Strategic Counsel

We manage diverse long-term operational and public perception issues, as well as crisis situations, that have the potential to have an impact on your business and brand.

Creative Marketing

We have extensive experience delivering creative public relations and marketing communications campaigns for clients looking to build their brand in consumer markets.

Communications Solutions

We develop and implement corporate communications programmes to engage with stakeholders, influencers, businesses, consumers and communities of interest.

About SweeneyVesty

Founded in 1987, SweeneyVesty provides business strategy, public relations and communications services to corporations and public organizations. Our advice and work is designed to improve core perceptions and increase core revenues of our local, national, regional and global clients. We work in communications situations involving business growth and transformation, brand and culture building, issues management and innovation. Our business model is to have long-term relationships with leading companies, brands and organizations.

SweeneyVesty is an independent company operating in the United States, Europe and Asia Pacific. In the past decade SweeneyVesty has undertaken projects for clients in over 100 cities in 50 countries. We are motivated, successful and relentless on behalf of our clients.

We recruit multi-skilled people with exceptional thinking skills, great abilities to write, talk, plan and implement, and a passion for service. Consultants’ qualifications include degrees in Strategic Studies, Political Science, Marketing, Management Science, Law, Science, Journalism, History, Sociology, Accountancy, Literature and Music.

SweeneyVesty provides comprehensive geographical reach with expertise and capabilities across a wide range of sectors and practice areas.

Jane Vesty, Chief Executive Officer

Jane Vesty

Jane Vesty is an international leader in public relations, and her expertise includes communication and competitive strategies; brand, stakeholder and corporate reputation management; media relations and publicity; networking and advocacy; and team performance. Jane is an advisor, negotiator and facilitator on behalf of clients and is highly experienced at providing counsel to individuals regarding their business profile, issues and opportunities. She commenced her career as Marketing Director in New Zealand professional theatres, and has a long involvement with the performing and visual arts as a collector, board director, and sponsor. BA Political Science and Sociology, University of Canterbury.

Brian Sweeney, Chairman

Brian Sweeney

Brian has led many significant corporate development projects, including communicating large-scale organisational and culture change, financial structuring, competitive strategies, changes in ownership, the drive for increased customer focus, and the design and marketing of new products. Expert in international branding, issues and crisis management, and the power shifts in the consumer and content landscapes driven by converging digital technologies. Brian is a member of the influential TED Conference, co-convener of the ideas forum 7X7, produces nzedge.com and has been recognized by KEA as a “World Class New Zealander.” BA Politics, University of Waikato.

 

GM, Auckland
Greg Fahey
GM, Wellington
Catherine McMechan
Senior, New York
Maria Pazos
Director, New York
Brian Sweeney
EVP, Auckland
Richard Campbell
Finance Director
Tim Torrie

Email Convention:
FirstName.LastName@sweeneyvesty.com
SweeneyVesty offers a broad range of services directed towards the needs of large clients requiring strategic and tactical integration of communications.

Services & Capabilities

CRITICAL BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS

Integrated communications planning
Transformation strategies
Competitive strategies
Reputation management
CEO counsel and presentations
Financial reporting, investor relations
Culture building and employee communication
Issues and crisis management
Media strategies and management
Complex project implementation
Litigation communications

BRAND DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT

Brand, marketing and sales communication
Interactive ideas and strategies
New product launches
Events, VIP’s, publicity management
Sponsorship management
Content development and communications

IDEA AND CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT

Keynote presentations
Media content
Information architecture, design
Web, film, video, print production


Local/Global
As communicators we have a keen ear for the nuances of geographies, audiences and markets, and for universal human commonalities. Our offices in New Zealand and New York provide an ideal platform for working locally and globally.

Distinct methodology
Our communication programmes revolve around a core “Organizing Idea”. A brand story is not a logo or a tagline, but an idea that has multiple adaptations and connections.

Private/Public sector expertise
We understand the cultures and operating and approvals environments of publicly listed companies, entrepreneurial start-ups, and government agencies.

Export experience
As a company that has expanded internationally SweeneyVesty understands the challenges involved in exporting, and of communicating brand stories in a global context.

Expert team
SweeneyVesty’s core team has over a decade of working together. Our consultants are experienced in corporate, consultancy, government and media contexts.

Industry compatible
Primary industries; science, technology and innovation; education; tourism and hospitality; value-added, branded and premium products – we have a record of success in all.

Editorial bench
Writers and editors are the “forward pack” of SweeneyVesty. We produce short and long form stories; we write high and low; to be spoken and shared as well as read.

Design savvy
We have our own design studio in Auckland; we also work with and manage leading design agencies in New Zealand and New York to activate and operationalize a project vision.

Video/Web enabled
We directly employ web and social media programmers and content specialists as well as video editors. We also work with and manage external agencies.

Distribution-focused
Our belief is that great stories need equally great distribution, be it word-of-mouth, B2B, collateral, social media, advertising. Building influencer databases is vital.

Robust systems
We have IT suppliers in New Zealand and the USA providing 24/7 support. Long-established relationships with logistics and distribution vendors worldwide.

Good in a crisis
Brand storytelling isn’t always an upward journey. SweeneyVesty are internationally-experienced issues managers, expert at anticipating or averting crises.

Excellent ROI
Our ideas, stories, and people work relentlessly in the market to build quantum and multiple returns. We are resourceful about how results can be achieved with limited investment

Good to work with
We are good-natured people who are passionate, hard-working, service orientated, focused on both the big picture and the small detail.

SweeneyVesty works across many sectors and types of organizations, from publicly listed corporations to consumer brand leaders, government enterprises, and privately-owned enterprises.

Sectors

SECTORS WE HAVE EXPERTISE IN INCLUDE:
Infrastructure development, engineering, construction
Financial communications and investor relations
Banking (retail, business, investment)
Financial planning and retirement services
Information and communications technology  and new media
Film, fashion, wine, entertainment, gaming, sport
Luxury retailing, beauty, supermarketing, packaged goods
Energy generation and supply
Forestry and paper products
Primary industry marketing
Employment, recruitment, legal
Tourism, travel and hospitality
Publishing, advertising, design
Professional services
Our client list can be made available in the context of a new business discussion.

News & Views

sweeneyvesty-cannes-lion

SweeneyVesty wins Silver Lion

SweeneyVesty, together with Saatchi & Saatchi Singapore, won a Silver Lion in the PR category at Cannes Lions for ‘Inspiring Spirit’, a joint campaign for Asia-based airline Scoot. Cannes Lions is the world’s biggest annual awards show and festival for professionals in the creative communications industry.


Scoot Case Study – Inspiring Spirit

 


 the-one-show

Scoot ‘Inspiring Spirit’ Named Best in Discipline in Public Relations
at The One Show

An upstart campaign from global PR company SweeneyVesty in partnership with Saatchi & Saatchi, ‘Inspiring Spirit’ for low-cost airline Scoot, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines. The campaign has won at seven international advertising and communications awards shows.


Judge Coltrane Curtis announces winner of Best in Discipline in PR

 


 

This campaign has won:

Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity
Silver Cannes Lion in PR

PR Daily Media Relations Awards
Grand Prize: Media Relations Campaign of the Year – Best Media Relations Campaign Under $50,000
Best Brand Messaging or Positioning

Spikes Asia Festival of Creativity
Silver Trophy in PR

Busan International Advertising Festival (AD STARS)
Gold in PR – Practices & Specialism – Brand Voice including Strategic Storytelling
Silver in PR – Product & Service – Finance/Services/Entertainment & Leisure/Travel
Silver in PR – Integrated Campaign led by PR

CLIO Awards
Bronze in Public Relations – Product/Service – Corporate Image

The Mobius Awards
First Place Mobius Award in PR

The ONE Show Awards
Best in Discipline in PR
Gold in PR – Consumer – Brands, Products & Services – Integrated Campaign
Gold in PR – Craft – Brand Voice

 

The best way to judge our work is through our clients’ feedback.

Endorsements

SweeneyVesty is in the business of providing strategic corporate and marketing communications services to leading organizations.

CEO, International Investment Company
“Thank you very much for a spectacular job! I am thrilled with the finished product, I thoroughly enjoyed working with you and I am certain we will develop into a long term customer for you. Rarely do you find people in business who are as diligent, good spirited, and professional as you. Thanks again.”

General Manager, Major Infrastructure Organisation
“Our relationship with SweeneyVesty has been good for us. We understand comms and we like the way you do business. Thanks for a huge effort this year.”

Global CEO
“I have to say, you did an awesome job. You performed at peak. At speed. At top quality.”

Worldwide Creative Director
“Beautifully presented, beautifully digestible. In fact, bloody brilliant.”

Global CEO
“A massive endeavor, magnificently strategized, relentlessly pursued and flawlessly executed. Simply put, this would never have happened without you.”

Consumer Goods Company – Global Marketing Officer
“You guys were a perfect 10 today. We stunned the audience. Built major equity. Now it becomes amazing training for our people. Thanks a million.”

CEO, Great Britain
“It was my first ‘scripted’ outing and I have to say it was an eye opener. Your involvement is very, very much appreciated, as is the total professionalism of your on the ground team. Impeccable.”

Bank – Chief Marketing Officer
“What a team! Very sincere thanks for your wonderful work this week. Your professional approach, calm and intelligent comments and thorough preparation of material really played a key role in taking our reactive crisis to a positive and leadership space. We would not be where we are without your work. Wow – you guys really showed your value this week. We knew we made the perfect decision to make you such a strategic partner in our business. Once again, my sincere thanks for your support and advice.”

Energy Generator – Growth Projects Manager
“I am completely impressed with your performance on this project to-date. It is fantastic to see high quality material rolling off the production line within difficult time constraints. Sincere thanks for your efforts to-date which have reduced my stress levels considerably. In the words of an infamous Australian Cricket commentator “Marvellous effort that.”

Restauranteur, Chef
“Thanks for the speaking notes, they are absolutely brilliant.”

Communications Manager – International Technology Consultants
“Thank you for the fabulous work you did on our GM’s speech. She was delighted with the final result, and found the whole process very smooth and efficient. Her delivery was superb, and she has had lots of great feedback from attendees. Thanks again.”

Information Technology Group – Group Product Manager
“I’ve worked with a wide variety of marketing communications organizations in the high tech industry – based on your work to date I would class SweeneyVesty with the best in the industry worldwide.”

IT Recruitment Consultancy – Managing Director
“We recommend that any organization approaching an important business issue such as their entire communications strategy, spend time with SweeneyVesty.”

National Travel and Transportation Company – General Manager
“SweeneyVesty is a very tight and professional operation which always adds value. Recommendations are strategic, commercial and soundly based with an eye for simplicity and ease of communication. SweeneyVesty’s people are highly technology literate and strong on both marketing nous and practical ideas.”

National Trading Bank – Manager Marketing
“SweeneyVesty understood our business, fully comprehended the brief and with sound strategic thinking responded with appropriate solutions, within budget and deadlines. Anyone wanting to hire a public relations consultant should not hesitate to appoint SweeneyVesty.”

Primary Industry Group (Marine) – Chief Adviser
“We received to time and within budget a simply excellent strategy which provides a top quality analysis. The descriptive and analytical contents, with recommendations, are clear, comprehensive, sophisticated and absolutely spot-on.”

Telecommunications Company – International Manager
“SweeneyVesty report on the Internet is the single most useful document circulating within the company on this issue. It is an excellent input to the dialogue now occurring.”

Global Broadcaster – President
“Your firm’s sound advice and obvious expertise gave our Group a sense of confidence and resulted in a more professional announcement. Thank you again.”

US Digital Leader
“You were the most wonderful hosts I have ever had. Details were perfect. I would be back in a flash. Thank you for your kindness. You people are terrific.”

International Advertising Agency – Senior Vice President
“Hello Team SweeneyVesty – Yesterday’s presentation went off perfectly! The words, the images, the commercials, the ideas and the timing of it all were flawless. Thank you so much for each of your individual efforts and your teamwork on our behalf. You made us look good. You’re the best.”

Media Communications Company – CEO
“Fantastic show on Monday, I’ve had lots of positive feedback from the client. It has also transformed their thinking on approaching communications briefs – just what was required. Thanks for helping make our brand look good.”

Global Ideas Company – Executive Vice President, Strategic Planning
“The presentation and workshop was a fantastic success at yesterday’s Convention in Florida. The audience was both inspired and ignited by the emotionally charged presentation. Thank you to the entire SweeneyVesty team for your outstanding work on this. I heard that for many people it was the best session of the conference. This was truly a powerful two hours that will make a difference in the lives of people who most need transformational thinking. Thank you all, and those who worked with you on this, for making our contribution possible.”

University Business School – Dean
“This is really excellent. Great outline, great feedback. You are exactly in the zone. We appreciated your very quick turnaround with very little direction. Once again a pleasure to work with you. I am delighted. Many thanks.”

Marlborough Wine Producer – Managing Director
“SweeneyVesty have provided another dimension to my company with their marketing and public relations expertise. In all instances work has been prepared within the brief and to the quoted price. I would not hesitate to recommend SweeneyVesty.”

Luxury Goods Retailer – GM Operations
“SweeneyVesty worked on a complete communications exercise for our most significant development in Oceania. Awareness exceeded expectations and sales since the launch have been spectacular. SweeneyVesty have been thorough and professional in their approach. They understood our business and pitched the campaign precisely at the target audience. I have no hesitation in recommending SweeneyVesty.”

Managing Director
“The speech was incredibly well researched and written. The day, given the feedback, was an outstanding success. From now on you can do all my speechwriting.”

Fast Moving Consumer Goods Company – Market Manager
“SweeneyVesty did a remarkable media relations job considering the very tight time we had available. I commend you on a job well done, and look forward to future dealings with SweeneyVesty.”

National Tourism and Transportation Company – General Manager
“A big thanks for the part you played in the industry conference. We indeed “stole the show” and achieved our objective of making people reassess their image of our company. Already the new business opportunities are making themselves evident!”

Telecommunications Company – Head of Business Marketing
“Thank you and the SweeneyVesty team for your consistently high levels of service and quality. Your team have once again completed a typical assignment – tight deadlines, new ideas, smooth execution. Looking forward to a continued relationship.”

Government Department – Manager Communications
“I have been impressed by your professionalism, interpretation and presentation of analytical material. You always meet deadlines, always took the initiative in seeking improvements and produced a research commentary, through test and data, which gave us an ingenious tool to manage our relations with the media.”

Information Technology Group – Group Product Manager
“Our expectations were exceeded for this computer communications launch. The professionalism, attention to detail and the impressive presentation were a credit to the team. Feedback from our audience has been very positive. They enjoyed the sharp, to-the-point nature of the presentation. We appreciated not having to worry about anything apart from delivering our speeches. In fact, we actually enjoyed it.”

Telecommunications company – Sector Marketing Manager
“Thank you for the wonderful work done by your team. Your organisational skills, knowledge of our business and attitude made it possible to put together such good quality training in short time.”

National Business Magazine – Publisher
“I am most impressed with the professionalism that SweeneyVesty brought to the event, and your concern to ensure that every detail was managed. You gave me enormous personal support, and the confidence to do what I had to.”

National Advertising Agency – Managing Director
“A heartfelt note of thanks for your superb efforts, not only in providing the concept for our function, but in the highly professional input, involvement and commitment to making it such a success. Without exception, the feedback has been extremely positive. I owe you a long lunch in the New Year.”

Telecommunications Company – Manager Business Delivery
“Thank you and your team for the great work on the case studies, fulfilment material and campaign negotiations. Feedback from the channels has been fantastic with so many people in both sales and marketing commenting positively on the material and the whole look. I know SweeneyVesty has worked very hard to keep things moving and to keep positive when things became very complicated and slow. I appreciate your hard work and feel that it’s all been really worthwhile.”

International Infrastructure Firm – Chief Executive
“I approached the engagement of another firm with some strong reservations, bordering on cynicism about your industry! Your performance converted me. Your professionalism, organization, ideas and calmness showed through. You added significant value to the launch of our new identity and you were a pleasure to work with. You would rank 9 out of 10. Other firms we have dealt with would rank about minus 3 to plus 3. Thank you very much.”


Careers

Communications Consultants

SweeneyVesty is seeking outstanding communications professionals for our Auckland and Wellington offices.

We are looking for experienced candidates for roles as strategists, writers and client managers. You have worked in communications for a consultancy, business or corporate. You can think strategically, act decisively and communicate clearly. You have an informed business mind and can deliver superb content and counsel.

These are first-class professional career positions. Candidates will be articulate, hard-working, team players and focused solution providers. SweeneyVesty has a lively, likeable and purpose-inspired culture grounded in teamwork and personal integrity. We are known as experts who are committed to providing solutions to client needs and delivering meaningful and sustainable results.

SweeneyVesty works with leading businesses, corporations, organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors on communications programmes. These include thought leadership, strategy, audit and research, branding, marketing and consumer, financial transactions, stakeholder relations, employee engagement, reputation and issues management, and digital and social media. The delivery of these programmes ranges from an immediate response through to development and support of a long-term business strategy.

Please apply to Jane Vesty, ceo[@]sweeneyvesty[dot]com, subject: Communication Consultants.
Please send your curriculum vitae, examples of written work and the names of two referees.

Auckland / Wellington / New York / Sydney

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New York


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79 Madison Avenue
New York NY 10016
USA

Ph: +1 212 226 5105

Auckland


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191 Queen Street,
Level 17, Crombie Lockwood Tower,
Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010

PO Box 10 5761
Auckland 1143
New Zealand

Ph: +64 9 309 1494

Wellington


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Level 3, City Chambers
142 Featherston Street
(Entrance on Johnston Street)
Wellington 6011

PO Box 940
Wellington 6140
New Zealand

Ph: +64 4 4999 111

Sydney


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Level 5, McArdle
192 Pitt Street
Sydney, NSW 2000
Australia

Ph: +61 2 9891 0032