Overview

I am a strategy and communications consultant based in Sydney, Australia.

Key achievements

• Conceiving the idea for and launching Computer CHOICE for the Australian Consumers’ Association in 1996. The magazine continues to be Australia’s leading independent computer magazine
• Author of the best selling book How to buy a computer, published in 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2000 by CHOICE Books
• Co-founding FREE ACCESS magazine (1998 to 2006), which was a free computer magazine distributed through Harvey Norman, Dick Smith Electronics, and Myer stores
• Co-founding Total Image magazine (2001), which is free photographic magazine distributed through Camera House stores and independent photo retailers 
• Developing the “D-Lifestyle” (2005) custom magazine concept for D-Link
• Writing one of the first books about MySpace, Hacking MySpace in 2006
• Launching www.blorge.com (2006), which is now one of the most popular Australian-based technology sites with more than 500,000 readers every month
• Developing and implementing the marketing/communications strategy for the innovative Woonona-Bulli Home Energy Challenge residential energy-efficiency program (2007)

Advisory positions: 

• Member of the NSW Fair Trading Advisory Council, advising the Minister for Fair Trading in the area of consumer protection, appointed November 2006
• Judge for the Bell magazine industry awards, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008
• Judge for the ITJourno awards 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Business affiliations:

• Spitfire Communications Pty Ltd - providing consulting services to key accounts including Topcon, Sandvik, Bridgestone Earthmover Tyres and Reed Exhibition Services
• Total Image Publishing Pty Ltd - director and co-publisher of Total Image magazine

Books

• Hacking MySpace, published in the USA in August 2006 by John Wiley and Sons
• How to start a business in the real world, published in 2002 by CHOICE Books
• How to buy a computer, published in 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2000 by CHOICE Books

Education

• Master of Business Administration from the University of Technology Sydney (2005), MBA refresher (2006)
• Communications Degree (majoring in Journalism) from the University of Canberra (1994)