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Movings/Shakings: 24 September

Old Davy

​BNZ has appointed Mike Davy to the role of head of brand. 

Davy has more than 20 years experience working in financial services with extensive experience in product management, marketing and strategy development. Most recently he has been consulting with Westpac and prior to this he was general manager lending products at ASB, where he successfully established product strategy and developed key customer propositions. He also spent three years at Fisher & Paykel Finance. 

“He will be joining during an exciting time as we launch phase two of our brand work,” says BNZ chief marketing officer Craig Herbison. “Mike will bring a new creative edge to the team. With his extensive leadership experience and focus on individual and team development, he’ll be a fantastic addition to the depth and strength of our team and culture.”

Davy started with BNZ on 26 Aug and is a replacement for Ian Moody, who, after winning the 2012 Marketer of the Year title in his role with Westpac, had a shortlived tenure at BNZ. He is now chief marketing officer at Fidelity Life. 

Return of a ‘PR explorer’

Antonios Papaspiropoulos has returned home to take the helm of Network Communication group as general manager. 

Papaspiropoulos’ global career includes 15 years as the PR head of some of the world’s largest multinationals, and working with Presidents, Prime Ministers, celebrities and superstars.

Amongst his career highlights, he established a new market entry for Royal Dutch Shell in Ukraine following the Orange Revolution, and overcame hostile opposition to secure environmental and regulatory approvals for Chevron to build a $55 billion gas plant on a World Heritage listed, Class A Nature Reserve in Western Australia. Now that’s something to put in a press release. 

He has also advised at the Sydney and Athens Olympic Games and worked in successfully unleashing lucrative business opportunities in China and Russia. He is now working with New Zealand businesses to crack these key but complex markets.

A former journalist, political advisor, consultant and advocate, his former bosses have included Virgin founder, Sir Richard Branson, and “at least one Beatle.”

Network managing director Dennis Lynch says his expertise in forging enduring relationships and his flair for winning prized commercial contracts were key motivators in selecting him to head the 42-year old, 19-strong company. 

“Antonios is a seasoned communicator and strategist with specialist knowledge of corporate cultures, new business development and change management. His international experience, coupled with his local knowledge and people prowess, will be a real asset as we take our business to the next level.”

Network’s Auckland and Wellington offices service clients including Coca Cola, Nestlé, ASB Bank and Fisher & Paykel Appliances, in addition to advocacy groups in Network’s specialist food arena.

In the lobby

Chris Major has been appointed as Sky’s director of government relations. 

Her most recent role was a communications and marketing director for The Treasury, where she was responsible for marketing the Mighty River Power and Meridian IPOs. She also spent three years as an adviser to Murray McCully as part of the Rugby World Cup campaign and was previously marketing manager at law firm Chapman Tripp and a consultant at Network Communications.

As the NZ Herald reported: “Major has a reputation as a charming spin merchant at Parliament, but has big shoes to fill. Her lobbying predecessor is Tony O’Brien, whose famously assiduous courting of politicians on both sides of the House has often been credited with Sky’s success in keeping regulation at bay.” 

A move for Morgan

DB Breweries’ general manager of marketing Clare Morgan left the building a few months ago after five years with the company. 

After taking some time out from the corporate world, she has recently signed up as a director on the boards of Tennis Auckland and The Kennedy’s and has set up Aldmor, “a business consultancy specialising in market development and strategy” with expertise in FMCG, SME and consumer products.

DB couldn’t be contacted to confirm if a replacement has been made. 

Jen MacIndoe took up the role of marketing manager for Heineken and international brands in April, with Russell Browne moving to the Redwood Cider Co. 

Speaking of DB, Export Gold is now in a clear bottle. 

We let nothing stand between a man and a great beer, not even a brown bottle. First things first, the beer is still the same award winning Export Gold that you know and love. But, let’s be clear. It was time for a change, and we wanted to show off our golden goodness. Find some at your local and we hope you enjoy it as much as we do. 

New faces

Pead PR has made a number of new appointments, including that of Becky Erwood, who returns to the business as group account director.

Also recently appointed is Siobhan Waterhouse as account director on Pead PR’s events and entertainment team while Matt Young joins the same team as account executive.

In a fourth appointment, Amanda Ingle joins the company’s beauty team as junior account manager. And in an internal promotion, Jessica Mathias has been elevated to the role of account director on Pead PR’s lifestyle team.

Erwood is a former staff member of Pead PR who has immigrated to New Zealand from her native England after spending two years here in the mid-to-late-2000s.

She has 15 years of both in-house and agency PR experience in a range of sectors including retail, food and drink, beauty and fashion. She has worked closely with boards and brands on external communications strategies for some of the UK’s best loved food brands including Marks & Spencer and Waitrose along with FMCG brands including Dairylea and Britvic.

She has recently taken her WSET Advanced level in wine and spirits and holds a BA in English and Drama as well as a CAM certificate in Advertising and Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

Waterhouse has a strong background in agency, in-house and project PR. Her most recent position was a contract role as publicist for the Auckland Arts Festival. Prior to that she spent nine years in Sydney in banking, corporate, consultancy and contract positions latterly in the world of performing arts. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Victoria University and a Graduate Diploma in PR and Communications from AUT.

Amanda Ingle comes to Pead PR from a magazine background. She graduated Bachelor of Communications (Journalism & PR) from AUT University in 2008 before her role as editorial assistant for NZ Life & Leisure Magazine for two years. She has recently returned from a year in Japan.

Matt Young graduated with a Bachelor of Communications degree from AUT in 2012 and also holds an ATCL Diploma of Speech and Drama from Trinity College London. He joins Pead PR from Boyd PR.

“Many of our clients are driving hard for growth and service levels on their accounts are shaping our own growth strategy,” says Deborah Pead. “It’s an exciting time for global and local brands and we have a great team embracing the changes.”

Top communicators

Two mayors, one sports coach and the president of the country’s largest farming membership organisation are vying for the title of 2013 PRINZ Communicator of the Year, with Tony Kokshoorn, Grey District Mayor, and Dale Williams, Otorohanga Mayor, joined by Blues coach and ambassador for depression.org.nz, Sir John Kirwan and the national president of Federated Farmers, Bruce Wills named as finalists.

The award recognises excellent personal communication skills in a leader who promotes open and honest communications within their organisation.

Nominations have been made by members of the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand throughout the year. The PRINZ National Council and College of Fellows Executive then voted for a shortlist of four which is now open for voting by the 70 members of PRINZ College of Fellows and Life members.

In the citations nominators said:

Tony Kokshoorn: Tony has been consistently a wonderful advocate for his region, its people, and its businesses. His open “warts and all” approach and his ability to tell it as it is in an accurate, fair and balanced way has been outstanding. Tony advocates open communication within his Council, and commands the respect of the people he represents, media, politicians and New Zealanders at large.

Dale Williams: He uses compelling simple facts and figures mixed with stories about his experiences, and straight talking that has simply worked. Dale is a gifted communicator who has used his communication skills to build stakeholder support that has revitalised his town. His actions and story are also inspiring similar positive change in communities all around New Zealand.

Sir John Kirwan: He has stood out as an outstanding individual with a clear voice that supports people with depression and leads by example in demonstrating behaviours that assist people overcome depression. As coach of the Blues he is adept at television, radio and print communications, conveying a clear message delivered with gravitas and warmth.

Bruce Wills: Bruce paints a picture for those everyday New Zealanders who are trying to get to grips with what is actually going on on-farm. He has tirelessly advocated on behalf of New Zealand farmers and New Zealand agriculture, leading by example. In adverse times and through harsh criticism he is able to communicate facts calmly and compassionately.

Past PRINZ Communicator of the Year titles have gone to; Sam Johnson, Mayor Bob Parker, Rob Fyfe, Pita Sharples, Alan Duff, Dame Cath Tizard, Bruce Slane and the late Sir Peter Blake.

The recipient will be announced on Friday 8 November at a PRINZ event in Wellington.

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