Guardians of the brand of New Zealand, New Zealand Story Group CEO David Downs shares the latest information about how New Zealand and its people are perceived in Japan and what New Zealand Story is doing to help move the brand forward. If you are a Jandal in Japan you are a brand ambassador for New Zealand and along with that honour, you have a part to play in how our country is perceived so this episode is not to be missed! 

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In this episode you’ll hear:

• What exactly is New Zealand Story is and how can it help your business as you enter overseas markets
• The surprising perceptions of NZ in Japan from New Zealand Story’s research
• What the “Fern Mark” is and the value its licensing has for NZ businesses
• How NZers can help build the brand of NZ with grass roots interactions

About David

David Downs BSc, CMInstD is a consultant and board director, with a portfolio of interests keeping him busy, across some key theme areas of technology for public good, healthcare and education. David is currently CEO of the New Zealand Story, an ambitious organisation marketing New Zealand to the world.

Most recently, David was a General Manager at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), working with the Technology sector to help fast growing tech companies grow internationally, and leading a cross-government project for the Agritech sector. David has held various roles at NZTE, in the Services, Customer and Corporate Services teams.

He also leads the NZ Governments Agritech task force, helping to design and implement the Industry Transformation Plan for the Agritech sector, working for MBIE.

David spent 13 years at Microsoft, in New Zealand and as regional director for South East Asia, and he has set up and run successful businesses of his own. David is a published author on New Zealand Innovation, with two highly successful books – No.8 Re-wired, and No.8 Recharged. 

David is an ex-comedian, TV and Radio actor, semi-finalist for New Zealander of the Year, and a genetically modified organism who documented his battle with cancer in the book A Mild Touch of the Cancer. David is also a popular MC and speaker..

At the beginning of the Covid-19 lockdown, David co-founded sosbusiness.nz a not-for-profit initiative to help bars, cafes and other small businesses sell vouchers. It quickly became a huge hit and to date has sold over $2 million in vouchers for over 2500 small businesses. All the money goes to the businesses.

Specialties: Governance; Leadership; MC and Public Speaking; General Management, Professional Services; Contract negotiation; Sales; Sales Management; Marketing; General Management; IT Strategy; Emerging and developing markets

<p>Connect with David<p>

<p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daviddowns/">LinkedIn:</a><p>

<p>Links<p>

<p>NZ Story Toolkit: https://toolkit.nzstory.govt.nz/<p> 

<p>Fern Mark: https://www.nzstory.govt.nz/fernmark-licence-programme/ <p>

<p>Webinar: Australian Perception Research: https://www.nzstory.govt.nz/events/australia-perception-research-2022/<p>

<p>Japan Country Perceptions (2017): https://toolkit.nzstory.govt.nz/assets/155502?tags=Presentation <p>

Connect with Jayne and Catherine

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