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
 


 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

 

  

 Tessa Anderssen, Account Manager

Tessa Anderssen joins the Polkadot PR team in September 2009. Tessa graduated from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Media majoring in writing in 2006. In her final year of university she discovered a passion for PR, media and communications after working on an assignment for Virgin Atlantic. Tessa loves being able to channel her creativity and writing through strategy and planning – embracing hard work with a healthy dose of fun!

Tessa’s first foray into PR saw her working for Greenpeace where she hit the ground running and relished the opportunity to promote a range of environmental campaigns. After taking some time off to travel she joined Map and Page, crossing over into the corporate and consumer world to purse her other passions. Tessa gained experience across a variety of clients such as: The Australian Jockey Club, Bluetongue Beer, Magic Millions and 2GB in a role which saw her working on a wide range of PR activities including everything from traditional publicity and events to strategy and online media. Tessa was also able to continue her work for the environment and especially enjoyed promoting a recycling initiative for Coca-Cola Amatil. Tessa is delighted to be able to continue to balance eco and consumer clients at Polkadot PR.

Tessa’s most memorable PR experiences to date are: helping to deliver an anti-whaling petition to the Japanese Ambassador, holding a one million dollar diamond, babysitting a football team at the races and cruising through the Gold Coast in a gold stretch limo with a group of the country’s top gossip columnists.

Interesting fact: Tessa has sipped tea in London, shot tequila in Mexico, mixed mojitos in Havana and slurped on a gallon of Coca-Cola in Central Park but has never ever had a cup of coffee!

Contact Tessa: tessa@polkadotpr.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
 


 Stefanie Maras, PR Assistant/Office Assistant

Stefanie Maras has completed an Adv. Diploma in Business Marketing at APM Training Institute. After over a year of experience in various sectors of Event Management, Online Media Buying and Public Relations she has found her passion for PR and is currently continuing her study to complete a Bachelor of PR & Communications, finishing her course in 2010.

Stefanie has worked on various clients which include Motorola, Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker Blue, Diageo Luxury Reserve Brands, Yellowtail Wines, Toohey’s Extra Dry & Cornetto, She has also had experience in being a part of large scale events such as the 2009 MTV Awards, 2008 Good Vibrations Festival, Justin Timberlake 07 tour & the Children’s Council Cricket Rocks On Charity Dinner 2007.

Combining her Event Management, Online Advertising & PR Skills Stefanie is able to have a holistic view & an overall outlook on the entire Marketing campaign for an individual product.

Interesting Fact: Stefanie has a soft spot for skydiving & other adrenalin activities.

Contact Stefanie: stefanie@polkadotpr.com.au
Stefanie Maras
Polkadot PR Credentials Video
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