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Movings / Shakings: 28 July

Taking off

Newshub head of digital news Jono Hutchinson is departing MediaWorks to start his new role as senior social media and SEO editor at The Telegraph in London.

Hutchinson said it was a difficult decision to leave MediaWorks but thinks this is a great opportunity and he leaves proud of what Newshub has achieved, becoming a digital-focused newsroom in a really short amount of time, producing some great stories on multiple platforms, and growing our audience and setting the news agenda.

“We’ve built a fantastic app which continues to attract highly engaged users, and we’ve launched Newshub Explains,” he said. 

“I’m happy to be leaving the team in great shape and growing our audience. We have an excellent group of people who will continue building Newshub as a modern, vibrant and world-class newsroom.”

A MediaWorks spokesperson said an announcement about the replacement will be made in the near future.

Musical chairs

NBCUniversal International Networks (NBCUIN) has announced the appointment of Jo McAlister as marketing director for Australia and New Zealand. Shee will work from the Sydney headquarters.

​McAlister will replace Shannon Most who, after almost three years in the role, is relocating to NBCUniversal International’s London headquarters to take on the position of vice president, marketing for the Networks group.

McAlister moves from her role as head of group marketing at SbS and brings with her more than 20 years’ experience in the development and implementation of award-wining B2C marketing campaigns.

As part of NBCUniversal Networks International’s ANZ Leadership Team, McAlister will shape and drive the marketing, PR, digital and social media strategy for six channel brands including Universal Channel, 13th Street, Style, E! and Syfy in Australia, along with Bravo and E! in New Zealand.

Managing director Australia and New Zealand, NBCUniversal International Distribution and Networks, Chris Taylor said: “Jo’s pedigree as a high-calibre marketer speaks for itself and I’m thrilled to welcome her to our NBCUniversal International Networks team, headquartered in Sydney. While we will all miss the privilege of working with Shannon Most, I am delighted to see him relocate within the company and am confident that Jo will continue to build upon the industry-leading work of Shannon and our talented local team.”

McAlister’s appointment comes shortly after NBC International appointed Maria Mahony as the general manager for Bravo New Zealand.

At the time, Taylor said Mahony’s arrival positions Bravo New Zealand for growth, both as a channel and as she develops the team.

Giving the team a boost

Pead PR is restructuring at senior level to ensure sustained success in the evolving public relations industry.

Owner Deborah Pead has stepped in to a chief executive position, taking a more strategic role, while group account director Becky Erwood becomes managing director.

Becky Erwood and Deborah Pead

Pead said it’s “a good news announcement” and an investment in the leadership of the business to ensure Pead PR is best resourced to meet the intensifying integrated opportunities and growth in digital channels.

“Becky’s appreciation of these changes has been especially evident in leading the agency’s approach to influencer and content marketing,” she said. “The next 12 months will see us grow our offer into producing more brand owned content alongside our traditional media relations strategies to help us better attend to client, media and consumer needs.

“Becky is an outstanding operator and her appointment to the position of MD recognises the important role she fulfills at Pead PR. It also frees me up for more flexibility to do the things I love about our industry; strategic counsel, big issues, media relations strategy and networking for the benefit of our clients and the business base of the agency.”

Erwood said she is looking forward to extending the excellent reputation the agency has in traditional media and preparing us for an integrated future.

The appointment gives Erwood a seat on a newly created board and the changes take effect immediately.

Talent hunter

The Pond has a new senior talent agent in Hannah Alderson,

​Alderson comes from an advertising industry background and brings with her 15 years of experience in the design, creative services, print, and post-production fields.

Previous roles include creative services manager for DDB and Draft FCB, integrated senior producer for Colenso and work in Air New Zealand’s in-house design studio.

According to the release, the addition of Alderson to The Pond team is a strategic step designed to provide all its clients, including even the smallest businesses, with the best creative talent available in the country.

Alderson will be working in an agent team of two alongside Celine Ji, who has been with The Pond for three years focusing on digital talent acquisition and recruitment.

A Rose among the insurers

Ben Rose has joined the NIB New Zealand team as the head of direct to consumer.

He moves from his previous role as head of brand at Sovereign, where he held roles as the chief officer of new business, the head of new business operations and head of brand. 

Previously, he also worked in the marketing departments of ASB, ATEED and AMP.

A new camera

Daniel Max (Maxy) from Curious Films is now represented by IDC for stills photography.

“With Maxy, we have struck gold, again,” says a statement from IDC Photographers. 

“Inspired from a young age by the photography of National Geographic, he is fascinated with getting under the skin of his subjects and portraying their essence. His skill in capturing  real people, in unique outdoor locations, has seen his work awarded and exhibited globally.”

The statement added: “Maxy’s understanding of the natural environment comes from an upbringing on the land, and from his own passions of hunting, fishing, surfing and swimming. This translates into imagery that feels effortless and Maxy’s makes the contrived look authentic with ease.”

To see some of his work go to www.idc.co.nz.

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