Arrivals & Departures: Twin hires give Pead PR more Lifestyle clout

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AUCKLAND, Today: Leading public relations/digital agency Pead PR has made two key appointments to its Lifestyle account management team, bringing on Fiona Hanlon and Aimée Higgins into account director roles.

“The appointments add decades of experience across multiple industries, equipping the agency for the continued delivery of top-class service to a diverse client portfolio,” said Pead MD Sarah Munnik.

A creative communication specialist with 18 years’ experience, Hanlon joins as senior account director in the Lifestyle division. “She’s an ideal fit for the agency,” says Munnik. ‘Her credentials cover the consumer products, food and beverage and other industries.”

Hanlon has also worked across advertising and design, “offering an unusual breadth of talent which will be put to good use within Pead PR”.

Higgins joins as an account director, also on the Lifestyle team. Having worked in Scotland and New Zealand, SHE brings agency and in-house experience across big brand clients LIKE Unilever Beauty, ANZ and Adidas, and Dobbies Garden Centres UK.

The bulk of her experience is consumer focused, with some corporate PR and issues management. 

Higgins also has considerable experience working on events such as MTV EMA 2014, the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the NZ British & Irish Lions Tour 2017.

Sarah Munnik says talent is the foundation for Pead’s success. “We’re excited to welcome Fiona and Aimée to the team,” she said.

“Both are seasoned professionals with enviable track records in industries where we’re already strongly positioned. The addition of their abilities to the team strengthens our credentials and ability to deliver positive outcomes in key accounts.”


“I’ve always trusted my gut and I had a really good feeling that my skills and experience would be valued at Pead PR.”

As an experienced brand builder, Higgins says she doesn’t shy away from getting stuck into the various tasks required of a successful account director. “In this industry you have to have the right attitude – you might be a in a pitch or doing strategic planning one minute, but you never know when you’ll need to pull on a team T-shirt and get involved,” she says.

It’s this approach her career and team work which has gained her respect among clients and colleagues. “Working in a team alongside dedicated and passionate people is important to me and a key reason why I joined Pead PR. I’ve always trusted my gut and I had a really good feeling that my skills and experience would be valued at Pead PR.”

Working on accounts including Puma, Città Design, Uber Eats and Best Foods Mayonnaise, Higgins says Pead’s client portfolio is attractive and she is looking forward to delivering integrated campaigns for her clients in the coming weeks.

A passionate foodie, Hanlon has led consumer public relations and communication programmes for some of New Zealand’s most loved FMCG food brands, including Ingham’s, Meadow Mushrooms and Griffins, Hanlon has a history of building strong trusting relationships and a reputation for innovation.

With Pead PR’s focus on the key sectors of beauty and wellness, food and drink, fashion and lifestyle, technology, corporate, and digital and content, Hanlon’s skills and experience are an ideal fit for the agency.

“I’m thrilled to join the country’s top agency,” says Hanlon.

About Pead PR
Pead PR is NZ’s leading independent PR agency offering a full range of services including public relations, content creation, social media, influencer marketing, crisis management & strategic communications. Pead PR focuses on innovative and integrated communications strategies which make an impact. Our team comprises qualified practioners immersed in the worlds of consumer, trade and business. In 2018 Pead PR was independently voted as New Zealand’s top agency.


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