PUBLIC RELATIONS/ COMMUNICATIONS/ WRITING

Since starting Black Rose Media in 2001 and becoming a best-selling author, Nick’s wide- ranging media skills have been much in demand. He has managed a wide range of media, promotional and marketing campaigns for a number of prestigious Australian and overseas clients.

Black Rose Media, Sydney (Jan 2000-Dec 2005)

Public Relations Consultant/ Writer

Formed Black Rose Media to manage various media projects. Have devised media strategies and handled full TV/ newspaper/ radio PR campaigns, produced videos, conducted media training courses, photography assignments and copywriting for corporate brochures, in-house news publications, booklets and on-line services. Clients include; Random House Publishing, Delta Electricity, Museum of Sydney, Asthma Foundation New South Wales, Hazelhurst Gallery, SAS Resources Trust and Wellspring Productions (USA). Recent achievements include:

• Running a series of very successful, high profile all media campaigns for Asthma Foundation NSW, including writing parliamentary submissions, on air pollution, anti-smoking and various aspects of health policy. These campaigns have regularly garnered major media coverage on; “60 Minutes”, “Sunrise”, Channel 7/ 9/ 10 news, ABC news, “Daily Telegraph”, “Sydney Morning Herald”, ABC Radio, Radio National, 2UE, 2GB etc.
• Media strategy development, media training of clients and media management of major broadcasters and press to ensure positive media profile.
• Articles for “The Australian”, “The Bulletin”, “Australian Geographic”, “Adelaide Times”, “The Age”, “Canberra Times”, “Sun Herald”, “Herald Sun”, “Sunday Times” (Perth) and “The Newcastle Herald”.
• Setting up and managing Marketing/ PR campaign for a major charity event in Perth for the SAS Resources Trust.
• Devising and implementing an internal video communications strategy for Delta Electricity, which has given me an excellent grounding the Australian energy industry and the current issues in play.
• Wrote and featured in a Radio National “Hindsight” documentary, “The Streets of Forbes.”
• Produced a major photographic exhibition for the Museum of Sydney’s Federation Exhibition and did successful TV/ press PR campaign.

Random House Publishing, Sydney, Australia (2003-2005)

The follow- up to the best- selling, “Shoot Straight, You Bastards!” was entitled, “Never Take Me Alive” - a historical novel based on the life of the most notorious and successful bushranger in Australian history - Ben Hall. Published in 2005 it became Nick’s second best-seller. It was short-listed for the prestigious Ned Kelly Award in the True Crimes category.

Department of Housing, Sydney, Australia (2002-2003)

Public Relations Consultant

Spent 18 months working as a media consultant for the Department of Housing. The wide- ranging brief allowed Nick to employ a range of skills from; writing press releases, generating media coverage and media liaison, to researching and writing the history of the Department for their 60 Years celebrations right through to photography and writing and producing in- house videos on a variety of subjects. Ran many successful media campaigns with national newspapers like “The Sydney Morning Herald” and “The Bulletin” and national TV broadcasters such as ABC and Channel 9.

Black Rose Media, Sydney Australia (2001-2003)

Public Relations Consultant

Completed full media book promotions for Random House Publishing, a promotional film and media package for Serenity Cove film studios, a marketing campaign for Le Meridien Hotel chain, media promotion for The Museum of Sydney’s Federation Exhibition, a written and photographic history for Hazelhurst Art Gallery, promotional film work for Delta Electricity, media training workshops for the Adelaide- based Ideal Human Environment Foundation and copywriting for a new on- line service being launched by one of UK’s largest professional recruitment consultants.

Random House Publishing, Sydney, Australia (2001-2003)

Author

Nick's first book, “Shoot Straight You Bastards”, was a best- seller in Australia. It details the life and times of Australian folk hero – “Breaker” Morant. Breaking new historical ground - it gives a comprehensive, blow- by- blow account of the military conspiracy which saw Morant and Handcock executed for shooting prisoners during the Boer War. Due to strong sales for the first edition and new research into the trial a second updated and expanded edition was released in April 2003.

BBC Scotland, Aberdeen Scotland (1999)

Freelance Public Relations Officer

On a freelance basis Nick did a 3 month contract promoting the BBC and its large and varied programme output. All promotional campaigns were cross- media and duties included writing press releases, story placement, media relations, organising and handling press conferences, managing media interviews etc.

The Alternative Media Company, Bristol, England (1996- 99)

Public Relations Consultant

Working for one of Bristol’s most dynamic communications companies Nick was charged with managing a number of prestigious public relations campaigns for a number of blue- chip corporates such as: Lloyds Bank, London Brick Company, British Nuclear Fuels, British Airways, The Body Shop and National Westminister Bank. Duties included press releases, managing press conferences, internal and external communications, writing in- house magazines, crisis management and media strategy.

Head 2 Head Productions London, England (1992- 95).

Public Relations Consultant/ Copy writer

For four years Nick was in a creative partnership in a media company that specialised in TV/ corporate production, public relations and promotions. Their output included; TV commercials, copywriting for newspaper/ magazine advertising and brochures, designing everything from T- shirts to packaging, as well as doing full media PR campaigns for new records, financial products, washing machines, corporate take- overs, hospitality/ entertainment franchises and new beers. Their client list was a Who’s Who of British corporates which included; Sony, Virgin Records, Lloyds Bank, Factory Records, Servis, BASF, Boddingtons brewery and Waddingtons Games.

Iceland Frozen Foods (1987- 92) London, England

Public Relations Consultant

Nick worked for five years for Europe’s largest frozen food manufacturer. Worked in conjunction with the Marketing Dept. to produce external press releases, media campaigns for new products, the company’s various philanthropic activities as well as handling media conferences, the annual AGM and advertisements (TV, radio and print). We were also responsible for production all in- house communications material, training videos and brochures and an internal video magazine programme. Headed up the public relations campaign for two successful multi- million pound hostile corporate take- overs.

Winner “PR Week” award for the best promotional/ marketing video in 1989.