John Flower
The mix of experience, dynamism, passion and innovation within our team is second to none. John Flower, Director, has impeccable credentials in the culinary, fashion and events sectors having owned seminal Melbourne eateries in the 80s and 90s and as a public face, for the media at Australian Fashion Week for over a decade. Like many HHME staff, John has lived and worked in both Sydney and Melbourne and counts senior editorial staff throughout the country as trusted friends.
Michelle Shepherd
Fellow Director, Michelle Shepherd, returned to Australia in 2003 after 12-years in the competitive UK PR and publicity industry, bringing her editorial background, experience in art, fashion and design and extensive international industry knowledge to her role at HotHouse. Results driven, Michelle has a passion for building new brands and managing the needs of established, national and international clients. Michelle’s experience, ingenuity and ‘can do’ approach combine to create fresh, innovative, effective strategies and campaigns.
Steve Rainey
Event Director Steve Rainey, has spent the past 12 years in the field of events and public relations. A successful stint running his own consultancy in Sydney, where he launched many successful restaurants, clubs and bars, fortifies his relationships with media in this area, plus he has strong connections with celebrity networks and ongoing relationships with some of Australia’s most influential actors and actresses. Steve returned to Melbourne in 2007 and joined the HotHouse team where, among other things, he works on events and public relations for Sanpellegrino and Carlton & United Breweries.
Lisa Hunt
With a BA Hons degree in Public Relations and Communications, Account Director, Lisa Hunt, has a diverse range of experience - having worked in the property PR sector in the United Kingdom before joining the press office at prominent fashion brand, Gap. During that period Lisa’s work impressed then UK Elle Magazine’s Fashion Editor, Sairey Stemp, who recommended her for a position with fashion agency, Chase PR. Lisa spent three years with Chase PR, managing fashion and lifestyle accounts before moving on to work in-house for Monsoon & Accessorize and later for Marks & Spencer’s fashion division. Lisa joined HHME in 2009, upon her arrival to Melbourne.
Maree Stark
Maree Stark – Finance and Human Resources Maree has been part of the HotHouse team since the company’s inception in 2004. With a long standing career in media and PR finance, Maree is an invaluable part of the HotHouse team.
Terese Nguyen
Senior Account Executive, Terese Nguyen graduated from Swinburne University of Technology with a degree in Media and Communications. Prior to joining HHME, Terese was an account manager at an eminent marketing agency specialising in social media. She worked with fashion, beauty and lifestyle clients including Tony Bianco, Biorè, John Frieda and Kayser Lingerie. She has traditional PR and strategic marketing experience as well as extensive knowledge of new media and digital engagement. Combining her two greatest loves food and fashion, Terese has worked on Taste of Melbourne, SABA and is currently working on Full Circle, The Millswyn and Livingroom.
Jude Blankfield
Senior Account Executive Jude Blankfield returned home to Melbourne in 2011 after 18 months in London at prominent PR agency, John Doe Communications. Working across diverse high profile clients including Sony PlayStation, W Hotels and Vice Magazine, Jude experienced working on national PR campaigns and events, as well as handling various collaborations with premium brands and talent. Jude freelanced at Hausmann Communications in Sydney helping across their FMCG clients before joining the HotHouse team. Jude brings experience, enthusiasm and strategic knowledge to our fashion clients, currently working with Melissa shoes and Panache Lingerie.
Kate Evans
Kate Evans brings over ten years of industry experience, a Post Graduate public relations degree from RMIT, as well as the much needed drive and focus to her profession. With both extensive agency and in-house experience, she has worked as a publicist across fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands. Before joining the HotHouse team as Account Director Kate’s most recent role was National PR Manager for the iconic Australian retailer, Sportsgirl. Her personal interests include all areas of fashion, pop culture, events, retail, blogs and social media. It is her genuine approach in building new relationships and with her established media contacts - as well as a loyalty to the brands she works on - which gives her edge.
Emma Kearsley
Account Coordinator, Emma Kearsley graduated as Valedictorian from Victoria University’s Advanced Diploma of Public Relations and Business degree. Emma is the newest edition to the team after completing an internship with HotHouse. She has solid experience in the field of communications, having worked in the government sector, as well as within fashion and events. Emma brings much enthusiasm to her role and has assisted in generating publicity for Panache, Full Circle and is currently working on Sanpellegrino.