Freeman is an experienced and savvy information services provider to the New Zealand corporate community, established in 2002 by Matt Freeman. It was previously known as Freeman Media.

It specialises in online subscription news and information services for specific business sectors, publishing a range of reports and maps, and running industry events.

Energy News was established in 2008 - a subscription-based news and information website for the New Zealand energy sector. Energy News has carved out a niche as the trusted source of New Zealand energy sector news and information.

In September 2013 Freeman launched into the mining and quarrying sectors with the publication of Inside Resources, an online subscription-based web service, using the same formula as Energy News. 

In 2020 it acquired Capital Letter - New Zealand's review of administration, legislation and law. This publication provides court judgment summaries from the High Court, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and Environment Court. It also provides updates on industry news and developments, legislation, statutory reviews and general reviews. In 2021 it acquired Judgments Unlimited Express.

Events run within the energy and, mining and quarrying sectors include the New Zealand Energy Excellence Awards, Downstream, Taranaki Energy Forum, Emissions Workshop and Energy Trader Forum.

Freeman also publishes six large, detailed industry maps, which provide an in-depth picture of the different sectors the company works with. Titles include Minerals Exploration and Mining, Petroleum Exploration and Mining, North Island Quarries, South Island Quarries, Energy Infrastructure and Smart Energy Technology. 

Launched in 2012, the annual KrakenFlex Electricity Survey, currently sponsored by Octopus Energy, polls the electricity industry on key trends, opportunities and challenges. In 2019 over 500 participants took part in the survey, and the results are widely used to inform strategic business decisions.

Positions available

Editor

An opportunity has opened for an experienced business journalist to join Energy News in the role of editor.

Over the past fifteen-plus years Energy News has become the most respected source of information in the energy sector.

It provides a daily news service to an audience across industry and government interested and active in the energy sector. Content on the site includes our originated news, briefs, interviews and features, contributed columns and articles, user-generated comments, blogs and premium factfiles.

To win this role you will need to be confident in all aspects of business journalism including content planning, sub-editing, interviewing leading executives, writing and managing a small team.

National travel is a core part of this role and an unrestricted driver's licence is essential. After-hours attendance at industry functions, conferences and other events is also required. 

To succeed in this role you will need an interest in the energy sector and how it contributes to the New Zealand economy. 

The editor becomes a key figure in the wider sector. As the front person for Energy News, you will regularly engage with the leaders and influencers of the energy sector, politicians and regulators, wider stakeholders of the publication, and external media as required.

Freeman’s three key editorial principles are: in-depth content; exclusivity; speed. You will need to be confident researching, uncovering and assembling exclusive content. You will also need to be fast on delivery for those high-turnover announcements.

The successful candidate will need to provide a portfolio of articles.

For more information and to apply for this role, please click here.

Business Development Manager - online media

This new position is working on building the subscriber base of two of our online publications - Energy News and Inside Resources.

Role benefits:

• competitive base salary 
• achievable budgets with an uncapped commission structure
• 5 weeks annual leave
• the ability to manage your own pipeline to maximise your income
• central Wellington location

Role requirements:

• minimum 2 years B2B sales experience 
• ability to deliver a corporate presentation to customers at both executive and operational levels
• high standard of organisational and planning capability
• excellent verbal and written communication skills
• a record of proactive client engagement and outbound sales
• proficiency in MS Office and experience using CRM software
• ability to travel nationally and attend out-of-hours industry functions, conferences and other events
• an unrestricted driver's license

Key responsibilities:

• outbound sales activity via all mediums (phone, face-to-face, electronic)
• forge and maintain strong relationships with key contacts in prospective and existing accounts
• conduct industry research to develop target segments for prospective subscribers 
• interact with clients and respond to enquiries regarding Energy News, Inside Resources and Freeman’s other products and services
• learning and maintaining the Freeman CRM and subscriber platform
• learning and presenting the value of the industry information published by Energy News & Inside Resources to prospective subscribers
• attend conferences and industry events, both Freeman-run and external, to demonstrate the publications and build a network
• develop and maintain a pipeline of potential new subscribing organisations by converting customer contacts to trial subscriptions
• keep an accurate forecast of monthly sales projections

An understanding of and/or experience in the energy, mining, quarrying or roading sectors would be an advantage but is not a requirement for this role.

Freeman's subscription-based websites are not public and sit behind paywalls. To obtain a login please contact rob.smith [at] freemanmedia.co.nz

For more information and to apply for this role, please click here.

Senior business journalist

An opportunity has opened for an experienced business journalist to work on Energy News - a web-based news and information service.

Over the past decade-plus Energy News has become the most respected source of information in the energy sector.

It provides a daily news service to an audience across industry and government interested and active in the energy sector.

To win this role you will need to be confident interviewing leading executives and influencers. You will have the drive and initiative to develop a network of contacts to maintain a flow of exclusive stories and features for the website. The ability to produce accurate, proof-ready copy in a time-pressured environment will be important and very good computer skills are expected.

The business is very customer-focused and you will be required to initiate and attend regular subject visits. National travel is a core part of this role and an unrestricted driver's licence is essential. After-hours attendance at industry functions, conferences and other events is also required. 

The successful candidate will need to provide a portfolio of articles.

There are opportunities for advancement for the right applicant.

Next steps

Freeman's subscription-based websites are not public and sit behind paywalls. To obtain a login contact rob.smith [at] freemanmedia.co.nz

Please note, applications without a covering letter will not be considered. 

For more information and to apply for this role, please click here.