…because Colmar Brunton’s resident yoof expert has moved up the ladder, Porter Novelli is hailing its new leaders, Alice Moros has traded Mango for a Haystac, BNZ and Duco have signed up Richard Branson to spread his entrepreneurial gospel in New Zealand, Coca-Cola has appointed a new general manager for Oceania, PPR has a new account manager and Getty Images has added few more snaps to its arsenal after the acquisition of Photolibray.
What you talkin’ bout Willis?
Colmar Brunton has appointed Spencer Willis as new national qualitative director.
Willis’ new role is all about bringing clients closer to the reality of consumer decision making and centres on the development of new approaches that “breathe fresh energy into more traditional research methods”.
He will, where relevant, leverage Colmar Brunton’s quantitative team to meet the ever-increasing demand for mixed methodological solutions.
Previously, UK-born Willis worked in financial services for over eight years in New York, London and Hong Kong before moving to New Zealand and setting up 18 Limited, a youth market research company. Willis also worked at Brand Spanking and has now been in the research industry for almost a decade in New Zealand and at Colmar Brunton since November last year. His specialist area is youth and gen Y and he also has the role of youth insights specialist at Colmar Brunton.
Willis will integrate new technologies such as Colmar Brunton’s social media tools, online qualitative products, mobile research products and other online partnerships, but he believes the trick is bringing other tools like ethnographic and immersion techniques into the mix and incorporating the nationwide field team to provide a more comprehensive offering.
Willis wants to respect the norms and traditions of market research by providing strategic direction and innovation into qualitative research, but also ask if there is another way of looking at the question.
“Our first step was to launch our new satellite office in Christchurch, which gives us a unique piece of local understanding. It’s not always about the shiny new stuff, but also expertise, the quality of the researcher and their skill set. Whether that be youth, shopper, brand or geography, I want to ensure clients know that Colmar Brunton is a hub of research expertise.”
Sure to rise
Porter Novelli, which was ranked in the top 10 best small workplaces by JRA last year and is part of the BBDO network, has won the Torpedo/1-Day and DB Breweries business recently, adding to the likes of Visa, Vodafone, Yellow, Microsoft, Turners Car Auctions and Fuji Xerox. And, as a result of this strong business growth, it’s announced a change in leadership structure, a new brand proposition and a strategic focus on growth sectors and leading businesses.
Strahan Wallis has been appointed as general manager, after joining Porter Novelli a year ago. He brings 15 years of national and international experience to the role, having joined Porter Novelli from KPMG where he was responsible for national marketing, communications and research, and he will take on increasing responsibility for the day to day running of the business.
Valerie MacKenzie has also been named as chief operating officer. She has more than 25 years experience in finance and accountancy in New Zealand and the United Kingdom, specialising in media, and joins from Fairfax Magazines, where she managed all financial reporting and process improvements for a range of lifestyle, business, specialist and contract publishing titles. Mackenzie will assume responsibility for providing strategic financial support to the company as well as general office management oversight.
On the departure front, Kyra Holland has departed for some maternity leave, and PR for the Clemenger Group including Colenso/AIM,.99, Raydar is being taken care of by Joanna Glover, while Andrew has departed for Sydney to take up a role with Visa as the corporate relations manager for Australia/New Zealand.
“We’re finding that post-recession companies are focusing on reputation more than ever, and are keen to present a holistic view of their business that really stands out to their key audiences,” says Porter Novelli’s managing director Jane Sweeney. “Chief executives are taking ownership of the corporate brand and aligning their marketing communications and corporate affairs wherever possible… Our brand proposition is about transforming the way people think about companies and brands, what companies stand for and how organisations operate. For us at Porter Novelli, the future of PR is an incredibly exciting one.”
Mango’s Moros stricken with Haystacfever
Alice Moros, Mango’s senior account director, committed Nordic walker*, famed breeder of Angora rabbits* and passionate ITM400 fan*, has taken up a role with Haystac as a senior account director. She will also be a member of the New Zealand management team.
“Alice needs little introduction within the industry. She’s an award winning consultant who brings with her many years of PR and marcomms experience on some of New Zealand’s and the world’s best brands,” says Haystac’s New Zealand general manager Fleur Postill. “She shares our strategy-led creative approach to business, and is a seamless fit with our down to earth agency culture.”
Moros begins on July 1 and will be heading up some new accounts for Haystac that will be announced in the coming weeks.
Moros joined Mango in 2005, working on the Vodafone account, having come from a communications manager role at AJ Hackett Bungy Group, where she oversaw adventure tourism, wine and apparel brands.
*Lies.
Virgin sacrifice
Sir Richard Branson will visit Auckland in October for his first major speaking event in New Zealand. And, conveniently, it’s scheduled during the World Cup.
The event, which is being sponsored by BNZ and underwritten and organised by Duco Events, will see Branson talk about his journey of “Making it to the Top” at a fundraising gala dinner for Outward Bound to launch the charity’s 50th anniversary year.
“Hosting a business leader of this calibre is a huge coup for the Auckland business community,” says BNZ chief executive Andrew Thorburn. “We are a nation of entrepreneurs and adventurers, it’s in our DNA and reflected in the fact that 97 per cent of Kiwi businesses are SMEs. Right now New Zealand businesses are poised, ready to expand, and we know they will benefit from the spark of inspiration Sir Richard can bring.”
Forbes placed Branson as the the fifth richest man in the UK and he has founded companies including Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Blue, and Virgin Active, which employ 50,000 people across 30 countries with revenues exceeding $NZ25 billion. He’s also a philanthropist and adventurer and has embarked on successful world record attempts at the fastest crossings of the Atlantic Ocean, by boat and balloon, and has the record for crossing the English Channel in an amphibious vehicle.
“Auckland is a great place to visit but I can’t imagine a better time to be there than during rugby’s World Cup,” Branson says. “With the All Blacks expected to do well at the tournament and a general election coming up in November, it will be an especially exciting time. I am also excited this event will mark the launch of the 50th Anniversary year for Outward Bound New Zealand, an organisation that I understand has challenged over 50,000 New Zealanders to achieve their dreams.”
The global entrepreneur and founder of Virgin Group will give guests a unique insight into how to spot business opportunities and help them grow and succeed.
“For the new Auckland to prosper we need to embody the spirit of entrepreneurship that Sir Richard has made famous. We have an opportunity to showcase our city and what Auckland can deliver,” says Auckland’s Supermayor Len Brown. “Sir Richard’s visit fits well with our events calendar and creates an opportunity for Auckland’s business leaders to engage with one of the world’s leading entrepreneurs.”
The event is also supported by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development, TVNZ, Audi, The New Zealand Herald and MediaWorks Radio. The event will be held on Thursday, 20 October at Auckland’s new Viaduct Events Centre.
Strictly limited corporate tables and VIP seats will be on sale from the 20 June. Interested parties can register on the waiting list for further information at www.duco.co.nz.
Happiness opened
After sixteen years with Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd (CCA), Paul Fitzgerald has been named as general manager of Coca-Cola Oceania.
He has extensive experience within the Coca-Cola system across numerous markets and disciplines and has worked in Sydney, South Australia and New Zealand and held a series of roles in finance, trade marketing and sales.
“To have the opportunity to move to Coca-Cola Oceania and be involved in a business that sets the benchmark in terms of consumer and brand marketing is fantastic,” says Fitzgerald.
2011 is shaping up to be a big year for Coca-Cola Oceania with its involvement as Official Supplier for Rugby World Cup 2011, as well as its ongoing sponsorship of the All Blacks.
“The local team has developed a comprehensive marketing programme for 2011 that offers consumers ‘money can’t buy’ experiences. We look forward to revealing them over the coming months,” says Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald has had prior experience in New Zealand where he last held the role of general manager sales and supply chain for Coca-Cola Amatil (NZ) Ltd. In March 2005 he returned to Australia to the role of commercial director for CCA Australia, and in September 2006 was appointed director of the licensed division. This was formed as a result of CCA’s joint venture with SABMiller and an agency agreement with Maxxium. The business experienced exponential growth during his four-year tenure and established itself as the third player in the Australian market.
“I’m looking forward to contributing significant value to a well established business which currently looks after 14 brands in New Zealand,” he says.
Dunning deal
Professional Public Relations (PPR) has appointed Clara Dunning as account manager in its business communications and health team at the Auckland office.
She comes to PPR from her role as marketing and corporate communications coordinator at Sony New Zealand, where she worked across PR, events, promotions, above the line campaigns, merchandising and sponsorship.
She began her marketing career at Sony after graduating from the University of Auckland with a master of commerce degree in marketing, where she researched location-based services in the tourism industry.
Getty gets its guy
Getty Images has completed the acquisition of Photolibrary, adding its renowned collections from the likes of Peter Arnold and Oxford Scientific to the roster.
“The demand for compelling creative content continues to increase around the world and it represents a vital part of the imagery industry. This acquisition positions us to meet and exceed our customers’ demand for this unique content, across both the Asia Pacific region and globally,” says Jonathan Klein, co-founder and chief exec of Getty Images.
The acquisition was driven by customers’ growing appetite for a greater choice of both local and global content. The content will be supported by Getty Images’ website and worldwide imagery distribution platform, which features search in local languages and purchase in local currencies.
