The Team

Chris Due

Chairman

E

chris@forge.co.nz

Bio

Chris has been Chairman of FORGE Media Group since 2007 and a director since 2004. His associated company, Cadre Investments limited, is the largest shareholder in FMG. Chris is an experienced businessman with both corporate and small business/start up experience, including business ownership and growth of that business from management buy out to divestment. He is an active working director, representing angel and venture capital investment in companies specialising in technology based products, with previous corporate management roles. He is a member of the NZ Institute of Directors and a former Associated Chartered Accountant. His time is juggled between business commitments, his 1936 classic Kauri Launch, sailing, skiing and trying to play golf.

Paul Dennis

Director & Chief Executive

P

021 552 952

E

paul@forge.co.nz

Bio

Paul has been managing FORGE Media Group since 2006 and a director since 2007. He has worked closely with Chris Due (FMG Chairman) to successfully expand the business, with the addition of Print, Design and Marketing Communications businesses to the Group. Prior to joining Forge Media Paul held a variety of senior management positions in corporate and start up businesses including APN News and Media, Global Online Promotions, Telecom, CallPlus, Clear Communications and Lion Nathan. Paul holds a bachelors degree (BCom) from Auckland University, a New Zealand Certificate of Commerce from AUT and is completing a Masters of Commerce in Customer Relationship Management programmes. As CEO of Forge Media Group he is responsible for all business activities and focused on achieving further growth of the business in the New Zealand market; he balances this focus with family adventures and a passion for tennis and football. Attempts to learn guitar and golf are ongoing.

Julius Fox

GM Marketing and Business Development

P

021 790 050

E

julius@forge.co.nz

Bio

Julius joined Forge Media in 2010 when his business Fox Communications merged into the Forge Media Group. He joined Forge Media as a shareholder and the General Manager responsible for Group Business Development and Marketing. Prior to joining Forge Media Julius spent six years in his own marketing communications business working with clients such as Turners Auctions, TVNZ and numerous others. Prior to this Julius held senior management positions at Nike, and Canterbury, both in New Zealand and overseas and agency experience with DDB and Publicis. He is a graduate of Auckland and Massey Universities in Marketing and Geography. He is proud dad to three young children and has a range of personal interests including boating, fishing, skiing and is currently butchering the bass guitar.

Zandro Martinez

Prepress

E

zandro@forge.co.nz

Carlo Martinez

Inwards & Outwards Goods

E

carlo@forge.co.nz

Noel Cosio

IT Manager

E

noel@forge.co.nz

Bio

Noel joined FORGE Media in 2001. In prior roles Noel started his career in the pharmaceutical sector using his pharmacy industry experience in laboratory and operational roles. He made the switch to IT by completing a Bachelor Of Science Degree in Computer Studies at Unitec. He then joined the Forge Media IT team and has progressed to become our IT Manager since 2007. Noel is known internally as the Intranet guru and is an invaluable team player on major projects involving IT delivery. Noel has a great passion for golf playing off a 10 handicap that he aims to get down to 4 (if only time allowed him to play every day).

Tracy Zafra III

Purchasing & Inventory Manager

E

tracy@forge.co.nz

Bio

Tracy has always found working in a manufacturing environment a challenging but more 
rewarding career choice. Having worked overseas for a multi-national electronics manufacturing company and later with a plastic injection molding firm, you can say that the day to day challenges in this environment is what drives and motivates him to succeed in his undertakings. 
Having moved to New Zealand a little over 9 years ago (he has been with FORGE Media for almost the same period of time) Tracy has never looked back and has regarded New Zealand as his new home.
 As written on the Application Form for Immigrants – “The Right Choice” - indeed it is.

Leanne Barclay

Finance Assistant

E

leanne@forge.co.nz

Bio

Leanne joined FORGE Media in February 2009. She has a strong Financial background with many years spent in the Auto Electrical supply trade and then as Finance person a Retail clothing chain. Leanne balances her FORGE commitments with a passion for fitness, running and raising her two young children. She has a passion for chocolate albeit this is not fitting well with her fitness drive in 2010 so has been abandoned for now.

Andrew Baker

Digital Printing Technician

E

andrew@forge.co.nz

Janine Martin

Finance Manager

E

janine@forge.co.nz

Bio

Janine joined FORGE Media in 2001, having owned her own business and wanting to start a new career in Finance. She worked in the Finance Team and over many years mastered all aspects of the finance function. In 2007 she was promoted to Finance Manager and since this time (other than a six month holiday having her second son) has directed all Finance functions admirably. Janine is a past professional dancer and continues to maintain her fitness (yeah right) whilst focusing on her two sons, Caleb and Tristan.

Roger McSaveney

G.M. Operations

P

021 367 015

E

roger@forge.co.nz

Bio

Roger has been with Media Technology for almost 10 years. He is currently General Manager of Operations for Forge. Roger holds a bachelors degree (BSc) from The University of Auckland. Roger has a broad knowledge of both CD/DVD manufacturing, and the printing industry. He has a sharp sense of humour and is often found stirring everyone in sight – he had plans to have a large family of seven children but sanity has prevailed and he has stopped at three. Call Roger anytime (24 hours a day) on his cellular.

Amanda Frost

Graphic Designer

Bio

Amanda has worked for Aditude as a designer (she said she’d help Aditude out for a couple of months while they were busy) and ended up staying for 11 years before the company merged with Forge Media. Before this she worked in the UK and South Africa working for small advertising companies, production companies and PA management rolls. Amanda enjoys yoga (one day I’ll be able to touch my toes), reading, watching anything to do with horses, twilight movie series and the walks around the bays while trying to keep up with her two young ones, Boston and Mercedez.

Dean Baker

Key Account Manager

P

021 383 877

E

dean@forge.co.nz

Bio

Dean joined the sales team of FORGE Media in 1999 after 15 years in the Ski Industry.  Strong on detail and customer commitment Dean manages a number of large and complex clients. Dean holds a degree in life and is strongly committed to his sport and family. Competing in NZ Speed Skiing contests, Triathlons and completing the 1989 Auckland Ironman triathlon (3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42km run). Surfing remains his key interest.

Scott Osborne

Creative Director

E

scott@forge.co.nz

Bio

Scott is the lead creative role at FORGE Media. His experience ranges from developing major brands to smaller scale identity projects. He has worked in a number of studios from London to New Zealand. Our clients benefit from this opportunity to draw upon his knowledge of 15 years experience. Bringing with him a fresh creative outlook to compliment our existing and new clients. Scott now accepts that his surfing career will be taking a back seat to his new baby this year.

Gary Cross

Creative Director

Bio

Gary has been in the advertising industry for longer than he cares to (or can) remember. He has worked as a copywriter/creative director for agencies big and small, including Aim, Ogilvy & Mather Direct, Results and Aditude. The advantage of having a lot of years under his belt is that he has a wealth of experience across a variety of industry sectors. He has worked on award winning campaigns for National Australia Bank, Save the Children and Millers Beer, plus a raft of financial, fmcg and trade accounts including Powerbase, Philips, Sovereign, Westpac, Tasti and Trade Tools. He writes in his spare time. He has had eleven books published for children and young adults. Titles include Plague of the Undead and Empire of the Undead and are based on his early years in advertising. He will not let any of his three young children read them.

Kat Huffer

Senior Designer

E

kat@forge.co.nz

Bio

Originally from the UK, Kat graduated with a couple of qualifications under her belt. These qualifications gave her a strong grounding to pursue her passion for Graphic Design. Once she had some years hard graft, she decided to pursue her second passion - travel. She bought a one-way ticket to New Zealand with a few stops on the way and hasn't looked back. Kat has worked with an array of clients from large to boutique and prefers it that way to keep her creative energy flowing.

Rajina Koelmeyer

Account Manager

P

021 147 6828

E

rajina@forge.co.nz

Bio

Rajina is one of the Sales Account Managers at FORGE since 2004, her busy role involves most of the inbound enquires through the web and telephone. She reports to the Sales Manager.
Rajina joined the company early in 2000 in online order fulfilment and joined the sales team in 2003. She has been heavily involved in customer service related aspects of the business ever since and is proficient in handling orders from enquiry to despatch. Rajina is currently on maternity leave until early 2012.

Dylan Bollaert

Print

Melissa Ranaldi

Account Manager

E

melissa@forge.co.nz

Joey Ilagan

Assistant Printing Technician

E

joseph@forge.co.nz

Bio

Joey joined FORGE Media over 7 years ago and even left once, but missed the team too much so he came back to understudy Osmund in the Screen Printing department. He loves to print high quality CD/DVD jobs and also happens to be a semi-professional basketball player - which comes in handy when thrashing the opposition in their annual challenge against the managers.

Ariel Galang

Manufacturing Technician

Paolo Alinea

Designer / Illustrator

E

paolo@forge.co.nz

Bio

Paolo is one of our designers and our main illustrator, and has been with the company for at least 8 years. A very experienced artist and Photoshop guru (according to some), he also assists the Studio with most of the photo retouching and image rebuilding tasks. He enjoys gaming and digital painting during his free time and eats 6 times a day.

Simona Geampalia

Production Assistant

Osmond Malaluan

Printing Technician

Arnel Tipon

Production Assistant

Ioshua Bentley

Print

Kate Hallams

Senior Account Manager

E

kate@forge.co.nz

Bio

Kate Hallams is a Senior Account Manager at FORGE. Kate has a strong background in FMCG, finance, travel & fashion categories. Before moving to FORGE she was managing complex above and below the line campaigns at one of New Zealand's largest ad agencies.