Who we are
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Who we are —
We’re leaders in connecting organisations with regional New Zealand.
In our world, collaboration is key, and we work hard to create and maintain an unbeatable network of media, influencers and local, regional and national decision-makers.
We’re strong generalists, and have friends in many complementary industries that we call on to give our clients the resources they need.
Lizi Guest
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Our founder and senior consultant, Lizi Guest, is well-known for her unique approach to communications and engagement. She’s worked with over 100 organisations during her career; including multinational corporations, not-for-profit, SME and local authorities across marketing, public relations, communications and engagement and crisis management.
Lizi has extensive networks across New Zealand and has a reputation for being able to get things done. She is often called upon to deliver training or consultancy services, with a particular focus on relationship management and high-risk or high-profile projects. Lizi is backed by her peers and highly recommended by clients for her strategic advice.
Lizi leads a group of over 500 marketing and communications professionals in the Manawatū/Whanganui region, and is happy to share her story and resources with others in the industry. She was recognised by the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand as one of the up-and-coming Public Relations Practitioners in 2017. She’s active on LinkedIn and holds a Bachelor of Communications (PR) from Massey University.
Career highlights include:Being awarded NZ’s top small-medium PR consultancy in 2024
Shortlisted in the national Best Places to Work awards
Donated over $40,000 of pro-bono services over two years
Leading Civil Defense and Emergency Management Communications Training
Developing an accessible professional development program for regional communications professionals with over 60 in attendance at each event
Supporting numerous communications team leaders to develop strategy and improve resourcing
Leading communications strategy for significant regional projects including airport terminal redevelopment, international investment, capital infrastructure projects
Delivering training to elected members and senior Council staff across communications and media
MidCentral DHB COVID-19 Response (Strategic leadership, communications and engagement)
Raising $700,000 in under two years for the new Children’s ED at Palmerston North Hospital
Successfully lobbied against the proposed toll for Te Ahu a Turanga (pro-bono)
Launched Wildbase Recovery (PR, fundraising, event management - working with Blacksheepdesign)
Palmerston North Hospital Foundation (Strategy, PR, fundraising and event management)
Shivarn Stewart
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From the public sector to private organisations, Shivarn's a one-stop shop for all things communications. Whether it's media management, crisis comms or helping lead teams to successful outcomes, she thrives when she's got a goal to work towards.
Shivarn also has some very special know-how in the digital communications space. She’s successfully established a thriving digital marketing arm in two businesses, and campaigns she's led for clients have been shown in more than 54 countries, earned more than 2 million clicks, and been seen more than 100 million times.
Shivarn's work has been recognised by New Zealand's Marketing Association, and she's also been called up as a speaker for their conferences. She’s an engaging MC and workshop facilitator. In her down time, she's an award-winning playwright. Shivarn is a Massey Scholar and holds a Bachelor of Business from Massey University, with a double major in marketing and communications.
Career project highlights include:
Leading the MidCentral DHB and UCOL communications teams through their transitions into national organisations
Managing crises and national media issues in health during the immediate post-COVID environment
Strategic communications planning for Mana Pacific Consultants to share their crucial research on climate change to key government partners and NGOs across the Pacific
Leading the Palmerston North Airport Terminal Redevelopment Communications - a two year project and major investment for the region
Launching digital ads for Tim Buys Auto Services that generated more than $2,600 of additional business in just one week, and more than $17,000 worth of business in subsequent weeks
Facilitating senior leadership teams in workshops on stakeholder management, media training, and crisis communications
MC-ing major community and economic events in the Manawatū
Supporting various clients with delicate internal communication matters - such as remuneration changes or rebranding - in a discreet way that ensured staff remained onboard and received the news positively
Heading international campaigns for Massey University Worldwide (as a part of Blacksheepdesign)
Lucy Burt
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With a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) and growing governance experience, Lucy has been integral to the growth of Little & Loud since 2019. Lucy has established the systems and processes in our business, moving us from a one-woman-band; to an award-winning business and nationally recognised employer.
Lucy’s career highlights include; establishing a sophisticated financial and capacity planner using forecasting, which has allowed the business to grow through two economic downturns; supporting the logistics of our 24/7 response to the COVID-19 pandemic on behalf of the MidCentral DHB, and having the systems and processes that she has developed recognised as part of the citation for Little & Loud’s ‘Small-Medium Consultancy of the Year” award.
Alongside her responsibilities as Office Manager, Lucy’s role as Lizi’s Executive Assistant grows alongside our business, enabling Lizi to juggle professional and personal responsibilities. Lucy has a soft spot for projects that involve Not-For-Profits, equity, and education, and willingly shares her skills with our clients as they build their own systems. She is currently a Board Member at Ross Intermediate and has previously held roles on various PTA’s, management committees, fundraising groups and sports teams.
Amber Dryden
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Amber has been an integral part of our team since 2021, with her expertise covering radio and media, marketing, PR, social media, digital marketing, events, and strategy development. Amber is known for her ability to implement projects, and to work collaboratively alongside internal communications/marketing teams to provide additional resourcing.
Amber’s project highlights include; leading the 2023 Winter Wellness campaign for THINK Hauora leading to a 184% increase in users of Practice Plus and a 174% increase in users of the Minor Ailments Service offered at pharmacies throughout the rohe. She worked alongside Manawatū District Council increasing engagement and participation for the local elections campaign in 2022, developed an investment prospectus for the Central Economic Development Agency, and played a key role in supporting the COVID-19 response for MidCentral DHB for two years.Originally from Scotland, Amber has over 17 years of experience across media, communications and promotions. Her skill set is complemented by her Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Media Studies from Edinburgh's Queen Margaret University. She also holds a Higher National Diploma (HND) Creative Industries: Radio, and Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Television & Broadcast Production.
Amber’s special interest is anything to do with social issues, particularly those in healthcare. She also enjoys public speaking and is rather good at it, thanks to her radio career, events speaking, and a wee side gig as a comedian.
Cheyenne Nicholson
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With a career deeply rooted in the agricultural sector, Cheyenne is the newest addition to the Little & Loud team. She has spent more than a decade as a storyteller through her roles as an agricultural journalist and social media manager. Her byline has appeared in agricultural and equestrian publications around the country, most notably for her feature writing.
She brings with her a plethora of skills, from storytelling, science, content creation, and some outside-of-the-box thinking. With a Bachelor of Science and a Post-graduate Diploma in Science Communications in the works currently, she’s a powerhouse when it comes to taking complex information and making it accessible to readers.
Career highlights include:Winning the IFAJ (international federation of agricultural journalists) Alltech Young Leaders Award
Working as deputy editor for Country-Wide magazine, supporting the writing, managing contributors and editing of the monthly publication, along with stepping into the editor role for the yearly annuals like Country-Wide Beef, Sheep and Crops.
Leading the social media success of several organisations such as Our Land and Water National Science Challenge, MyTrucking, Antahi Innovations, AgraforumNZ and more.
Creating and writing a series in Dairy Farmer magazine dedicated to showcasing farming women in the business space, which generated increased engagement and advertising spend.
Features writer for Show Circuit Equestrian magazine
Heading up the live social media coverage of large primary industry events like Our Land and Water National Science Challenge 2024 symposium and E-tipu Boma 2024, and working with the wider communications team on wider communications efforts.