TV
October 26, 2022
Interview with Newshub regarding superbrand Adidas (and others) cutting ties with Kanye West ('Ye') over harmful antisemitic remarks. Touching on notions of brand partnerships, importance of brand purpose and public platforms as facilitators of anti-social behaviour but also self-regulation.
April 26, 2021
I took part in Fair Go's food special discussing supermarket sales, and why consumers are so drawn to a deal with Fair Go reporter Garth Bray.
November 25, 2020
Is Black Friday all it's cracked up to be? And how can shoppers ensure they're actually bagging a bargain? I spoke with Hilary Barry and Jeremy Wells from TVNZ’s Seven Sharp program about Black Friday tips and tricks.
August 17, 2020
I had the pleasure of talking to John Campbell on TVNZ’s Breakfast show about my current co-authored research on brand activism and purpose. When properly executed brand purpose & activism can inform and move culture forward in positive ways, finding meaningful roles for brands in society, but when brands begin speaking more about culture than their role in it they risk being perceived as woke washing.
July 20, 2020
What’s the difference between NZ-Made and Product of NZ? How transparent should brands be about their supply chain in order to benefit from the country of origin effect? I commented for Fair Go's segment on supporting local amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
May 28, 2020
Coronavirus has turned traditional retailing on its head with retail therapy giving way to retail anxiety. Now that countries are slowly reopening how shops and restaurants help keep customers calm will be key to carrying on post-pandemic. I discussed my views, based off of co-authored work with Megan Phillips, with TVNZ’s Breakfast host John Campbell.
March 3, 2020
On Friday New Zealand confirmed its first case of Coronavirus. The uncertainty about what's to come for kiwis activated a survival mechanism in many: must be prepared and regain control over an otherwise largely uncontrollable situation. I had the privilege of talking about this panic buying phenomenon with TVNZ Breakfast host John Campbell.
February 24, 2020
Burger King is breaking the mould with this latest campaign. Going against traditional food advertising strategies designed to drive hunger Burger King is sending ending a different, more natural and socially conscious message with the #moldywhopper. Will this negatively framed disruptive strategy drive sales or leave consumers with a bad taste in their mouths? I commented for Newshub.
November 29, 2019
With Black Friday sales catching on around the world Breakfast host, Hayley Holt and I sat down to discuss the business of Black Friday, if we're really getting a deal and an anti-consumerism movement driving consumers and brands to boycott.
October 9, 2019
I sat down with Breakfast host Hayley Holt to talk about bad boys in sport and whether controversial athletes can sell a sport or if they're bad for business. This is based off of co-authored research with colleague Marilyn Giroux at AUT.
September 23, 2019
Consumers are increasingly preferring to purchase with companies whose values align with their own, in particular when it comes to the environment. I spoke to host Pippa Wetzell about this for TVNZ's Fair Go program segment on 'Good Wrap'.
August 5, 2019
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has gained worldwide recognition thanks to her progressive and accessible style of leadership. But how her brand is perceived domestically versus internationally is quite different. I discussed this phenomenon with Breakfast host Hayley Holt.
March 1, 2019
How well brands align their messaging and practice as well as which causes they seek to engage with are key for positive consumer perceptions of this practice. I discussed with TVNZ's Breakfast show host Hayley Holt.
December 6, 2018
Commenting for Newshub on the possible sale of iconic kiwi ice cream brand Tip Top. Discussing what this brand means to New Zealanders and how foreign ownership might affect these brand perceptions.
December 3, 2018
The business of Christmas… I chatted holiday shopping trends with TVNZ’s Breakfast show presenter Matty McLean- how companies and consumers can embrace both in-store and online shopping experiences to get the best of both worlds.
November 1, 2018
Meghan Markle is a human brand with wide reach as an actress and blogger before becoming a Duchess. Her relatability further reinforces her position as an influencer, helping to change perceptions of the Royal Family while also using her platform to encourage positive social change. I talked the ‘Markle effect’ with TVNZ Breakfast show presenter Matty McLean.
October 3, 2018
Why do companies rebrand? Recently Dunkin Donuts dropped the 'Donuts' and Weight Watchers lost the 'Weight'. If done well rebranding can propel a company forward into a new market, create extension opportunities and appeal to a new target audience. I discussed rebranding with TVNZ Breakfast show presenter Daniel Faitaua.
September 7, 2018
These days being overtly political could be a less risky strategy than staying quiet on topical issues, especially when your target market is passionate about these issues. Corporate social activism is no doubt on the rise, what remains to be seen is whether a brand taking a stand on a social issue will have real world effects. I discussed this topic with TVNZ Breakfast show host Jack Tame.
August 28, 2018
Does a country's political leadership and culture impact the country's brand? Interesting discussion with TVNZ's Breakfast show host Hayley Holt about how brand associations are formed and translated.
March 27, 2017
“Shadow work” is where we pump our own gas, book our own flights, check ourselves in at the airport and check ourselves out at the supermarket. But consumers are increasingly looking for shortcuts that will make things more convenient. I discussed with TVNZ's Fair Go host Hadyn Jones.
Podcasts and Radio
November 7, 2024, The NBR Podcast: Interview with Simon Shepherd for episode on dynamic pricing
February 15, 2024, Radio New Zealand: Interview with Emile Donovan on ‘Nights’ program on recent co-authored cancel culture research
August 23, 2021, Radio New Zealand: Expert interviewed on “The Panel” about the All Whites nickname in a changing world (my commentary begins at 13.22).
August 23, 2021, Radio New Zealand: Interview with Clay Wilson about All Whites considering name change to be more inclusive.
June 16, 2021, Newstalk ZB: Discussed with Heather du Plessis-Allan the changing world of sport sponsorship as athletes push the boundaries of traditional sponsoring brand activations with increasing importance placed on authentitiy: The Cristiano Ronaldo Coca-Cola snub at the Euro 2020.
June 11, 2021, Radio New Zealand: Quoted expert discussing athletes and social media amid cancel culture: the case of English cricketer Ollie Robinson. What are the lessons for athletes when it comes to social media (my commentary begins at 16:05).
May 17, 2021, Waatea Urban Maori Radio: Discussing my winning entry in the New Zealand Business Translation competition based off of coauthored research on brand activism.
May 25, 2020, Newstalk ZB: Quoted expert on the Early Morning Show commenting on how Covid-19 has affected shopping for retailers and customers, based on my coauthored article with Megan Phillips in The Conversation.
June 12, 2019, CBC Radio Canada: Quoted expert for an episode of CBC Ideas titled “Woke Washing: the problem with ‘branding’ social movements (my commentary begins at 32:00).
November 28, 2018, RadioLIVE: Quoted expert commenting on the most recent Air New Zealand safety video illustrating brands innovative initiatives to engage with consumers and cut through the clutter of their increasingly fragmented media attention.
September 5, 2018, Radio New Zealand: Quoted expert commenting on Nike's new campaign featuring controversial former NFL player Colin Kaepernick. Nike took a calculated risk by taking a stand on a controversial issue.
June 1, 2018, Radio New Zealand: Quoted expert commenting on the new All Blacks documentary which will both push the All Blacks' brand internationally but also Amazon-Prime's brand in New Zealand.
May 8, 2018, Radio New Zealand: Quoted expert commenting on the WORLD Clothing tagging controversy. WORLD's use of the price tags and overseas manufacturing appears to be inconsistent with the views that the brand has portrayed and at odds with the brand's overall ethos.
February 13, 2023, Australian Institute of Management: Transformative branding without crossing the woke washing line
January 18, 2023, Stuff: The psychology of panic buying: here is why some supermarkets are out of eggs
January 17, 2023, Newsroom NZ: NZ's Bed Bath & Beyond pays the price for cheekily nabbing global brand
December 1, 2022, The CEO Magazine: Pure of purpose: Purpose driven marketing or social washing?
December 20, 2021, AdNews: Lessons learned from Airbnb about tourism recovery post-pandemic
December 9, 2021, Radio New Zealand: Spotlight still shining on Black Caps spinner Ajaz Patel: Athlete branding opportunities
December 6, 2021, Newshub: Importance of hygiene theatre as shops reopen
August 23, 2021, Radio New Zealand: Football legend all for All Whites name conversation
July 8, 2021, Politics.co.uk: Should brands get involved with politics?
February 16, 2021, Stuff: Covid-19: Supermarkets urge staff and customers to wear masks, but can't enforce it
February 15, 2021, Stuff: Supermarkets call on shoppers to 'do the right thing' — scan and shop normally
January 27, 2021, AdNews: ANALYSIS: Rebranding calls are getting louder
October 22, 2020, Quartz: If everybody hates wokewashing, why do companies still do it?
June 24, 2020, Stuff: Coronavirus: Australian shoppers 'back to panic buying' as Covid-19 cases spike
March 11, 2020, Stuff: Coronavirus: Irrationally stockpiling toilet paper a very human thing to do
July 1, 2019, NZ Retail Magazine: How will automation change retail?
May 12, 2019, New Zealand Herald: How not to get sucked in by expensive brands
March 10, 2019, New Zealand Herald: How did we get so woke? The rise of virtue signalling
April 8, 2018, Stuff: How sports stars and reputation feed off each other
January 6, 2018, New Zealand Herald: Would you take money advice from a computer?
October 10, 2017, Engage: High tech, high touch
Awards, Competitions & Invited Talks
New Zealand Business Research Translation Competition
May 7, 2021
Winner of the 2020/21 Early Career Researcher Category with my submission “Brand activism: What when, where and how- translating theory into practice” based on coauthored research with Sommer Kapitan, Amanda Spry and Joya Kemper.
Neighbourly
December 11, 2019
My research colleague Sommer Kapitan and I were invited to present our current work on brand activism to the marketing group at Neighbourly.
Spirited Conversations
November 25, 2019
I was invited to present on the topic of hyper-consumerism and overconsumption at Nelson, NZ-based speaker series about living well in communities.
The Warehouse Group
October 25, 2019
My research colleague Sommer Kapitan and I were invited to present our current work on brand activism to the marketing group at The Warehouse Group.
Oxford Centre for Corporate Reputation Research Symposium
August 30, 2019
I was invited to speak as part of the closing panel on the topic of brand activism at the 2019 University of Oxford Reputation Symposium.
ad:tech 2018
November 15, 2018
I presented as part of a panel discussing “viral CSR” and the rise of brand activism. How brands are using prosocial engagement as a clear marketing strategy to get in on the consumer conversation.
Spark New Zealand
April 27, 2017
I presented my research on the technology and the changing customer interface to the Spark New Zealand Customer Experience & Insights Team.
AUT Business Series
March 27, 2017
I presented my research on the information technology revolution and its impact on the services landscape as a keynote in the Rainbow Auckland Business Series.