Erin’s background in communications is diverse. She has worked with some of the world’s leading brands, and in New Zealand worked for a listed company and as a consultant has provided strategic communications advice to businesses and organisations across many sectors.
For five years Erin worked as the Australian public relations manager for leading FMCG company Swift & Moore (marketers of international alcohol brands including Moet & Chandon, Jack Daniels, Kahlua and Baileys). At the time Swift & Moore was owned by industry liquor giants Brown Forman, Allied Domecq and Lion Nathan. In this role Erin not only managed the key brands’ substantial communications budgets, but appointed and managed public relations consultancies to assist her across Australia. She also worked closely with international brand owners to ensure consistency in communications in the Australian market.
Moving to New Zealand (after marrying a Kiwi while travelling) Erin worked for publicly listed company Lyttelton Port of Christchurch as their communications manager. Part of the senior management team, she was responsible for all company communications ranging from corporate and financial to community relations.
Erin is known for bringing a creative approach to communications, along with sound experience in strategic planning. She is tertiary qualified in both marketing and communications, and established Convergence with Leigh Harris in 2001.
A skilled project manager, Erin functions well in team situations. Her abilities to multi-task and keep a 'cool head' in crisis situations are held in high regard, as is her ability to think through the potential outcomes of different strategies. This expertise is frequently brought to bear in the field of health sector communications. A career highlight for Erin was in 2010 being part of a team that won the PRINZ (Public Relations Institute of NZ) inaugural Crystal Clear Literacy Award for the campaign Reducing the impact of Swine Flu in Canterbury. The campaign was also highly commended in the quasi-government category. Erin had previously managed the all-important public communications strategy behind the Meningococcal B vaccination programme in Canterbury, as well as the Vote Fluoride campaign – a joint project with the Otago and Southland District Health Boards.
An expert issues manager, Erin recently worked for both the West Coast DHB (immediately after the mine disaster) and Pike River Coal, assisting both organisations across a very difficult time with strategic communications advice. Erin has also developed a specialisation in the communications associated with projects working through RMA-related processes, being part of the project team that worked on the South Island’s biggest resource consent – the Central Plains Water irrigation scheme. This work often involves developing tailored approaches for, at times, conflicting stakeholders and managing media issues. Community relations is another of Erin’s passions – she is a firm believer in the power of communities and grass roots dissemination of information.
Erin's professionalism is apparent in her ability to manage relationships and her discretion. She has excellent people skills and a talent for tailoring often quite complex information to suit different audiences.
Qualifications and Achievements
- Bachelor of Arts in Communications (double major in Marketing and Public Relations), University of Canberra, Australia
- MPRINZ (Member, Public Relations Institute of NZ)
- Currently completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration, Massey University
- Sits on the Aoraki Polytechnic Media Advisory Panel and was previously a member of the Banks Peninsula District Tourism and Economic Development Board
- Winner, inaugural Crystal Clear Literacy Award for Stopping Swine Flu in Canterbury, 2010 PRINZ Awards
- Highly commended, 2010 PRINZ Awards – government or quasi-government category
- Completed the Directors course run by the NZ Institute of Directors