PR firm will promote Dunedin to Australian travellers

AN Australian public relations company has been appointed to help lift the profile of Dunedin as a destination across the Tasman.

Enterprise Dunedin, the Dunedin City Council’s inhouse marketing, economic development and tourism unit, yesterday named Seven Communications as its new agent in the Australian market.

The company, which has offices in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, specialises in travelrelated public relations.

Enterprise Dunedin director John Christie said the appointment was aimed at raising the profile of Dunedin in the eyes of Australian travellers as a ‘‘mustsee’’ destination.

The Australian market had been targeted for years through seasonal campaigns such as ‘‘Where the Wild Things Are’’, which promoted Dunedin’s ecotourism offerings.

But having an agency on the ground in Australia would help with yearround marketing, he said.

The contract was awarded on a $A2000 ($NZ2168) monthly retainer until June 2019, when it would be reviewed ‘‘depending on results’’.

Oneoff projects involving the company would incur additional fees, but all costs would be covered by the Australian marketing budget managed by Enterprise Dunedin.

Seven Communications managing director Heather Mollins said the company was ‘‘thrilled to help promote Dunedin as a place for Australians to holiday’’.

‘‘There are so many stories to tell from Dunedin’s food, craft beer, outdoor experiences, history and more.’’

Australia remains New Zealand’s most significant international visitor market, and pumped $55.6 million into the Dunedin economy in the year to August.