The Team

The Dots


 Dionne Taylor (née Moskow), Director

Growing up in a household with the latest magazines constantly strewn across the coffee table, Dionne became familiar with a variety of publications from a young age. Birthday presents meant subscriptions to glossy titles, and very quickly a passion developed.

In a bid to follow her dreams, Dionne embarked on a career as a journalist where she worked for the Australian Jewish News, She, Nine to Five and City Weekly. During this time she became familiar with how the media works and how the production, editorial and advertising teams work hand in hand to produce well-read titles.

During university semester and holidays, Dionne spent her spare time doing work experience, attending red carpet events and developing a portfolio of articles. After a travel stint in Mexico and Central America – Dionne decided to reconsider her career and she ventured into the world of PR. Without waving goodbye to journalism altogether, she kept up her writing jobs while working as a publicist. In April 2006 Dionne decided to set up Polkadot PR, a full-service agency that works with a variety of industries. 		Dionne Taylor (née Moskow)
She works actively across all accounts and thrives on the variety that each day brings.
Dionne holds a B. Media (Macquarie University).

Interesting fact: Dionne has a foot phobia but loves shoes.

Contact Dionne: dionne@polkadotpr.com.au
 




 Megan Staal, General Manager / Account Director

Megan Staal is a senior professional with over 12 years experience in PR and Integrated Marketing disciplines, including B2B and B2C, both agency and client-side.

Megan launched her career in London in the finance industry, after completing a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Communications at Queensland University of Technology.

Passionate about brands and people, Megan soon gravitated towards the world of Sydney-based PR agencies where her vibrant personality and Polkadot PR dresses better matched the colourful decor and clients. Here she worked on a plethora of campaigns for blue chip and luxury brands in the beauty, fashion, travel, lifestyle and food arena. Always a fan of luxury hotels and the service industry, Megan then moved client side as Regional Marketing Director with Orient-Express Hotels, followed by further time in London as UK Marketing Director for the five star Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts, where she mingled with celebrities and visiting dignitaries alike, including Joan Collins, Michael Jackson and Anna Wintour.

Megan returned home to beloved Sydney in 2009, recently taking up the coveted role as Account Director/General Manager with Polkadot PR. Megan loves variety and a day where no two are the same, making her the perfect GM in the vibrant and bustling schedule of Polkadot PR.
Interesting fact: Growing up in remote area of outback Queensland, Megan completed kindergarten by School of the Air. Her radio call was: Quebec Alpha Tango 513, are you on channel Rubber Ducky?

Contact Megan: megan@polkadotpr.com.au





 Craig Pearce, Strategic Counsel

Craig Pearce (MA Communication Management) is a multiple award winning strategic public relations professional with 14 years business communication experience.

He moved into public relations after tiring of reporting on anything from rock bands to economics (maybe not such a big leap...) as a journalist for many years, writing for publications as diverse as Vogue, New Musical Express and The Australian.

His greatest strength is devising communication strategies and providing strategic counsel that improves the quality of an organisation’s stakeholder relationships and delivers business-relevant results (i.e. sales). He has won numerous Australian and state public relations industry awards for: marketing communication, digital communication, issues & crisis management, corporate social responsibility, government communication and school education communication.

Craig loves a challenge, which as just as well because he has worked in fields as diverse as nuclear science, recruitment, obstetric ultrasound, power generation, retail, gas, hospitality, steel, telecommunications and cosmetic surgery

Craig writes a killer public relations blog, visit www.craigpearce.info

Interesting fact: Craig signed INXS for their first ever Melbourne gig.


 Alicia Pyke, Media Relations & New Business Consultant

Alicia is a journalist, stylist, copywriter and media consultant with 13 years experience specialising in fashion and beauty. Never without her iPhone or a pair of heels, she has covered Australian Fashion Week for the past eight years and dressed some of the world’s most beautiful women including Catherine McNeil and Miranda Kerr.

Her media obsession began early and by 21 Alicia was working for News Limited in Brisbane. She spent three years as fashion editor at The Courier-Mail and continued in that role at The Daily Telegraph on moving to Sydney in 2005. The following year she embraced a freelance career.

Since then Alicia has been a regular contributor to The Australian, InStyle, Shop Til You Drop, FHM, The Sydney Morning Herald Essential Style and ninemsn among other print and online publications. She has also worked as a copywriter for clients including MasterCard, Bonne Bell Formula 10.0.6, Chic Model Management and The Artist Group.

Alicia is now sharing her industry insights and copywriting skills with Polkadot PR and loving every minute of it.

Interesting fact: Alicia is always on the hunt for the next big thing and blogs about it at www.scout.com.au


 

 Lorna O’Neill, Account Manager 

Lorna O’Neill is the newest (and British) addition to the Polkadot PR team. Lorna, from Liverpool, graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University in the UK with a B.A. 1st class (Hons) degree in public relations in 2005. Her four year course incorporated a number of short term PR placements as well as a full year work placement in the third year as an undergraduate account executive within a large PR agency in Leeds.

Lorna wanted to satisfy her urge to travel before pursuing her career and embarked on a gap year that began with a seven month stint working and ski-ing in the resort of Whistler, Canada. Lorna then sampled Seattle and LA in the US before travelling around Fiji and New Zealand, finishing with a three week trip to Sydney in 2006.

In the last three and a half years, Lorna has pursued her PR career in Manchester in the UK, working on a variety of clients in the lifestyle, food, retail, health, fashion and sports sectors, encompassing PR, promotions, stunts and events. Lorna has managed a variety of campaigns including a global, Guinness World Record breaking PR campaign for Hasbro’s MONOPOLY board game and worked with brands such as Vileda, Dunlop/Slazenger, Chicago Town pizza and Dr. Beckmann.

Having fallen in love with Sydney back in 2006, Lorna decided to leave the UK and pursue her passion for PR here with completely new brands to work with – she arrived in Sydney in August 2009 and already loves living by the beach!
Interesting fact: Lorna was a contestant on UK gameshow the Weakest Link on the BBC - she reached the final round but didn’t win!

Contact Lorna: lorna@polkadotpr.com.au
 

 Abbie Sinclair, Account Manager

Abbie Sinclair joined the Polkadot PR team in September 2009. Abbie completed a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Newcastle with a major in journalism in 2006. During her time at uni Abbie gained work experience in a Newcastle radio newsroom but after graduation Abbie decided she was more attracted to the world of PR which combines three of her great passions – media, creativity and writing.

After completing a two-week internship at Pulse Communications, part of Ogilvy worldwide, Abbie was offered a full-time position. Leaving Newcastle for the big city of Sydney, Abbie remained a member of the Pulse team for almost two years. At Pulse, Abbie gained experience working on a diverse range of clients from the consumer technology, beauty, food and lifestyle sectors. Abbie has experience in media relations, sponsorship activation, large-scale product launches and event management. One of her most memorable PR moments is working on the launch of the iPhone for Vodafone Australia in 2008.

Abbie recently took six months off to travel, living in London and travelling throughout Western Europe and New York.

Interesting Fact: Abbie performed at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games with her school dance group.

Contact Abbie: abbie@polkadotpr.com.au

  

 Sarah Funnell, Account Executive

Sarah Funnell completed a Bachelor of Media & Communications from Southern Cross University, also undergoing a diploma of Journalism/PR. During her time at uni Sarah gained an internship at a Television station and quickly learned that her dream of being a presenter wasn’t a real dream anymore. Never before thinking of PR as a career option, she gave it some thought and was accepted as a long term intern with International PR agency Hill and Knowlton. Loving the fast paced & busy nature of the job she realised this was the industry for her

Sarah gained experience at her internships working on a range of different clients, technology, food & lifestyle. She hopes to expand her knowledge and grow in fashion, sports and lifestyle clients.

Sarah loves to travel and embrace other cultures and recently spending 3 ½ months travelling around South America.

Interesting Fact: Sarah grew up in Shanghai and Hong Kong!

Contact Sarah: sarah@polkadotpr.com.au
 

 

  


 Beau Kassas, Showroom & Office Manager / Account Executive

Beau is from a small rural town in N.S.W where he completed school and worked casually in Disability care.
After moving to Dubbo to study Accounting at Charles Sturt University, Beau realised he needed to find an industry that best suited his personality and strengths, so he moved to Sydney and studied Marketing and Public Relations at APM College of Business and Communications.

It was clear within a few short months that he was corrupted by the Sydney lifestyle and had become a City boy.
Beau worked at Klick Communications where he learned the fundamentals of Public Relations. He also found a strong passion for Social Media and Event Management within the PR industry.
With a team of supporting and dedicated women investing their knowledge and time into his career, Beau found himself more involved and worked across Travel, Consumer, Music and Entertainment clients.

With such an eagerness to learn and a drive to fast-track his career, Beau has joined the team at Polkadot PR and is very excited about his future.

Beau loves being surrounded by great friends and family for every occasion. He enjoys the beach and having no plans on a weekend so he can just see where the City takes him.

Interesting Fact: Beau initially started studying Public Relations because he wanted to be just like Samantha Jones from Sex and the City!

Contact Beau: beau@polkadotpr.com.au

  


 
Hundreds turned out for the Gumtree Community Yoga Class 2010
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Polkadot PR Credentials Video
Want to see who we’ve worked with, and what we can do for your brand.
Polkadot PR celebrates their 3rd birthday, check it out!
There’s nothing like celebrating your birthday with an odd visit by the bongo man.
Daily Brands enter the Hilton in style
Beauty editors were invited to a healthy breakfast, foot and hand massage in the exclusive Zeta Bar, Hilton Hotel Sydney
Fashionistas flock to Sydney’s Fashion Palette event!
The fashion hungry stormed Darling Harbour on the 1st & 2nd May, checking out the who’s who and what’s what in the fashion industry.
Power Plate work out at the Virgin Active Gym
On the 19th April 2009, a dedicated team of journalists along with Elise & Stef from the Polkadot PR team visited the Virgin Active Gym in Brookvale.
Relax with Gumtree
At the crack of dawn on the 9th April, at Australia’s most iconic beach, the girls from Polkadot PR were among 500 other dedicated yoga enthusiasts who took part in Australia’s Largest Yoga Class!
Gumtree trains you for the City2Surf!
In a bid to connect with the community and encourage like-minded people get active and meet people in their local area, online classifieds website Gumtree are offering FREE running group sessions with a certified trainer across Sydney.
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