Leading Auckland-based PR firm NSPR has announced the appointment of two new directors, Lynda Millward and Kate Barron, in what managing director Niki Schuck calls “an investment in the future”.
Niki Schuck PR was established in 2008, with Schuck deciding to rebrand to NSPR Limited in 2017, in a deliberate move that signalled it was no longer about her.
“Announcing Lynda and Kate as directors is something to truly celebrate; they deserve it and NSPR is all the better for having them at the board table,” Schuck says.
“Lynda and Kate are both highly talented individuals. Outside of their loyalty to the business and our clients, their attitude to client service has always been at a level you’d expect from people invested in the business. The time was right to reward that loyalty and expertise.”
A passionate supporter of women in business, Schuck saw the directorships as creating an opportunity for the two women to build their own financial independence.
“It’s been a major driver for me – creating an environment where women can integrate their personal life with a career. Being flexible and supportive but also ensuring women can meet their potential regardless of the hours they work, whilst making it very clear that health and family always come first.”
Millward, who has worked with Schuck since 2012, has a background in travel, tourism and hospitality. The two worked together at House of Travel and Sky City. Schuck says she spotted Millward’s ability to build relationships “early on”.
“I am proud and honoured to work with such inspirational people.”
“Anyone who has worked in travel knows of Lynda’s reputation; she is immensely respected. Despite not working in PR at the time, I kept saying to her, ‘You should be working in PR’, because relationships are everything. Having someone with Lynda’s intimate knowledge of this sector is such an advantage for our travel, tourism and hospitality clients.”
Millward says it’s business as usual. “I’ve worked with Niki for a number of years, and she has always been extremely collaborative and inclusive, and my opinion was always sought and valued.
“Through sheer hard work, loyalty, going above and beyond and thinking differently for clients, Niki has ensured NSPR is the success it is today. I am proud and honoured to work with such inspirational people.”
Barron shifted to Auckland from her marketing manager role at the Otago Museum in Dunedin, after being headhunted by Schuck.
“Having mentored Kate I knew what a smart operator she was; her marketing and psychology degrees enable her to have a unique perspective of the consumer or end-user.
“The timing was perfect for her to shift to Auckland career-wise and she’s never looked back. I’ve never met anyone with a work ethic like Kate’s; her commitment is phenomenal; I actually had to confiscate her laptop when she went on holiday!”
Barron is thrilled to be stepping into the role of director. “The opportunity is not lost on me,” she says. I love what I do as we work with people and companies who are not only inspiring but also leaders in their speciality.
“The realisation of a vision is incredibly satisfying, and I pride myself on supporting and enabling our clients to do exactly that. I’m excited about being an integral part of growing NSPR.”
“NSPR are well-respected in media circles, and their passion for sustainability, and for ecostore, stood out.”
NSPR has expanded its client offering to not only include PR and communications/risk management services, but to also provide event management, talent management and more laterally media buying.
“We work closely with media and it’s been through their encouragement that the expansion of services, particularly talent management and media buying, has occurred,” Schuck says. “The media were impressed by our approach and felt we offered something different. Bringing the right people on-board has enabled that expansion to occur quite seamlessly and with success.”
“Within NSPR we have a huge depth of talent and creativity. Events and PR go hand in hand so combined with our fresh approach and ingenuity, we’re fast gaining a reputation for creating standout events.”
She says NSPR works with some of New Zealand’s most loved celebrities on the talent management side of the business, as well as being trusted PR advisors for many businesses, entrepreneurs, charities, and not-for-profits.
Clients are spread throughout New Zealand and Australia. Last year NSPR re-tendered for one of its longest-standing clients, ecostore, following the appointment of marketing director Jemma Whiten. NSPR won the pitch from a shortlist of three firms, the other two offering a full agency approach.
Whiten says NSPR deserved their re-appointment: “It was a robust pitch process and NSPR set the bar extremely high. They’re incredibly well-respected and connected in media circles, and their knowledge, understanding of and passion for sustainability, as well as for ecostore and what we want to achieve stood out.”
Schuck says ecostore is a remarkable New Zealand company. “We’ve always been immensely proud to work with ecostore – we love their values and what they stand for. While they’ve been around for over 20 years, ecostore has never been so relevant as consumers become more conscious of their health and what they and their families are using, and the environment.
“With Jemma’s appointment and Pablo Kraus, as managing director, driving their expansion plans, it is a very exciting time and we’re as energised as ever.”
NSPR was also recently appointed PR advisors for Event Holdings (Rydges and QT Hotels and Event Cinemas) in New Zealand, which is an Australian company headed by Jane Hastings, former ceo at NZME.
- www.nsprltd.com
- About Lynda Millward: www.nsprltd.com/team/lynda
- About Kate Barron: www.nsprltd.com/team/kate
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