup that includes newcomer Lau as social media presenter.

Despite he new role, Barry will continue to present the 3News bulletin with Mike McRoberts, broadcast between 6 and 7pm  weekdays on TV3 and RadioLIVE.

MediaWorks Group Head of News, Mark Jennings says: “Hilary is one of the most talented broadcasters in the country and it is time to see and hear more of her. She is a world-class newsreader. And she is also an astute observer of life and what makes New Zealand tick. Hilary’s personality and wry sense of humour makes her the perfect foil for Paul.”

Jennings went on to say that although Lau will be a new face to many people, she’s by no means new to the TV industry.   

“Perlina has worked behind the scenes at 3News but she is very talented in front of the camera too. Her understanding of social media will bring a new dimension to the morning programme and I think our viewers and listeners will really enjoy being able to interact with her. She will be their voice.”

Lau has been part of the 3News team as a director’s assistant for the last two years. She was a producer, co-creator and one of the stars of popular web series Flat3. She directed the social media engagement with the show on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, cultivating an impressive local and international following.

This is something of a reunion for Henry and Barry, because the controversial host gave Barry her first job out of journalism school, hiring her in 1992 as sole charge journalist and local news reader for his radio station, Today FM. Since that time, both Henry and Barry have gone on to enjoy long careers on television.

The Senate has chosen

Tracey Bridges has been appointed managing partner of SenateSHJ New Zealand. 

Bridges was one of four partners who founded the firm in 2003, and has helped it grow into what it is today.

“The New Zealand business has continued to grow and Tracey’s new role reflects her crucial contribution to the business, and the success of the Wellington office under her leadership,” SenateSHJ chief executive Neil Green said in a release. “She will continue to work closely with her clients, [and]we have exciting plans for the continued growth of the New Zealand business. Tracey will drive this process, as well as provide further opportunities for other members of the leadership team to grow.”

Bridges has worked extensively in the energy sector, and is also recognised for her work in the area of human behaviour change. In April this year, she will speak at the World Social Marketing Conference in Sydney.

She is a fellow of the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand, and has served on governance boards in the government and the not-for-profit sector. She is the author of a case study in the ‘UK Social Marketing Case Book’, published by Sage Publishing, and is featured in the ethics section of ‘An Introduction to Public Relations and Communication Management, published by Oxford University Press’.

Her career has included roles with TV3, and as a parliamentary press secretary (for Mike Moore and Helen Clark).

Familiar ground

Auckland-based independent consultancy Pead PR is boosting its beauty team resources with the appointment of Naomi Scroggins to the role of senior account director.

Before returning to New Zealand in late 2014, Scroggins was communications director at L’Oréal Professional Products in London.

L’Oréal NZ is a long-standing Pead PR client and Scroggins is to lead the agency’s professional products team. The agency’s consumer and luxury beauty brands are now consolidated under the leadership of account director Amelia Haysom.

Pead PR managing director Deborah Pead says the growth in L’Oréal business required a restructure of services to better align with the client’s own marketing structures.

“Naomi’s role enables us to support the growth of L’Oréal brands in the professional salon space and that of their products and services to the hair industry,” said Pead in a release. “Similarly, Amelia leads the team that services an increased portfolio of consumer-facing beauty and luxury brands. Their combined leadership means we have the A to Z of beauty covered for our longstanding L’Oréal partnership.”

Pead says securing Ms Scroggins to lead the professional products team represents a coup for an industry PR account. 

“It’s rare in New Zealand to get the opportunity to employ someone of Naomi’s knowledge and international experience in the professional products category. It’s like hiring an Olympic gold medallist in the world of the professional haircare PR.”

Scroggins previously worked in public relations consultancies in Wellington and London in the agricultural, telecoms and service industry sectors. In 1998, she was appointed PR manager at L’Oréal Professional Products in London with responsibility for Kérastase and L’Oréal Professionnel.

In her various roles she has worked closely with the hairdressing industry including overseeing the Portfolio of Artistic Hairdressers and the L’Oréal Colour Trophy awards.

More recently, Scroggins worked on a project with UK trend forecasting agency The Future Laboratory to identify leading opportunities for the UK’s professional hair and beauty industries.

Beverage changes

Frucor Beverages today announced the appointment of Jonathan Moss (image credit: The Australian) as group chief executive designate. Moss, who replaces Carl Bergstrom who retires in April after 15 years at Frucor, will remain in his current role of chief executive Frucor Australia until a suitable replacement is found. 

To maintain the business’s momentum and ensure a smooth transition, a new role of Frucor executive chairman has been created. Frucor is pleased to announce that Kuni Himeno has been appointed to this role. Current Frucor chair Nobuhiro Torii will remain on the Frucor board.

Moss joined Frucor ten years ago as the chief executive of Frucor Australia. He brings more than 25 years’ consumer goods experience to the role, having held senior positions with Uncle Toby’s, Coca-Cola Amatil and the Australian Dairy Farmers Group prior to joining Frucor.  

Under Moss’ leadership, Frucor Australia has grown consistently, with the business’s EBIT earnings doubling over the last ten years. Staff engagement across Frucor Australia has also climbed steadily, with the business recognised as an Aon Hewitt Best Employer in 2011.  

Moss is also actively involved in the broader Australian beverage industry, and has been president of the Australian Beverage Council since September 2013.

The departing Bergstrom has led the Frucor Group since May 2011. Prior to this, he was chief executive of Frucor New Zealand, a position he held since joining the company in 2000. In his 15 years with the business, Bergstrom oversaw the growth of Frucor from a local juice company to a more than $500 million international beverage business.

In recent years, Bergstrom has led Frucor’s capital expansion programme, with support from Suntory. In 2013, Frucor announced a $45 million five-year innovation and technology investment programme, underpinned by a commitment to increase in-house capacity, grow jobs and drive quality. The first stage of this investment was the opening of the company’s semi-automated distribution centre and new high speed bottling line in 2013.  In 2014, Frucor opened a $6 million new research and development hub in Manukau, developing products for New Zealand, Australia and international markets.

Prior to joining Frucor, Bergstrom was general manager for Carter Holt Harvey Distribution Group and Carters Building Supplies, and held senior executive roles in Carter Holt Harvey’s consumer products division.

Torii recognised Bergstrom’s contribution to the business and welcomed Moss’ appointment.

“Carl has led the Frucor group of companies with strong commercial focus and discipline during a period where we’ve experienced challenging industry and economic conditions and unrivalled levels of competition,” said Torii. “Carl is highly respected as a leader not only across Frucor, but also within Suntory.  Frucor’s results speak for themselves and I thank Carl for his contribution to the business over the last 15 years.”

Torii added: “After an extensive process, it is very pleasing to appoint Frucor’s next Group chief executive from within the business. Jonathan will bring strong, proven leadership, a commitment to Frucor’s people and our values, and an unwavering passion for innovation that will see Frucor through its next period of growth and expansion.”

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