Experience

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  Brimful - Intelligent video

  • Auckland, New Zealand

  • Director

    • Jul 2023 - Present
    • Auckland, New Zealand

    Video is the most captivating medium and I've established Brimful to guide businesses to better video strategies.With over two decades of experience in international broadcast and digital video, including spearheading major digital content revolutions for top-tier newsrooms, I bring a profound understanding of how video can be leveraged for maximum impact in business.I'm on a relentless pursuit to innovate and discover smarter ways to weave narratives through video. In today's landscape, a digital footprint is essential, and video is the cornerstone of effective business growth.As an early adopter of new technology, I have a passion for finding new ways of storytelling with impact and I offer my expertise in digital video production and strategic digital transformation; Whether it's crafting captivating stories, curating bespoke video channels, enriching user experiences with interactive content, or pioneering shoppable videos for e-commerce giants, I thrive on pushing boundaries.I firmly believe that while the quality of the video product is crucial, it's the strategic application and creativity behind it that truly captivate audiences and drive tangible returns.

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  TVNZ

  • Auckland, New Zealand

  • Digital Content Editor

    • Jan 2022 - Jul 2023
    • Auckland, New Zealand

    As a pivotal leader in New Zealand's premier broadcast news and current affairs environment, I spearheaded an 'audience-first,' 'digital-first,' and 'video-first' strategy that redefined the company's digital storytelling. • Led a dynamic team of eight in crafting high-quality, engaging, and innovative digital content across platforms, thriving in a high-pressure, deadline-driven environment.• Pioneered cutting-edge, responsive, and captivating digital-native content, catalysing audience growth and solidifying a robust digital brand. Our strategies set industry benchmarks, with major competitors following suit but unable to match our impact.• Became the forefront expert in diverse digital content types, mastering the nuances of content optimisation for apps, websites, social media, and television platforms.• Continuously refined and optimised the content strategy for maximum digital performance and reach within the National News and Current Affairs (NCA) landscape.• Collaborated seamlessly across national newsrooms, training 120 producers and journalists in achieving excellence in digital video content production.• Advocated actively for the company's Rautaki Māori (Māori Strategy), contributing to a more inclusive and culturally aware content approach.

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  Attitude Media

  • Auckland, New Zealand

  • Head Of Digital

    • Jul 2018 - Dec 2021
    • Auckland, New Zealand

    As the Head of Digital for the world's leading provider of Disability-focused video content, I played a central role in developing and expanding a diverse and inclusive video audience.Guided by the ethos of making the inaccessible accessible, I:• Introduced a transformative digital video experience that challenged the digital web accessibility norms. We pioneered New Zealand's (and the world's) first video-on-demand platform for Disability-focused content, setting a gold standard in user experience.• Formulated a digital strategy showcasing that designing and creating for the margins of society not only fosters meaningful inclusion but also taps into a market overlooked by our competitors.• Secured multiple rounds of investment through national funding bodies, partnerships, sponsorships, and advertising to bolster video content creation and VOD platform development.• Oversaw digital budgets, including allocations for production teams, content creation, platform development, and advertising expenditure.• Contracted and managed production crews for both digital-first and broadcast video series.• Expanded the digital audience from under 100,000 to over half a million followers, subscribers, and regular viewers.

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  Stuff

  • Auckland, New Zealand

  • Stuff.co.nz - Head of Video

    • Sep 2013 - Jun 2018
    • Auckland, New Zealand

    As an early adopter of crucial video storytelling technologies, I led a national team of 48 video producers and visual journalists through a significant period of digital transformation. With video as a new focal point for the business, I leveraged my extensive video production experience to introduce sustainable, digital workflows and deliver New Zealand's premier online video news coverage. I achieved this by:• Formulating a digital and visual strategy aimed at achieving exponential growth in video audiences for Stuff.co.nz, New Zealand's most visited news and entertainment website. We saw remarkable growth, increasing from an average of 3 million video streams per month to over 20 million.• Commissioning video projects, both internally and externally sourced. Supported by national funding bodies, partnerships, sponsors, and advertisers, we produced high-quality video content that filled a void in a rapidly fragmenting market.• Monitoring audience performance and growth using comprehensive analytics. These insights allowed us to stay ahead of our audience's movements, both on-site and on social media platforms.• Developing efficient workflows for our teams to excel in new forms of digital video storytelling. This included equipment and software procurement, video production training, and live streaming capabilities.• Training over 400 staff members in filming, editing, and publishing news videos using smartphones.• Obtaining a CAA-approved RPAS (drone) license as the company's lead pilot and trainer. Trained staff members earned their wings badges to operate under my license.• Pioneering Stuff's initial venture into audio news through podcasts and smart speakers.

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  Al Jazeera Media Network

  • Doha, Qatar

  • Video News Editor

    • Apr 2013 - Aug 2013
    • Doha, Qatar

    After a two-year tenure in international news networks, I embarked on a journey to the Middle East to gain insights into news broadcasting operations from a different global perspective. In this high-pressure, deadline-driven environment, I honed my skills in fast and accurate video editing for international news audiences.This experience was eye-opening, as it allowed me to seamlessly transfer my skills from previous roles to a different cultural context within news operations. It cultivated a well-rounded appreciation for cultural diversity and understanding, enhancing my empathy towards how diverse perspectives impact real lives. This stint in the desert reinforced my appreciation for ethical reporting in our media landscape.During my time at Al Jazeera, I had the opportunity to cover historic events during the violent and turbulent Arab Spring, including the second uprising in Cairo, Egypt, which saw the overthrow of the Morsi government. I also covered the riots in Turkey, covering the unrest in Ankara and Istanbul. These experiences challenged my views on how a global network approaches biased news reporting, highlighting the importance of presenting a balanced and accurate portrayal of events.

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  ITN

  • London, United Kingdom

  • Video News Editor

    • Apr 2012 - Apr 2013
    • London, United Kingdom

    As a freelance editor in London, I was able to fill any available time not already spent at Sky News, filling the same position at ITN News. Another world renowned newsroom. A high pressure, deadline driven environment where I honed my skills for fast, accurate video editing for international news audiences.

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  Sky News London

  • London, United Kingdom

  • Video News Editor

    • May 2011 - Apr 2013
    • London, United Kingdom

    During my time in London, I combined my passion for news with a newfound interest in travel. I brought my news editing skills to the talented team at Sky News London, a powerhouse in the 24-hour news industry. In this high-pressure, deadline-driven environment, I honed my abilities for fast and accurate video editing for international news audiences.This role allowed me to deepen my understanding of international current affairs and foreign policies, all while exploring Europe and beyond. Over two years, my position at Sky News enabled me to visit 50 cities in 26 countries, immersing myself in diverse cultures and firsthand experiences of global affairs.

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  New Zealand Bloodstock

  • Auckland, New Zealand and Singapore

  • Video Producer, Editor, Camera, Technical Director

    • May 2009 - Jan 2011
    • Auckland, New Zealand and Singapore

    In collaboration with my business partner, I co-produced a broadcast television program tailored for the Singaporean and Malaysian market, titled "Xinxilan Ma (New Zealand Horses)." Taking charge from the project's inception, I oversaw all technical aspects of production, focusing on showcasing New Zealand Horse Racing's international achievements to the Asian audience.Airing fortnightly in Asia, we successfully delivered 40 episodes of this half-hour show. Despite operating within budget constraints, we maintained a high-quality broadcast production standard that resonated with our audience's expectations.

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  Rock Your Life

  • Documentary Editor

    • 2010 - 2010

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  3 News - MediaWorks NZ

  • Auckland, New Zealand

  • Video News Editor

    • Jun 2005 - Apr 2009
    • Auckland, New Zealand

    During my tenure as a video news editor in TV3's award-winning news department, I contributed significantly to the top news bulletins and current affairs programs over a span of four years. Holding a senior editor's position, I frequently operated outside the newsroom, covering breaking news and events such as the 2008 Beijing Olympics on location.As an integral part of the editing team, I upheld rigorous quality control standards and ensured all aspects of the bulletin were ready for broadcast on time. This role thrived in a high-pressure, deadline-driven environment, where I refined my skills in fast and accurate video editing for international news audiences.