Alistair Gray Email & Phone Number

Waimakariri, Canterbury

I manage Communications and Engagement at Waimakariri District Council and am responsible for communications strategy, corporate affairs, marketing, strategic relations, as well as platforms, PR and media.

Bay Of Plenty, New Zealand

My team and I were responsible for corporate affairs, media and public relations, the general day-to-day comms requirements of a public sector organisation, engagement advice, and also offering guidance and support for events in the District.

Auckland, New Zealand

My role was in the Group Communications team which oversaw the corporate communications and sponsorship function for all Southern Cross businesses. The primary focus was on implementing a proactive, innovative and responsive media and public relations programme.I found a particular passion in achieving positive and proactive PR results for Southern Cross, answering media queries and working on initiatives that increase the health and financial literacy of the average Kiwi.

As a late blooming cricket fan, I took the opportunity to move to Auckland to work with ATEED on a six month contract focused on promoting the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 and FIFA U-20 World Cup in Auckland.A large portion of this role was planning and implementing integrated marketing communications campaigns focused around media and advertising buy, stakeholder engagement and management, and pitching and getting media results.

Rotorua

I began my time with Destination Rotorua Marketing as a Communications Advisor. Towards the end of my time with the agency I was asked to step into the role of acting communications manager and lead the communications function (which I undertook for six months before a planned move to Auckland). The communications function was responsible for supporting integrated marketing communication campaigns, digital marketing, the new website build and both national and international media relations for one of New Zealand's largest Regional Tourism Offices (RTOs).I played a core role in the Famously Rotorua marketing campaign, a $1m+ domestic campaign specifically targeting Aucklanders to visit Rotorua. In its first year the campaign saw Auckland visitation increase more than 10 percent.

Hamilton, Waikato

Employed to grow the university’s media profile, starting as a media advisor, before being promoted to the role of a communications advisor. This involved managing communications projects around key stakeholder events, identifying, writing, pitching news stories, and managing media relationships in keeping with the university wide communications plan. On top of this I worked closely with the wider communications team providing content for high-end JV publications, internal and external communications and was the point of contact for all media enquiries.

Napier, Hawke'S Bay

I was employed by Hawke's Bay Today as a general and specialist court reporter based out of Napier. Working to a daily deadline I was involved in the round-based investigation as part of the print and online team for the region's largest and most widely read daily newspaper. On top of this I was also Johnny-on-the-spot (being based in the Napier satellite office) for breaking news stories in the city and around the region.

Auckland, New Zealand

I was employed by the Herald on Sunday on a part time basis working on breaking stories close to the weekly deadline. This involved following leads, finding angles, and being tenacious while working in a fast-paced and very competitive news environment.During this time I was also contracted by the NZ Herald Online on a short-term project pitching, writing and stockpiling online entertainment stories around summer events such as the Big Day Out and other high profile concerts and announcements.

Graduation Diploma In Journalism, Communication Studies

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Double Major In Mass Communications And Political Science