Evocative economist named BlacklandCommunicator of the Year

11 April 2016

Evocative economist named BlacklandPR Communicator of the Year

Economist Shamubeel Eaqub has been named winner of BlacklandPR’s inaugural Communicator of the Year award.

The award recognises an individual who has excelled in the field of communication in the past 12 months.

Eaqub’s role as a financial commentator saw him popularise the terms “zombie towns” and “generation rent”, which evolved into major themes on the 2015 media narrative.

BlacklandPR director Mark Blackham said Eaqub excelled as a communicator with a clear ability to examine problems and explain them in a way that made people pay attention.

“As we ranked and rated individual communicators it became clear that in 2015 Shamubeel had greatly influenced the course of at least two subjects which were major factors in the life of New Zealand that year – housing costs and regional economies. The terms ‘generation rent’ and ‘zombie towns’ have found a permanent place within the narrative of public life in the past year.

“Shamubeel understands that good communication is clear, evocative and unmistakable in its meaning.

“He succinctly summarises issues and situations and explains them in such a way that people take notice, discuss them and then take action.”

The secret to good communication was using everyday language, Eaqub said.

“I like to talk about things that matter and explain it as I would to a friend. I try to break things down into everyday language, rather than using jargon. And I like to use emotive language to express the feeling of the message.

“It’s important to give people belief that there is substance behind your words.”

Linked to its sponsorship of the New Zealander of the Year Awards, BlacklandPR has established the Communicator of the Year awards to promote clarity of communication in public life.

“Too many people and organisations obfuscate, dissemble, and use jargon instead of ordinary language,” said Blackham.

“It’s frustrating, because audiences respond far better to clear communicators.

“Shamubeel and the other category winners all share a common talent – the skill to say meaningful things and to say them simply.”

Blackham singled out Waikato dairy farmer Aaron Robertson for special mention.

“Aaron’s defence of the farming industry and his fellow farmers following news coverage about the treatment of bobby calves was real communication at its finest.

“He was passionate, reasoned and, most importantly, authentic and totally believable. His was the communications ‘moment’ of the year.”

BlacklandPR Communicator of the Year category winners:

Business communicator: Rod Drury, Xero chief executive
Political communicator: Kelvin Davis, Labour MP for Te Tai Tokerau
Local Government communicator: Ray Wallace, Mayor of Lower Hutt
Science communicator: Dr Mike Joy, ecologist
Sports communicator: Brendon McCullum, Black Caps captain
Public Services communicator: Claire Austin, Cancer Society New Zealand chief executive
Commentator: Shamubeel Eaqub, economist
Communicator of the Moment: Aaron Robertson, dairy farmer
BlacklandPR Communicator of the Year: Shamubeel Eaqub

As inaugural Communicator of the Year, Eaqub receives a bespoke Māori kōauau. Designed and crafted by Wellington based Artek Limited, the kōauau is a traditional Māori flute. The use of it as a trophy reflects the fundamental values of communication – sending a message with clarity, empathy and impact.

ENDS

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