Arrivals & Departures: New chief at PREScom

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The Comms Council has appointed Brand Spanking director Mark Pickering to the position of Chair for the PR, Experiential, & Social Media Committee (PREScom). 

Pickering is a founding member of PREScom and the Experiential Marketing Association of NZ (EMANZ). He has contributed to a number of strategic projects and events in that time which have benefited the industry, says Comms Council ceo Paul Head.

He has over 30 years’ experience in the industry and has worked on the world’s biggest brands; creating, planning and delivering award-winning campaigns globally. 

In 2007, he established Fluxx: Ideas in Motion, an experiential agency which merged with Brand Spanking in 2015 to form one of the largest and most dynamic agencies in this field in NZ. 

“He is a social media and event technology strategist within Brand Spanking’s team and has brought his knowledge to bear for clients,” said Head. “He is a passionate evangelist for the industry and also lectures and runs regular workshops and seminars globally on experiential marketing.

“Mark is at the forefront of the experiential marketing industry and his strategic vision will prove invaluable in continuing to raise the profile and strength of the marcomms sector.”


“This year will see a focus on showcasing best practice in NZ and overseas in PR, Social and Experiential marketing and in helping to develop badly needed talent for our industries.”

The Comms Council PREScom is charged with highlighting and developing the value of PR, experiential and social media communications. Members are drawn from independent agencies or marcomms divisions within larger agency groups that are involved in a wide range of marketing communications including public relations, ambient, activation, social media, experiential or events.

Mark replaces Acumen Republic ceo Adelle Keely, who steps down but remains with PREScom. She had been Chair since early 2017.

Paul Head thanked Keely for her dedication during her time as Chair, saying, “Adelle has done an incredible job as Chair of PREScom over the past year and her leadership and guidance of the group has made a genuine difference for our members.

“Over the past 10 years PREScom has worked hard to champion our channels to clients and to the wider marcomms industry through events, rewarding best practice via the Axis and Effie Awards and by sharing knowledge and insights from the top minds in the business.

This year will see a focus on showcasing best practice here in NZ and overseas in PR, Social and Experiential marketing and in helping to develop badly needed talent for our industries”.

The Comms Council PREScom comprises Mark Pickering (Brand Spanking), Angelina Farry (Eleven PR), Dallas Gurney (Spark PR & Activate), Gina McKinnon (FUSE), Katharine Broughton (Beat Communications), Rewa Willis (Sherson Willis), Rochelle Sheldon (Socialites), and Sean Brown (Mango).


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