I’ve worked in various roles at Mediaworks for the past 28 years; the last four years as GM for Coromandel and for the past year as GM for Coromandel and Tauranga.
Mediaworks is a multi-platform media company spanning radio, digital, TV and radio. We provide the eyes and ears that people need to get their daily dose of information and entertainment and for businesses to profile themselves to get customers. We love being local and are extremely proud of our local teams and the fact we walk the talk in our communities. I believe successful businesses build successful communities!
COMPANY:
Mediaworks Coromandel and Tauranga
POSITION:
Regional GM Coromandel and Tauranga
What would you study if time and money allowed?
Law and Te Reo Māori. I’ve always believed the easiest way to learn languages is total immersion and I would love that opportunity with Te Reo. I’ve always been fascinated by the law and, while I have studied aspects of it when I trained and worked as a journalist, I would love to again have the time to do more.
Who has been an inspiration to you at any point in your life?
Joan Withers – she was my GM when I worked as Marketing Manager and Breakfast Show producer at i98FM in Auckland early in my career. Joan is someone who exudes integrity, values, work ethic and has incredible ability but she was also a fun person with a sense of humour. I will never forget my time working with her and the things she instilled in me.
Who would make an interesting dinner guest?
Quincy Jones – I am a huge music fan and, over the years, have admired his work with pop artists. I only found out recently that he has a huge composing background and, since the 1950s, has worked across so many genres.
I can highly recommend the Quincy documentary on Netflicks! Also Stevie Nicks and Marianne Faithful – two amazing women who’d have the best Rock ‘n Roll stories!
Where would you love to visit one day?
Scotland – I have a lot of Scottish heritage that I am keen to learn more about.
What’s the most pressing issue facing the Bay of Plenty?
Infrastructure – the region is growing at a fast rate of knots and the infrastructure isn’t keeping up. We are the best region in the country for so many great things but if we don’t have the infrastructure to match our amazing growth, then it will negatively affect us.
What’s the most pressing issue facing humanity?
Poverty, conflict and climate change.
