Todd Harper

Todd Harper chose to study for his Bachelor of Communication at the University of Waikato because of the people. That decision has shaped a dynamic career spanning marketing, events, and business leadership.

“The campus has a real sense of belonging and the culture is very personal,” says Todd. “The academic staff are passionate about the topics they’re teaching; they’ve worked in the communications sector for many years, and will go the extra mile to help you with your learning.”

Todd believes his degree equipped him with skills that translate across any industry.

“For me, it’s about understanding how people’s brains tick, how they interact with each other, and finding practical solutions to help organisations overcome any challenges they’re facing.”

A standout experience was his internship with Rocketspark, a web development agency in Cambridge.

“My project was to write a social media strategy for them — from auditing their current channels through to scoping out new opportunities relevant to the needs of their target market. It was really rewarding seeing that strategy being applied in the real world to help them grow.”

“Good communication is absolutely critical to the success of any organisation that needs to make well-informed decisions.”

After graduating, Todd became a Business and Partnerships Manager at Authentic Media in Cambridge.

“I essentially got that job as a result of the fantastic networks of people that I established at university; both my lecturers and my peers; and that says a lot about the Waikato University experience,” he says.

He then worked as an Account Manager at SHIFT72, a global video streaming technology company whose international clients have included the Cannes and Sundance film festivals.

Todd later co-founded the events agency Showing Waikato Ltd, where he served as board director and General Manager, leading strategy, day-to-day operations, and financial performance.

Alongside this, he started his own freelance web and digital marketing agency, Thread Co., and held senior agency roles at Black Sheep Creative and Likeable Lab, leading multi-channel campaigns.

Looking back, he credits Waikato with laying the foundation for his success.

“I feel 100% prepared for this job thanks to everything that I’ve learned in my Bachelor of Communication degree. The fundamental theories of communication, public relations and marketing that have been instilled into me will continue to serve me well in my career for the rest of my life.”