Claire Ashton
Communications & Marketing
Te Aroha,WKO
Summary
Skilled at building connections with the target audience to promote products. Excellent communication skills combined with analytical and attentive nature.
Adept at producing high-quality content to increase sales and conversion rates.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Journalist
Self-employed
02.2018 - Current
- Deliver local community news and feature reports for newspapers including; Te Aroha News, Morrinsville News, The Friday Edition.
- Covered MPDC council meetings for papers.
- Wrote, edited, and produced stories for print, internet and digital channels.
- Magazines - primary industry; Farm Life Media, Dairy Exporter, Countrywide, Horticulture NZ.
- The Shed Magazine, Horse & Pony, Seasons.
- Photographer.
- Marketing Clients include; Waikato Sheds, Hobbiton Tours Ltd, One Roof Real Estate.
Columnist
Fairfax Media Waikato
11.2016 - 12.2017
- Increased engagement and readership.
- Wrote 12 columns per year on subjects such as; regional issues, environment, community news, primary industries, government, film and television, and entertainment.
- Applied understanding of public opinion, social media, and traditional media use to create engaging and attention-grabbing stories.
Contract - Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Power Farming
03.2020 - 08.2020
- Co-Wrote and edited EDMs for staff during the first Covid -19 Pandemic and lockdown.
- Covid risk and crisis management.
- Supported the Marketing Manager and Marketing Director in all activities.
- Briefed senior executives on monthly budget projections, campaigns, and oversaw communications department budget.
- Wrote and edited marketing copy
Marketing Copywriter
Hobbiton Tours Ltd
01.2018 - 05.2019
- Created content development with head of Marketing to ensure Hobbiton were maintaining consistency with brand marketing and message strategies.
- Copywriter for national and international campaigns to boost bookings and visitor numbers. (Air NZ magazine)
- Provided fresh viewpoints and approaches such as visitor experience articles and hosting angles also.
- Proofread, edited, and evaluated final copy.
- Documented projects.
- Edited, captioned and uploaded photographs via dropbox.
- Liaised with internal staff in marketing and production design.
Membership Manager
New Zealand Writers Guild
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Liaised with key stakeholders, external affiliated industry bodies, and strategic partners.
- Spoke at functions and wrote awards content; e.g. speech introducing award for film maker Dame Gaylene Preston.
- Content, writer, and editor of weekly newsletter and other publications.
North Island Membership Development Manager
New Zealand Institute of Primary Industry Management
12.2013 - 08.2015
- Engaged with members, consultants, stakeholders, and industry bodies to increase the organization's profile and increase and retain membership.
- Relationship development.
- Wrote promotional material and spoke at events and seminars to promote NZIPIM.
- Implemented marketing strategies which resulted in the growth of membership base throughout the North Island.
- Followed a business plan, strategy, and worked to further identify and implement value add strategies to increase engagement and membership.
- Liaised with chairs and convenors across Districts and supported and promoted events and seminars.
Project Coordinator
MPI
03.2007 - 09.2007
- Liaised between MPI (then MAF) and Biosecurity department, facilitating communications and keeping appropriate parties updated on project developments.
- Planned and arranged meetings with external organizations and individuals, enabling all parties to meet and discuss project progress.
- Kept SIRWG project on schedule by managing deadlines and adjusting workflows as needed.
Scriptwriter & Director
Freelance
02.1997 - Current
- Wrote, directed and produced two short films which screened at festivals.
- Obtained development funding from TVNZ/NZOA for a feature length script.
- Utilized exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills to produce engaging and error-free content.
- Incorporated review comments and corrections into existing documentation.
Film And Television Locations Scout & Manager
Freelance
01.1996 - Current
- High level of collaborative work across all departments.
- Liaising with community and creating positive relationships as well as budgeting and team management.
- Ensured communications in emergency and critical incident situations were handled well and mitigated effectively.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
Education
Master of Arts - Scriptwriting
International Institute of Modern Letters
WellingtonBachelor of Arts - Film & English
University of Waikato
Hamilton03.1994
Skills
- Excellent networks with press and media across the Waikato and nationally
- Relationship builder extraordinaire
- Great at developing and maintaining networks with internal and external stakeholders
- Sales Development skills
- Consistent and creative communications with communities
References
- References available upon request
Additional Information
- Professional Development courses in presentations and leadership, hosted by FMG, NZIPIM, and Dairy NZ.
- Past Secretary for Keep Te Aroha Safe - a community and crime prevention group.
- NZ Business and Professional Network member.
- Regular participant at community events and festivals.
Timeline
Contract - Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Power Farming
03.2020 - 08.2020
Journalist
Self-employed
02.2018 - Current
Marketing Copywriter
Hobbiton Tours Ltd
01.2018 - 05.2019
Columnist
Fairfax Media Waikato
11.2016 - 12.2017
North Island Membership Development Manager
New Zealand Institute of Primary Industry Management
12.2013 - 08.2015
Membership Manager
New Zealand Writers Guild
01.2011 - 01.2013
Project Coordinator
MPI
03.2007 - 09.2007
Scriptwriter & Director
Freelance
02.1997 - Current
Film And Television Locations Scout & Manager
Freelance
01.1996 - Current
Master of Arts - Scriptwriting
International Institute of Modern Letters
Bachelor of Arts - Film & English
University of Waikato
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