I'm English by birth, born in London and moving myself and my family to New Zealand in 1974. I speak French, a smattering of Italian and Spanish (enough to eat in a restaurant) and have travelled extensively through Europe, including Holland, Belgium, Northern and Southern France, Italy, Luxembourg, Germany, Yugoslavia, Spain and Switzerland. My daughter lived in Holland for sixteen years so I have ready access to a translator in that country's language. I have also travelled to the United States of America i.e New York, Los Angeles and Hawaii; Singapore, Hong Kong, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Australia have also been on my travel agenda. Now I'm trying to earn enough dough to see the rest of the world!
I've been around the writing, advertising, marketing and broadcast traps for approximately 35 years plus. I am, effectively, retired but won't lie down! I thoroughly enjoy writing and I get on with most people most of the time, but I don't suffer fools gladly.
I began my professional writing career in the sixties and experienced the hard knocks of Fleet Street journalism in London. I moved on to public relations and a PR Diploma, then to advertising with three ad agencies (also in London), finally moving to ABC television, Golden Square, London. There I worked my way up to Senior Accounts Manager, being responsible for the advertising media accounts for some of the largest and best-known global companies(even today). With ABC TV I honed my skills in the areas of copy-writing, management, Television production, promotions, marketing and public relations. Whilst with ABC television I was the creator of the forerunner pre-promotions that introduced the Bonanza television series into the United Kingdom.
Since those earlier days I've had my own successful businesses in the fields of public relations, writing, community projects including driver-education. Marketing and broadcasting have also figured largely in my professional activities; I owned and ran my own radio station...produced and presented my own live shows on topics ranging from politics, community affairs and motoring (The Road Show) to natural health and mysteries (Project Enigma). I've never added up the years I spent in these fields - 'but must be at least thirty.
Thirty plus years in the media including radio, television and print. Journalism starting in Fleet Street, London; Everett's Advertising; ABC Television and Westbourne Press Bureau, London. Public Relations with diploma. The past twenty five years spent in radio broadcasting in New Zealand as owner, Programme Director, on-air live broadcaster and producer of my own and other presenters' shows.
I was involved at the conception of Asian radio in Auckland, New Zealand having been invited by Prime Media Auckland (Ltd) to lead the creation of the first Chinese language radio station in NZ. As a result of this I was then instrumental in arranging a similar set-up for the first commercial Indian radio station, also in Auckland. Whilst doing all this I also worked as newsreader daily for Independent Radio News (IRN) based in Auckland.
I've been a regular contributor to two New Zealand-based magazines, having written something in excess of one hundred articles ranging from natural health, politics, community projects, together with copy-writing, proof reading, editing, writing book reviews and mysteries. I've prepared and written a multitude of articles, product reviews, and marketing material for several international organisations including Viet Nam, Australia and the U.K. I'm Currently writing articles on a regular basis and on a multitude of topics for organisations in the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Australia.
In addition I also ran my own successful insurance brokerage/consultancy for 15 years.
This encompassed all forms of insurance from fire, residential, commercial, motor, life and medical, plus superannuation.
A long-time enthusiast and trainer in three martial art disciplines for more than forty years, together with having played rugby for London-based Saracens in my schooldays has assured that I have retained a level of physical fitness to match that of my (aspired to!) mental agility.
I invite you to try me with one of your projects - I'll bring added value to your image, products and services - you'll find my standards are high; after all, it's my reputation at stake as much as yours, and I've been in this business a long time.
Regards
Mikey9
