ShowGizmo appoints new CEO

ShowGizmo has appointed David Chaulk as its new CEO. A specialist in leading hyper-growth in early stage companies, Canadian-born Chaulk has worked throughout Australasia, North America, and the UK in industry sectors from SaaS Software to FMCG to Utility in leadership positions including CEO, COO, Group GM and director of sales and marketing. Chaulk’s career highlights include launching an international music publishing business, leading sales growth of more than 300% (in 4 years) for Australasia’s largest direct response television company while building an international profile for the business and turning around one of NZ’s largest office products companies from loss to profit, then successfully leading a merger with the company’s main competitor. On his appointment Chaulk says, “Since completing my last project, I’ve been looking for a New Zealand-based opportunity with world class potential. The events industry is one of the fastest growing verticals out there and ShowGizmo is an amazing product. I genuinely believe we can grow this business internationally and become one of the great New Zealand success stories.” ShowGizmo was founded more than seven years ago and Chaulk replaces founding CEO Marie-Claire Andrews who remains on the company’s board. The ShowGizmo event app has been the market leader in Australasia since launching mid-2010. “We were pioneers in the event app space back in the days when the few people who actually had a smartphone — often a Blackberry — had no idea what an app was. It’s very different in today’s highly competitive environment and it’s great to have someone of David’s calibre in play to take us to the next level,” says Chair and Co-founder Frances Manwaring.