The Hon. Alexandra Shackleton, Expedition Patron
The Hon. Alexandra Shackleton succeeded her father, Lord Shackleton KG OBE PC (1911-94), younger son of Sir Ernest Shackleton, as President of the James Caird Society and has been at the heart of the expedition’s activities since its conception. She fully supports Shackleton Epic: “The educational, scientific and historical worth of this project shall be the principal aim of the expedition – I am confident they will succeed in their endeavours,” she said.
Momentum2 – Media & Stakeholder Relations
Shackleton Epic has appointed Momentum2, a global marketing and communications agency, to manage media, communications and stakeholder relations for the expedition. Momentum2 works on major international projects including most recently, David de Rothschild’s Plastiki expedition, Sydney Ice Bear and The Oprah Winfrey Show’s Ultimate Australian Adventure. Momentum2’s principal, Kim McKay AO, was a project manager on all four BOC Challenge solo around the world yacht races in the1980s and 90s and executive director of Discovery Channel Eco-Challenge in Australia, Morocco and Argentina.
Kim is spearheading the Shackleton Epic communications and sponsorship program supported by consultant, Simone Bird and PR coordinator, Biarta Parnham.
Earlier in 2012 Momentum2 engaged the support services of Emanate PR's New York and London offices to organise local Shackleton Epic launch events in those cities in September 2012. Emanate London also kindly assisted with media outreach for the Alexandra Shackleton christening ceremony in March 2012. www.momentum2.com.au
Jo Stewart – Blogger & On Board Media Representative
Jo Stewart is Shackleton Epic's trusty blogger, writer and social media person working with Momentum2. Originally from Sydney but now a Melbourne local, Jo writes and takes photos for a range of print and digital media outlets including: The Age, Green Lifestyle, International Traveller and yen magazine. She is also a regular guest contributor inspiring travel blogs aimed at female adventurers, including www.girlosophy.com and shegoes.com.au. Past adventures include hiking in Morocco's High Atlas mountains, dog sledding in Canada, sailing off the coast of Kenya, horse riding in California and getting lost on foot in Joshua Tree National Park. Shackleton Epic will be her first time in Antarctica.
Howard Whelan – Operations Consultant
Howard Whelan is an expedition logistics consultant for Shackleton Epic. Having led some 50 Antarctic expeditions, including two complete Shackleton Crossings of South Georgia and data gathering trips for Academy Award-winning Happy Feet, he is well placed to assist Shackleton Epic. As founding editor of Australian Geographic and cameraman on the first Australian ascent of Mt Everest – adventure is his passion. “Shackleton is one of my hero’s,” he says, “and not just because he’s Irish!”