Of graduates employed
Internships delivered
Miriam – Digital Marketing Programme Leader
Miriam Seifert a.k.a Campus Busy Bee
Role in a nutshell: I’m the programme leader for DDM, tutor for Digital Marketing Principles and Practices and also a part of the Client Success team
Specialties: Teaching Marketing Theories and Frameworks and enabling students to apply these in both theoretical and real live contexts.
Background Experience: I have been involved in tertiary teaching for over 7 years. I have been teaching at university and tertiary providers. I have been mainly teaching marketing and other business courses. I hold a Doctoral Degree in Strategic Marketing from the the University of Auckland.
Passion: Supporting students with empathy and compassion.
Fun-fact: I love learning languages. I am speaking, German, Spanish, French and English. I am currently learning te reo.
When I’m not working you can find me: Scuba diving around NZ, fishing and hiking. I love the outdoors.
Advice: Start early on your assessments to avoid last minute panic!
Lasma – SEO & Data Tutor
Lasma Zorgenberga a.k.a Search Engine Marketing and Data Analytics Nerd
Role in a nutshell: I am the tutor for Level-7 Search Engine Marketing and Data Analytics courses, as well as Level-5 Micro Credentials SEO mini course.
Specialties: I specialise in taking complex digital challenges and distilling them into holistic strategies that improve ROI and digital presence in Search, for both local and international businesses.
Background Experience: I’m a well-rounded marketer with over 6 years of experience leading successful digital campaigns for enterprises across New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Europe and gaining industry experience at New Zealand’s most awarded and leading Search agency – the only agency to receive Google All-Star status in New Zealand.
Passion: Passionate about AI in the workforce, & marketing – segmentation, innovation, automation, analytics, personalisation, scaling – and marketing AI technologies.
Fun-fact: I dream about traveling to Japan because I’m huge fan of ramen and Something not many people know about me is that I write poetry.
When I’m not working you can find me: On the beach, reading English poetry, practising mindful living, and advocating the future of workforces around the world.
Advice: Always walk through life as if you have something new to learn and you will.
Leo – Email Marketing Tutor
Name a.k.a The Man Behind The Lens
Role in a nutshell: I’m the tutor for 715: Email Marketing
Specialties: Anything content with a strong focus on customer journey and automation.
Background Experience: I have been a tutor of various subjects for over 15 years and got deeply involved with digital marketing since I arrived in New Zealand 5 years ago. I’m proud to have completed my Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Business at NZIE in 2019 where I conducted research in Social Media Marketing training needs for SMEs and one of the key findings show that email marketing is still a central piece in organisational development. I’m super involved in content production and strategies for social media and email marketing alongside customer journey design.
Passion: Helping and being supportive. Together we can achieve great things.
Fun-fact: I have once had to step in as an actor in one of the theatrical musical I produced because somebody stepped out.
When I’m not working you can find me: Rollerblading, Kayaking or walking/running my dog along the beach.
Advice: Whenever it feels difficult, breath and remember this is just another step in the process and you can go through it. When you look back you will see how much you have grown and achieved. “Great things are done when people and mountains meet” (adpted from Willian Blake).
Janelle – Digital Design Tutor
Janelle Baptist a.k.a Digital DIYer
Role in a nutshell: I am the tutor for 709: Digital Design Principles
What are your specialties? Software such as InDesign – specifically making graphic design resources, publications, slideshows and presentations.
What’s your background experience? I’m experienced in graphic design, photography, UX/digital design, and websites. I have a Degree in Graphic Design, Diploma in Photography, Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching and am working on an Applied Certificate in E-Learning. I have taught gateway programmes and a Level 5 Web and Graphics Diploma, covering Design Foundation, Graphic Design, Web and UX modules.
What is your passion? Helping people and doing something good, I’m continuously learning and trying to make a difference.
What’s a fun fact about you? I worked at Disney World in the US, and I also play competitive laser tag.
When I’m not working, you can find me: On the internet – I watch a lot of documentaries and TV shows, but I also read a lot, and I used to cook more than I do now!
Advice: Take internships and network as much as you can. I’ve done heaps of unpaid internships, which I know is a very contentious subject. But the way I see it, I’m not paying to do a course or learn that topic, so it’s a mutually beneficial relationship to me.
Matt – Social Media Marketing Tutor
Matt Wort a.k.a Comedy Queen
Role in a nutshell: I am the tutor for Social Media Marketing.
Specialties: I like to think my specialty is bringing brands to life with storytelling. Copywriting is a strength, and the Oxford comma is my friend. I also have a wealth of experience with paid ads management, across social media and Google.
Background Experience: I’ve been a freelancer for six years and have spent that time between agencies, long-term contracts, and short-term projects. Before freelancing I studied creative writing where I received a degree for writing an okay book. I now use the story-telling skills I learned in my degree to craft emotive and impactful campaigns for brands. I have worked in both the public and private sectors, as well as for some non-profit organisations.
Passion: Having fun in my work. And also finding shortcuts to simplify what can sometimes be complex tasks.
Fun-Fact: As part of a uni assignment, I once posted a Harry Potter quiz to Buzzfeed. It went viral and received millions of views. I’m still trying to chase that level of success hah!
When I’m not working you can find me: Playing videogames (occasionally streaming), Reading comics (currently reading Heartstopper), or cooking (I fell into the deep web of oat recipes on Tik Tok).
Advice: Social media is supposed to be fun, explore the lighter side of having a laugh with it.
Alison – Digital Design, Website & E-Commerce Tutor
Alison (Langley) Weir-Smith aka the Website Pro.
Role in a nutshell: I am teaching 710: Introduction to WordPress and E-commerce.
Specialties: I am a website designer and developer and I’ve been doing it for 10 years, and I’m pedantic.
Background Experience: A BSC degree in computer studies and psychology. Other than that, I dabbled in every aspect of the online marketing space – from SEO and Google AdWords to website design and website development for the last 12 years. I started off in SEO and then gradually taught myself website development and design. I used to teach a one-day crash course in SEO in South Africa (where I am originally from).
Passion: My passion is making people’s website dreams come to life. Taking the ideas out of their head and putting them on the internet.
Fun-Fact: I’m a baker-holic. And my husband’s waistline suffers the consequences.
When I’m not working you can find me: Curled up on the couch or in bed snuggled by my dogs with a good book.
Advice: Ask questions. I’m very, very prone to getting technical. And if I’m going over your head, you’ve got to stop me and ask me. Otherwise, I assume you know what I’m talking about.
Shay – Video and Live Content Production for Social Media Tutor
When I’m not working you can find me: At the movies, gaming or making short films.
Tyler – Digital Design Tutor
Tyler Jade a.k.a Creative Coffee Drinker
Role in a nutshell: Introducing learners to the exciting field of design, delivering classes, giving constructive feedback. Assessing submissions and creating inspiring content.
Specialties: Teaching Design Theories in a practical way that is easy to apply in real world scenarios. Unearthing the potential of design thinking and helping others refine their craft.
Background Experience: I am a South African national living and working in New Zealand. I hold an Honours degree in Visual Communication. I have experience in the industry in agencies, in-house, corporates working with several local and international brands as well as experience in the academic arena
Passion: Inspiring others to cultivate creativity and curiosity.
Fun-fact: I can make pasta from scratch.
When I’m not working you can find me: Spending time with my dog Egypt, shopping at thrift stores or swimming and training at the gym.
Advice: Showing up is 50% of success, the other 50% is giving it your best shot.
Shawn - Content and Paid Ads Tutor
Shawn Thomas a.k.a The Man of Many Hats
Role in a nutshell: I teach 410 – Authentic Content Creation, and 513 – Paid Social Media Advertising to our Social Media Marketing Diploma students
Specialties: Social media, content creation and video (how to really make brands come alive).
Background Experience: I hold a Diploma in Digital Marketing and Graphic Design, along with a filmmaking certificate from the New York Film Academy. I also earned a Master’s in Child and Family Psychology, giving me deep insights into human behaviour, which I apply to consumer psychology in the digital marketing world.
Passion: I’ve been doing hip-hop dancing since I was a kid and now run a dance school on weekends with my wife. It’s really awesome to see students gain confidence through learning.
Fun-fact: I’ve recently become a dad!
When I’m not working you can find me: Spending time with my family or teaching at our dance studio.
Advice: Stay curious! Marketing is always about the small things. Be curious about behaviour, people, and about what makes them tick. It’s all about understanding, adapting and making continuous improvements.
Alla - Future Technology in Social Media Tutor
Alla Lvovich a.k.a “The AI Whisperer”
Role in a nutshell: I am the course leader for Future Technology in Social Media, helping students navigate the exciting intersection of artificial intelligence and digital marketing.
Specialties: AI-powered marketing tools, emerging technologies in Digital Marketing, ethical AI implementation, technical SEO and holistic digital marketing strategies.
Background Experience: I have 10 years of hands-on experience in both agency and in-house Digital Marketing roles, coupled with a Master’s in Digital Marketing specialising in AI applications. I currently share industry insights as a speaker at international marketing conferences and lead AI masterclasses at the Marketing Association of New Zealand.
Fun-fact: I like llamas
Passion: Exploring the depth of AI capabilities for Digital Marketing and personal life.
When I’m not working you can find me: Travelling in NZ and overseas.
Advice: Digital marketing is a perfect blend of art and science. Don’t get overwhelmed by the technology – focus on understanding the principles, and the tools will follow. And remember: the best marketers aren’t just data-driven, they’re curiosity-driven!
