AUCKLAND, Today: Pead PR has appointed Kelly Grindle as director of integrated strategy, a newly created role that managing partner Sarah Munnik says “further amplifies Pead’s fully integrated offering – spanning traditional media relations, content, digital, social media, experiential, and partnerships”.
“The appointment see’s Kelly join Pead’s accomplished senior leadership team as the agency continues to invest in content production, digital and social media talent,” Munnik said.
Grindle started his career at Pead PR in 2007, before heading to London in 2010where he worked at Cake, M&C Saatchi, Hill & Knowlton, and most recently as h of PR at Virgin Holidays – the leisure travel arm of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group.
His agency-side career highlights include sponsorship strategy for telecoms giant EE across its Wembley Stadium, Glastonbury and BAFTA properties; music and culture activations for Red Bull; and global communications and media relations for Sony Mobile.
At Virgin Holidays, Grindle was responsible for leading the press office, consumer campaigns, corporate issues and reputation, social media and digital influence, and sponsorship and events.
His highlights included the launch of Virgin Holidays brand purpose, a media partnership with hit ITV show Saturday Night Takeaway, and an activation to celebrate World Pride in New York City, which was shortlisted for a PR Lion at Cannes.
“There has been a seismic shift in the way New Zealanders consume their news,” Grindle said. “As a result, brands are looking for one killer idea that can transcend the boundaries of earned, owned and paid.
“We’ve stayed in touch over the years, and I’m rapt to have an original employee return – bringing world-class experience with him.”
“Making news travel is a skill that PR people have honed for decades – and with the right investment in content, experiential and digital we believe a PR agency is best placed to deliver on this new trend.
“Pead PR’s response to a changing media landscape has been exemplary, and I’m looking forward to working with the team to continue this.”
Grindle’s primary focus will be to integrate the content, social media and activations teams with the wider agency, lead on strategic new business opportunities, and act as senior counsel on select accounts.
Sarah Munnik said: “Media relations has traditionally been the core service we offer – but more and more clients are looking for one campaign concept that can work across multiple platforms. Kelly’s wealth of international experience will help supercharge the brilliant social media and content teams we’ve already built internally and offer consolidated solutions to clients.”
Pead PR ceo Deborah Pead said: “Kelly is an original Peadie who helped lead some excellent campaigns for the likes of Farmers, L’Oreal and the Vodafone NZ Music Awards over a decade ago.
“We’ve stayed in touch over the years, and I couldn’t be happier to have one of our original employees return to the agency – bringing some world-class experience with him.”
About Pead PR
Pead PR is a fully integrated communications agency that offers creative solutions across public relations, digital & social, content, and activations. We’ve built our reputation on effective, creative & cohesive communications strategies across B2C and B2B campaigns – and we’ve been doing this since 2001. We know how to make an impact and to get people believing in your brand. Pead PR is widely recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading agencies. From our Auckland office, we can reach the world through the IPREX Group of Independent agencies, connected to 67 partners in 115 offices worldwide with a combined staff of 1800.
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