Successful public relations consulting depends not only on strategy and expertise, but also on the quality of relationships consultants build with their clients. Drawing on recent ethnographic research within New Zealand’s consulting industry, Dr Deepti Bhargava and Dr Petra Theunissen (Auckland University of Technology) explore how public relations consultants use empathy, politeness, humour, and tactful communication to balance professional expertise with relational harmony when offering critical advice.

In the first segment of our PRINZ Gold Award webinar series, we hear from Pead on their Gold award-winning campaign “Restoring Mana (prestige): The World’s Largest Haka for Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust”.

In the second segment of our PRINZ Gold Award webinar series, we hear from Special PR on their Gold award-winning campaign “KFC Gravy Train”.

In the third segment of our PRINZ Gold Award webinar series, we hear from Hamilton City Council on their Gold award-winning campaign “A rose amongst thorns – the challenging evolution of Hamilton Gardens”.

In the final segment of our PRINZ Gold Award webinar series, we hear from Great Scott on their Gold award-winning campaign “Connecting the dots to protect lives – Methanex’s process safety campaign”.