14 October 2003
Media Release
Social Marketing Conference a First for New Zealand
The first social marketing conference to be held in New Zealand will take place in Wellington on October 16 and 17,
2003.
The conference, “Social Marketing for Social Profit,” has been initiated by representatives of the Health Sponsorship
Council, the Cancer Society of New Zealand, the Land Transport Safety Authority, the New Zealand Retirement Commission
and the Ministry for the Environment. It has attracted nearly 200 registrations.
“Social marketing is about creating programmes designed to influence voluntary behaviour which will benefit both society
and the individual. Campaigns aimed at reducing smoking, obesity, unsafe behaviour in the sun and drink driving are
among successful existing social marketing programmes,” says Health Sponsorship Council director Iain Potter.
“This conference provides a first opportunity for social marketers to examine lessons learnt, best practice, future
applications, new technology and tackle, together, some of the big challenges facing the profession.”
The Hon Trevor Mallard, Minister of Sport and Recreation, Education and State Services will open the conference, which
takes place at the Hotel Intercontinental.
Keynote speakers will include Australian researcher and social marketer Professor Rob Donovan, marketing expert Kim
Wicksteed and social marketing and research consultant Dr.Tom Carroll. The keynote debate “Is social marketing of any
value to New Zealand?” will be facilitated by National Radio announcer Sean Plunket.
“The aim of this conference is to enhance the quality and presence of social marketing in New Zealand. I hope it will
also encourage policy and decision makers to view social marketing as a serious and valuable contributor to New
Zealand’s social and health environments,” says Mr Potter.
The conference is being sponsored by the Auckland Regional Council, the Greater Wellington Regional Council, Clemenger
BBDO and the Land Transport Safety Authority.
end