Curriculum Vitae

Curriculum Vitae

COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT
(full-time in Wellington from 1997 and now on an ad hoc basis since moving to Dunedin to purse my creative writing career).
PR and marketing communications work for private and public sector clients with a strong emphasis on written communications and media liaison (inc. some tutoring work).
Specific projects include researching, writing and editing monthly newsletters; researching & writing case studies and feature articles; writing & distributing press releases; feature articles and copywriting direct marketing letters and advertising material.


Sept 1995- MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
April 1997 Telecom New Zealand, Wellington

Major Achievements:

• All communications surrounding the launch of Telecom’s first Consumer Mobile offering 025 TO GO (a finalist in the 1998 NZ Marketing Awards)
  
  The development/implementation and marketing management of two separate Reward and Recognition programmes for frontline staff.
• The marketing of the $10 & $20 Million milestones reached in Telecom’s School Connection Programme.

January 1993- FREELANCE PUBLICIST (+ Wellington writer for TV GUIDE)
March 1995 Other clients: The New Zealand Road Transport Forum; The Gibson Group.
Major Achievements:

(for Gibson Group) Research and total preparation of international press kit for the mini-series TYPHON’S PEOPLE & two other new local GG productions: The EDGE and SKITZ
(for NZRTF) Dramatic increase in the Association’s media profile via media liaison, issues-related press releases and feature articles. Also helped develop the ‘Trucking Company of the Year’ awards.

October 1989- HEAD OF PUBLICITY
October 1992 TV3 Network Ltd, Auckland

Major Achievements:

• Setting up TV3’s publicity department (3 staff and a freelance photographer) along with exceptional working relationships with various staff at TV Guide and The Listener and the TV-page writers at all the major daily newspapers.
  
  Successful multi-media launches for each ‘New Season’s’ programming schedule.
  
  Seconded Publicist for TV3’s first local drama series HOMEWARD BOUND

December 1987- PR & PROMOTIONS Manager
September 1989 XPO Exhibitions Ltd, Auckland

Major Achievements:

• Instigation of highly successful special promotions at consumer-focussed shows such as The Home Show to ensure increased profile (and gate attendance)
  
  Higher profile of bi-annual trade exhibitions e.g “Buildex” through coordinated publicity campaigns.
  
  Sole PR responsibility for the successful launch of a new show, Transport ’89, at Mystery Creek

May-Nov 1987 GRAPHIC DESIGN STUDENT (intro 20-week course)
Auckland Technical Institute


March 1984- SOLE PROPRIETOR, The Daily Planet
March 1987 a retro clothing shop in Christchurch

Major Achievements:

• Sourcing/repairing/presenting/selling stock(Good Quality 1950s & ‘60s clothing)
  
  Store refurbishment (and increased turnover)
  
  Window-Dressing Competition Winner (sponsored by The CHRISTCHURCH PRESS

1982-83 ADVERTISING COPYWRITER
Radio Avon, Christchurch


April 1981 Travelling/OE in England and Europe


Aug 1980 Receptionist, then Copywriter,
Otago Radio Central, Alexandra


PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
1987 Completed Graphic Design Certificate
(20-week Intensive Course) at Auckland Technical Institute

1996 Merit Pass in DMA Certificate in Direct Marketing
Open Polytechnic of New Zealand

1997 Assistant Tutor, Certificate in Direct Marketing. Open Polytechnic,Wgtn
1998 Full Accreditation by the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand
(Note: You must be an industry practitioner for five years before you are even considered for this. Accreditation entails assignments, case studies and passing both a three-hour written examination, and a one-hour oral panel exam).

1999 - 2000 Toastmasters International Communication & Leadership Programme.

2006 Completed the Advanced Certificate in Creative Writing
Tutored by Diane Brown and run at Aoraki Polytechnic’s Dunedin campus
2009 Completed Writing for Publication Course (same campus, same tutor)