Introducing the 2024 Joseph Peart Award winner
The Joseph Peart Award is awarded to the top APR graduate for each year and we’d like to introduce you to the 2024 winner, Pip Rowe. We asked Pip a few questions to help you get to know her, read more about her here.
Your background:
2024 marks 20 years since I started my communications career in Wellington back in the days of faxing press releases. Several years later I made the move to the UK, despite warnings about the Global Financial Crisis.
I spent over a decade in London where I worked my way up to senior communications and media relations roles at top companies including American Express and Barclays. I worked across international markets, led teams and agency relationships, and was lucky enough to work on some exceptional projects and campaigns.
In an unexpected twist, I found myself back in New Zealand due to another global crisis. While on holiday in February 2020, Covid-19 broke out and the world went into lockdown. With two very young children, we decided this was our move back to NZ – a few years earlier than planned! We had our belongings shipped over, found jobs, and bought a house in Christchurch.
What compelled you to undertake APR?
Having three children in six years while also relocating back to New Zealand hadn’t left me a lot of time to focus on my career. I also realised how few specialist communications roles there were in Christchurch, which led me to shift more towards marketing and brand. However, I missed communications and wanted to use the skills and experience I’d developed in London, and this led me to look into APR.
I was interested in learning about the current issues and factors that are shaping public relations in New Zealand, while also growing my network. However, I was on the fence about APR as I had to self-fund it and wasn’t prepared to rule out potential marketing opportunities in future. Luckily, Susanne applied her persuasion skills and I signed up!
What has the programme provided you?
Completing APR has equipped me with comprehensive knowledge across the full spectrum of public relations and communications practice. The topics covered ranged from ethics, iwi relations, and new technologies to award-winning case studies, alongside more traditional areas such as media engagement, government relations, investor relations, and internal communications.
Although I was experienced in developing communications strategies, the PRINZ framework, which emphasises setting SMART objectives and measuring overall effectiveness, has proven particularly useful. I’m currently applying these principles in my role at Ryman Healthcare.
As someone who had mostly worked overseas, I found the New Zealand context helpful too. I appreciated having the opportunity to learn from some of the country’s top practitioners while also building a network of peers.
Do you have any recommendations for others considering undertaking APR?
APR is well worth doing if you want to develop your strategic communications knowledge and demonstrate it by gaining a respected industry accreditation.
I was nervous at the time commitment with three young children. While it is a lot of work, I stayed on top of it by chipping away and working in front of the TV most nights. Overall, I enjoyed the learning involved in APR, especially the practical application.
What are your thoughts around winning the Joseph Peart Award?
It was an incredible surprise to win the Joseph Peart award. Our 2023 APR cohort is a hugely talented bunch, and I feel really fortunate to have secured the top score.
Winning this award has given me confidence in my skillset and I hope it will help my ongoing professional development, leading to broader recognition of my abilities as a communications practitioner.
