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.

Valerie Cross - Account Director

Valerie Cross has several years of communications experience in North America, where she worked as a researcher, producer and reporter for various programs at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).

Valerie covered consumer affairs, business, foreign and regional news and developed new programs for the public broadcaster. Undergraduate studies in International Relations at the University of Calgary and a Master’s of Journalism from Carleton University have allowed Valerie to work in a variety of communications roles in England, Zambia, Canada and New Zealand.

Georgie Stent - Account Manager

Georgie has been with JML Communications for over two years and is a great asset to the team with her background in biological sciences, events and media relations.  During her time at JML, Georgie has been an integral part of a number of successful campaigns and projects, ranging from review and brand awareness programmes, profile raising, product launches, sponsorships and events.

Georgie has a Bachelor of Science (Genetics) from the University of Otago and a Graduate Diploma in Public Relations and Communications from the Auckland University of Technology (AUT). Before joining JML she spent time in between New Zealand, Canada, USA and Mexico in communications-related roles.

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.

Kimberley Sullivan - Account Executive

Kimberley has recently completed a Bachelor of Communication from Unitec, with a double major in Public Relations and Event Management. During her time at Unitec she was awarded the Top Performer in the First Year Core Courses prize and is the recipient of of the Unitec Academic Excellence Award for the School of Communication. Starting at JML in 2009 as an intern, Kimberley now looks forward to working with clients on a regular basis and developing relationships with the media.

Kimberley's main interests in communication are media relations, reputation management and government relations. Prior to studying communication, Kimberley graduated from SAE Institute Auckland with a Diploma of Audio Engineering.

Geraldine Johns - Senior Consultant

Geraldine brings a wealth of journalism experience to the JML team.
From 1987 to 1997 she worked at the New Zealand Herald as a medical and political reporter, and as chief reporter. One of the highlights of this period was a stint as a Fulbright fellow with the Baltimore Sun. Geraldine was also the foundation restaurant reviewer for the Herald’s Viva magazine.

Four years as senior writer with Metro Magazine followed. Geraldine’s award-winning features covered a range of subjects including crime, health, politics, food and profiles. She was also the food editor and restaurant reviewer.

From 2001 to 2002 Geraldine was employed as a senior staff writer with the Sunday Star Times, where she covered both news and feature stories, as well as profiles. Her specialty areas were crime, politics and health.

Geraldine has been a full-time senior freelance writer since then and has had a variety of interesting work including: food and restaurant review columns for the Sunday Star Times and Sunday Magazine; television reviewer for Nine to Noon with Linda Clark; television researcher for BBC World, Greenstone Pictures, Third Party Productions and Screentime Television; corporate writing coach and mentor working with BNZ, American Express and Network Communications; contributor to Bon Appetit and Cuisine Magazine, and feature writer for Heritage, Next and NZ Home magazines.

Katherine Bennett - Consultant

Katherine has more than 15 years' experience in the corporate, public and not-for-profit sectors, and within agency and in house departments.
Her particular strengths are in media relations, issues and crisis management, stakeholder engagement and social and environmental responsibility. Most recently Katherine has managed the PR for the Westpac Chopper Appeal but started her career at Wellington City Council. Along the way she has even included a year as an MP’s researcher in the House of Commons.

Katherine has significant international experience having worked in-house in the UK for McDonald’s for four years, as well as for Weber Shandwick Worldwide where she helped manage accounts on Campbell Foods and a major biotech industry forum. Katherine works part-time on a contract basis and holds a BA (Hist) and a Dip Bus Stud (Public Relations).

Melissa Ristau - Consultant

Melissa Ristau has more than a decade of experience in public relations, specialising in corporate social responsibility (CSR), consumer PR, integrated marketing and operating in American markets. 

During her time in New Zealand, Melissa assisted JML clients with their USA communication needs, including Pingar's global launch at the 2010 Microsoft SharePoint Conference in Las Vegas.

Previously, Mellissa was a freelance public realtions consultant in Los Angeles.  She has held management roles at GolinHarris International's global headquarters in Chicago and at the largest independent advertising agency in the United States, The Richards Group in Dallas.

Melissa has worked with many of America's most notable brands including Home Depot, Lowe's Home Improvement, Fruit of the Loom, State Farm Insurance, Habitat for Humanity International, American Red Cross and Sub-Zero Freezer Company/Wolf Appliance Company.

Melissa's areas of specific expertise include honed media relations experience in the philanthropy, home & garden, beauty & fashion, retail, home improvement and insurance/financial services categories; national media event coordination; media tours; New York media events; trade show media events; product launches; product placement; advertising campaign launches; celebrity product endorsements; celebrity spokesperson management; CSR/community relations program management; non-profit/for-profit partner collaborations; public service campaign execution; retail events; creative brainstorming training and session leadership.

Among her achievements, Melissa has secured coverage for her clients on or in many high-profile national/international American news outlets, including "The Today Show," "Good Morning America," The New York Times, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, CNN, MSNBC, TIME, People, Oprah, Us Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, Maxim, Details, Men's Fitness, Bon Appetit, Gourmet, Metropolitan Home, ELLE Décor, House & Garden, Home Magazine, House Beautiful, Child and Parents.

Having graduated valedictorian, Melissa holds a Bachelor of Science in Advertising/Public Relations and a minor in Theatre from Abilene Christian University.

Melissa currently resides in the United States and continues supporting JML clients with their USA public relations initiatives.

 

Samantha Vogts - Intern

Samantha joined JML in January 2010 as an intern. She is currently in her third year of Communication Studies at AUT and will complete her degree with a major in Public Relations and a minor in Creative Industries. During her time at university she has focused on PR, journalism and management papers. Before joining JML Samantha gained experience in customer service and administration roles.
 
Samantha is particularly interested in brand building communication, media relations and reputation management.