Kate Alexander: Director

Kate is founder and co-owner of Alexander Communications. She brings a strong finance, consumer and property public relations skills to the marketplace, propelled by her trademark media savvy and multi-skilled team. A former South African Broadcast Corporation journalist, Kate has more than 18 years’ public relations experience in New Zealand, South Africa and the US. Kate has worked for several large, JSE-listed companies and on landmark SA projects such as the launch of the first McDonald’s and the first democratic elections. As national director of the STWS Communications – Africa’s largest PR consultancy – Kate led a team of national consultants before immigrating to New Zealand in 2001, where she held senior roles in two public relations consultancies before founding Alexander Communications in 2005. Kate is a Paul Harris Fellow for Rotary International.

Dwayne Alexander: Director

A former Chief Executive Officer of one of APN News & Media Ltd’s online companies, Dwayne Alexander is a co-owner of Alexander Communications. His special interest is the growing area of integrated online and offline PR. Online PR focusses on proactive management of online reputation, new media adoption, relationships and achieving business results. Dwayne’s corporate and media experience ensures that if you are in need of  a crisis PR plan or issues management experience, he will be able to take you calmly through a step by step program that will assist you to leverage both traditional and emerging “new” media to achieve your business objectives.

Dwayne has 19 years experience in media and marketing. He has a post graduate Honors Degree in Marketing (cum laude), writes his own blog at www.livemygoals.com and also interviews Inspired People in his www.nzherald.co.nz blog in the Business Section and on also on www.nz.lifestyle.yahoo.com . Dwayne is also a current Director of Goals Inc. which specialized in large change management, technology & new media related projects. View Dwayne’s Linkedin profile here or check out his facebook page here.

Stephanie Jones: Account Director

Stephanie has 10 years’ experience in public relations, corporate communications, journalism, magazine publishing, writing and editing.

She joined Alexander Communications in early 2007 from a role as publications manager for the New Zealand Automobile Association. Stephanie began her career as news editor of Craccum, the student magazine of the University of Auckland, where she completed a BA (Hons) in history and literature, with first class honours.

Stephanie is currently working with clients including AIA New Zealand, Guardian Trust, Challenge Trust, Results.com and GHD. She is a book reviewer, blogging about books on this site and doing weekly reviews on Easy Mix.

Jemma Logan: Account Director

Jemma joined Alexander Communications after completing a Bachelor of Communications (Hons) with first-class honours from the University of Waikato, majoring in Public Relations.

With experience in consumer and brand-building public relations, Jemma has cultivated wide media networks and rapport. By teaming her media relations skills with creativity, she continues to achieve exceptional results for clients. Jemma is currently working with the  AMP Capital Shopping Centres, Konica Minolta, Switch Business and Guardian Trust amongst others.

Laura Burns: Account Director

Laura’s career in PR began in 2007. Her broad ranging experience in the areas of business-to-business, brand-building public relations, consumer relations and brand experience provides her clients with a high degree of capability and success.

Laura’s practical approach and positive attitude sees her produce outstanding results for clients. Her natural ability to build successful relationships both with clients and media has allowed her to grow a wide network and professional rapport with community and mainstream media.

Her success in PR is driven by her passion for the industry and seeing client’s achieve their branding and publicity goals through successful implementation of positive and proactive media engagement. She has spent the last three years honing her skills and creative flair. Being highly adaptable to the ever-changing face of media, Laura tackle’s any goal to achieve results to the highest level and has been involved with several landmark projects for AC.

Laura recently returned to Alexander Communications after an extended trip to Canada in 2009.

Laura currently works with clients including AMP Capital Shopping Centres, Morton Estate Wines, STIHL SHOP™, and The Waiheke Group amongst others