Three New Zealand PR agencies are hoping to open opportunities for local businesses looking to expand into offshore markets.
Looking to broaden the reach for clients on both sides of the Tasman, Ogilvy PR Australia will partner with Wellington’s Blackland PR and Auckland’s Cadence Communications to create its first Trans-Tasman network.
Ogilvy PR Australia chief executive Kieran Moore said the agreement was the culmination of many months of work to find and secure the right partners to support the company’s work in New Zealand.
“Given the size of the New Zealand market, it was quickly evident that one agency was unlikely to be able to meet all of OPR’s needs in New Zealand. We identified Blackland and Cadence as the two most reputable, independent, unaffiliated agencies who could deliver for us and we are excited about our futures.”
Moore said the partnership brought with it the advantages of local expertise and input from established communications entities, opportunities for hot-desking or office exchanges for teams on both sides, and, where it makes sense, local activation on the ground in each country.
Blackland PR’s John Mitchell, Nick Gowland, Mark Blackham, Nicky Barton
Blackland PR was founded in 2012 and director Mark Blackham said he was delighted an international agency of Ogilvy’s standing had recognised its ability to get real messages though to real people.
“We specialise in helping organisations in the crucial ‘last mile’ of communication – actually connecting them to real people in every corner of New Zealand.”
Cadence Communications’ Suzanne McNamara and Anna Radford
The partnership is also welcome news for Cadence Communications, and founders Suzanne McNamara and Anna Radford said affiliation with Ogilvy will strengthen its ability to deliver on its promise of achieving great outcomes for clients.
“Best results are achieved by having a PR team on the ground in a country, so it’s great we can offer our clients such a highly-respected Australian partner as part of our wider team.”
In other PR news, Auckland based firm Boyd PR is opening an office in China.
Managing director John Boyd said the establishment of the China office follows the company’s decision a year ago to appoint Auckland based China specialist Ling Zhao to look at opportunities for New Zealand companies wanting to establish a market in China.
“As a result of Ling’s great work we are now working with three New Zealand companies in the health, food and beauty sectors to help grow their presence in China. We now need some on the ground support in China, hence the opening of the office in Shanghai,” he said.
He said Boyd was looking to work with New Zealand companies that were coming to grips with the importance of having well thought out social media/PR strategies for China.
