Social Marketing Conference a First for NZ

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

© Scoop Media