Using the power of PR to help you expand your brand

About

Expand PR is a boutique PR consultancy based in Auckland that provides a dynamic range of media solutions to support you in telling your business story and amplifying your brand.

We develop and implement tailored publicity, social media, storytelling and content writing solutions to help innovative businesses, charity organisations, and entrepreneurs.

With the media landscape constantly evolving, and your focus on other aspects of business, you may not have the time or nous to create quality content, experiences and an online and media profile to connect effectively with audiences.

We strategically place your brand in front of your target audience using a range of results-driven publicity, marketing and brand-building techniques.

If you are a client of ours, we also offer you the opportunity to feature on our podcast Kiwis in Business.

Services

Public Relations

Build your brand, secure positive media coverage and get noticed online.

Key messages and media releases

Story angle development and pitching

Media liaison

Communications strategy

Stakeholder engagement

Crisis management

Brand partnerships/collaborations

Influencer engagement

Brand Storytelling

We’re a small, friendly team of former journalists passionate about storytelling – it’s in our DNA.

We do our research, we ask questions, we identify storytelling opportunities

We help our clients find a unique ‘voice’ to tell their brand story

We bring creative ideas and stories to life in the media

We ensure content stays on brand, fulfils a purpose and exceeds expectations

We work with social media and creative experts for innovative brand marketing

Content & Social Media

A wide range of content and social media support.

Website copy

Thought-leadership articles

Blogs writing/ghost writing

Native/sponsored content curation

Digital marketing

eDMs and newsletters

Content strategy

Social media posts and campaigns

Social media management & social media ad campaigns

Clients

Testimonials

“IMAGR engaged Expand PR towards the end of 2017 to help assist in growing awareness of our brand in both the New Zealand and Australian markets. Linda really got to know the business and the results were evident; her press releases and discussions with media resulted in coverage in global magazines and newspapers, and on both occasions led to coverage in national news outlets. Linda is responsive and reliable and it’s always a pleasure working with her. I would highly recommend Expand PR to anyone looking for a dedicated PR consultancy.”
William ChomleyFounder & CEO, IMAGR

“We have been delighted to work with Expand PR and Linda over 2019. Linda is efficient, organised, professional and has really helped us tell our Sweet Louise story. Linda delivers results! The slick execution of her well thought-out campaigns has helped to raise our profile and generate income.”
Rachel Milburn-ShandSweet Louise

“Working with the team at Expand PR was seamless from start to finish. My intention was to grow my brand awareness and gain media appearances, online, in print and TV. They helped me with that and more, allowing me to work more in my genius and reach the people who need my help the most! Expand PR were amazing and I highly recommend hiring them for your PR campaign!”
Catherine NewtonDirector of Entrepreneurial Success, AUT

“Linda guided us through our first real PR activity at Yourdrive and got us some good press coverage, as well as great content for use elsewhere, with minimal effort required from our side. Other agencies we spoke to weren't too keen to work with us as we didn't have a big story ready to go, but Linda was confident she could get the results - and she did!”
Andrew FordMarketing Manager, Yourdrive

“Thank you so much to Linda and team from Expand PR who recently helped secure media coverage for our fundraising campaign – The Fight Against Superbugs. We can directly attribute some amazing donations – including one of $100,000 – to the press coverage they helped arrange. They were professional, smart and proactive in all interactions and it would be our pleasure to work with them again.”
Saraid BlackMarketing & Communications Manager, Cure Kids

“Thank you to Linda and the team from Expand PR who secured extensive media coverage for the KPMG-sponsored Cycle for Water. Linda and the team were the perfect partners for the PR component of this initiative. The widespread media coverage helped achieve the Cycle for Water mission of raising awareness of water scarcity and the importance of clean water for sustainable development. They were professional, smart and proactive in all interactions. The responsiveness, personalised service and commitment to achieve our mission was hugely appreciated. Thank you.”
Alexandra Jamesformer Marketing Communications Manager at KPMG NZ

“Linda generously donated her time and expertise to assist Startup Weekend Auckland with PR for our event in November 2016. Linda was extremely professional and helpful, distilling our messaging and brand into a clear and effective press release. Linda was generous with her contacts, promoting Startup Weekend through her extensive network and providing a lot of tips and help for how to better communicate with our target. She is fantastic to work with - reliable, great to get along with and well-connected. She is clearly passionate about her work and helping others. We had a stellar event in November and are extremely grateful to Linda for her support. I would not hesitate to recommend Linda and Expand PR, and would love to work with her again in future.”
Laura KerrisonStartup Weekend Auckland

“We have really enjoyed working with Linda and the team from Expand PR. They are reliable, efficient and trustworthy. In today’s world, there is a tsunami of information out there and getting anyone’s attention can be challenging. Linda’s experience and insights have helped us become more effective at engaging with our target audience and the wider business community.”
Stuart MacadamMarketing Manager, Driveline Fleet

“Studio7 worked with Expand PR to create awareness of our digital marketing product called CRUX. Cutting through the noise of the advertising industry seemed like a tough ask, especially with a complex message such as ours. However Linda helped us simplify our message and ensured we got coverage in all the right places including NZ Business, M+AD, Campaign Brief and CIO New Zealand.”
Josh HearesClient Service Director, Studio7

“Linda is great to work with. Lots of fresh ideas combining content, PR and publicity. Looking forward to working with her more on some up and coming projects. If you haven't already engaged Linda with your business, I recommend you do.”
Ben HartDirector, Essence the health agency

“The team at Expand PR helped launch my event to media with national and local media achieved. They are reliable, honest and well connected and I highly recommend them, and will definitely be using them again for my future PR requirements. Thanks so much for your help.”
Natasha ThomasTauranga Food, Wine & Music Festival

“Linda & the Expand PR team knows the business of PR inside and out. Aside from Expand's expansive connections into New Zealand's major and niche outlets, Linda offers considered, strategic advice to maximise exposure. Expand PR helped Canopy Eating Disorders Support Services reach New Zealanders seeking affordable, accessible support services in an environment that was resistant to but in dire need of change. This was a tricky landscape which Linda navigated with her unflappable, level-headed professional attitude. I was never left in the dark about next steps and would love to engage Linda on future announcements.”
Christine DeaconCanopy Eating Disorders Support Services

“Thank you Linda and her team at Expand PR, it was a joy working with them for our podcast and press release which secured many media coverage items for Spacebar Design.
Linda was helpful and very responsive during the entire process, great communication, and proactive in all interactions. It was a pleasure to work with Linda and would definitely recommend her service to anyone who is looking for real results.”
Anson KongSpacebar Design

People

Linda Shackelford

PR Consultant & Director

Passionate about guiding brands to build their presence and extend their influence, Linda’s ‘make it happen’ approach is the attitude she applies to everything at Expand PR, the boutique agency she founded in 2016.

With a nose for news, she’s driven to achieve positive media results and storytelling opportunities for her clients. Linda draws on 15 years’ experience as a journalist and in public relations roles and is professional, personable, proactive and committed to helping businesses make a difference in the world. She draws on her contacts in the industry to secure tip-top media opportunities.

When Linda’s not hard at work she can be found at the beach, exploring a far-fetched location, trying not to fall over in yoga class or cutting a few shapes on the dance floor!

Nicola Brebner

PR Consultant

Nicola’s been putting pen to paper since she was a young girl but it was 16 years ago when she became a ‘professional’ storyteller (aka journalist).

Since then, Nicola’s continued to write and edit content across a range of media and marketing material, and honed her skills as a communications strategist and media advisor. She’s one of those people that has the ability to transform complex jargon into reader-friendly content that appeals to a wide audience.

Nicola has worked in a variety of industries in NZ and the UK - from healthcare to higher education, finance and charities.

When she’s not tapping away on her computer, Nicola is hunting out new brunch places, daydreaming about travelling somewhere weird and wonderful or enjoying a spot of kayaking!

Jade Hart

PR Consultant & Social Media

Jade has extensive public relations experience working across well-known lifestyle, technology, automotive, charity, fashion, food and beauty brands.

With a Bachelor of Communications from AUT, Jade has worked on numerous successful campaigns and product launches spanning fashion to FMCG. She has a passion for people and has strong media and influencer connections.

When Jade’s not glued to her laptop, she can be found at the park with her two-year-old son, Leo glued to her leg, her two fur-babies Poppy and Brian (Griffon dogs) and her hubby James (not a dog, but more often than not, in the dog box!).