Communications strategy and delivery
Acorn PR helps New Zealand organisations plan and deliver communications that build reputation, earn media coverage and strengthen relationships with the people who matter. We set the strategy, then do the work, from media and stakeholder relations to reputation management, content and creative.
Based in Christchurch, we work nationwide with charities, industry bodies, member associations, government agencies and businesses across a range of areas including health, infrastructure, housing, energy and conservation.
We are proud to be a trusted All-of-Government Consultancy Services Panel provider for policy, research and development and marketing and public relations services.
We are also proud to be part of the Business Canterbury community.
How we help
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Communications strategy: clear goals, audiences, messages, channels and a plan to deliver them
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Media relations: story development, media releases, pitching, interview preparation and media training
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Stakeholder relations: mapping, engagement plans and communications that build support
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Reputation management: issues preparation, crisis communications and rebuilding trust
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Websites: building, updating and managing your site and its content
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Content creation: corporate documents, newsletters, social media, reports and speeches
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Brand and graphic design: brand identity, publications and campaign materials
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Videography and photography: professional video and images for print, media, web and social
What our clients say
Acorn PR provided the energy and drive for a major communications project. Their advice was always practical and effective, and they provided an important perspective bridging corporate storytelling needs and media realities. Their wealth of experience was crucial to building a credible communications presence for the project, from high-level strategy to delivering in impeccable detail, and their work ethic was second-to-none.
Business client
Acorn PR provides our organisation with invaluable strategic, communications and government relations support and advice. Their development and delivery of communications material is always well researched, well presented and timely. They know how to get the message across effectively, every time.
General Manager, Government Agency
Why organisations choose Acorn PR
Led by senior advisors with backgrounds in journalism, politics, public sector and advocacy roles, Acorn PR combines political understanding and media judgement with practical communications and engagement delivery.
With experience on both sides of the media - from political journalism to serving as a ministerial press secretary at Parliament and senior communications advisor roles in the public sector - Rachael Cox has helped a range of organisations deliver real results. Rachael has expertise in media relations, stakeholder engagement and complex issues management.
With a background as a ministerial advisor and press secretary to senior politicians at Parliament including a former Prime Minister, Hayden Cox has more than 20 years’ experience in providing strategic communications and government relations support to sector organisations, charities and those in high-profile public facing roles.
When you engage Acorn PR, you work directly with Rachael and Hayden, not junior staff.
We are known for being highly practical, reliable and fast. With Acorn PR you get clear advice, quick turnaround and no jargon.
We are also highly flexible and can assist organisations with one-off projects, or ongoing support without the cost of a full-time hire.
Case study: Youth Hub Christchurch
From an audacious idea to more than $26 million raised.
The opportunity
In 2020 Acorn PR was engaged to help develop a brochure and key messages for an audacious plan: to build New Zealand's first Youth Hub, combining supported housing for young people at risk of homelessness with wraparound youth services and fun spaces to connect and belong.
What we did
Since then Acorn PR has overseen the Hub's communications, fundraising, stakeholder and donor relations activities for 10 hours a week.
The results
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Youth Hub Christchurch has raised more than $26 million to build the Hub
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The Hub has attracted significant media interest and built strong relationships with donors, stakeholders and the Christchurch community
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The Hub recently celebrated its second birthday and has recorded more than 16,000 connection points with young people, as well as housing around 80 young people.
Common questions
What does a communications agency do?
A communications agency helps organisations to present themselves professionally and consistently. Acorn PR develops communications strategies and delivers them in a range of ways including through media relations, stakeholder engagement, content, design, video and photography.
Can you work alongside our in-house communications team?
Yes. Many clients use us to add capacity or specialist skills to their own team, whether for a single project, a busy period or ongoing support. Some smaller clients have no in-house team and use Acorn PR as their communications function for as little as five hours a week ongoing.
How much does communications support cost?
It depends on the scope of the work, so we agree costs with you upfront before anything starts. Acorn PR doesn't operate on expensive retainers. We bill only for the work we actually do, whether that is a one-off project or ongoing support as an extension of your team. For many clients, we work as their outsourced communications team or as an extension to their internal team for around 5-15 hours a week.
Do you provide design, video and photography as well as strategy?
Yes. Alongside strategy, media and stakeholder work, we can help you build and manage websites, create content, and deliver brand, graphic design, videography and photography, so you can get everything from one team.
Can you work with organisations outside Christchurch?
Yes. While we are based in Christchurch, we work with organisations across New Zealand including the rest of the South Island and in Wellington.