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NicNak Media was established by Nicole Thomas and Paula Yeoman in 2015 as a boutique PR agency. Nicole and Paula have decades of combined experience in music and media in Aotearoa, Australia and the UK. Together they have grown NicNak to become one of Aotearoa’s leading independent music companies, specialising in publicity, artist management, project management, mentoring and label services.

NicNak PR works with many of the biggest names in NZ music - such as L.A.B., Yumi Zouma, Foley, Georgia Lines, Mel Parsons and Deva Mahal - as well as international artists, record labels and promoters.

NicNak Mangagement has a small roster of local independent artists including rising star Nganeko and the award-winning Theia (AKA TE KAAHU), who tours both acts internationally. Paula and Nicole are the recipients of MMF’s ‘Breakthrough Manager of the Year’ award (2018) and the ‘Manager of the Year’ (2021).

NicNak launched Lil Sister in 2022. Headed by Kate Orgias, Lil Sister was set up as a subsidiary PR agency catering specifically to emerging acts. Lil Sister went from strength to strength helping to establish some of the country’s brightest new talent, including Corrella, Crystal, Sam Cullen, Blake and Danica Bryant.

As of 2026, Lil Sister will no longer operate as a stand-alone PR agency but as a ‘hub’ for emerging acts. Our goal is to provide local artists with a ‘one stop shop’ where they can access a range of services and support.

We also want to use our experience and connections within music and media to champion up-and-coming talent. So the first initiative we’re revealing is Rising Stars - a single campaign with a twist. Read on >>>

MEET THE TEAM

Nicole Thomas - NNM Founder

Nicole is the co-founder and co-owner of NicNak Media. She was born in Australia but has lived in Aotearoa for more than 20 years. She has more than 20+ years’ experience in the entertainment and media industries, including eight years in publicity and promotions at Warner Music NZ. She knows a hit when she hears it and is responsible for getting some of the now biggest names on the planet blasted across NZ radio. Anyone remember a scruffy kid from Suffolk named Ed Sheeran? She’ll never spill the secrets of what it’s like working behind the scenes with some of biggest legends in music, but she openly admits to turning bright red and losing her ability to speak when meeting Kylie Minogue. Her other life-long musical obsessions are ABBA and Lenny Kravitz and she considers Pink Floyd’s THE WALL to be one of the greatest albums ever made. She’s literally been to thousands of shows but can still vividly remember the first ever - Jenny Morris ‘Live in Wagga Wagga’. 

Paula Yeoman - NNM Founder

Paula is the co-founder and co-owner of NicNak Media. Whakatāne-born, Waimana-bred! Paula worked in news and music journalism for 20 years before co-founding NicNak Media with Nicole. She’s a stickler for deadlines (a hangover from years of chaos in the newsroom) and mastered the art of appearing cool as a cucumber (whilst screaming inside) when interviewing legends like Stevie Nicks, Dolly Parton, Carole King, Alanis Morissette, Mavis Staples, Sinead O’Connor, Chrissie Hynde and Lady Gaga. She has seen Fleetwood Mac live in concert eight times on three different continents; flew to London just to catch the closing night of Kate Bush’s 2014 residency at the Hammersmith Apollo; has seen Morrissey storm off stage (not that rare!), was there when David Bowie closed Glastonbury and will never forget seeing Prince just weeks before his death on his Piano & A Microphone Tour. If she could turn back time, she’d have been at Bob Marley’s Western Springs 1979 concert. 

Bev Adair - Music Industry Legend

Bev Adair is a highly respected music industry mentor and PR specialist with over 30 years of experience supporting artists across Aotearoa and the Pacific. Known for her heart-led approach, Bev works closely with emerging and established artists, helping them grow not just in their careers, but in confidence, identity, and purpose. Her journey is deeply personal — shaped by her own life experiences and a lifelong commitment to uplifting young people and creatives. Bev creates safe, empowering spaces where artists feel seen, valued, and supported to step into their potential. Throughout her career, she has worked alongside some of Aotearoa’s most recognised artists, including Stan Walker, Joel Little, and Olivia Foa’i, and has supported international icons such as Janet Jackson,  Mick Fleetwood and Ricky Martin. Her strength lies in walking alongside artists — offering guidance, strategy, and unwavering belief in their journey.

 

Kate Orgias - PR Queen

Proudly Whanganui-born, Tāmaki Makaurau raised, Kate has 20+ years’ experience in broadcast media, communications/pr and publicity roles in Aotearoa, London and New York. She has been with NicNak Media x Lil Sister since 2022 and loves working with and championing NZ artists. Her love for music has always been there, but her curiosity about the craft of music began at the age of 3 - when her mum found a violin in a small-town op-shop. The first concerts she went to were orchestras and music theatre, but her first big stadium show was Metallica at the age of 14 before then becoming hooked to Big Day Outs.

Rachel Hamilton - All-rounder!

Rachel has a Bachelor of Music and a post-grad Diploma in Communications and has worked in the NZ music industry for 10+ years. Working in publicity, she’s been involved with projects such as Splore Festival, Smokefreerockquest, APRA Silver Scrolls, and the Aotearoa Music Awards. She also performs and records under her own artist project, Bridges and has just released her sophomore EP, LIFE OF THE PARTY. Rachel’s inviting Paul McCartney Elena Tonra, Taylor Swift, Elton John Phoebe Bridgers to her dinner party. Her first-ever concert was Taylor Swift. 

Bridie Chetwin-Kelly - Media extraordinaire

Bridie has more than eight years experience in the media industry as a journalist. Her career has taken her into many different newsrooms including TVNZ, Newshub and RNZ. She has also worked in the magazine industry as a writer and social media editor at NZ House & Garden. Bridie has also worked as a freelance music writer for many years reviewing and interviewing local and overseas artists. If Bridie threw a dinner party for five of her fave musos (dead or alive) she’d invite Prince, Robyn, Lady Gaga, Lee Scratch Perry and Peggy Gou. The first-ever concert she went to was Jack Johnson.