Andrew Christie and engineers Stuart Monteith and Owen Youngof Pacific Rubber spoke with Nadine Chalmers-Ross from Breakfast on 2 October about the innovative and sustainable process for recycling used tyres.

acific Rubber sources old tyres from across the North Island and strips and shreds them in the Takanini-based Auckland factory to be used as a rubber crumb and buffing product.

The rubber crumbs are used in playgrounds and with synthetic grass in playing fields, making the field available for use year-round. St Peter’s College in Auckland has a Pacific Rubber turf in place, created with 80,000 used tyres that would have otherwise been sent to landfill.

Pacific Rubber sees great future potential for their product and is excited about the possibility of improvingNew Zealand’s transport with rubberised roads.

To watch the full clip select the link below:

http://tvnz.co.nz/breakfast-news/growing-business-pacific-rubber-video-5123304

Pacific Rubber also featured on the front page of the Business Section of the New Zealand Herald in August in ‘Rise in synthetic pitches boost local firm‘

Campaign Overview

Widespread international food shortages, all-time-high prices, and the increasing strain on land use in 2011 made the opening of  The FoodBowl near Auckland International Airport a critical investment in New Zealand’s positioning as a global leader in processed food supply.

In July 2011, Alexander Communications was approached by New Zealand Food Innovation Auckland (NZFIA) to develop a communications plan that would support the opening of  The FoodBowl. This presented an opportunity to significantly raise the profile of NZFIA and represented a good news story in what has been a difficult economic environment over the last few years.

The FoodBowl is comprised of food science and technology resources designed to enable New Zealand food and beverage businesses of all sizes to grow, by supporting new product and process development with pre-production pilot facilities and expertise.

In the works for nearly a decade, the network secured agreement for $20 million in funding from the Minister of Economic Development in December 2009 and is aimed at all food and beverage companies, from start-ups to SMEs and corporates. Exclusive tours with selected media were the natural choice for the launch of the FoodBowl and unveiling of the new premises to journalists and suppliers.

Results

The FoodBowl’s launch received positive feedback and coverage in numerous media channels.

TVNZ’s AMP Business featured NZFIA chairman Tony Nowell discussing the capabilities of  The Food Bowl and its ability to upscale sophisticated new products from laboratory to commercial production.

The launch also achieved significant print coverage, with articles in the NZ Manufacturer Magazine, NBR Food Industry Week, Food & Beverage Today, New Zealand Food Technology Magazine, NZ Business and Exporter Magazine.

Online media played an important role in helping NZFIA reach audiences in New Zealand and internationally. Articles featured on Epakmag.com, Foodworks.co.nz, Foodandbeveragetoday.co.nz, Foodnews.co.nz, Cateringplus.co.nz, Scoop.co.nz, Infonews.co.nz, Auckland.exportnz.org.nz, Manufacturingnz.org.nz, Foodnavigator-asia.com, Idealog.co.nz, Times.co.nz, Foodtechupdates.blogspot.co.nz, Industrysearch.com.au, Foodprocessing.com.au and Ferret.com.au.

Campaign Overview

Space Studio is an award winning New Zealand design and procurement firm. Director, Vee Kesner, has over 20 years of both national and international experience. Their projects range from the Intercontinental Golf Resort and Spa Hotel in Fiji, to the new Whanau Ora Maori Health Centre inHenderson. Their work is based in New Zealand and overseas.

They have completed work overseas in high-profile hotels and in the refurbishment sector. Retail stores throughout New Zealand have also benefited from Space Studio’s expertise, with both Bendon and 3 Wise Men outlets winning interior design awards.

Kesner originally approached Alexander Communications director, Dwayne Alexander, about the possibility of sharing some of the high quality projects with key interested markets . Dwayne worked with Vee to build a strong platform of media interviews by developing credentials and helping to get Space Studio’s story published.

Throughout the recession, Space Studio enjoyed substantial growth through local New Zealand projects and a strong presence in the overseas market. This was complemented by great media coverage in both industry and business publications, as well as in the New Zealand Herald and on TV.

Results

The media coverage generated for Space Studio helped to achieve new business opportunities and enhanced the overall awareness of the high quality projects completed by the business.

Media coverage was across a number of channels and helped to raise awareness of the overseas projects Space Studio was involved in such as the Grand Papua Hotel and Windward Apartments in Papua New Guinea.

Space Studio has had widespread coverage in a number of publications. As well as print coverage, Vee Kesner was also interviewed on television by Corin Dann as part of the TVNZ NZI Business programme. The footage of this interview can be found here. 

As evident from the comprehensive ‘In the Media’ page on the Space Studio website, the published coverage has been offset by high quality images of the work they have completed and of Vee herself. Through this exposure, quality business leads were generated and the profile of Space Studio was lifted.

Along with other valuable media coverage, Space Studio had front page coverage in the NZ Construction News as well as significant articles in Idealog and Interior magazines.

Campaign Overview

International engineering consultants GHD have been making in-roads in New Zealand – both literally and figuratively. While paving the way for a brighter future in infrastructure, GHD wanted to share both great news about a new certificate qualification and an international perspective on public-private partnerships in the sector. 

By introducing a Vocational Graduate certificate course, GHD has invested in the future development and maintenance of asset management as a skilled profession. Recognizing this particular gap in the market, GHD has created both solution and opportunity that supports the industry and its budding minds.

National infrastructure strategy group manager Sara Dennis believes New Zealand’s skills shortage in this area has potential long-term implications for our economic development. To help address this, the course caters to a range of different disciplines and the syllabus takes a broad approach to infrastructure topics. Already highly successful in Australia, the certificate qualification in Physical Asset is offered in conjunction with the Chifley Business School in Melbourne and will be introduced here in September.  

GHD facilitated two major infrastructure forums in March, with key decision-makers and international stakeholders in attendance. The AC team was briefed to raise awareness of GHD’s involvement in infrastructure projects, and bring to light the topic of public-private partnerships, without compromising the confidentiality of the first forum, held privately in Wellington on 8 March and attended by New Zealand and Australian government policy-makers and key private sector representatives.

The second infrastructure event was the NZ Trade and Enterprise New Zealand-Australia Investment Forum on 10 and 11 March in Auckland. GHD was a sponsor, facilitator and presenter at the forum. 

Both AC and GHD acknowledged how important the direction, progress and impact of New Zealand’s infrastructure is on the wider public. With infrastructure announcements coming from the government in recent weeks, we agreed that topics of discussion, in particular public-private partnerships should be delivered directly to the public.

Results

The Vocational Graduate Certificate in Physical Asset Management announcement was received with great interest.

Sara Dennis appeared on TVNZ’s NZI Business with Corin Dann to discuss the opportunities and philosophy behind the course and explain its key objectives.

In addition, a full-page article was published in New Zealand Management magazine. The piece, titled ‘A Focus on Asset Management’ outlines the course disciplines and what it sets out to achieve. It positions GHD as an industry leader, highlighting the organization’s foresight and commitment to the future of infrastructure.

AC secured a second GHD television appearance in early March, this time on TV3’s ASB Business with Michael Wilson. Addressing a hot topic at the infrastructure forums in Wellington and Auckland, international economist Steve Kanowski discussed the pros and cons of public-private partnerships (PPP). 

In the same week, the National Business Review covered the issue in the article ‘Public private partnerships needed to drive infrastructure’.  The article was selected as an editor’s choice piece and was of significance to government and key stakeholders; it included quotes from Bill English, Anne Tolley and Steve Kanowski.

Along with the television interviews, the strategically-placed print articles have helped raise awareness of GHD’s investment and positioning in relation to the development and future of infrastructure. These results reaffirm GHD as an industry authority able to communicate with an independent voice on a range of industry subjects to different audiences.

Campaign Overview

Auckland-based commercial cleaning company Clean Planet redefined the meaning of green-washing when it launched as New Zealand’s first truly environmentally-friendly cleaning company in 2008.

It grew exponentially in its first 18 months of operation, from an initial three franchisees to more than 25 throughout Auckland by the end of 2009.

In this formative stage, in addition to winning contracts with clients such as Fletcher Steel, Bear Park Childcare Centres and healthcare provider Labtests, the innovative start-up also began manufacturing its own range of eco-friendly cleaning products. The products are specially formulated to meet Clean Planet’s high standards of environmental integrity, and are independently certified by Environmental Choice.

“There’s huge demand for truly environmentally friendly services, not just tokenism, and companies are paying attention to what’s going down their sink for both the health of their staff and the health of our environment,” said Clean Planet co-director Mark Houghton Brown.

AC’s main brief was to build the brand’s profile within the business community, particularly among SMEs, and to articulate the cold hard truth about what chemicals people are exposed to in the office and the impact that has on their health and that of the environment.

Results

A story titled ‘Green cleaner trades on environmental health’ featured in the NBR’s Executive Health section in December. The reporter interviewed Mark Houghton Brown and highlighted some of the health implications for office workers, such as asthma and other respiratory ailments, commenting on the alternative service provided by Clean Planet for businesses looking for a more sustainable option.

The SME-focused publication Business to Business ran a story titled ‘Green cleaning business walks the talk’, featuring Clean Planet as the lead story in their online email newsletter and on their website in November.

Clean Planet co-director Chris Morrison was interviewed for the Unlimited Lives series.   In addition, the story was picked up in trade publications NZ Retail and NZ Franchise magazine and online on scoop.co.nz, voxy.co.nz and infonews.co.nz

Evan Johnson CEO Onesource

When our clients Konica Minolta informed us of their acquisition by a leading Australasian IT provider, Alexander Communications was on hand to advise on media strategy and also to handle the distribution of the breaking news and engage with media.

The change for Konica Minolta came with their purchase from parent company Onesource New Zealand by CSG, one of Australia’s leading IT services companies, providing integrated technology solutions to all major Australian markets. 

The move presents significant opportunity for Konica Minolta New Zealand. With the continued support of Konica Minolta Business Technologies Japan (which maintains its 10% stake in Konica Minolta New Zealand) and the new expertise of a larger Australian counterpart, Konica Minolta is well resourced and positioned for the future. 

Onesource Chief Executive Evan Johnson says Konica Minolta has prospered under the current ownership structure and management team, having continued to grow in a particularly difficult business environment.

This positive and transparent outlook has been maintained for the duration of the project, contributing to the responsive media coverage that the team secured. 

Results

The news of Konica Minolta’s acquisition by an Australian organization was widely received within a short timeframe. 

The AC team worked efficiently to distribute the breaking news across print publications and online platforms to secure widespread coverage.

The CSG acquisition featured across the main print publications including but not limited to the New Zealand Herald, National Business Review, Dominion Post and the Otago Daily Times.

The team also achieved great online mentions both locally and internationally, from computerworld.co.nz, skynews.co.nz and scoop.co.nz, to the Australian Securities Exchange – asx.com, the Sydney Morning Herald – news.smh.com.au, money.ninemsn.com and bigpondnews.com.

Campaign Overview

Blackwoods Paykels' National Manager Paul Watson takes the SME spotlight on NZI Business

Since Blackwoods Paykels was established through the merging of Blackwoods New Zealand and Paykels Bros in 2004, the company has grown exponentially, and the AC team was pleased to help spread the word about its $5 million investment in the business infrastructure and customer service.  

As it aims to become the nation’s leading industrial and engineering supply company, Blackwoods Paykels’ long-term investment is directed at maintaining its quality service and growing market share in their sector.

The fit-out includes a new distribution centre, manufacturing plant and flagship retail outlet to meet the increasing demand from growth sectors such as infrastructure, oil and gas, food production and other local industry, as well as the upgrade of the national branch network, in preparation for the expansion of the new retail model.

To leverage the investment in the Highbrook premises adjacent to the airport, Blackwoods Paykels hosted an intimate business briefing on-site, at which Manukau Mayor Len Brown officially launched the building.

The business briefing guest list was strategically targeted to engage Blackwoods Paykels’ niche audience. By concentrating on target markets and key mainstream media, the impact of the investment was seen in big business headlines.    

Results

The Blackwoods Paykels investment launch gained positive momentum and was well received by the media.

Paul Watson, Blackwoods Paykels’ National Manager, took the SME Spotlight on NZI Business to talk with Corin Dann about the new distribution centre and launch of the new investment strategy. 

The Blackwoods Paykels $5 million investment announcement also featured in the print versions of the National Business Review and the New Zealand Herald, and gained further coverage by featuring on their websites.  An interview on Radio New Zealand was also secured. 

Other online channels such as  btob.co.nz, infonews.co.nz and scoop.co.nz also contributed to raising awareness and positive positioning of Blackwoods Paykels among the business pages.

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.

Amadou Diallo, His Worship the Mayor Hon. John Banks, Brian Broom and Tony Boll

Campaign Overview

When DHL Global Forwarding, the largest freight forwarder and part of the leading logistics company DHL, briefed the AC team about its latest investment, we knew it was going to be big. How big? 125,000 square feet big!

DHL had invested US$8.8million in a state-of-the-art building, and turned to us to help make the announcement of a new high-tech hub at Westney Industry Park, adjacent to the Auckland International Airport. 

This long-term, forward-thinking commitment in logistics was a positive and audacious move in a particularly difficult business climate.  A media briefing was the natural choice for the announcement and unveiling of the new premises to business journalists and suppliers.

In support of the new facility investment, Auckland Mayor Hon John Banks was invited as keynote speaker, along with the international guests, Amadou Diallo, CEO DHL Global Forwarding South Asia Pacific, and Tony Boll, CEO DHL Global Forwarding South Pacific, who made the trip to New Zealand to address guests gathered at the Stamford Plaza in downtown Auckland

Results

DHL’s investment announcement received positive feedback and coverage in numerous media channels. 

TVNZ’s NZI Business featured Amadou Diallo discussing the capabilities of the new high-tech hub, and screened footage of the new premises in action.

The launch also gained good print coverage, with articles in the National Business Review, Southland Times, The Dominion Post Weekend, The Press and Manukau Courier.

Online media played an important role in helping DHL reach audiences in New Zealand and internationally. The announcement graced the screens of stuff.co.nz, nzherald.co.nz, arabiansupplychain.com, veintepies.com (Spain), procurement-online.com, forkliftaction.com and shippingindustry.com among others.

Jonelle Phillips from Smartbox is featured in the cover story of the September NZ Business Magazine

Jonelle & Steve Phillips were interviewed by Business to Business recently. The level of enthusiasm and optimism of the couple has to be seen to be believed. Working diligently to achieve their goals, nothing seems to hinder their determination to succeed.

Jonelle was also profiled as a cover story on the September NZ Business Magazine, in an interview where she talks about how she escaped corporate life and got in touch with her “inner entrepreneur.”

Steve and Jonelle Phillips started the Smartbox venture in 2006, after spending about 18 months working hard on developing the concept more…

See Jonelle Phillips chat with Corin Dann on NZI Business TV about the novel storage service that takes the hassle out of moving.