Retiring last year after almost 10 years at TVNZ, Kevin Kenrick is the longest serving CEO of a major New Zealand media company. A successful career marketer, our 2022 Marketing Hall of Fame inductee has been instrumental in putting marketing on the agenda at the C-suite table.
Taking marketing to the masses
Kevin Kenrick has spent a significant amount of his career leading the transformation of some of New Zealand’s most established businesses across a variety of industries such as telecommunications, travel, banking, and beverages.
This theme of transformation perhaps began when Kevin was studying at the University of Waikato.
Originally from Rotorua, Kevin moved to Hamilton to complete a Bachelor of Management Studies intending to forge a career in accounting or finance.
However, it wasn’t long before he found his passion for marketing. He was also eagerly involved in the infamous ‘capping revues’ and stunts, one of which became national news.
This keenness for disruption was to become a hallmark for his career where he continued to be drawn to roles that lead businesses through times of great change.
After graduating he landed marketing roles at Carter Holt Harvey and Lion Nathan before moving into more senior roles at Telecom, House of Travel and TVNZ.
Kevin took on the high-profile role at state-owned broadcaster TVNZ in 2012, leading it through a significant digital evolution.Thanks to his background in marketing, he recognised the importance of meeting customer demands and embraced the level of engagement New Zealanders had with the business.
Under his leadership TVNZ has transformed itself from a legacy broadcaster into a comprehensive digital and linear content service.
TVNZ Chair, Andy Coupe, comments that Kevin was an outstanding leader throughout his tenure. “From his appointment in 2012, Kevin has led the organisation through a period of significant growth and transformational change,” he says.
TVNZ Commercial Director, Jodi O’Donnell says: “Kevin [was] a passionate supporter of all our advertisers and agency partners throughout his time at TVNZ.”
On his tenure at TVNZ, Kevin commented: “It’s a privilege to lead such an iconic New Zealand company and I still pinch myself that we engage more than two million viewers every day across our content platforms. I’ve loved the opportunity to work with the incredibly talented team at TVNZ and feel confident that the business is in great shape and is well placed to take advantage of the opportunities ahead.”
Now that his time at TVNZ is over, Kevin is taking some time to consider his next move
and focusing on his roles as Non-Executive Director at BNZ and a Chairman for Good
George Brewing.
