Microsoft is committed to taking a leading position on tech issues in New Zealand, and we’re proud to support with the business communications, government relations support and media engagement it needs to fulfil this.
The core of our work has been an integrated communications approach that shifts the focus from purely products to a broader thought leadership position that emphasises Microsoft’s commitment to New Zealand, ethical stance on AI, understanding of tech disruption issues and the environmental and societal aspirations that underpin its global operations.
To achieve this, Acumen has provided strategic media engagement advice and driven Microsoft’s proactive earned media programme. This includes creating all content including media releases, op-eds, infographics and website articles. We’ve run networking breakfasts and panel events to launch new industry data, supported visiting executives with media briefings and product demos, and we’ve run Microsoft’s press office function including issues management.
Acumen has also created a comprehensive government relations programme for key stakeholders. We facilitated Microsoft’s partnership with the Just Transition Summit where it announced the Primary Industries and Regional Innovation Collaborative to help enable digital transformation of New Zealand’s primary sector. Bringing Microsoft to the attention of key government stakeholders culminated in the Microsoft Parliamentary Showcase, an event hosted in Parliament to promote the valuable contribution Microsoft and its partner network makes to the New Zealand economy.
