Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
I am an experienced and professional communicator with a strong foundation in journalism, having worked extensively in live news programming and production across New Zealand television and radio. My career has included working as a Senior Media Advisor for New Zealand Police, where I managed high-stakes communications and public messaging. Currently, I contribute to the Impact & Corporate Relations team of a global business, leveraging my expertise to craft impactful narratives and support strategic engagement across audiences.
As Communications Manager within McDonald’s Australia’s Impact & Corporate Relations team, I led integrated communication strategies that protect and enhance the reputation of one of the country’s most iconic brands. In this fixed-term role, I worked across external and internal channels to support business growth, while driving awareness of our brand, corporate impact, and community contributions. Reporting to the Senior Director of Impact & Corporate Relations, I provided strategic counsel on media relations, stakeholder engagement, and crisis response, while also managing agency partnerships. Key responsibilities include: - Developing and executing proactive media and corporate relations strategies to share the McDonald’s business, brand, and ESG stories – including our work with Ronald McDonald House Charities. - Partnering with leadership to shape and deliver key external communications, including messaging and media briefing materials. - Leading issues and crisis communications planning - Managing the relationship with consumer PR agency activity and ensuring alignment with broader communication objectives. - Building strong relationships with Australian journalists, influencers, and key stakeholders to drive storytelling and business impact. - Contributing to the overall integration of communication, purpose, and stakeholder engagement initiatives across the business.
New Zealand Police is the lead agency responsible for reducing crime and enhancing community safety. The team works with media, frontline staff, district and national leaders, subject experts, and other stakeholders daily. In this role, I consistently delivered exceptional media results on operational matters, both reactively and proactively meeting tight deadlines and providing considered media advice to senior Police staff. Key highlights include: - Lead media contact on incidents of national and international interest, including homicide investigations, national drug seizures, and national and local incidents where there is a high level of public interest - Filled in as Acting Team Leader leading a small team covering the Auckland and Northland region - Produced video content to assist with appeals for high-profile investigations - Prepped high-ranking Police officers prior to facilitating stand ups with media on multiple occasions - Delivered media training sessions to members of Area Leadership Teams and Detective Courses - Created and executed a media plan for major operations spanning across five North Island districts - Pitched and facilitated exclusive interviews with current affair programmes - Liaised with newsrooms on media delivery to better understand and improve our service - Consulted and crafted statements on matters of reputational risk, including responses to critical reports - Facilitated interviews with District Leadership on all major news networks - Crafted engaging copy for social media to reach 2.2 million followers.
Moving into a morning role within the same team, my key achievements while in the role included: - Consistently deliver breaking news interviews and organise changes to the show before and during broadcast. - Planned and developed a ‘fact-checker’ segment to run during the 2020 General Election for on-air use. - Crafted a written and visual daily update of the latest Covid-19 statistics from around the world for on-air use. - Planned, curated and edited montages to play on-air to support significant events (2020 news wrap, a look back on crosses with our Newshub Europe Correspondent for his last on-air broadcast with us, Mark Richardson’s 50th birthday). - Trained and supported interns during their learning period with The AM Show (2020, 2021). - Worked with Newshub Head of Editing to create a simpler process for video editing to reduce time and increase productivity. - Collaborated with Newshub Graphics Department to create on-air feature images to use throughout programming. - Heavily involved during live rolling coverage of tsunami threat (March 2021) sourcing new talent across six-hour live programme. - Worked on-site during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic in a reduced team capacity. - Organised and completely produced live interview with Carole Baskin from Tiger King (April 2021). Key responsibilities: - Identifying and sourcing programme content prior to and during programme broadcast. - Liaising with newsroom team on story and event coverage including updates on show content and breaking news coverage. - Source/confirm and communicate details of breaking/developing news stories and events. - Source/locate/secure and book interview talent for the morning’s show. - Produce programme segments as required. - Create and input supers/graphics and edit b-roll. - Source, produce and edit foreign content.
In this role I look after the set up for the daily news section of the show between 0600-0730am. We are constantly looking forwards to provide fresh, informative interviews with people from all walks of life, whether it be a politician or a Mum seeking changes to school board decisions. Key responsibilities include: - Finding and confirming talent for interview slots - Conducting pre-interviews - Organising cameras and logistics around the country and overseas - In touch with media contacts from Parliament, Industry Leaders, Ministries, Sporting Contacts, etc - Finalising interview briefing notes for hosts and senior producers - Use of iNews and Avid UX to cut vision.
Working across the 1News Now website in the Auckland TVNZ newsroom to create engaging and informative content for audiences, including breaking news as the day unfolded. I worked across a various range of topics.