When the world came down under, we made sure it noticed Wellington.

As the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 lit up both sides of the Tasman, Thorn PR led media and communications for host city Wellington, standing shoulder to shoulder with global cities like Melbourne to welcome the largest women’s sporting event in history.

With nine matches, 231,000 fans, and the world’s media in town, our job was to make Wellington stand out. We zeroed in on the city’s unique strengths, stayed agile, and focused on journalist-first storytelling that celebrated both sport and culture.

In just a few weeks, we secured more than 60 stories across 24 international outlets, front-page coverage in The Post, and rolling primetime spots on New Zealand’s major broadcasters. We also coordinated media for high-profile visits by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken — all while ensuring Wellington’s presence was felt globally.

Key achievements:

• 60+ stories across 24 international outlets, including The New York Times, The Guardian and Reuters
• Full front-page coverage and rolling primetime local broadcast features
• Positive narrative around women in sport, city vibrancy, and Wellington’s global appeal