Grace Ellis

Background

About Grace Ellis

At Tearfund my role consists of writing edms, fundraising appeals, website copy, writing radio ads, public relations, interviewing and writing impactful stories, and managing/writing content for Tearfund’s blog, magazine and social media. Some of my favourite photos and stories from the field. https://graceelliscomms.wixsite.com/photography Career highlights: Public relations - Planning and coordinating a media trip to Ethiopia to cover the hunger crisis with Newshub’s Europe Correspondent. This included working with the journalist to find the right angles for a New Zealand audience, working with our partner organisation to scope out stories and find interviewees on the ground to help tell the story, advising the journalist what questions are sensitive/ to stay away from and what information can and cannot be shared publicly as well as organising visas, police checks, flights and accommodation. Tearfund’s CEO Ian McInnes and International Programme’s Director Tim Manson were on the ground with the journalist and did multiple interviews for the 6pm news. I also organised three other radio interviews while they were in Ethiopia, one with Star and Rhema (Christian radio stations) and one with Newstalk ZB- Landing an exclusive with the New Zealand Herald for the release of The Chocolate Scorecard. In partnership with nonprofit Be Slavery Free, Tearfund released The Chocolate Scorecard which grades chocolate companies on the sustainability of their chocolate. I wrote the press release, organised quotes from chocolate companies, pitched to multiple publications and the New Zealand Herald, New Zealand’s largest paper, asked for the story exclusively. The story featured on their website’s front page- Guest writer for Good Magazine (print and online) I have written a few stories for Good Magazine while working for Tearfund, but the latest was featured in their most popular Christmas edition magazine. The article was about my media field trip to the Pacific where I learnt about the issue of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, and what Tearfund’s partners are doing to combat it. My photography was also featured.#⃣ Social media - I have been a key part in growing Tearfund New Zealand’s Instagram following by 39% in just over two years- Facilitating quarterly social media meetups with all Compassion’s (Tearfund’s child sponsorship partner) globally. Photography In 2023, I submitted a photograph to New Zealand’s Council for International Development photography competition. My photograph was runner-up in the amateur category.