Entrepreneur Claudia Batten to Lead NZTE’s North America Team
17 December 2014
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise has appointed entrepreneur Claudia Batten as its Regional Director for North America.
Claudia, who has spent over 15 years in the technology sector, will oversee key relationships across the US, Canada and
Mexico and will be responsible for operations in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington DC, Vancouver and
Mexico City. She will take up her new role full-time in Los Angeles at the end of March.
Claudia was part of the founding team of Massive, a first of its kind network for advertising in video games which was
sold to Microsoft in 2006. In 2009, she co-founded Victors & Spoils, the first advertising agency built on the principles of crowdsourcing. French company Havas bought a majority
interest in the agency in 2012.
Claudia is a regular speaker on digital innovation, digital media and building businesses for the future. She is
passionate about New Zealand claiming its place in the digital world and participates regularly with NZ Inc. In 2014,
she was the youngest ever recipient of the prestigious “World Class New Zealand Supreme Award” in recognition for her
achievements and her work inspiring the entrepreneurial ecosystem in New Zealand.
Tim Green, General Manager International, at NZTE said: “We’re very excited to have Claudia join us. She is an
entrepreneur who’s had major success on the world stage, and will bring great experience and a fresh perspective. She
will also challenge us in a positive way as we seek to create more impact for our customers. She will be leading a great
North America team into an even stronger position and further boost our support for companies.”
Claudia said: “From my home in the US I have been an advocate for growing New Zealand businesses to international
greatness. I have been working with start-ups in various capacities; mentoring, advising and participating at a board
level. The North American market has been my home for 13 years and I have built two great businesses here. To help other
businesses find their way in this dynamic and fast-paced market is my passion. I see many opportunities for game
changing and I cannot wait to get started."
ENDS