I started writing a (short-lived, admittedly) daily newspaper when I was seven, a content creator before that was even a thing. While the stint in journalism was fleeting, the love of writing and story telling has endured. After working for 15 years in the wine world in a communications heavy role, I decided to move into freelance writing in 2022 and help my clients with their story-telling, their brand identities and their customer engagement with effective and clear communications. While we hear that AI is taking over every aspect of business, I'm in no doubt that the human touch and personal relations remain vital to developing authentic and enduring customer engagement. Whether it's EDMs, web content, social media strategies and posts or creating and executing a communications plan, I communicate a brand's voice efficiently and clearly (helping find that voice along the way if needs be) and thrive on seeing the results. I love working with smaller organisations where there are stories to be told and with engaging people behind and within them. I have worked as the Publicist for the arts and music festivals driving sales and raising the profile of these arts festivals through press releases, media engagement and web and newsletter content. I have written web stories for Regional Tourism Offices, drawing visitors into the world of the Upper Clutha and Southern Lakes regions and I work with a zero-waste enterprise, engaging with businesses and individuals through the communications arm to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions as the region looks to a carbon zero 2030. From small to vast: there I go! I have worked as bid writer, editor and proofreader for a number of EU tenders. Delving in the minutiae of EU bureaucracy was a very different kettle of fish but one which I greatly enjoyed. Keeping text tight, polished and very much to the rules is a fantastic exercise in restraint while the proofreading element requires the keenest of eyes with a fast delivery, two demands that don't always go hand in hand and which kept me on my toes. I turn around content ahead of schedule for finance based clients overseas, providing on-point content for the in-house and external comms. It took me a while to be the anonymous wordsmith but it suits me well. I write communications and marketing plans for businesses that simply don't have the time to do this - we've all been there. Sometimes it doesn't take much to get them on the right track, at other times, it's been a longer process but we got there in the end and they're going from strength to strength. I spend time with small businesses tightening up their web content and maximising their customer engagement and ensure their message is clear, concise and SEO friendly. I had to do it solo for a decade and a half, so it's lovely to make things easier for others in the same situation.

Jo Mills

PRO

I started writing a (short-lived, admittedly) daily newspaper when I was seven, a content creator before that was even a thing. While the stint in journalism was fleeting, the love of writing and story telling has endured. After working for 15 years in the wine world in a communications heavy role, I decided to move into freelance writing in 2022 and help my clients with their story-telling, their brand identities and their customer engagement with effective and clear communications. While we hear that AI is taking over every aspect of business, I'm in no doubt that the human touch and personal relations remain vital to developing authentic and enduring customer engagement. Whether it's EDMs, web content, social media strategies and posts or creating and executing a communications plan, I communicate a brand's voice efficiently and clearly (helping find that voice along the way if needs be) and thrive on seeing the results. I love working with smaller organisations where there are stories to be told and with engaging people behind and within them. I have worked as the Publicist for the arts and music festivals driving sales and raising the profile of these arts festivals through press releases, media engagement and web and newsletter content. I have written web stories for Regional Tourism Offices, drawing visitors into the world of the Upper Clutha and Southern Lakes regions and I work with a zero-waste enterprise, engaging with businesses and individuals through the communications arm to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions as the region looks to a carbon zero 2030. From small to vast: there I go! I have worked as bid writer, editor and proofreader for a number of EU tenders. Delving in the minutiae of EU bureaucracy was a very different kettle of fish but one which I greatly enjoyed. Keeping text tight, polished and very much to the rules is a fantastic exercise in restraint while the proofreading element requires the keenest of eyes with a fast delivery, two demands that don't always go hand in hand and which kept me on my toes. I turn around content ahead of schedule for finance based clients overseas, providing on-point content for the in-house and external comms. It took me a while to be the anonymous wordsmith but it suits me well. I write communications and marketing plans for businesses that simply don't have the time to do this - we've all been there. Sometimes it doesn't take much to get them on the right track, at other times, it's been a longer process but we got there in the end and they're going from strength to strength. I spend time with small businesses tightening up their web content and maximising their customer engagement and ensure their message is clear, concise and SEO friendly. I had to do it solo for a decade and a half, so it's lovely to make things easier for others in the same situation.

Available to hire

I started writing a (short-lived, admittedly) daily newspaper when I was seven, a content creator before that was even a thing. While the stint in journalism was fleeting, the love of writing and story telling has endured. After working for 15 years in the wine world in a communications heavy role, I decided to move into freelance writing in 2022 and help my clients with their story-telling, their brand identities and their customer engagement with effective and clear communications.

While we hear that AI is taking over every aspect of business, I’m in no doubt that the human touch and personal relations remain vital to developing authentic and enduring customer engagement. Whether it’s EDMs, web content, social media strategies and posts or creating and executing a communications plan, I communicate a brand’s voice efficiently and clearly (helping find that voice along the way if needs be) and thrive on seeing the results.

I love working with smaller organisations where there are stories to be told and with engaging people behind and within them. I have worked as the Publicist for the arts and music festivals driving sales and raising the profile of these arts festivals through press releases, media engagement and web and newsletter content. I have written web stories for Regional Tourism Offices, drawing visitors into the world of the Upper Clutha and Southern Lakes regions and I work with a zero-waste enterprise, engaging with businesses and individuals through the communications arm to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions as the region looks to a carbon zero 2030.

From small to vast: there I go! I have worked as bid writer, editor and proofreader for a number of EU tenders. Delving in the minutiae of EU bureaucracy was a very different kettle of fish but one which I greatly enjoyed. Keeping text tight, polished and very much to the rules is a fantastic exercise in restraint while the proofreading element requires the keenest of eyes with a fast delivery, two demands that don’t always go hand in hand and which kept me on my toes.

I turn around content ahead of schedule for finance based clients overseas, providing on-point content for the in-house and external comms. It took me a while to be the anonymous wordsmith but it suits me well.

I write communications and marketing plans for businesses that simply don’t have the time to do this - we’ve all been there. Sometimes it doesn’t take much to get them on the right track, at other times, it’s been a longer process but we got there in the end and they’re going from strength to strength. I spend time with small businesses tightening up their web content and maximising their customer engagement and ensure their message is clear, concise and SEO friendly. I had to do it solo for a decade and a half, so it’s lovely to make things easier for others in the same situation.

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Language

English
Fluent
French
Fluent
German
Intermediate

Work Experience

Contract copywriter and communications expert at The Write Path
October 1, 2022 - Present
Self-employed freelance communications for local, national and international businesses including blog posts, media releases, web content, EDMs and DTC email copy; also creating and executing social media strategy for a literary festival; senior editor, bidwriter and proofreader for EU and NZ tenders, including a €149m EU tender; development of communications plans for hospitality businesses; quarterly social media calendars.
Marketing and Communications Coordinator at Wānaka Wastebusters
May 1, 2023 - Present
Part-time communications coordinator for a zero-waste social enterprise; responsible for creation and delivery of business workshops, broader business and stakeholder engagement, development of industry-specific online resources, engagement with management and council, project managing business videos for council contracts, establishing and overseeing communications strategies, and media liaison for press releases.
Director at Rippon Vineyard
July 1, 2018 - Present
Governance on the board; responsible for process, creation and implementation of strategic and management plans; senior management recruitment; recruitment campaigns and reporting.
Publicist at At the World’s Edge Festival
May 1, 2023 - October 31, 2023
Creation and implementation of media strategy including press releases, editorial and advertising opportunities; lead PR activities regionally and nationally; manage radio, print, online media and partnerships; content creation for weekly EDM newsletters; analytics of advertising and media performance.
Publicist at At the World’s Edge Festival
May 1, 2024 - October 31, 2024
Continuation of media strategy and PR activities for subsequent festival seasons; ongoing press engagement and media opportunities.
Publicist at At the World’s Edge Festival
May 1, 2025 - October 31, 2025
Continuation of media strategy and PR activities for subsequent festival seasons; ongoing press engagement and media opportunities.
Freelance Copywriter/Brand Consultant at Self employed
August 1, 2021 - October 31, 2022
Freelance copywriting and branding for NZ businesses including wine, lifestyle and catering sectors; digital presenting for B2B online network.
Sales & Communications Manager at Rippon Vineyard
February 1, 2006 - August 31, 2021
Created and implemented all marketing and promotional material; developed media strategies and calendars; built media databases; hosted national and international media visits; managed social media and Google Analytics; developed domestic and export sales; education programs and events.
Board Member at Central Otago Pinot Noir Ltd
January 1, 2007 - January 31, 2009
Key in establishing Quality Assurance scheme; organized Central Otago masterclasses in Dublin and London with extensive media coverage.
Contract Copywriter and Communications Specialist at The Write Path
October 1, 2022 - Present
Contract copywriter and communications specialist for local, national and international businesses. Wrote blog posts, media releases, web content, EDM copy; created and executed social media strategy; senior editor, bid writer and proofreader for EU and NZ tenders including a €149m EU tender; created and maintained communications plan for a local hospitality business.
Marketing and Communications Coordinator at Wānaka Wastebusters
May 1, 2023 - Present
Part-time communications coordinator for zero waste social enterprise; delivered business workshops; developed industry-specific zero waste online guides; engaged with RTO management and council; project managed online video publications; established communications strategies including social media campaigns; media liaison.
Publicist at Wānaka Festival of Colour
October 1, 2022 - April 30, 2023
Developed and implemented communications strategy and timeline supporting the delivery of a successful festival. Created and maintained media and PR databases; wrote and distributed press releases and stories; identified compatible advertising opportunities and managed full advertising process; built media exposure online and in print; artist and media liaison; content creation and weekly EDM newsletters; metrics analysis of advertising and media performance.
Freelance Copywriter and Branding at Self-employed / Various NZ businesses
August 1, 2021 - October 31, 2022
Freelance copywriting and branding for NZ businesses including wine, lifestyle and catering industries; digital presenting for B2B online network.

Education

A Levels at Sevenoaks School
January 1, 1997 - January 1, 1999
BA (Hons) English Language & Literature, 2:1 at Oxford University
January 1, 1999 - January 1, 2002
Wine & Spirit Education Trust Diploma at Wine & Spirit Education Trust
January 1, 2002 - December 31, 2002
Wine & Spirit Education Trust Diploma at WSET
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2002
BA (Hons) English Language & Literature at Oxford University
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2002
A Levels at Sevenoaks School
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1999

Qualifications

Wine & Spirit Education Trust Diploma, Distinction
January 1, 2002 - December 31, 2002
BA (Hons) English Language & Literature, Oxford University, 2:1
January 1, 1999 - January 1, 2002
A Levels
January 1, 1997 - January 1, 1999
Wine & Spirit Education Trust Diploma
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2002
BA (Hons) English Language & Literature
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2002
A Levels
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1999

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Travel & Hospitality, Professional Services, Retail, Other