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Movings/Shakings: 13 June

It's Thompson on your radio

Fairfax's loss is Radio New Zealand's gain, after Paul Thompson was appointed as the next chief executive and editor-in-chief of the national public service broadcaster.

The appointment follows the January announcement by Radio New Zealand’s chief executive Peter Cavanagh that he would be stepping down from the position when his contract expires at the end of the year.

Thompson is currently the group executive editor of Fairfax Media in New Zealand and a former award-winning editor of the Christchurch Press and Nelson Mail.

The chair of Radio New Zealand, Richard Griffin, says Thompson is a widely respected and experienced media executive with a track record of achievement and successful leadership.

“The board was encouraged by the quality of those individuals who responded to the request for expressions of interest in the position," he says. "The process of selection was thorough and competitive and we are sure we have now appointed a chief executive who is ideally versed in the concepts of editorial integrity and executive management that have been the hallmark of Peter Cavanagh’s ten years at the helm.”

Thompson says he feels privileged to be chosen to lead such a respected and influential organisation.

“Radio New Zealand plays a pivotal role in New Zealand life and I’m immensely looking forward to the challenge.”

Thompson will take up his new responsibilities later in the year. And, given the cuts Fairfax has been making recently, a mere funding freeze—something Radio New Zealand has had to deal with since 2009—could almost be considered a luxury.

PRINZ Pres

Pauline Rose has replaced Network Communication's Jane Dodd as PRINZ president, and new president elect Bruce Fraser has been welcomed onto its national council. 

Northland-based Rose becomes president after two years as president elect and three years as chair of the college of fellows. Rose was also chief judge of the PRINZ awards from 1997 – 2000.

“PRINZ has firmly established its role in professional development and advocacy for communications professionals, and is now in its 60th year," Rose says. "It is well supported by the industry with a strong membership and financial position, and a balanced geographical spread of members. I acknowledge the contribution of previous leaders and the national office in getting to where we are today, and am honoured to have the opportunity to contribute as PRINZ’s president for the next year.”

Bay of Plenty's Fraser also holds the role of national coordinator of PRINZ's APR Accreditation programme. He has held board positions within the Sustainable Business Network and is currently a trustee on the NZ Farm Environment Trust.

Both work as consultants within their own businesses, Rose as managing director of Prose NZ Ltd, and Fraser as managing director of Fraser Consultants Ltd.

"The best PR practitioners constantly aim to provide consistent, high quality public relations and communications advice to their clients, companies and organisations," says Fraser. "A great professional body like PRINZ can support them with information, advocacy and ongoing professional development. I'm looking forward to helping build the status and reputation of PRINZ."

Rose's background includes over 25 years in marketing and communications roles in New Zealand and Australia. She has worked in large consultancies and held senior in-house roles with leading New Zealand corporates including AXA, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Rainbow Corporation, Russell McVeagh and Sky Network.  

After moving to Northland she worked for Whangarei District Council before setting up her own consultancy in 2011. She has been a judge of the Northland Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards for the past eight years.  

Fraser has previously filled senior leadership roles with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and in secondary education and is a Fellow of PRINZ. He is also a member of the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce, Institute of Directors and Priority One.

On the shop

Korean-based shopping network KD Media has announced its leadership team, and there's one familiar face in the line-up, with Alistair Duff taking on the role of chief executive. Duff departed his role of founding chief executive at The Shopping Channel recently after around one year in the role, and he held senior roles at TV3 and TVNZ for over 20 years.

New Zealand-based director Paul Ding is a qualified accountant who worked for KPMG before co-founding New Zealand Computer Sales and has vast experience in the areas of retail, distribution, import/export and IT. He resigned his directorship of NZ Computer Sales in November after 12 years when he became a director of KD Media. 

“Alistair has a unique combination of commercial and media credentials and local knowledge of home shopping," says Ding. 
"We’re delighted to have him lead our team and create value for the business in New Zealand.”

Product sourcing and operations will be managed by Brad Park, who has six years of experience at GS Shop, Korea’s biggest and the world’s third largest network, which has an estimated US$3 billion in sales annually. Most recently he had responsibility for establishing operations in new markets including Indonesia, Turkey and Malaysia. 

“Our international and local experience will help drive the growth of home shopping in New Zealand," says Ding. "Our network will provide New Zealand shoppers a unique combination of product, value, and shopping experience.”

School rules

The Media Design School has announced the promotion of two of its executive management team, with Fionna Scott becoming chief academic officer and Jackie Young becoming executive director, marketing and recruitment.

“Media Design School is leading the way as a private tertiary provider in high-quality degree qualifications for New Zealand’s dynamic creative industries,” says chief executive Frances Valintine. “We’re pleased to recognise our internal talent and the significant contributions both Fionna and Jackie have made to the school.”

Scott will continue to drive innovation in the development of qualifications aligned to industry and economic need, high quality academic programme delivery, and supporting employment outcomes for students. She joined Media Design School as dean of school in 2011, and has achieved the accreditation and introduction of four degrees in just 12 months.

Young will take on expanded global brand and marketing responsibilities for Media Design School while continuing to drive marketing and recruitment in New Zealand and internationally. Under her management, the school has been recognised for digital marketing effectiveness and innovative use of social media. She joined Media Design School in 2011 as marketing director and has overseen the go-to market strategy and product transition to degree-level qualifications.

Media Design School focused on relevant, industry-aligned education to support the country’s high-growth creative industries, including game development, 3D animation, visual effects and digital media.

Up for AWARDs

AWARD School, a training programme for aspiring creatives, copywriters and art directors run by Australia's Communications Council, is returning to Auckland for the third time and applications for the 16 week course are open until 20 June.

AWARD School is ranked 6th in the top advertising schools worldwide, as recognised by the International YoungGuns Top 10, which is based on schools producing the most awarded creative students in the past ten years. And it follows a strict selection process to pick prospective students based on demonstrated creative potential.

The programme will be headed by Pete Gosselin and Jay Hunt from DDB. The pair met at Falmouth College in the UK, going on to work at some of the world’s best agencies in London, Amsterdam and now Auckland. In 2009 Pete and Jay created the “Shelter – House of Cards” ad which became the 2nd most awarded ad worldwide. In 2011, they were ranked #7 and #8 creatives in the UK by the Big Won report. They have won awards at every major show in the world including Cannes, Spikes, D&AD, One Show and Clios.

In New Zealand they are best known for “Vodafone – Double Rainbow”, “McDonald’s – Staying Up” and “Westpac – Old Flatties” ads.

AWARD School students will also be guided by local experts like Lisa Fedyszyn and Jonathan McMahon, creative directors (Whybin/TBWA), Jamie Hitchcock, creative director (Assignment), Maria Ward, creative director (Y&R), Verity Dookia, deputy creative director (Contagion).

“AWARD alumni hold some of the most senior creative postings in marketing communications in the region and are shaping the broader creative industries right around the world. We encourage anyone who wants to develop their creative credentials to apply”, says Margaret Zabel, chief executive of The Communications Council.

The application brief and entry criteria are available to download from http://www.awardonline.com

The games we play

Naked Communications Sydney has won the Australian and New Zealand PR account for Electronic Arts (EA) following a competitive pitch.

Naked will work across the full spectrum of EA labels, including EA Games, EA SPORTS and Maxis. And it will create and implement the company’s consumer PR press office functions, media relations, social media and events PR.

Sleb spotting

Digital sales house Ad2One has joined forces with E! Online. 

E! Online delivers breaking entertainment news and coverage on television, movies, music, celebrities, fashion, beauty and lifestyle. It has recently been expanded, updated and reignited with a tablet-friendly sleek redesign that improves functionality and user interaction and reflects E!’s refreshed on-air look and attitude.

The site attracts over 89,000 unique users in New Zealand each month and offers a range of premium advertising opportunities, including leaderboards, pushdowns, skins, sponsor modules, takeover, roadblocks, video and show packages, and connects with the 18-34  demographic.

“E! Online is a leader in pop culture and entertainment on the web and its position in the market, along with its recent redesign, makes it the ideal place for brands who want to connect with its younger and switched on demographic in a premium environment," says New Zealand country manager Lisa Ison.

The announcement is the fifth new partnership announcement in May for AD2ONE in New Zealand, after adding Miniclip, telegraph.co.uk, Nigella and Foodlovers to its premium advertising network.

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