The Real Media Collective (TRMZ), the industry body representing paper, print, publishing, mail and packaging sectors, has announced a newly appointed New Zealand Board.
Jill Cowling, chief executive officer of Blue Star will take up the chair role. Tracey Taylor, chief executive officer at Yellow NZ is deputy chair and Sarah Whitehouse, head of Strategic Accounts and Agency at Reach is the incoming treasurer.
Cowling says, “I am delighted to be involved with TRMC. They are working on some wonderful programmes offering great benefit to the New Zealand market that we all can leverage further from. I am also very humbled to have been elected by my peers as the incoming chair, I do not take the responsibility lightly. I will work hard to deliver the strategic objectives. Our industry is facing many challenges and the work TRMC is doing is critical to our successful chartering of these waters. I look forward to leading the New Zealand chapter.”
The remaining Board Officers elected include, Struan Abernethy, chief executive officer, Reach; Robin Bowkett, head of sales; Webstar and Paul Gardiner, managing director, Ovato New Zealand.
High calibre
Kellie Northwood, chief executive of the Real Media Collecttive says, “It really is a great privilege to be able to work with a Board of such high calibre. This will lead to stronger outcomes from TRMC NZ for our New Zealand members and industry. I am also thrilled to note, a full female executive team across chair, deputy chair, and treasurer. In a male dominated industry, that reflects much, most especially it recognises the talented, intelligent and successful female executives we have across the New Zealand sector.
“Congratulations to all Board Officers, I look forward to working with you all.”
Struan Abernethy, chief executive officer, Reach, is the exiting chairman for TRMC NZ, having served his tenure of three years. Despite most of his term being during lockdowns and border closures limiting access with the TRMC Australian team, he has led a strategic membership plan, a Wellington City Council by-law overruling to ban letterbox media, and a defined positioning of government advocacy across all sides of politics.
Matt Aitken, chief executive, IVE Group and TRMC Australasian chairman, Northwood says, “I would like to thank Struan for his leadership, especially during the challenges of Covid. The distance between the teams was difficult. He also had to steady a business through a pandemic.
“To Jill, a warm welcome and congratulations to you stepping into the role. Having enjoyed working with you across the industry for many years, I am very confident that your leadership will bring great benefit to TRMC NZ members and the wider New Zealand industry.”
Project commitments
The Board has recently committed to wider industry engagement; the launch of a Paper Briefing document to government and stakeholders; launching of the New Zealand Distribution Standards Board; a New Zealand Real Media Awards and Insights programme; and the to be launched consumer campaign promoting print media channels: Love Paper. Nurture Nature.
Northwood says, “The New Zealand membership cohort is one that has been most impacted throughout the pandemic not only with lockdowns, but also geographical isolation and supply chain disruption.
“Both the TRMC Australasian and TRMC NZ Board have committed to developing projects for the industry to raise awareness of the channels we represent to government, consumers, schools and advertisers: a collective vision working together to achieve more. Launch announcements of these deliverables will be coming in the immediate weeks ahead.”
