WHO ARE THE PEOPLE BEHIND nzoom.com?
Over the last few months, TVNZ have brought together a team of New Media specialists including experts in design,
technology, sales and content in order to build what they believe is the best possible website. nzoom.com is the result
of their efforts. Background information on some of the key people who have been involved in the project follows.
Simon Aimer, General Manager, nzoom Ltd
Simon is a chartered engineer with a BE from Auckland and an MBA from Paris. He spent many years in Europe and the US
working in technology fields before specialising in strategy with the Boston Consulting Group. He has held directorships
with a number of companies including Campus Radio 95bfm Ltd, Metrowater Ltd and Nature & Co Ltd.
Reg Russ, General Manager, New Media TVNZ
Reg holds qualifications in engineering, human resource management and senior corporate management.
His current position includes the development of programme enhancements, productivity improvements and new revenue
streams while controlling all TVNZ’s graphics, teletext, subtitling and website operations.
He has been honoured by the Queen for services to broadcasting in New Zealand.
John Marks, Content Manager, nzoom.com
John is a former newspaper, radio and television reporter. He progressed from journalist to network editor of TVNZ News.
Several stints overseas included running TVNZ Olympic and Commonwealth Games News coverage.
John is a foundation producer of TVNZ’s websites and has worked with Reg Russ to form its New Media division.
Leonie Smits, Sales Manager, nzoom.com
Leonie has an extensive background in sales, both in New Zealand and overseas.
She came to TVNZ last year from Telecom where she was Sales Manager for Xtra’s new media division.
Daniel McLaren, Site Development Manager, nzoom.com
Daniel progressed through a career of illustration and cartooning with the NZ Herald before working as an artist to the
Sydney Morning Herald working on their website and producing interactive features for IBM. Returned to NZ to work on the
NZ Herald websites before going to Telecom E-solutions as team-leader. Daniel has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Elam.
Dave Simonsen, Executive Producer, nzoom.com
Dave is the Executive Producer for the nzoom.com sport, business and news sites. He has a Bachelor of Communications
degree from AIT, majoring in journalism. He has been involved with TVNZ’s website activity since its early beginnings
and was part of the team that won a TUANZ award for the ONE business site.
Paula Davy, Executive Producer, nzoom.com
Paula was News Editor of Auckland University magazine Craccum while completing a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in English
and Philosophy), and was a newsreader on Radio 95bFM.
Paula produced the award-winning budget99.co.nz website for TVNZ New Media.
Valerie Walshe, Marketing, nzoom.com
Valerie has a background in the marketing of services and technology. She has worked for ASB Bank, IBM and Blue Star.
Prior to joining TVNZ, Valerie was Marketing Manager for BankDirect and was part of the team that built BankDirect from
scratch in under a year. During her last six months at BankDirect, Valerie also held the role of Acting General Manager.
Valerie was one of the three finalists for New Zealand Marketer of the Year in 1998 and last year was named as Direct
Marketer of the Year.
nzoom.com will launch on Sunday 19 March 2000.