top of page
Thought leadership
Claire Roper
This blog explores the bold intersection of digital marketing, women in tech, disruption, and the evolving power of social media—while shining a spotlight on awesome projects and game-changing ideas that inspire and ignite change.


When you've been made redundant, but your content still lives on!
Four months ago, I was made redundant. It was tough, but now I’m in a role I love - and I’ve realised something powerful. Campaigns I created are still running, proving that good content has a life of its own. From no-budget recycling projects to a 60th anniversary celebration and election campaigns, my work continues to make an impact even after I’ve moved on.
Oct 52 min read


The Invisible Hand of Social Media: How Algorithms Shape What We See
Social media isn’t just about staying connected—it’s how millions consume news every day. But what you see on your feed isn’t random. Algorithms filter and prioritise content, often reinforcing existing views while hiding others. This creates filter bubbles, fuels polarisation, and makes misinformation harder to spot. Understanding how algorithms work is the first step to breaking free and making more conscious choices online.
Sep 292 min read


Choosing the Right Topic: Writing Through Fear of Backlash
Writing publicly isn’t just about words, it’s about courage. The hardest part isn’t always what you write, but deciding what to write when the risk of backlash feels high.
Sep 222 min read


The Real Reason Your Manager Wants to See Your Daily Tasks
Managers asking employees to list their daily tasks can improve transparency and coordination but may also lead to micromanagement feelings, added admin work, and stress. Understanding the pros and cons helps teams find a balance that supports productivity without unnecessary pressure.
Sep 194 min read


How the Otaki Kids Market Began
It all started with my eldest son, who wanted to make some money. First, he sold second-hand toys at his Nanna’s stall. Then his younger brother joined in with Halloween costumes. Soon, other kids wanted stalls too—and from there, the Kids Market was born.
Aug 312 min read


Too Many Admins, One Big Mess: The Hidden Risks of Your Facebook Business Page
Having too many people on your Meta (Facebook) account puts your business at risk. From personal photos posted by mistake to security breaches and lost control, it's essential to reduce access. Removing users isn’t always simple—it often requires internal negotiation, policy backing, and a formal process. This blog explores real-world pitfalls, shares best-practice examples, and explains how to clean up your Facebook page before it becomes a liability.
Aug 213 min read


Why Every Business Needs a Social Media Moderation Policy, Especially for the Big Topics
In today’s high-stakes digital environment, leadership can no longer afford to stay silent. When public conversations turn heated, frontline social media staff look to the top for clarity. Without it, they’re left to make judgment calls that carry the weight of the organisation’s reputation. The data is clear: 76% of employees expect CEOs to take a stand on societal issues, and brands with clear leadership-guided values recover five times faster from online crises.
Aug 184 min read


The Silent Sabotage: When Your Manager Becomes the Roadblock
There’s a particular kind of workplace frustration that doesn’t come from impossible deadlines or tricky clients. It comes from within...
Aug 143 min read


When the Crisis Is You: How Ignoring Your Social Media Team Can Spark a PR Meltdown
When advice around tone and messaging is ignored, the consequences can be immediate and overwhelming. What could have been avoided with a few small adjustments often turns into a flood of backlash, forcing moderation teams into crisis mode.
Aug 133 min read


Embrace the Chaos: Why Marketing Shouldn’t Fear DIY Content (but Guide It Instead)
With Canva, AI, and smartphones in every department, content creation is no longer just marketing’s job. Instead of fighting it, here’s how to empower teams, protect your brand, and embrace the DIY era, without losing control.
Aug 84 min read


The Em Dash Divide: One Colleague’s Obsession, and My Quiet Resistance
We all know that one person obsessed with the em dash—declaring it the most elegant punctuation ever. But lately, its presence has exploded, from blog posts to AI-generated text. Is the em dash truly a sign of machine writing—or just a misunderstood stylistic choice?
Aug 33 min read


The Utter Nonsense of 5-Minute Crafts
Ever found yourself 2 minutes deep into a video where someone’s turning old tyres into a sofa... and wondered how you got there? You’re not alone. Viral content creators know exactly how to hook your brain. This blog explores the wild world of ridiculous online videos, the sneaky science behind your curiosity, and why these clips get billions of views—even when they make zero sense.
Jul 304 min read


Lockdown Diaries: Capturing the Chaos, Joy, and Reality of Family Life in 2020
When lockdown hit in 2020, I started filming daily video diaries of life at home with my three kids. Using just my phone and a simple editing app, I captured everything from dance parties to meltdowns. What began as a creative outlet quickly became a way to stay connected, with friends and family tuning in each day — and even joining in with their own dance clips from around the world.
Jul 272 min read


Working From Home: Trust, Technology, and the Truth About Productivity
Working from home isn’t about clocking in from your kitchen and slacking off—it’s about trust, discipline, and outcomes. In NZ, nearly 900,000 people now work remotely, and over 50% say they’re more productive. I've worked in cultures that embraced flexibility and others that feared it. The difference? Mindset. With the right support and trust, remote work isn't just possible—it’s powerful.
Jul 272 min read


Why Shared Inboxes Don't Cut It: The Chaos of Team Email Management
When your comms or marketing team is juggling a shared inbox, overlapping emails, and unclear ownership—it’s a recipe for missed deadlines, duplicated work, and rising stress. Relying on a cluttered inbox without a proper ticketing or intake system means your team can’t track incoming jobs, measure performance, or spot issues across the wider business. In short: it’s unsustainable. This blog explores the risks of inbox chaos and the benefits of moving to a structured, trackab
Jul 254 min read


Whose Job Is It to Water the Office Plants? And Why Is There a Garden Gnome Involved?
Not all team-building efforts are created equal — and sometimes, they backfire. From forced chore rosters to quirky “fun” initiatives like desk gnomes and plant-watering duty, well-meaning engagement strategies can leave staff feeling disrespected, stressed, or checked out. It’s time for HR, managers, and engagement leads to look beyond surface-level fun and tune into what the data and employee voices are really saying: autonomy, purpose, and respect matter more than novelty.
Jul 213 min read


No Strategy? No Worries — Until It’s Chaos. Why a Marketing Strategy is Your Secret to Success
When comms and marketing teams work without a strategy, things get reactive and chaotic. But with the right plan in place? Everything changes. Learn how a smart strategy brings clarity, focus, and confidence to your work.
Jul 194 min read


When the Kiss Cam Becomes a Corporate Catastrophe — Why We’re Obsessed with the Coldplay CEO Scandal
The Coldplay concert kiss cam moment that exposed tech CEO Andy Byron and his HR executive in an awkward embrace didn’t just spark gossip—it ignited a social media firestorm of memes, brand parodies, and viral content. This blog explores the public’s fascination with the scandal, the flood of memes that followed, and what this says about our culture’s obsession with real-time viral moments.
Jul 193 min read


Digital Tools at Work: Powerful, but only with direction
In today’s digital workplace, we rely on tools like Teams, Trello, email, and Messenger to stay connected and productive. But without structure, these tools can become overwhelming and counterproductive. This blog explores how to get the best out of your digital stack — and why direction matters more than ever.
Jul 183 min read


Why You Shouldn’t Delete That TikTok (Even If No One Watched It)
Before you delete that underperforming TikTok, take a breath. Just because a video didn’t go viral doesn’t mean it didn’t serve a purpose. Every post helps train the algorithm, adds depth to your profile, and can still influence potential customers. Plus, there’s a smarter option—recycling. With a new hook, updated visuals, or better timing, older content can be repurposed to perform even better. In this post, we break down why deleting could hurt your growth and how to refre
Jul 174 min read


Why Two-Factor Authentication Is a Must for Your Business Facebook Page
Protect your business’s Facebook page by enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). With multiple team members accessing your Meta account—often using personal emails without strong security—your page is vulnerable to hacks that can cause costly disruptions. Learn why 2FA is essential and how it safeguards your brand.
Jul 165 min read


Climbing the Ladder: Social Media Roles from Coordinator to Principal
From scheduling posts to shaping enterprise-wide strategy, social media roles have evolved dramatically. This blog breaks down the key differences between a Social Media Coordinator, Advisor, Senior Advisor, and Principal—what each role does, where the responsibilities lie, and how they contribute to the overall success of a modern organisation. Whether you're starting out or looking to grow your digital career, understanding these roles can help map your next step.
Jul 143 min read


Social media: Trolls, abusers and losers
Working in social media can be very rewarding, but it can also be draining. The constant negativity, moaning and complaining online can take a toll on your mental health, occasionally getting you down or at worse having an adverse affect on your entire wellbeing.
Jul 134 min read


Top Free Learning platforms for Digital Marketing Pros
Whether you're upskilling, changing careers, or just starting out in digital marketing, there's no need to break the bank. This guide highlights the best free online learning platforms and webinars for professionals—covering everything from AI and content marketing to social media strategy and analytics. Discover top tools from Harvard, HubSpot, Google, and more.
Jul 84 min read
bottom of page