Mike Pero is one of New Zealand's more recognised faces when it comes to business and brands. Today he is still the public face of the nation's fastest growing real estate company and also the best-known mortgage broker brand, Mike Pero Mortgages.
Current work
The franchised mortgage broker has arranged more than $10 billion worth of home loans for Kiwis. Since Mike started the Mortgage business in 1991, he still ,remains a major part of the Mike Pero brand. Today his focus is mainly the real estate side of the company. Mike Pero Real Estate, commenced trading in 2011, and is believed to be the fastest growing brand in the real estate industry (by office numbers). What Mike has proven is that you don’t have to be a Harvard Scholar to build a successful business - you just have to be driven and committed.
Mike has used his persona and his integrity, along with a very smart marketing strategy, to build a brand. From here he has shown you can enter a highly competitive real estate industry and carve into his competitor’s territory with ease. In it’s first three years Mike Pero Real Estate made the ‘Deloitte Fast50 Index’ - it was the 23rd fastest new company in New Zealand over that period.
Mike attributes his business success to a strong branding message - this strategy has held Mike Pero Mortgages up front as a clear market leader in New Zealand. Prompted brand awareness in New Zealand is 94% (Colmar Brunton survey) and is an indication of just how effective marketing and public relations have driven this brand to an almost iconic level within the finance industry. Mike finished school at only 16 years of age with School Certificate and a heap of enthusiasm to succeed and make his way out for a better life. Being brought up in the east of Christchurch had its setbacks, but in hindsight it taught young Michael to reach for the stars. Mike’s Dad was from the Cook Islands and his Mum was born in England - he credits them both for his attributes and success today.
Previous experience
Motorsport Racing
Mike is a Six Times New Zealand Motorcycle Road Racing Champion. He still holds the New Zealand land speed record for 350cc motorcycles. He is a qualified Motorcycle Mechanic and by direct contrast he qualified and worked as airline pilot.
In 2001 Mike took to car racing, driving a V8 Commodore and won the Liquor King Drivesafe 500 (with co-driver Steve Rae). From there Mike and a number of other team members built a reputation in V8 Motorsport circles in New Zealand. Mike raced Commodores for a number of years and V8 Utes up until 2011. Today, Mike continues as a regular competitor in Post Classic Motorcycle Racing on his former Yamaha Grand Prix machines both here and in Australia.
Awards
Mike Pero’s marketing is somewhat unique and his concepts and philosophies can apply to any business or organisation. Mike Pero and Mike Pero Mortgages have won three Pacific Business Awards (1999; 2003; 2007) and earned the company 'Supreme Franchise Award' at the annual Franchise Association of New Zealand awards in 2003.
Mike Pero and his team produce more TV Commercials in its own office each month than any other TV advertiser in New Zealand.
In 2005 Mike bought into a small hobby styled business. Mike added funding, structure and his marketing expertise, and as the CEO was able to drive the business to open a new commercial opportunity not yet seen anywhere else in the world. Today known as Flight Experience™ the company has grown from one small workshop to a multi-million dollar export earner. It replicates the Boeing 737- 800 cockpit and closely simulates the real aircraft in flight where members of the public get to have a go. The company has a presence in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, France, Kuwait, Jakarta and Boston.
Not all Mike’s ventures have been successful and he admits to having lost a few of his own dollars along the way but his message is to never give up trying - as he says “I get knocked down but then I get up again…”
Mike has proved popular with a wide range of audiences and he’s always happy to share his knowledge and relate (or tailor) his experience to the audience at hand. His presentation style is simple, positive and upbeat and his use of AV reinforces his message.
Today Mike is still very much in the front line of business marketing - he is a shareholder, director and the CEO of Mike Pero Real Estate, and he is continually working on new business initiatives.
Mike will accept a brief from a client and tailor each presentation to specifically meet the needs of the audience and industry he is addressing
Initial contact with Mike was very positive. He was extremely accommodating and professional and really wanted to tailor to our needs. Mike tailored his presentation to meet the exact needs ... keep reading Konica Minolta
Very down to earth. Related well with our people. He spent time talking before the meeting about our organisation and our issues. He had a good handle on our business and his presentation hit the mark.
The success of the conference was due in no small part to the calibre of speaker and the industry insight and information Mike passed onto our delegates, both in session and in discussion afterwards. We thank him for his contribution toward ensuring the NZCF conference remains the premier conference on the industry calendar.
Mike did an amazing job and we had great feedback from the directors that attended. Mike's talk was very inspirational and I learnt alot myself that I can apply not only to my work place but to my life.
Mike was an excellent speaker, connecting well with the audience and being right on brief. He set the scene exceptionally well for the remainder of the conference and was a true reflection of our theme "Living the Brand".
