Estelle Sarney

• Working with the GM Communications & Media to strategically lead the design and implementation of processes and initiatives to enhance Genesis’ reputation with external stakeholders
• Proactive and reactive media liaison to advocate for Genesis’ vision, strategies and business goals, including advising members of the Executive on effective proactive approaches and appropriate reactive responses
• Work closely with the social media team and Brand & Marketing to amplify Genesis’ corporate objectives and achievements
• Liaise with Internal Communications to ensure external comms are heard by our people first, and to source internal stories that would be effective externally
• Crisis management through effective media liaison and networking across the business
• Assist Brand & Marketing in risk/benefit assessment of proposed sponsorships and campaigns to ensure alignment with business objectives
• Assist the customer care team in responding to customer complaints/threats to engage media
• Assist in public relations campaigns and events, including sponsorships, stakeholder and shareholder meetings
• Work closely our teams in Government Relations and Investor Relations to align messaging and meet disclosure requirements
• Co-ordinate corporate documents including the Integrated Report and Chair/CE letter and speeches for Interim and Annual Results
• Work with our Videographer to plan and enhance his output on behalf of the business
• Co-ordinate photo shoots of employees and events for internal and external use

Achievements

• Stepped up to manage the GM role as well as my own when Chris Mirams was off work through injury for 5 months of 2024, also managing videographer Ryan Boyd’s workload and output. This period included:
• Arranging media coverage of the sod-turning event at the Lauriston solar farm, and later completion of the ‘golden row’ of panels
• A carefully choreographed announcement that Genesis would restart coal imports
• Announcement of the Spark renewable energy partnership
• Publicity of the release and success of Huntly Firming Options, with information document
• Announcement of procurement of additional gas for Unit 5
• Careful handling of our withdrawal of the All of Government gas supply, and subsequent agreement to be a tolling agent
• Announcement of the securing of the Edgecumbe solar site
• Launch of the hot water customer flex trial
• FY24 Integrated Report and Annual Results

Additional achievements

• 3 gold medals in the 2024 International Annual Report Awards, including best online report in the world (outside of Europe) across all sectors
• Genesis’ Media Impact Score consistently above the industry average, reflecting positive coverage and effective cut-through by spokespeople
• Finalist in the ‘We’re Connected’ category of the 2024 Impact Awards from 4 nominations for the Integrated Report, All of Government gas comms co-ordination, Investor Day communications, and production and release of Huntly Firming Options information document, reflecting the breadth and quality of my connections across the business, and understanding of business strategy and objectives

• Advice and support to the Retirement Commissioner and broader organisation for the delivery of strategic internal and external communication
• Ensured the distribution of trusted information, assisted in informed advocacy and helped facilitate effective collaboration with our stakeholders to help fulfil the Commission’s purpose of improving retirement outcomes for New Zealanders
• Proactive and reactive media liaison to help share the knowledge of the Commission’s experts in enhancing the financial capability of New Zealanders of all ages
• Assisted the Sorted website team and our social media team on consumer publicity and campaigns
• Assisted in the three-yearly Review of Retirement Income Policies with a report providing recommendations to Government
• Assisted in monitoring the retirement village sector and raising awareness among consumers of the financial implications of moving into a village
• Liaison with communications teams in relevant Ministers’ offices, Ministries, government agencies and community programme partners
• Oversaw the Commission’s internal communications
• Managed two direct reports and the communications budget

Achievements

• Crisis management when the first Commissioner I worked under was stood down following bullying allegations
• Successful production of the report on the three-yearly Review of Retirement Income Policies during a time of upheaval and change within the organisation
• Became a trusted advisor to the new Commissioner as she gained knowledge about the sector and the organisation
• Promotion from Media Manager to Director – Communications following a restructure by the new Commissioner, with the addition of Internal Communications in my remit
• Successful review of internal comms channels and implementation of new systems, with associated development of my internal comms direct report
• Elevation of the profile of the Commission and the Sorted website through effective media liaison

• Enhancing the reputation of the school through media and community liaison
• Communicating effectively with families and stakeholders including the Ministry of Education and community and sports organisations
• Assisting the alumni office in communications and fundraising efforts
• Assisting the international student office in communications and marketing
• Production of a weekly newsletter, biannual magazine and the annual yearbook
• Assisting the leadership team in internal communications with staff

Achievements

• Strategised and implemented a full communications portfolio - a new website, an app, facebook pages for current families and former students, a weekly e-newsletter, a biannual glossy magazine, and a 300-page yearbook
• Regular liaison with media on stories to enhance the reputation of the school resulted in notably altered community perception and subsequent roll growth
• Assistance given to the alumni and international student offices helped them improve their output, increasing income for the school

• Worked with the Editor on news selection, reader campaigns, staff management and liaison with other areas of the business such as advertising, finance and marketing
• Relaunched the paper's flagship lifestyle magazine
• Managed a team of writers, designers and sub-editors, and the editorial budget

• Progressed through key editor roles, including the relaunch and editing of HeraldHomes and launch of Weekend magazine
• Worked across the business with editorial, finance, advertising and marketing
• Managed a team of writers, designers and sub-editors, and the editorial budget