Event
Wanaka Coffee Catch Up Event March 2026
Join us on March 17 for coffee, lakeside walks and a good dose of local marketing chat.
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Event
Queenstown Lakes Marketers Coffee Catch Up | 17 March 2026
Join us on March 17 at 8am at Yonder.Grab a coffee, connect with fellow locals in marketing, and start the day right.
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Event
Exclusive Student Event Wellington
[Wellington] Exclusive Student Event – Careers in Marketing
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Event
Marketing Meetup | March
Feelings vs Funnels: Does Brand Love or Algorithms Win in 2026? Join us for networking + nibbles!
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Event
Waikato Marketers Event March
A Masterclass in Future-Ready Marketing: Influencing Behaviour Through Human Insight? Join us for networking event on 24th March 2026
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Event
Dunedin Marketers Event
Reconnect with Dunedin’s marketing community over drinks at Vault 21. Small group. Real conversations.
Learn moreSpeakers
Marco Zdrenka
AI SEO & Organic Search Lead
CALIBRE + CANDOR
AI and the Future of Search: What It Means for Your SEO Strategy
Jasmine Jellyman
Head of Brand & Marketing
Duality
Panel Discussion: Balancing Authenticity with AI in 2026
Panellist
Steve Backe-Hansen
General Manager - Marketing, Brand & Communications
ChristchurchNZ
Panel Discussion: Balancing Authenticity with AI in 2026
Panellist
Lily Carter
Google Ads Specialist
Carter & Co. Digital
Panel Discussion: Balancing Authenticity with AI in 2026
Panellist
Caelan Huntress
Founder
Ai Coaching Academy
Panel Discussion: Balancing Authenticity with AI in 2026
Panel Moderator & Your MC
Marco Zdrenka
AI SEO & Organic Search Lead
CALIBRE + CANDOR
AI and the Future of Search: What It Means for Your SEO Strategy
Jasmine Jellyman
Head of Brand & Marketing
Duality
Panel Discussion: Balancing Authenticity with AI in 2026
Panellist
Steve Backe-Hansen
General Manager - Marketing, Brand & Communications
ChristchurchNZ
Panel Discussion: Balancing Authenticity with AI in 2026
Panellist
Lily Carter
Google Ads Specialist
Carter & Co. Digital
Panel Discussion: Balancing Authenticity with AI in 2026
Panellist
Caelan Huntress
Founder
Ai Coaching Academy
Panel Discussion: Balancing Authenticity with AI in 2026
Panel Moderator & Your MC
Marco Zdrenka
AI SEO & Organic Search Lead
CALIBRE + CANDOR
AI and the Future of Search: What It Means for Your SEO Strategy
AI is no longer a novelty in SEO; it’s reshaping how people search, discover, and engage with content online. Understanding this shift and the real-world implications of AI SEO are now critical for every brand’s digital strategy. Traditional SEO has focused on keywords, backlinks, and rankings. AI-driven search, however, prioritises brand authority, relevance, and citations - returning richer, more context-aware answers. The goalposts have shifted, and so must our approach. Marco Zdrenka, Calibre + Candor’s Head of Search, will explore how the leading AI search platforms are transforming SEO performance. He’ll unpack what’s changing, what still matters, and how to future-proof your strategy.
About Marco
Marco Zdrenka is Head of Search at Calibre + Candor, specialising in the evolving intersection of AI and SEO. Renowned for his strategic and technical expertise, Marco leads award-nominated search initiatives, helping brands harness emerging technologies to drive visibility, performance, and sustainable digital growth in an AI-driven landscape.
Jasmine Jellyman
Head of Brand & Marketing
Duality
Panel Discussion: Balancing Authenticity with AI in 2026
Panellist
Audiences have reached the saturation point. The internet is full of content, but thin on meaning, leading to a new counter trend that prioritises raw, human, and authentic connection.
It’s not a rejection of technology, but rather a return to fundamental marketing basics such as storytelling, emotional resonance, and trust-building - where AI becomes a tool for efficiency rather than a replacement for creativity.
We are asking Christchurch-based marketers how they are tackling this shift and what’s working for them. How are they balancing AI with authenticity, what content keeps them visibility in AI searches, and what have they entrusted to AI (and what not!).
About Jasmine
Jasmine Jellyman is Head of Brand and Marketing at Duality, where she is building the brand and the strategy from the ground up in a high-stakes, high-trust market. With experience across brand, digital, and growth marketing, Jasmine is known for translating complexity into clear, actionable strategy grounded in deep customer insight.
At Duality, she is navigating how AI affects discovery, content, and trust, using emerging tools to reinforce the fundamentals: understanding the market and customers, sharpening message clarity, and protecting brand credibility.
Jasmine brings a pragmatic view of what has changed, what hasn’t, and what marketers need to prioritise as technology evolves, including deep understanding, strong positioning, and human-led storytelling that earns trust over time.
Steve Backe-Hansen
General Manager - Marketing, Brand & Communications
ChristchurchNZ
Panel Discussion: Balancing Authenticity with AI in 2026
Panellist
Audiences have reached the saturation point. The internet is full of content, but thin on meaning, leading to a new counter trend that prioritises raw, human, and authentic connection.
It’s not a rejection of technology, but rather a return to fundamental marketing basics such as storytelling, emotional resonance, and trust-building - where AI becomes a tool for efficiency rather than a replacement for creativity.
We are asking Christchurch-based marketers how they are tackling this shift and what’s working for them. How are they balancing AI with authenticity, what content keeps them visibility in AI searches, and what have they entrusted to AI (and what not!).
About Steve
Steve Backe-Hansen is ChristchurchNZ’s General Manager of Marketing, Brand and Communications. He leads a team of communication, marketing and digital professionals to curate, promote and market the city’s story. Together with his team, he strives to solidify the brand of both ChristchurchNZ and Christchurch City, ensures stakeholders are well informed, and sells the dream of Ōtautahi Christchurch through marketing campaigns and activity.
“It is an absolute privilege to be in a role that plays a part in changing perceptions of our beautiful city. My goal is to get others across New Zealand and abroad to see just how amazing Ōtautahi Christchurch really is!"
Steve has worked across a number of sectors ranging from private to tertiary and local government. He has held various positions including strategic and tactical marketing, digital and e-commerce and customer experience.
Lily Carter
Google Ads Specialist
Carter & Co. Digital
Panel Discussion: Balancing Authenticity with AI in 2026
Panellist
Audiences have reached the saturation point. The internet is full of content, but thin on meaning, leading to a new counter trend that prioritises raw, human, and authentic connection.
It’s not a rejection of technology, but rather a return to fundamental marketing basics such as storytelling, emotional resonance, and trust-building - where AI becomes a tool for efficiency rather than a replacement for creativity.
We are asking Christchurch-based marketers how they are tackling this shift and what’s working for them. How are they balancing AI with authenticity, what content keeps them visibility in AI searches, and what have they entrusted to AI (and what not!).
About Lily
Lily Carter is a Google Ads Specialist at Carter & Co. Digital, helping businesses turn paid search into predictable and profitable growth. Working across e-commerce and service-based industries, she is known for combining performance marketing with a strong technical foundation to deliver measurable, scalable results.
She focuses on the intersection of advertising, data, and emerging technology, particularly accurate conversion tracking, attribution, and the practical use of AI in Google Ads. With a Master’s in Digital Business (First Class), Lily applies automation where it adds value, while maintaining tight controls where precision and human judgement matter most.
Lily’s work is grounded in clarity, efficiency, and long-term performance, prioritising clean data, strong account structure, and thoughtful strategy to support sustainable growth.
Caelan Huntress
Founder
Ai Coaching Academy
Panel Discussion: Balancing Authenticity with AI in 2026
Panel Moderator & Your MC
Audiences have reached the saturation point. The internet is full of content, but thin on meaning, leading to a new counter trend that prioritises raw, human, and authentic connection.
It’s not a rejection of technology, but rather a return to fundamental marketing basics such as storytelling, emotional resonance, and trust-building - where AI becomes a tool for efficiency rather than a replacement for creativity.
We are asking Christchurch-based marketers how they are tackling this shift and what’s working for them. How are they balancing AI with authenticity, what content keeps them visibility in AI searches, and what have they entrusted to AI (and what not!).
About Caelan
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