Keryn Ward was interviewed by Jim Mora from Radio New Zealand. She updated retailers, shoppers and the community on the status of the centre after the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks on 23rd December. The link to the interview can be found here.

Ongoing Crisis Communication: Planning, Managing, and Responding By W. Timothy Coombs

I was asked by organisers of the  New Zealand Communication Association to do a key note speach at their 24th Annual conference which was held at the Heritage Hotel in Auckland on 12th & 13th December, 2011.

The theme for the conference was “Convergence”. This lent itself to discuss topics around convergence of of ideas, technology, cutures and nations, academic disciplines and education and industry.

It was a good opportunity to interact with the people who are shaping our university students minds in the area of communications.

Some of the papers discussed at the forum included:

• Josephine Ellis, AUT University. “On-line feedback and the Facebook effect” and  “A research journey by way of the classroom”.
• Dr. Lara Giles, EIT. “Meta-literacy”.
• Dr Kane Hopkins, Massey University. “How New Zealand organisations are using Facebook: A public relations perspective”.
• Jill Clark & Leta Roache, Whitireia.  “Grunting and Snorting on Facebook and Twitter: A Boomer’s Guide to Communicating with Gen Y”.
• Hamish Robertson Dr. Trudy Rosenfeld and Dr. Joanne Travaglia, University of NSW. “Communicating in Ageing Societies: Diversity and Dementia Looking to 2050”.
• Jacqui Hartley-Smith, EIT. “The jigsaw puzzle”.
  Arjan Van der Boon, MIT. “Teaching in your pyjamas? Online Learning with Wimba – The Student Experience”.
• Peter Bruce, Northtec.  “Building Stakeholder Engagement Capability”.
• Nuddy Pillay, MIT.  “To blend or not to blend, that is the question: the perceptions of students on the impact of the face to face and Web Based learning environment on their learning”.
• Susan O’Rourke, AUT.  “Teaching journalism, newspapers, convergence and the Arab Spring: Reflections from Oman”.
• Dr. Rosser Johnson. AUT.  “Cosmopolitanism, commercialism and food television: a case study of Tegal World Kitchen”.
• Debbie Page and Elna Fourie, Wintec. “Leaps and bounds, or a technological divide in the communication classroom”
• Una Wildon, MIT. “Process Based Learning: The Convergence of Teaching and Assessment in Writing courses”.   
• Nippy Paea, MIT student.  Whakarongomai ki taaku nei Reo:
• An Investigation into key factors in the engagement processes between Institute and Iwi
• Saarah Gul, MIT student. Investigating Facebook: The Impact of Facebook usage on the youth in New Zealand
• Manisha Jyoti, MIT student. “Perceptions of homosexuality and homosexuals among different Christian believers”.
• Trish Baker (Wellington Institute of Technology) and Jill Clark (Whitireia New Zealand). An introduction to cooperative learning. 
• Josephine Ellis, AUT University. This workshop to get participants to look at their own areas of teaching practice to identify research questions

My own talk focussed on Convergence and Conversation and how, for better and for worse they are changing how businesses and organisations respond during times of crisis.

I discussed examples of organisations where Convergence (media, technology etc) was beneficial and also where this same concept made lives difficult for company and organisational executives. 

Media Convergence can work against organisations :

• Organisations have less time to respond
• Organisations are global even if they are localy focussed, are forced to consider how their actions are seen beyond country boundaries 
• People (customers, voyears, onlookers) will comment on issues even while not understanding the facts
• There are always opposing viewpoints ready in the wings to be quoted or published online
• Private conversations become public faster and are more available
• Company execs are expected to be available – whenever…wherever.

Media Convergence can work for organisations : 

• Organisations have more media avenues to add to their toolbox
• Everything organisations and companies  do is visible Internationally
• People will go with their gut / brand allegiances / values and this will be demonstrated visually through social media
• Opinions  can be “heard”, published and commented on the minute you want them to be. The power is now with consumers as opposed to with media alone.

We discussed the necessity to have a plan in place for the unexpected and how to achieve outcomes by using the strengths of “Convergence” to our advantage and how to minimise the effects of the negatives. I have attached an example of one of the many and growing texts on the subject for those interested.

In a decidedly hot relationship, HELL Pizza has joined forces with the New Zealand Fire Service to deliver an important fire safety message and new look HELL Pizza box for which they have received positive media attention for the ‘Don’t drink and Fry’ campaign.

New Zealanders have long been aware of the dangers associated with drinking and driving, but most have probably never given a second thought to the dangers of cooking after one too many drinks.The statistics that have surfaced are alarming and the Fire Service has revealed that alcohol is involved in 50% of all fatal house fires.

HELL co-director Stu McMullin says, “We support the ‘don’t drink and fry’ message 666%, and want to communicate it far and wide. The decision to redesign our signature HELL Pizza box after 15 years was not taken lightly, but it’s an ideal way to deliver a simple, life-saving message directly into homes all over the country every single night.”

The message was well received by the media, gaining national coverage in various print publications, on radio airwaves and online. The ‘Don’t drink and fry’ message was seen in Auckland’s Central Leader, Dargaville & Districts News, Marlborough Express, Nelson Mail, Taupo Times and Hawke’s Bay Today among others. It was also give mention by ZM The Morning Crew.

The HELL Pizza Celebrity Fisting campaign also caught the attention of the media.  Alexander Communications  strategically drove interest by engaging media and generating some ‘hell hype’ in the newsroom delivering giant black fists and mis-fortune cookies to selected media. Timed well with the rugby games, the unique foam fist with built in beverage holder proved to be an instant success and conversation starter with the media – many of whom made the association with rugby.

The direct delivery of fists to media achieved an instant mention on the airwaves of Mai FM and subsequent mentions have been secured with Classic Hits Auckland and More FM Christchurch.  Rog from The Rock FM’s Morning Rumble show posted his photo onto the HELL Pizza Facebook page.

The novelty and popularity of the fists continued with a HELL fist appearing on Bernard Hickey’s 90 seconds at 9 am interest.co.nz video on more than one occasion.

Campaign Overview

In May 2011, in honour of Mother’s Day, East Auckland’s Botany Town Centre gave mothers in the community the permission to think about themselves. By way of tribute to deserving mums, the centre turned each of the 31 days of May into Mother’s Day, and hosted a high tea for some amazing women.

Throughout the month, the centre accepted nominations for its search for Auckland’s best mums. The 10 finalists were invited to enjoy a high tea with a special guest, Nestle New Zealand’s Hottest Home Baker winner Paula Midgley. All guests were treated to a decadent Robert Harris afternoon tea, Morton Estate Mimi Methode Traditionnelle and a goodie bag filled with gifts from Nestle, Lush and Simply You Living.

The winner of the overall prize for best mum, mother of five Melany Adams, was presented with a pamper pack containing a $500 Botany Town centre gift card, an Image Oasis treatment voucher valued at $300, and a Hoyts La Premiere gift card valued at $200.

As part of the month-long the Mother’s Day celebrations, lucky mums spotted shopping at Botany Town Centre found themselves on the receiving end of random acts of kindness. More than $5,000 in gift cards was given away to reward mums and encourage them to take time out of their busy schedule and treat themselves.

Results

The Permission to Think About You campaign achieved excellent results in the media, community buzz and the strengthening of new and existing relationships.

The campaign provided good media opportunities across a number of channels, including local community, online and industry media, and social media avenues such as YouTube and Facebook.

Media releases were generated in accordance with the centre’s activities during the campaign, and achieved over $50,000 worth of public relations value for Botany Town Centre.

Prominent local newspapers Howick and Botany Times, Howick and Pakuranga Times and Eastern Courier published stories regarding the search to find the community’s best mums. The Eastern Courier article included the YouTube link to the Botany Town Centre video produced for the campaign.

There was strong online media pick-up from news sites Infonews.co.nz, Scoop.co.nz and Stuff.co.nz, and engagement on Facebook, YouTube and online event diaries. Industry publications Shopping Centre Weekly and NZ Retail also published stories about the Permission To Think About You campaign featuring overall best mum Melany Adams.

Social media evangelist Jon Leland, one of the keynote speakers at the Lowndes Associates’ second Business Intelligence Series workshop for 2011, featured on TVOne’s AMP Business this week.

Lowndes Associates have been running their Business Intelligence Series workshops for over nine years, with the latest focusing on the importance of social media for businesses. The workshop took place at the Telecom Conference Centre on 25 August with more than 130 senior business people in attendance

During the AMP Business interview, Jon highlighted the practical relevance of social media to businesses and the opportunities offered by social media, as well as the risks of failure to engage with it. Jon emphasised that in not engaging, businesses risk being left in the dust.

Duncan Shand, from digital marketing agency Young and Shand, also appeared in the interview and shared his insights into the benefits of social media.

Click here to view the full interview.

ActionStep chief executive, Ted Jordan featured in the ‘Success’ section of The Business Herald where he talks about his computer software system and the growing interest from New Zealand and other international markets.

ActionStep is extending its software to Jack Stern Law, a US firm which specialises in representing Mexicans accused of illegally entering the US. Because public defense law is not well-paid, Stern was keen to cut costs by outsourcing the processing of legal paperwork. ActionStep’s software enabled them to do this by supplying them with a system that allows the law firm to conduct business 24/7 across the globe, via the internet.

Jordan describes his software product as a “complete business system that runs in the cloud and has all the software that you need for business”. It helps to save costs, removes the complexity of running multiple systems, and holds all the business’ data and information in one place. Through the use of the ActionStep software, Stern’s team can enter relevant information into its system, which can then be processed overnight by a team of paralegals in the Philippines.

Click here to read the full article and to find out more about ActionStep.

Minnie Baragwanath, the chief executive of Be. Institute, features in the September issue of MiNDFOOD magazine where she talks about a new initiative that is making New Zealand a more accessible place for those with a disability.

In a step towards highlighting disability issues and enabling a 100% accessible society, Minnie Baragwanath founded Be. Institute, a social change enterprise that is that is making a difference in the lives of disabled Kiwis throughout New Zealand.

Ms Baragwanath, who is legally blind herself, acknowledges that New Zealanders are by nature inclusive and socially aware, “we are seeking to build on this through specific practices in our program. Our view is that if we get our country working right for disabled people, we get it right for all people”.

Click here to read te full article in the MiNDFOOD September issue.

Tamlyn Stewart from Christchurch Press interviewed Ted Jordan about trends around Cloud adoption amongst SME’s.

The survey, commissioned by software firm ActionStep, found nearly half of the 250 businesses surveyed did not even know what cloud computing was.

What you might call the ‘forgotten best friends’ of Christchurch got a much needed earthquake recovery cheque today as seen on TV3 6PM news.

Tens of thousands of dollars have been given to Dog Watch to help it re-home abandoned earthquake pets.

One Labrador-Staffordshire cross called Chance was left abandoned and unwanted in February.

One hundred and fifty condemned dogs have been rescued from the pound by Dog Watch so far this year, double the normal number.

“We are struggling to the point that there are so many dogs out there that need help, we don’t have the space, we cannot take them,” says Dog Watch manager Pam Howard.

Keith Surgenor is helping out, adopting one dog, Lea.

“She has been abandoned and we don’t even know what she is really, but she is beautiful and she will go to a good home, and I’ll get a lot of pleasure out of her,” he says.

Also helping out is a nearby shopping mall, surprising Pam Howard with a cheque for $50,000.

“There are amazing stories of people out there who have been hurt by the earthquake, so we are really thrilled to be part of this and to be able to make a difference and help them,” says The Palms Shopping Centre manager Keryn Ward.

At nearby Freeville School there were more giveaways, free puffer jackets for the 300 pupils.

“On a day like today where we have got minus three degrees start to the day they certainly need them,” says principal John Leonard.

Fifteen thousand dollars raised in Sydney is helping the children out with the Macpac gifts.

The gift of giving and receiving is appreciated by everyone in Christchurch.

Thanks to Hamish Clark and TV3 News

23 May 2011

The receivers of the SCF Group have announced that GE Capital’s New Zealand Equipment Finance business has acquired over NZ$100 million of commercial loan book assets from Face Finance Limited, a subsidiary of South Canterbury Finance Limited.

Face Finance primarily focuses on ‘big ticket’ financing in the transport and infrastructure sectors. It has operated on a largely standalone basis from the rest of the SCF Group since establishment with a separate distribution network and customer relationships.

Receivers Kerryn Downey and William Black of McGrathNicol said that “the sale to GE Capital is a very pleasing outcome and represents a key milestone in the realisation of South Canterbury Finance’s loan book assets. We believe the acquisition by GE Capital will provide increased certainty for Face Finance’s customers.”

GE Capital was successful in its acquisition following a competitive sale process, with Deutsche Bank AG New Zealand branch acting as sale advisor to the receivers.

Media Contact:

Kate Alexander
Alexander Communications
T +64 9 524 4957
M +64 27 244 6094
E: kate@alexandercomms.co.nz

About McGrathNicol
McGrathNicol is an independent advisory firm specialising in corporate advisory, forensic, transaction services and corporate recovery. It is a market leader in Australia and New Zealand, with more than 300 people across the region, including more than 30 partners.

About Face Finance
Face Finance Limited (In Receivership), a subsidiary of South Canterbury Finance Limited (In Receivership), is a Plant and Equipment Finance specialist offering financial solutions to a variety of New Zealand business sectors, including transport, aviation, civil and agricultural contracting, printing, forestry, and manufacturing.