In partnership with our clients, Network has been responsible for some of New Zealand’s ground-breaking public relations campaigns.
While our senior consultants are experts in their field, they are also down to earth people who understand how to translate a client’s needs into public relations initiatives that deliver the results required.
We understand current issues and what drives markets. We’re not insular to the world of communication but are wide awake to the world of business, the people who drive it and the environment and community in which we live.
Our communication awards both locally and internationally ensure we consistently deliver world class communication campaigns that lead the industry.
Our work receives recognition at the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand’s (PRINZ) awards – the annual Oscars of the industry. We have also been recognised internationally through the New York based annual Mercury Communications Awards and the prestigious IABC – International Association of Business Communicators.
Jane Dodd
A passionate believer in the power of PR, Jane embraces the challenge of taking a client’s problem and developing successful communications solution – particularly when the solution is not an obvious one.
“It’s hugely satisfying to work alongside clients to help them achieve things that they simply would not have achieved without us and without PR. That’s one of the big advantages of working with a consultancy the size and strength of Network. We have specialists across all of the core PR skills and can bring together a team of experts to focus on a particular challenge. It’s inspiring to see each member of the team contributing to what is a well oiled machine and deliver results that not only meet but exceed the client’s expectations.”
As General Manager of Network Auckland, Jane maintains a strategic overview across all client accounts. She is also a registered dietitian and heads up the consultancy’s highly regarded specialist Food Group. Jane has a particular strength in understanding a brand and translating it across to a well aligned PR programme. For her clients that often means clearly identifying the needs of different audience groups, knowing how to engage influencers and key opinion leaders and ultimately creating third party endorsers.
Jane’s hallmark is creating true winning relationships - where the client benefits and the audiences the client wants to talk to also benefit. “It’s about identifying the sweet spot of mutual opportunity – discovering that core element that will resonate with both parties. That’s when truly influential conversations occur.”
Jane is National President of PRINZ and also a Fellow. She is on the Board of Osteoporosis NZ and is an active member of Dietitians NZ.
Dennis Lynch
As Network’s Managing Director and one of the company’s most experienced consultants, Dennis has established enduring relationships with clients that span a decade or more. As an Account Director and senior consultant, he is a trusted adviser to CEOs and senior managers, providing confidential behind-the-scenes counsel on many sensitive issues.
Dennis thrives on the problem solving challenges that clients present. “The trick is to analyse what’s really at the heart of any issue. It’s only then that we can start developing the necessary communications response that is going to achieve the outcome the client is looking for.”
The variety and urgency of consultancy work continue to inspire and drive Dennis’ PR practice. He’s a skilled communications strategist and highly experienced at issues management, bringing clarity of thinking and focus to bear on the issue at hand. “Successful issues management means being able to stand to one side of your client and take an independent perspective. It often means being the voice of common sense when all else is in turmoil.” Dennis thrives on the urgent nature of issues management; the need to swiftly analyse a situation and get on top of it in order to minimise reputational damage.
When the pressure’s off, Dennis enjoys working with Network’s long standing clients such as ASB Bank and the fertiliser industry, both of which he’s guided through many business challenges. “There’s a real satisfaction in walking alongside a client as their business grows and they achieve their goals and set new ones. Of course their PR needs have changed markedly along the way and we’ve had to be flexible and adaptable to keep delivering on those needs.”
Geoff Henley
Geoff is the Executive Director of the Wellington office and a director of Network. He has managed many of Network’s largest client projects in the public, private and community sectors.
Geoff has extensive experience in the health sector, including Government reform programmes and advice to individual, public and private delivery organisations. Geoff also has long term involvement in the primary sector including fisheries, forestry and wood processing, land use and irrigation and a number of intensive livestock industries such as dairying, poultry and eggs.
Geoff has also tackled a number of major public education and social marketing assignments as diverse as health education and generic industry branding and promotion.
The common theme in much of Geoff’s practice is effective interfaces between public and private interests. Geoff is able to use his analytic and facilitation skills to find solutions between diverse and conflicting interests.
Geoff has an MA in Social Administration, is a PRINZ Fellow, and a member of the Institute’s ethic committee.
Clare England
Clare is a true client advocate, forming enduring professional relationships with clients 
based on openness and trust. She describes it as a privilege to be able to be part of a client’s“circle of confidence”, a trusted adviserwho helps them navigate communications challenges – in good times and bad.
She believes the role of PR is generally misunderstood by media, who view it largely as stonewalling or spinning. “If they only knew how hard we work to ensure that a clients’ information is presented in a way that is clear and comprehensible. We play a crucial part in helping our clients interpret their products or services. We make the job easier for both the client and media alike by analysing all the information and identifying what really matters and then making sure it’s conveyed appropriately.”
While media relations is the bread and butter of Clare’s PR practice, she is also accomplished at issues management. “There’s nothing like being at the coal face of a crisis, helping a client plot a course through a difficult situation in a way that will minimise any reputational impact. We are able to call on the full resources of the Network team, utilising skills right across the PR profession to get the best possible result for the client.
Clare works across Network’s finance and health clients and enjoys the challenge and variety that consultancy work brings. “While you might start your day knowing what you want to achieve, you have to be ready to drop everything and focus on an urgent client problem or crisis – it’s just the nature of the beast.”
Donnell Alexander
Donnell is a key member of Network’s Food Group, offering a valuable mix of public relations and marketing experience, backed by herknowledge as a registered dietitian and practical experience in both public health and corporate roles.
Donnell is uniquely qualified to work with a range of clients, particularly those with food, health and nutrition related projects. Her extensive experience includes ten years in the public health sector and the food industry, both in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Public relations is about effective communication and Donnell is expert at interpreting complex information for use with different audiences. Whether the end reader will be doctors, community organisations or mums, Donnell skillfully adapts information to ensure it’s relevant and meaningful for the target market. She assists Network clients to convey complex information in ways that will help change attitudes and effect behaviour change around serious health problems such as obesity, diabetes and osteoporosis. Extensive experience managing research projects means she’s particularly adept at reviewing and interpreting scientific information.
Donnell has an excellent understanding of Government and Non-Government Organisations and is well versed in building partnerships with key stakeholders in order achieve successful outcomes for all involved.
Donnell is on the national executive of Dietitians NZ, sits on the Nutrition Society of NZ registration panel, belongs to the FCG Health and Technical Working Group and is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology, the New Zealand Nutrition Foundation and the New Zealand Guild of Food Writers.