Linda Bennett
Christchurch,Christchurch
Summary
I am a passionate communications leader, with over 20 years experience crafting impactful strategic communications that align with business goals.
With positivity and a collaborative approach, I’ve proven myself to be a natural leader and a true team player who can bring people together to achieve results.
I’m organised, agile and pragmatic, with well-honed judgement and instinct around risk and opportunity. This means I can be relied on to calmly and efficiently deliver sound advice and considered planning.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS SOUTHERN & CENTRAL
Kāinga Ora Homes and Communities
03.2021 - Current
- Leading two teams of Senior Communications Advisers - Southern from 2021, Central from December 2023
- Fostered a positive, hard working team environment that enables us to deliver effective and efficient strategic communications and media support to regional teams, and national work programmes
- Trusted adviser to senior regional leaders, Government Services and stakeholder engagement teams
- Led development of Emergency Management communications toolkit, and Auckland Flood recovery communications
Strategic Communications Principal Adviser
Christchurch City Council
01.2018 - 03.2021
- Principal adviser for strategic communications to the organisation
- Leadership and mentoring of Strategic Communications team
- Co-led new organisation communications strategy
- Communications lead on complex projects including Sumner Road rebuild, Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial, Mayor's Earthquake Apology
- Communications lead We are One – Mosque Attacks Remembrance Event 2019 -2021
- Civil Defence Public Information Manager - Port Hills fires, Christchurch floods
Senior Communications Adviser
Christchurch City Council
01.2013 - 01.2018
- Strategic communications advice and support
- Communications lead for projects, including Port Hills mass movement (Awarded Supreme PRINZ Award), coastal hazards, Land Drainage Recovery Programme
SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT
Glass Tower Strategic Communications Agency
01.2008 - 01.2013
- Communications and marketing communications strategy and implementation
- Public relations
- Internal communications
- Media campaigns
- Key clients – AgResearch, Pegasus Health, Partnership Health Canterbury, Kidsfirst Kindergartens, World Wildlife Fund
COMMUNICATIONS FREELANCER
Linda Bennett Communications
01.2008 - 01.2013
- Communications, marketing communications, marketing, branding with clients including:
- Mintel Group (Global market research company)
- Apollo Marketing Group
- Content direction and copy writing for brewery and confectionary multinationals
- Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism
EDITOR
TPL Media
Auckland
01.2005 - 01.2007
- Hospitality Editor – editorial management of monthly magazine for the hospitality sector
- Led a team of designers, sales managers and writers in revitalising the content and design of Hospitality to boost its industry profile, drive sponsorship opportunities and grow its appeal to readers and advertisers
- Relationship management of key industry groups
EDITOR/JOURNALIST
Spot On Publishing Company
Auckland
01.2003 - 01.2005
- BeautyNZ Editor – editorial management of bi-monthly magazine for the beauty industry
- Business Advantage Editor – monthly business-to-business magazine for The Radio Network
- Marketing communications for various clients
JOURNALIST
Christchurch Star and Community Newspapers
01.2002 - 01.2003
- Editor of Canterbury News community newspaper
- Stepped in for Food Editor on long term leave to produce food content for The Star
Education
National Diploma in Journalism -
Aoraki Polytechnic
Bachelor of Arts - History Major
University of Otago
ChristchurchSkills
- Strategic communications
- Marketing communications
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Internal communications
- Media strategy
- Media management
- Team leadership
- Emergency Management
Accomplishments
- Emerging Leaders Programme, Christchurch City Council, 2017
- Supreme Award, PR Institute of New Zealand 2015
- Judge, Excellence Awards, Hospitality Association of New Zealand, 2013-2015
- The Press Award Newsgathering, 2002
- Otago Daily Times Award Feature Writing, 2002
Timeline
MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS SOUTHERN & CENTRAL
Kāinga Ora Homes and Communities
03.2021 - Current
Strategic Communications Principal Adviser
Christchurch City Council
01.2018 - 03.2021
Senior Communications Adviser
Christchurch City Council
01.2013 - 01.2018
SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT
Glass Tower Strategic Communications Agency
01.2008 - 01.2013
COMMUNICATIONS FREELANCER
Linda Bennett Communications
01.2008 - 01.2013
EDITOR
TPL Media
01.2005 - 01.2007
EDITOR/JOURNALIST
Spot On Publishing Company
01.2003 - 01.2005
JOURNALIST
Christchurch Star and Community Newspapers
01.2002 - 01.2003
National Diploma in Journalism -
Aoraki Polytechnic
Bachelor of Arts - History Major
University of Otago
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