Telecommunications Users Association CEO Paul Brislen will have a broad agency focus when he joins former Porter Novelli execs Jane Sweeney and Carolyn Kerr at the agency they’re establishing.
Brislen, a former technology editor, took up a communications role at Vodafone in 2006 and joined TUANZ in 2010.
“I love all of that and want to continue telling those stories about New Zealand digital companies, but these days it’s much broader than just ICT,” he says. “It’s accounting software and biotech and biofuels. We just don’t tell enough of those NZ Inc stories.”
Sweeney says the role recognises his standing as a technology and social commentator and will make the most of his expertise in “the continuum between issues management and customer care”, which made up much of his work at Vodafone.
“It’s that authentic voice. He’s kept his journalistic integrity which I really like.”
The agency’s trademarks are being processed in the next week and it has also hired Nick Palfrey as an account manager, and he’s been with the company a couple of weeks.
He’s a former information specialist at Auckland Transport. Sweeney adds about 10 clients and contractors are also on board, but it’s too early to name the clients.
