I’m a senior communications and PR leader with nine years of experience across agency and in-house roles, helping clients and organisations tell stronger stories, build trust with stakeholders, and protect reputation. I’ve led campaigns and media relations across corporate and consumer sectors, with a strong track record in issues management, internal communications, and profile raising for executive teams. My work blends strategy with hands-on delivery: from content development and social media to sponsorship, creative PR, and major event execution. I also bring solid commercial discipline—planning and managing marketing/PR activity to budget, building client-facing toolkits and performance reporting, and leading and developing direct report staff in fast-moving environments.…

Nick Palfrey

I’m a senior communications and PR leader with nine years of experience across agency and in-house roles, helping clients and organisations tell stronger stories, build trust with stakeholders, and protect reputation. I’ve led campaigns and media relations across corporate and consumer sectors, with a strong track record in issues management, internal communications, and profile raising for executive teams. My work blends strategy with hands-on delivery: from content development and social media to sponsorship, creative PR, and major event execution. I also bring solid commercial discipline—planning and managing marketing/PR activity to budget, building client-facing toolkits and performance reporting, and leading and developing direct report staff in fast-moving environments.…

Available to hire

I’m a senior communications and PR leader with nine years of experience across agency and in-house roles, helping clients and organisations tell stronger stories, build trust with stakeholders, and protect reputation. I’ve led campaigns and media relations across corporate and consumer sectors, with a strong track record in issues management, internal communications, and profile raising for executive teams.

My work blends strategy with hands-on delivery: from content development and social media to sponsorship, creative PR, and major event execution. I also bring solid commercial discipline—planning and managing marketing/PR activity to budget, building client-facing toolkits and performance reporting, and leading and developing direct report staff in fast-moving environments.

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Skills

Experience Level

Language

English
Advanced

Work Experience

Media Solutions Sales & Marketing Manager at Media Solutions
October 1, 2023 - Present
Drive sales growth for new and existing B2B clients across advertising, marketing and editorial placement. Manage client relationships and recommend ATL campaigns and editorial contributions aligned to publication guidelines, including lead generation and product/service messaging. Track performance metrics and deliver client reports comparing paid activity results against objectives. Build and maintain sales toolbox assets such as media kits, statistics reports and advertising offers, while executing sales and marketing campaigns without compromising editorial integrity. Develop content delivery strategy to maximise publication exposure with purple collar audiences, manage the readership subscriber database and retention via weekly content offers, and liaise with international partners through contract agreements to support industry content.
Centrepiece Corporate Operations & Service Delivery Team Lead at Centrepiece
March 1, 2023 - Present
Lead corporate operations and service delivery to support senior teams and clients to execute events that celebrate corporate purpose and build brand profiles. Manage partnerships with clients, suppliers and venue providers to deliver events on time and within budget. Serve as point person for coordinating client and design staff approvals of theming installations, and personally install and pack out complex themes across major venues, including after-hours work and driving heavy company vehicles. Train and develop new staff within a physically demanding but supportive team environment.
Hill & Knowlton Strategies Public Relations Account Director at Hill & Knowlton Strategies
March 1, 2022 - October 1, 2022
Provide press office and thought leadership counsel and story development for Russell Reynolds Associates, Equifax, Bain & Company, OC&C Strategy Consultants and Standard Bank. Develop communications that leverage research-led client work and policy announcements including The Parker Review and Board Culture Survey topics such as gender discrimination. Launch technical data reports across banking, retail, electric vehicle, currency, executive recruitment and consumer credit industries. Improve internal communications and team efficiency processes, including workflow, time management and billable hours via cross-pollination of client work. Support new business development with international perspectives aligned to revenue objectives across the broader team.
Public Relations Account Director at Hill & Knowlton Strategies
March 1, 2022 - October 1, 2022
Provide press office and thought leadership client contact for Russell Reynolds Associates, Equifax, Bain & Company, OC&C Strategy Consultants and Standard Bank. Deliver communications counsel and story development leveraging research-led client work and policy announcements such as The Parker Review and Board Culture Survey, including messaging related to gender discrimination. Launch technical data reports across banking, retail, electric vehicle, currency, executive recruitment and consumer credit industries. Improve internal communications and team efficiency processes such as workflow, time management and billable hours across a financial/professional services team, and support new business development with international perspectives aligned to revenue objectives.
Group Communications Advisor at Moana New Zealand
September 1, 2020 - November 1, 2021
Own profile raising and thought leadership, and lead content and social media, media relations, reputation management, stakeholder engagement, and internal and shareholder communications. Support reporting including annual and interim reports and sustainability communications, manage recruitment communications and deliver presentations. Provide communications counsel to internal working groups and staff, advising best practice and educating teams and stakeholders on ethical responsibilities and duties of care. Help shift public perception of the commercial fishing industry and operate politically-influentially at the direction of the CEO to make a difference for Māori on behalf of Iwi shareholders.
Senior Publicist (0.8 FTE) at Lily & Louis Creative PR
April 1, 2019 - November 1, 2019
Provide strategy and PR execution for retainer accounts including AMP, Augusta, Instant Finance, NZ Home & Lifestyle Show, Scania, Simply Energy and Smales Farm. Manage two direct reports and recruit specialist corporate communications capability (consumer agency). Lead profile raising, thought leadership and content including LinkedIn strategy and media relations across clients. Deliver retail/residential/industrial/tourism fund announcements for Augusta and investor/shareholder relations. Act as AMP corporate and marcomms lead covering KiwiSaver, insurance and a rebrand, and lead financial/transaction communications for Simply Energy after the sale of 49.9% to Contact. Devised Scania’s first-ever direct truck/bus market presence PR plan with phased activity.
PR Manager – New Zealand (contract) at Canstar New Zealand (via Robert Walters)
March 1, 2019 - May 31, 2019
Own PR strategy and execution across Canstar Gold and Blue, primarily in financial services. Pitch research insights and fintech awards to consumer media, maximise weekly coverage and leverage messaging across channels. Secure extensive coverage across KiwiSaver, home loans, innovation, travel insurance, broadband, rental cars and supermarkets. Sole responsibility for proactive and reactive media engagement and influencer connections, including evaluation, measurement and performance reporting with recommendations based on results. Lead consumer research strategy and themes to ensure the right media angles achieve tier one cut-through.
PR Manager – New Zealand (contract) at Canstar New Zealand
March 1, 2019 - May 1, 2019
Develop and execute PR strategy for Canstar Gold and Blue, primarily financial services—pitching research insights and fintech awards to consumer media to maximise weekly coverage and leverage across channels. Secure extensive consumer coverage across KiwiSaver, home loans, innovation, travel insurance, broadband, rental cars and supermarkets. Own proactive and reactive media, and manage influencer connections. Evaluate, measure and report PR performance and provide recommendations based on outcomes. Lead consumer research strategy/themes to ensure media angles achieve tier one media cut-through.
Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development & NZ Technology Industry Association – Techweek19 Auckland Stakeholder Manager (contract) at Techweek19 (ATEED/MBIE)
October 1, 2018 - March 1, 2018
Curate Techweek19 festival through sponsor, organiser and speaker engagement, delivering against difficult diversity and inclusion KPIs (business, regional growth networks, community, education, ethnicity, gender diversity and family). Secure strategic partners including AUT, Chorus, Unitec and Vector, delivering total sponsorship revenue of $77k and supporting partner relationships across the programme.
Techweek19 Auckland Stakeholder Manager (contract) at Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) & NZ Technology Industry Association
October 1, 2018 - March 1, 2018
Curated Techweek19 festival through sponsor, event organiser, speaker and venue engagement, meeting diversity and inclusion KPIs set by ATEED and MBIE across business, regional growth networks, community, education, ethnicity and gender diversity. Secured strategic partners including AUT, Chorus, Unitec and Vector, delivering total sponsorship revenue of $77k.
Communications Manager (contract) at PwC New Zealand
May 1, 2018 - August 31, 2018
Launch thought leadership content, media relations and BAU communications functions with a 60/20/20 focus split. Brief the CEO on NZ findings from the Global CEO Survey ahead of media and speaking engagements. Counsel the Board Chair through an NBR investigation into partner retirement age at ‘Big Four’ firms. Support budget 2018 commentary and tax tips work, and launch partner-led thought leadership across affordable housing, APEC CEO Survey topics, digital talent, family business, start-up investment, success measurement and UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Communications Manager at PwC New Zealand (contract – direct)
May 1, 2018 - August 1, 2019
Launch thought leadership content, media relations and BAU communications with a roughly 60/20/20 split across responsibilities. Brief the CEO on NZ findings from the Global CEO Survey ahead of media and speaking engagements. Counsel the board chair through NBR reporting into partner retirement age matters for Big Four firms. Support financial advisory services leader with Budget 2018 commentary and tax tips. Launch partner-led thought leadership across affordable housing, APEC CEO Survey, digital talent, family business, start-up investment, success measurement and UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Account Director (contract) at Mango Communications (PR)
January 1, 2017 - April 1, 2018
Support PR planning and delivery for clients including American Express, Kiwi Property, Metlifecare, and Tip Top. Write PR plans for Metlifecare’s five-year brand strategy and launch the Simon Gault partnership. Deliver PR and social media concepts to improve market perception of American Express products. Lead profile raising for Sylvia Park and New Lynn Shopping Centre redevelopment for Kiwi Property.
Public Relations Account Manager at Anthem (PR)
March 1, 2014 - December 1, 2016
Responsibilities included developing communications plans, counsel and proposal support, writing PR plans and outputs, executing stakeholder relations and social media, and managing projects and budgets. Achievements included securing editorial placements for Accenture, leading Visa sponsorship work linked to Rio 2016, and supporting high-profile event and media delivery on behalf of multiple clients.
Senior Public Relations Account Manager at Anthem (PR)
March 1, 2014 - December 1, 2016
Develop corporate and marketing communications plans and provide counsel to clients. Present proposals and support team account directors, including resourcing. Write PR plans, communications strategies, press releases, feature articles, op-eds and website copy. Execute media and stakeholder relations, social media campaigns, event activations and content marketing/digital strategy. Maintain awareness of clients’ brands/products, key issues, competitive landscape and industry trends. Manage project timing, budgets, agency/supplier costs and invoicing. Lead retainer accounts including Accenture, Bupa and Visa marketing and Wrigley Mars. Achievements include securing 27 editorial placements for Accenture across tier one and two media and delivering Visa’s Rio 2016 sponsorship campaign to increase payWave awareness, including nationwide retail promotion and phased radio activity.
Account Director (PR) at Anthem (PR)
March 1, 2014 - December 1, 2016
Develop corporate and marketing communications plans and provide counsel to clients across a broad portfolio. Present proposals, support account directors, and manage agency resourcing. Write PR plans, communications strategies, press releases, feature articles, op-eds and website copy. Execute media and stakeholder relations, social media campaigns, event activations and content and digital strategy including channel mapping and radio/TV content delivery. Manage project timing, budgets, agency/supplier costs and invoicing, and lead retainer accounts such as Accenture, Bupa, Visa and Wrigley Mars. Key achievements included securing 27 editorial placements for Accenture in tier one and two media (exceeding targets), leading Visa’s Rio 2016 Olympic sponsorship campaign to increase payWave awareness, managing Visa sponsorship relationship with Dame Valerie Adams, and delivering Visa-led activations including a joint Olympics/Valerie consumer campaign plus media and stakeholder deliverab
Service Information Specialist (contract) at Auckland Transport (via Madison Recruitment)
November 1, 2013 - February 1, 2013
Managed public transport service content and disseminated information to relevant stakeholders, and developed content for Auckland Transport and AT HOP websites.
Senior Account Manager (PR) at Anthem (PR)
March 1, 2013 - February 28, 2014
Develop communications strategies and plans, advise clients, manage proposals and agency resourcing, and lead writing and execution of PR deliverables including press releases, feature articles and digital content. Execute media and stakeholder relations, social media and event activations, and manage campaigns and content marketing and digital strategies. Manage budgets, invoicing and project timing, and lead major retainer accounts. Achievements include 27 editorial placements for Accenture, leadership of Visa’s Rio 2016 sponsorship campaign, management of the Dame Valerie Adams sponsorship relationship, and key speaking and flight celebration initiatives supporting major brand partnerships.
Marketing & Event Coordinator (permanent) at HAYLEYMEDIA trade publications and exhibitions
November 1, 2011 - October 31, 2012
Execute marketing and operations delivering three large industry trade shows across New Zealand. Coordinate 250+ exhibitor organisations and attract 10,000+ visitors across three trade shows. Manage media, suppliers, exhibitor materials, digital marketing, websites, sales collateral and reporting to support event outcomes.
Online Editor (permanent) at HAYLEYMEDIA trade publications and exhibitions
January 1, 2011 - October 31, 2013
Manage four trade publications to improve subscription revenue and editorial quality. Develop digital editions, eDMs and directories, and build advertising packages and owned asset revenue streams. Conduct live online reporting from locations including Jakarta, Orlando, Melbourne and multiple NZ cities, supporting timely coverage and audience engagement.
Marketing & Event Coordinator at HAYLEYMEDIA (trade publications and exhibitions)
January 1, 2011 - November 1, 2011
Coordinate marketing and operations to deliver three major industry trade shows across New Zealand. Manage 250+ exhibitor organisations and attract 10,000+ visitors across three trade shows. Oversee media, suppliers, exhibitor materials, digital marketing, websites, sales collateral and reporting.
Online Editor at HAYLEYMEDIA (trade publications and exhibitions)
January 1, 2011 - October 1, 2013
Manage four trade publications to grow subscription revenue and improve editorial quality. Develop digital editions, eDMs, directories and advertising packages, and support owned asset revenue streams. Report live online from cities including Jakarta, Orlando, Melbourne, Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Christchurch.
Marketing & Event Coordinator at HAYLEYMEDIA trade publications and exhibitions
January 1, 2011 - November 1, 2011
Execute marketing and operations to deliver three large industry trade shows across New Zealand. Coordinate 250+ exhibitor organisations and attract 10,000+ visitors across the three trade shows. Manage media relationships, suppliers, exhibitor materials, digital marketing, websites, sales collateral and reporting.

Education

Bachelor of Communication Studies (Public Relations) at Auckland University of Technology
July 1, 2006 - November 30, 2009
B+ GPA
Bachelor of Communication Studies (Public Relations) (Minor: Creative Industries) at Auckland University of Technology
January 1, 2005 - October 1, 2009

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Financial Services, Real Estate & Construction, Professional Services, Government, Other, Energy & Utilities, Travel & Hospitality, Retail, Transportation & Logistics, Non-Profit Organization

Skills

Experience Level