Human-first AI for tourism and purpose-led businesses. Practical. Creative. Supportive.Kia ora, I'm Nadia Ellis
I’ve spent 20 years in marketing and thousands of hours working with advanced AI models, but what really matters is how this technology helps people.My work is about making AI practical, useful and accessible. No jargon, no tech hype, just smarter strategies that actually work.

Nadia Ellis Photo

I specialise in AI-driven marketing strategy and research for purpose-driven brands and tourism businesses. The best marketing doesn’t start with assumptions. It starts with real conversations. That’s why I blend traditional market research with AI-powered insights, so businesses of all sizes can make decisions based on what really matters.AI isn’t just for the big guys. Let’s figure out how to make it work for you.💠💠💠

This is what I do:𝗔𝗜 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆 & 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Build your team's AI capability and confidence (no hype, just practical applications that work). Together we'll identify pilot AI projects and build a roadmap for your team.𝗜𝗻-𝗱𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵: I dive deep with stakeholder interviews and market analysis, using AI to uncover insights faster and spot opportunities others miss. Quality research shouldn't take forever or break the bank𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 & 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆: Turning genuine, data-driven insights into strategies that deliver results𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀: High-level strategic support, exactly when you need it—without the big agency overhead💠💠💠𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗜 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸:
• Independent consultant who brings in extra firepower exactly when it's needed
• Flexible engagement from one-off projects to ongoing contracts
• Direct, no-fluff approach
• Research-backed, results-focused

Need AI-informed strategic leadership but can't justify a full-time position?I provide strategic expertise on AI and marketing on a flexible, cost-effective basis. Talk to me about workshops, AI roadmaps or fractional (part-time), contract or project work.

Work

For businesses curious about AI:

  • Cut through the AI hype - stay ahead of the curve without being overwhelmed by options.

  • Identify the AI tools and use cases that'll give your business the edge

  • Master AI techniques that'll make your team smarter, faster, and more creative

  • Avoid generic bot-speak, and learn how to create high-quality AI-assisted content that's on-brand

  • Develop AI guidelines that keep your data safe and your practices ethical

For SMEs and solopreneurs:

  • Uncover target market insights that reveal why you're winning (or losing) customers

  • Develop a brand strategy that acts as a north star for your marketing efforts

  • Create actionable AI-driven digital marketing plans that drive measurable growth

  • Squeeze every drop of value out of your marketing budget

  • Level up your marketing team with senior-level coaching - filling the experience gap without the exec price tag

Testimonials

Nadia Ellis delivered an outstanding AI Foundations workshop for Destination Queenstown members, and it was a truly insightful experience. Her deep knowledge of AI, combined with her engaging and energising delivery style, made for an incredibly valuable session. The enthusiasm in the room was undeniable - we had a full house, reflecting just how eager businesses are to understand and embrace AI. Nadia’s ability to break down complex concepts into practical, actionable insights left our members feeling inspired and empowered. We highly recommend her workshops for anyone looking to navigate the evolving world of AI with confidence.MICAELA MCLEOD - Sustainability Manager
Destination Queenstown💠💠💠

Nadia has a knack for knowing exactly what AI to apply to specific situations. After many lengthy conversations Claude is now embedded as a valued member of our team. Having an AI Assistant on the team has had a huge impact on the effectiveness on our day-to-day work. Our Operations Manager is now working more independently and with confidence. Our AI MVP has already reduced our meeting times by at least 2.5 hours per week freeing me to focus on converting leads.I’m looking forward to building out our AI team even further. Thanks NadiaTODD HUME - CEO
Real Clean

About

AI isn't just talk, it is about learning, experimenting, running pilot projects - then scaling. Successful AI implementation requires teaching your team the tools, then building practical solutions - that's where I can help.At my roots I'm a marketer, and the heart of great marketing is understanding people. So that is where I'll always start. Real conversations and deep listening. I use AI tools to take these insights to the next level.My fascination with both human insights and AI began during my MSc in Digital Marketing. Now I'm passionate about building AI literacy and helping teams use tech that amplifies their impact (and makes work more fun!)Known for my down-to-earth, direct style and nearly two decades building some of NZ's most loved ski and tourism brands, I cut through the BS to drive real results..My superpower? Curiosity. It's the backbone of my approach and the driving force behind my work.

Credentials that count
MSc in Digital Marketing (Distinction)- 2025 University of Salford
Winner, NZ Marketing Awards 2020
Former GM Marketing, RealNZ
Former Marketing Manager, Cardrona & Treble Cone
Former Board Director, Lake Wanaka Tourism

Experience + Curiosity + AI tools = a powerful mix of creativity and efficiency.
The result? Better outcomes that are delivered faster and more cost-effectively.

Contact

Curious about what we can achieve together? Let's chat...
+64 27 298 4111