UK e-newsletter “Trendwatching” have featured Botany Town Centre in their March 2011 edition.

The e-newsletter dedicated their March copy to the rising phenomenon of “Random Acts of Kindness” – selfless acts performed by an individual or company wishing to either assist or cheer up another individual.

Botany Town Centre’s “Snapped” campaign – where shoppers could win what they were photographed holding – was acknowledged in the e-newsletter as a successful and effective example of a Random Act of Kindness.

Click here to read the full article.

Adding to its expanding portfolio of corporate and professional services clients, Alexander Communications (AC) has been appointed to the accounts of GHD New Zealand and Challenge Trust.

GHD, one of the world’s leading engineering, architecture and environmental consulting firms, is at  work on several projects of international significance in 2010, and has asked AC to engage with media in support of its objectives.

Established in 1928, GHD employs more than 6,000 people across five continents and serves clients in the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings, and transportation.

Account Director Stephanie Jones says, “GHD is recognised for its commitment to innovation, safety and sustainable development, and is one of the leaders in current infrastructure development activity in New Zealand. We operate in the area of strategic reputation management, which GHD is seeking, and we look forward to working with GHD in pursuit of its business goals.”

AC has also been appointed by Challenge Trust, a charitable trust which commenced operation in 1993 and now has 230 staff providing services to more than 1,500 people out of 20 sites in the Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions. Challenge Trust’s clients include people affected by mental illness, physical disability, intellectual disability, addictions, dual disability and dual diagnosis.

Co-owner Dwayne Alexander attributes the new appointments to AC’s consistent innovation and the fact that the company uses the web to transparently communicate (through case studies and specific examples) the work it does for clients, who are attained solely through other client recommendations and the AC website.

He says, “Since the company’s inception in 2005 we have steadily built both our client base and the tools we use to promote their work and services and help clients engage with their markets. These tools include our online newsroom, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, which are together proving hugely effective.”

ends

About GHD

GHD is one of the world’s leading engineering, architecture and environmental consulting firms.

Established in 1928, GHD employs more than 6,000 people across five continents and serves clients in the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings, and transportation.

Wholly owned by its people, GHD is focused on client success. Our global network of engineers, architects, planners, scientists, project managers and economists collaborate to deliver sustainable outcomes for our clients and the community. Our core values of Teamwork, Respect and Integrity help create enduring relationships that deliver exceptional results.

GHD is recognised for its commitment to innovation, safety and sustainable development. We care for the wellbeing of our people, communities and the environments in which we operate.

A member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, GHD operates under a Practice Quality Management System, ISO 9001:2008 and an Environmental Management System, ISO 14001:2008 which are certified by Lloyds Register Quality Assurance.

About Challenge Trust

Challenge Trust is a charitable trust which commenced operation in 1993 and now has 230 staff providing services to more than 1,500 people out of 20 sites in the Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions.

Challenge Trust’s clients include people affected by mental illness, physical disability, intellectual disability, addictions, dual disability and dual diagnosis. The organization is employed by District Health Boards, the Accident Compensation Corporation and other government departments, and an increasing number of private clients.

Services provided include 24-hour residential accommodation, community support to people living in their own homes, educational services, employment and life skills training, advocacy, information, employment opportunities, family/whanau support and various housing options.

The Trust is governed by a Board which employs a CEO to lead the organization and head the Executive Management Team.

Challenge Trust has modelled itself as having the rigour and professionalism of a corporate, blended with the innovation and heart of a non-government organization (NGO).

GHD Service Group Manager Blair Monk sheds some light on a light phasing coordination programme that looks set to save $50 million off Auckland’s annual congestion bill.  The NZ Herald’s Matthew Dearnaley explores the ARTA and GHD ‘route optimisation’ programme that could save you time, money and fuel.

Rob Smith, CEO of Paper Plus, addresses the audience at the Paper Plus Business Briefing

Campaign Overview

When it comes to books and stationery, Paper Plus means business. On 19 October, the national retailer made its mark on the New Zealand book and stationery industry by hosting a business briefing luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Auckland. 

Paper Plus advised it wanted to ‘take on the competition’ and as the only nationwide, 100% New Zealand-owned book and stationery retailer, we knew the nation would be curious to hear what it had in store for the future.

The strategy of hosting a business briefing would afford Paper Plus the opportunity to announce its $22 million nationwide expansion, and would also serve as a platform to showcase the business vision and community focus. 

It was also the perfect time to launch the new advertising campaign featuring the twins, Molly and Polly. Guests would preview the new campaign that features an evolving story about book and stationery-loving, Kiwi sisters who can’t get enough of Paper Plus!  

We aimed to host an accessible and integrated event in the form of a business briefing that would increase awareness, build credibility and secure positive positioning of Paper Plus within the media.

Results

The Paper Plus Business Briefing achieved excellent results, with a stellar-turn out from media representatives at the Hyatt in Auckland. In addition to print and online media, the coverage achieved included television and radio interviews. 

An interview of Rob Smith, CEO of Paper Plus, was secured for TV3’s ASB Business on the morning of the briefing. In a one-on-one interview with Michael Wilson, Rob discussed the logic behind the expansion and his vision of growth for Paper Plus. 

We also secured an interview on Radio New Zealand’s Morning Report with Michael Paardekooper, Paper Plus Chairman, who spoke about store refits and the positioning of Paper Plus within a competitive market. 

The Manawatu Standard, Nelson Mail, The Press and Otago Daily Times, were among several local community papers to express their support for Paper Plus’ venture.  Featuring articles about their local stores’ successes, long-term investment and shop refurbishments, the local angle was of wide interest and gained excellent coverage.

The business pages were awash with $22 million dollar headlines, from the National Business Review to the NZ Herald and the Dominion Post, along with online posts featured on yahoo!xtra, stuff.co.nz, stoppress.co.nz and btob.co.nz.

Jack gets stuck into a good book. Image courtesy of North Harbour News, By Caralise Moore

The NZ owned book and stationary group were looking for 12 bright bookworms to become the nation’s kids choice reviewers.  Each reviewer would receive a monthly book pack to be read, reviewed and posted online for other children to access and also critique.

Open to three age categories, 7-10, 11-12 and 13-16 years olds, Paper Plus was inundated with over 500 applicants for this very special job!

Results

The Kids’ Choice Reviewers initiative received great nation-wide community coverage with young readers becoming stars overnight.

The Alexander Communications team spread the word about this exciting and engaging campaign to schools, education publications and to local papers.  Some of the coverage received was seen in the Hutt News, Kapiti Observer, The Daily Post, Education Weekly and in the Mt Roskill Intermediate school notice!

We also secured a 90FM radio interview of one of the selected book reviewers; Jordan Willis-Love, a 10 year old student from Waterloo Primary School got her first taste of fame commenting on her experience and interest in reading and reviewing.

Click on www.paperplus.co.nz/kids-club/reviews/ and enter the interactive website where young readers can read our Kids Choice Reviews, discover new books and post their own comments.

Congratulations to our 12 Kids’ Choice Reviewers and to all the young readers around the nation…keep up the good reading!

Switch Business broker Paul Devcich says ”now’s a good time to sell”.  Unlimited Magazine’s Matt Philp learns more about selling your business and pricing right with Switch Business brokers Devcich and Paul Newport.

New Skills in PR? John Bell wrote in his blog Digital Influence Mapping Project about the “ideal practitioner of the future.” A kind of idealistic view of the skills and the person required for the new communications environment.

Skills

• Create an integrated marketing and communications strategy
• Deploy live ‘listening posts’ online and offline
• Design and deploy an advanced search engine optimization program
• Plan and run a new media relations program inclusive of head-of-the-tail and long tail “media”
• Identify & engage with influencers online and offline
• Manage communities
• Integrate new technologies into their own lives
• Model measurement and performance metrics including new “engagement” metrics
• Run quick pilot programs and evaluate on-the-fly
• Train staff and clients continuously

(What am I leaving out)?

I would add to this that to really communicate effectively in the New Zealand context on behalf of clients, communications advisors need to have, or have access to the traditional PR skills as well.

The two different skill bases (with some overlap) make for a winning combination. Would you add any skills to this list in the New Zealand Context?