Julien Leys - Director

Julien Leys was the communications advisor to the Minister of Local Government in New Zealand's first MMP Parliament. He has since provided communications advice to a range of leading companies across a range of industry sectors from the financial sector to technology.

Julien brings extensive experience in both business and politics to his role as a strategic communicator. Combining his considerable knowledge of business, commerce and technology, Julien is one of a few senior communications practitioners with multidisciplinary experience.

With a first-class honours Masters degree in Law and experience in the commercial business world, as well as key positions with leading public relations consultancies, Julien is uniquely placed to provide effective and lasting communications solutions. Julien is also an associate member of the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand, a member of UNITEC's School of Communications Advisory Board (www.unitec.ac.nz ), and Founder Trustee of the NZ Men's Health Trust.

Emma Jackson - Account Director

Emma Jackson has more than 15 years of experience in public relations, with a special focus in helping organisations and their leaders raise their profiles among core audiences across print, broadcast and online channels.

Emma has held senior positions with leading local PR agencies, worked as a freelance PR consultant in the UK, and was most recently a PR consultant for ICT integrator, Gen-i.

During her career, Emma has worked for a wide range of clients across industries which include technology, telecommunications, energy, finance, government and retail.

Emma has strong skills in corporate communications and product PR, including media relations, issues management and integrated communications. She has BCA from Victoria University of Wellington.

Denise Mayhew - Administration Manager

Denise is a senior administrator with experience in developing systems, database management, web content management and market research. She has worked as a manager for a major distribution company as well as research companies where she was responsible for the overview and management of surveys and the maintenance of databases.

Denise worked in market research at the Phoenix and Martin Hamblin agencies in New Zealand and the UK respectively. In London, Denise was responsible for research projects for healthcare companies including Procter and Gamble, Glaxo, SmithKline Beecham and Warner Lambert. Denise has a Master of Arts (Sociology) from the University of Auckland.

Brenda Newth - Group Account Director

Brenda is a senior communications professional and brings wide industry experience and business acumen to the JML team. A professional accountant, Brenda pairs her finance background with an AUT communications qualification. Since changing careers in 2001, Brenda has worked as an agency consultant, including a period with Hill & Knowlton New Zealand, before taking in-house PR/public affairs roles with Bank of New Zealand and American Express.

Brenda is adept at working at pace in issues-rich environments, and is particularly interested in reputation management, working with clients to improve their processes, their understanding of key issues and the way their business is perceived by stakeholders. Her industry experience includes FMCG, pharmaceuticals, white ware and financial services.

Jody Bews-Hair - Senior Consultant

Jody Bews-Hair is an experienced marketing and communications practitioner, with over 15 years’ experience in a broad range of industries.

Most recently Jody has been the Global Communications Manager for Living Nature, an ecological manufacturer and exporter of over 120 natural skincare products. Jody has been responsible for directing and managing Living Nature’s online presence including social media as well brand and marketing communications. She held a range of management positions at Living Nature across sales, marketing and customer solutions.

Previous experience includes senior marketing and communications roles with KonicaMinolta (then Onesource), Telstra, and Telecom.

Jody has strong skills in project management, marketing and communications, both on and offline.

Cassia Bennett-Burkhardt - Account Executive

Cassia recently graduated from AUT University with a Bachelor of Communications Studies majoring in Public Relations combined with a minor in Advertising.

Well executed public relations can foster relationships with a variety of stakeholders, which is why Cassia is so enthusiastic about the industry. The challenge of building profile and reputation requires the situation to be approached from many different perspectives. The reward is to watch an organisation's corporate reputation and media performance grow over time.

Cassia steps into the role of account executive from her internship with JML.

 

Helen Easson - Account Manager

Helen is a communications professional with a unique insight into the world of media.  After completing her degree in English Language and Literature followed by a post graduate qualification in journalism, she worked as a freelancer for regional and national UK media.

She later moved into PR, working for a boutique agency and later at Weber Shandwick, a leading global public relations company with offices in more than 81 countries.  Helen has managed clients across a broad range of disciplines including corporate, consumer and business-to-business PR.

Her expertise includes managing national and international media campaigns for the property, construction, pharmaceutical, professional services, sports, government, retail and education sectors.

Previous clients include the British Army, Hilton Hotels, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and Starkey Laboratories, a global designer and manufacturer of hearing aids.

Helen brings strong writing, strategic thinking and client management skills to the JML team.

Hazel Buckingham - Intern

Hazel is currently studying a Bachelor of Communications at AUT University intending to major in Public Relations. She is an enthusiastic writer, contributing to the student magazine ‘Debate’ on a regular basis, covering topics such as politics and current affairs.

Hazel is interested in learning about the industry from inside out and is very excited to be working with the team at JML Communications. She eventually hopes to work in political PR or international relations.