As a PublishMe member there’s a chance that you will have spoken with PublishMe’s client manager, Ocean Reeve . . . and received knowledgeable and very helpful assistance. Ocean’s value to author Ann Kidd was so outstanding that she nominated Ocean for a national award.
The MYOB Awesome Service Awards publicly salute people in business who are nominated by customers for giving them great service. All nominations are judged by Auckland Chamber of Commerce chief executive, Michael Barnett.
While PublishMe members and the team knew all along of the great service skills Ocean has in helping clients to achieve their goals, this unexpected recognition is a real thrill. Read below how Ann was helped by Ocean . . . and be assured that you will receive that same awesome, personal service when you call Ocean about your next self-publishing project!
Taranaki Publisher Applauded for Customer Service
A New Plymouth printer/publisher, Ocean Reeve, has won a national business award for helping an aspiring author tell her personal story about her son’s brain damage.
Mr Reeve is the client manager for PublishMe Print & Publish, a division of New Plymouth company, Zenith Publishing Group. PublishMe supports authors through the writing, self-publishing and distribution process.
A Motueka author, Ann Kidd, nominated Mr Reeve for his support of her as she wrote a sensitive and personal account of her journey as mother of son, Jamie, who was seriously brain damaged in a car accident in 1998 when he was 21. The book, ‘You’re a Dick Mummy’ was released last month.
Mrs Kidd says as a first-time author dealing with the most tragic event of her life Mr Reeve helped her work through the process of writing a frank and honest account.
“When I was ready to can it he gently guided me forward. He propped me up when I needed it and let me believe in myself, and gave me the confidence to see the job completed. Hell, he was better and cheaper than a psychologist.”
Mr Reeve, 34, has worked for PublishMe for six years and says he is passionate about his work. He is the first in Taranaki to win one of the awards.
He says he is “over the moon” about the accolade. “I get great pleasure from helping people like Ann find their voices as authors. Writing about a personal tragedy like this can benefit both the story teller and others going through similar tragedies.”
Zenith Publishing Group managing director, Jane Beals, says, “Ocean’s award epitomises what the PublishMe team strives to achieve through its specialist print and self-publishing services. It’s what sets us apart – that dedicated personal assistance which enables writers to realise their goals.”
MYOB Awesome Service Award winners are nominated by people impressed by the service of individuals in business. Auckland Chamber of Commerce chief executive, Michael Barnett, judges the nominations on behalf of all Chambers in New Zealand.
Mr Reeve receives a number of rewards, while Zenith Publishing Group is also gifted Taranaki Chamber of Commerce membership.
Chamber general manager, Judith Gilmer, has also congratulated Mr Reeve. “Ocean obviously provides inspirational business service which also produces valuable social benefits.”
Meanwhile Mrs Kidd says Jamie – a carpenter and keen cyclist who was in the New Zealand under 23 cycling team and to represent New Zealand at the Olympics – was told after his accident that he would never pick up a hammer or ride again.
“Thankfully he has proven them wrong on both counts. He is now working two days a week for a Blenheim builder, Robinson Construction, and is in an elite squad training for the 2012 Paralympics being held in London.”
The MYOB Awesome Services Awards are supported by MYOB, Newstalk ZB, Fairfax Media, Michael Hill International, Hewlett Packard and the ASB.
Award nominations can be made online to www.awesomeservice.co.nz.
