People on the Bus
Hamish on 822
Every day the North Shore buses are filled with our readers going into the city to study or work.
Here’s who we met this month…
Name: Hamish Anderson Home: Castor Bay Bus: 822
Occupation: General Manager of Creo Communications
Twitter: @creoceo
Fun fact: He was once a swimming instructor and taught English comedian Alexei Sayle how to swim.
Channel Magazine: Why do you take the bus?
Hamish Anderson: Mainly convenience. The bus stop is right across the road from my house, and I don't have to fight the traffic. It’s also cheaper than parking in the city, and I also feel like I'm doing my bit to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.
CM: What’s your favourite thing about taking the bus?
HA: Whizzing past grid-locked traffic in the morning while reading the NZ Herald.
CM: How many "bus buddies" do you have?
HA: I have about five people I talk to regularly plus a handful of other 'acknowledgers' who I share a smile or a nod with just so we both know we're in the bus club. The funny thing about bus buddies is when you see them out of context, like in the street or a supermarket, for example. It sometimes takes me a while to pick where I know them from, and you can end up having that difficult "I know you from somewhere" conversation.
CM: What’s the most interesting conversation you’ve had on the bus?
HA: Bus conversations mainly revolve around what you did in the weekend, the timeliness or otherwise of the bus or your day at work. And the weather of course. If you manage to get beyond that you're doing pretty well. Interesting conversations I have had include politics, critiques on local property developments, and the now legendary grassroots campaign that was successfully waged a year or two ago to keep the 822 service going.
CM: When you are not on the bus, we are most likely to find you...?
HA: On the next bus - I probably struggled to get out of bed in time to get the usual one! On the weekends I'm keeping the garden under control or at the beach keeping the kids under control. I also enjoy getting out on the water in my kayak when the conditions are good.
CM: What’s your favourite thing about the Shore?
HA: I've only lived on the Shore for a year, but my favourite thing is undoubtedly the beach at Castor Bay.
CM: What’s your favourite restaurant at the moment?
HA: Having a young family has curtailed our restaurant patronage, but we love Japanese and highly recommend Musashi on Kitchener Road in Milford.
CM: What are your holiday plans?
HA: We get up to the family beach house at Langs Beach whenever we can, and we'll be spending a good chunk of the holidays up there this summer. As long as I finish painting the house first, that is.
CM: What made you get into PR?
HA: Contrary to what most people think, PR isn't about parties and spin, at least not the sort of PR we do. I was looking for a change and a new challenge, and I was fortunate enough to get some good advice. I enjoy interacting with media and writing, so moving from a general marketing role into a specialist public relations job was a logical career move for me.
CM: What’s the most interesting thing about your job?
HA: While I am generally working to an agreed communications strategy to help build my clients' reputations, sometimes things can go wrong. If I’m honest, it can get really interesting and exciting when a client is involved in a major incident which requires you to bring a cool head and good advice to the table – often under lots of pressure. I never wish for things like that to happen, but, when they do, it's satisfying to add real value to your client.
CM: What is the latest gadget you have to have?
HA: I'm happy with my iPhone, thanks!
CM: What’s your favourite mobile app?
HA: Radio NZ's app is great for catching up on shows you missed. HeyTell is an instant voice message app which is much easier and cheaper than phoning a friend and leaving a traditional voice message. And, my son downloaded a game onto my phone called Fruit Ninja which involves the mindless slaughter of various tropical fruits using a samurai sword.
Doing what I love doing
