With Matt McIvor, Marketing Manager, supported by Broken Shed Vodka
You couldn’t have asked for a better combo: the Marketing Manager of Mt Ruapehu, Broken Shed Vodka, and the stunning Tauranga Art Gallery. From the moment things kicked off, we were treated to passionate Kiwis who genuinely love what they do.
Broken Shed Vodka set the tone with their story — born in an actual broken shed on the shores of Lake Wānaka and now a global brand making waves in the US. And yes, the vodka with ginger ale was seriously good.
Then came Matt McIvor from Mt Ruapehu, who shared his infectious enthusiasm for the snow industry. He walked us through how his team has built a huge online following and pulled off a successful rebrand — all by staying authentic, strategic, and relentlessly customer-focused.
His top social media takeaways?
Be real. Keep a consistent tone. Stay flexible because the best content moments aren’t planned. Test everything: timing, audiences, formats. Let imagery do the heavy lifting. Tell stories instead of pushing the hard sell. Keep videos short and hook viewers fast. Post intentionally, prioritise quality, and stay on top of customer interactions.
Matt also lifted the hood on Mt Ruapehu’s recent rebrand. With strong reasons for change, clear differentiation between Whakapapa and Turoa, deep competitor research, and ongoing staff involvement, the rebrand gave the organisation a fresh identity and pride, while helping visitors better understand each mountain’s unique story.
Everyone left feeling energised and inspired. Matt’s passion was contagious, and his insights gave us plenty to take away.
A huge thanks to Matt for joining us during his busiest time of year, and to the Tauranga Art Gallery for hosting.