Christine Kearney, CEO and Partner at PH Digital, shares her daily routine, journey in digital marketing, expertise in growing luxury brands and insights into business trends and transformations.

As CEO of PH Digital, what does your typical day look like?

Scaling a business while serving nearly 200 clients, including many category leaders, requires energy, commitment and focus.
My day starts early at 7am, combining focused work, responding to important emails and setting priorities while walking 10,000 steps on my desk walker.
From 9am, my schedule balances strategic leadership with hands-on involvement. I work with my senior team to drive growth, refine our services and stay ahead of industry trends.
While I focus on coaching and developing our team to ensure they deliver exceptional results, I also dedicate time to client strategy, optimising campaign performance and leading new client acquisition efforts.
I aim to leave the office by 6pm to unwind with my husband and two cats, though we often end up discussing business.

How did you go from ballet dancing to digital marketing?

Ballet taught me precision, discipline, and the ability to make the impossible look effortless – qualities that have shaped my career.
I started ballet at three, performed in France, and taught in London while balancing a hospitality career that led to a chef role with a Royal Warrant-holding catering company.
This experience led me to The Ritz, where I gained expertise in brand storytelling, high-end service and luxury marketing.
Returning to New Zealand, I took senior roles at Robertson Lodges and Langham Hospitality Group, honing my skills in luxury brand strategy.
In 2018, I joined Webb’s, New Zealand’s longest-running auction house, where I expanded its business, tripled auction numbers and led innovative digital marketing strategies.
My journey from ballet to luxury branding and digital marketing brought me to PH Digital, where I help businesses grow, scale and stand out.

Your company has recently undergone a rebrand and ownership change. What’s next?

We’re committed to delivering exceptional service by building the best team in New Zealand, enhancing our infrastructure and refining our operations for maximum efficiency.
This enables us to focus more on client strategy and drive stronger performance, ensuring our work is ROI-driven and profitable.
We’re also expanding our client portfolio, targeting category leaders across NZ and Australia, with a focus on generating real financial impact as the market corrects.
Looking ahead, we plan to establish a permanent PH Digital headquarters in Australia when the timing aligns for international expansion.

How would you describe your leadership style?

My leadership style is built on high expectations and high support.
I set ambitious goals and hold myself and my team to the highest standards, fostering a culture of accountability and excellence. At the same time, I believe in empowering my team by making them feel valued, supported and confident to take ownership of their work.
I’m invested in their growth, both professionally and personally, providing the tools, trust and space to step up while guiding and challenging them when necessary.
I lead with empathy, transparency and decisiveness, always ensuring open communication and clarity behind decisions. Though I maintain unrelenting standards, I believe being authentic and people-focused is a strength that helps cultivate a high-performance culture where talent is nurtured and results speak for themselves.
True leadership, for me, is about balancing when to push and when to support, always holding everyone – including myself – to the highest level.

How influential are luxury brands in the marketing landscape?

Luxury brands may target a niche market, but their influence on marketing is profound, setting benchmarks for brand positioning, customer experience and digital strategy.
In New Zealand, brands like Faradays and international luxury houses shape trends through exclusivity, premium storytelling and curated experiences, pushing mainstream brands to elevate their approach.
However, NZ’s small ultra-high-net-worth consumer base presents challenges, along with the need to adapt to e-commerce and evolving cultural preferences.
The rise of sustainable luxury is also reshaping the industry, emphasizing craftsmanship and ethical sourcing, while brands must balance exclusivity with digital accessibility and shifting consumer expectations.

What are the biggest marketing trends you expect to see in 2025?

In 2025, marketing in New Zealand will be defined by AI-driven personalisation, privacy-first strategies and a focus on authenticity and sustainability.
AI will power hyper-targeted content, predictive analytics and automated customer experiences, while privacy regulations push brands to rely on first-party data.
Consumers will expect tangible sustainability actions, and influencer marketing will shift towards micro and niche creators for deeper trust.
At PH Digital, we prioritise a smarter, more strategic approach to performance marketing that balances short-term results with long-term brand building.
Strong brands drive higher prices, greater market share and competitive advantage.
We focus on holistic strategies that align performance marketing with broader business goals, ensuring our clients’ marketing efforts deliver sustainable, value-driven outcomes and long-term success.

What is your best piece of advice for other women in business?

As a young female CEO, I’ve learned that leadership is about showing up as my authentic self, not fitting into a mould.
Early on, I tried to mirror the tough, unyielding leadership styles of my (mostly) male bosses. But I soon realised that true leadership is about fostering collaboration, valuing people beyond their output and creating an environment where the best ideas can rise.
The version of me that makes the biggest impact is the one who leads with empathy, adaptability and a commitment to both supporting my team and driving meaningful commercial change. My advice is simple: be yourself – it’s more than enough.