GovComms: The Future of Government Communication

EP#190: Act to Decide — Why Governments Need to Act on AI Now

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 05:45:00 GMT

Governments cannot afford to keep talking about AI as a future challenge when citizens are already expecting better, faster, and more human-centred services.

In this episode of GovComms, David Pembroke speaks with Pete Williams (Chief Edge Officer at Deloitte) about why the real risk is not moving too fast, but moving too slowly.

Together, they explore how AI can help government shift from clunky documents and static websites to conversational, accessible and practical service delivery. From internal capability and leadership to chatbots and global examples, this episode is a clear-eyed look at what government needs to do next and why the right time to act is now.

#GovComms #AI #government #communication #Deloitte

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EP#189: The “So What” Problem — Turning Numbers into Insight (and Action)

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 05:08:15 GMT

Governments are full of data, but it’s insight that drives real change.

In this episode of GovComms, David Pembroke joins Garrett Tyler-Parker, Director of Analysis and Insights at Tourism Research Australia.

Together, they break down how good research transforms spreadsheets into strategy.

Garrett shares why formative research should shape a campaign from the start, how human stories give meaning to dashboards, and what’s changing fast as mobility data and AI enter the mix.

Find out how to make evidence easier to understand, harder to ignore, and far more useful for the people who need to act on it.

Key Points

Insight beats information: government (and tourism) are awash with data, but the real job is turning the ‘what’ into the ‘so what’
Start research early: use formative research to shape the campaign, rather than using it to evaluate after
Blend big data with human context: numbers show patterns, but storytelling makes evidence more memorable

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EP#188: Revisiting 'Leading Quietly: The power of introverts at work'

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 01:39:37 GMT

As we step into 2026, now's the time to ensure everyone's voice is heard.

In this episode of GovComms, we revisit host David Pembroke's conversation with Richard Etienne: internal communications expert, author of The Introvert’s Survival Guide, and founder of The Introvert Space. Together, they explore how introverts can lead, influence, and thrive in workplaces that often reward volume over value.

From overcoming self-doubt to navigating hybrid work, Richard shares powerful, practical strategies to help introverts find their voice without having to shout. He also offers advice for leaders on how to build inclusive teams where every personality type can succeed.

Whether you identify as an introvert, manage one, or simply want to create more inclusive and effective teams, this episode is packed with eye-opening insights and actionable tips.

Discussed in this episode:

Why introverts often go unheard and how to change that
How to build your personal brand without self-promotion
The hidden strengths introverts bring to leadership
What Theresa May taught Richard about quiet influence at the top

Show notes:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#187: Leading Through Uncertainty

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 20:00:00 GMT

In an era of constant disruption, government communicators are being asked to lead without all the answers.

In this episode of GovComms, David Pembroke is joined by leadership experts Dr Marianne Broadbent and Adam Kyriacou to explore how communications teams can navigate AI and rising expectations, whilst building trust and impact.

It’s an insightful discussion revealing why comms professionals are no longer at the ‘end of the line’, but rather central figures in enterprise performance.

Join David, Marianne and Adam as they pull back the curtain on how to lead in the face of transformation.

Discussed in this Episode

How to integrate AI responsibly while maintaining a human-centred approach
Why trust, purpose, and psychological safety are now core leadership capabilities in the public sector
Practical ways comms teams can support senior leaders and build public trust

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EP#186: Stop talking, start listening — the secret to better government communication

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 20:00:00 GMT

What if better communication starts with listening, not telling?

In this episode of GovComms, host David Pembroke speaks with Natasha Plowman: a communications strategist, advisor, and founder of Spinning Red. Together they explore how listening, empathy, and authentic storytelling can transform the way governments engage citizens.

From unpacking the ineffectiveness of the old ‘broadcast’ model to examining the use of buzzwords in sustainability conversations, Natasha urges listeners to imbue their stories with honesty, empathy, and curiosity.

In a world where government communicators are facing rapid transformation, this episode offers a timely reminder. Meaningful change begins with understanding your audience — not just speaking louder.

DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE

How listening creates more effective and trusted communication
Ways to communicate across five generations in the workplace
How storytelling connects people and drives understanding
Why transparency builds credibility during complex change
How curiosity and self-awareness improve leadership communication

SHOW NOTES

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EP#185: Authentic storytelling: building trust when it matters most

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 17:00:00 GMT

What happens when authenticity becomes your greatest communication strategy?

In this episode of GovComms, host David Pembroke speaks with Oluchi Ezeugo, a leading corporate communications professional from Lagos, Nigeria, who’s helped organisations across Africa navigate change, crisis, and culture.

Oluchi reveals how authentic storytelling transforms workplaces — building trust, inspiring teams, and connecting people to purpose. From guiding leaders through tough moments to rebuilding confidence after crisis, she shares practical lessons every communicator can use.

For public sector and government professionals, this episode is a masterclass in real, human communication — showing that when you lead with honesty and empathy, trust follows.

Discussed in this episode:

Discover why authentic storytelling is the foundation of trust
Learn how to communicate change with empathy and clarity
Explore the power of internal comms to shape culture
Hear how great leaders build psychologically safe teams
Understand how to rebuild confidence after professional setbacks
How AI and social media are reshaping communication

Show notes:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#184: Communicators in the driver’s seat: Leading with AI and trust

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 18:00:00 GMT

What does it take to thrive as a communicator in a rapidly changing world?

In this episode of GovComms, David Pembroke speaks with Ross Monaghan, award-winning educator and communications leader from Deakin University. From his early days as a teenage journalist in Warrnambool to senior roles at Optus and the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association, Ross has seen the profession evolve from every angle.

Ross shares why persistence and curiosity matter, how communicators can show leadership at any stage of their career, and why “dreaming big” is vital. He also unpacks the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence, urging communicators to take the lead on its ethical use.

Discussed in this episode:

Lessons from Ross’s early career in journalism and industry.
Building confidence to chase opportunities others might not.
Why leadership is about action, not job titles.
Creating stronger workplace culture through human connection.
Open, honest communication as a tool for solving conflict.
The communicator’s role in guiding ethical AI adoption.

Show notes:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#183: Context is key: Behavioural science in Government communication

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 18:00:00 GMT

What if everything you thought you knew about effective communication was wrong?

In this episode, host David Pembroke speaks with James Healy, founder of The Behaviour Boutique and co-author of BS at Work. James has worked in more than 60 countries and brings deep insights from behavioural science, anthropology, and psychology to the challenges facing modern organisations and governments.

James unpacks why so much of work is “BS” and why policies often fail to change behaviour. He shows how context shapes decisions, why storytelling matters, and shares the simple EAST framework to help communicators cut through.

Discussed in this episode:

James’s path from economics to behavioural science
Lessons from the global financial crisis
Why massive handbooks never change behaviour
How culture and incentives drive decisions
Where governments use behavioural science well
Quick wins for communicators on timing and delivery

Show notes:

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EP#182: From crisis to TikTok: Rethinking Government comms

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 20:00:00 GMT

What do bushfires, TikTok, and police comms have in common?

For Kendall Masters, they’ve each shaped a sharp, no-nonsense approach to government communication.

In this episode, she joins David Pembroke to unpack what it really takes to build trust, cut through the noise, and connect with the public — especially when time and attention are in short supply.

Kendall shares lessons in agility, authenticity, and strategic clarity, from rolling out TikTok with Victoria Police to managing emergency comms during the 2019–20 bushfires and COVID-19. They explore the limits of video, the myth of reach-for-the-sake-of-it, and why good reporting is about more than numbers — it’s about telling the right story to the right people.

Discussed in this episode:

Moving from traditional media to digital-first comms
Lessons from bushfire and COVID-19 emergency response
When video works — and when it doesn’t
Launching TikTok with Victoria Police
Ditching vanity metrics for meaningful reporting
Building skilled, strategic comms teams

Show notes:

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EP#181: Beyond the brand: Building trust in local government comms

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 18:00:00 GMT

Is your comms team keeping up, or just keeping busy?

In this episode of GovComms, David Pembroke sits down with Mitchell Dye, the dynamic voice behind the City of Greater Geelong’s external communications. From community radio to leading digital strategy, Mitchell shares a front-row view of how local government is reinventing the way it engages with citizens—one authentic story at a time.

David and Mitchell unpack what it takes to stand out in the crowded digital landscape, why the best communicators aren’t always in the comms team, and how to build trust through relatable, local voices. With fresh insights from years of hands-on experience, Mitchell offers a practical roadmap for future-proofing local government communication.

Discussed in this episode:

Reinventing comms in local government
Authentic storytelling vs polished branding
What community radio taught Mitchell about public comms
Finding trusted voices beyond the comms team
Managing 24/7 comms without burning out

Show notes:

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EP#180: How AI is changing Government comms (and what to do about it)

Tue, 06 May 2025 20:00:00 GMT

How will AI reshape the future of government communications—and what skills will you need to thrive?

In this episode of GovComms, host David Pembroke is joined by Wayne Aspland, expert in public sector communication and AI strategy, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the role of communicators today and into 2030.

Wayne shares how government teams can build AI capability, drive strategic alignment, and stay trusted in an era of rapid technological change. He also explains why human creativity, leadership, and critical thinking will be even more essential as automation accelerates.

Discussed in this episode:

How AI is reshaping communication roles
Achieving alignment across complex teams
Building AI skills as a team
Managing AI risks with clear guardrails

Show notes:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#179: Calm in crisis: Rebuilding trust through communication

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 23:01:41 GMT

What happens when your council loses public trust—and you’re the one answering the questions?

In this episode of GovComms, host David Pembroke speaks with Chloe Casey, Manager of Communications and Corporate Governance at the City of Casey, about leading through the fallout of the Operation Sandon investigation.

Chloe shares how her team managed misinformation, community confusion, and the absence of elected councillors for almost five years, all while ensuring communications remained clear, composed, and responsive.

She also reveals how they’re using AI, short-form video, and cold outreach to connect with the City of Casey, home to one of Australia’s most culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Her insights offer practical guidance for any government communicator navigating through change.

Discussed in this episode:

Leading through crisis with clarity and speed
Combining comms and governance for stronger responses
Engaging CALD communities with targeted outreach
Using AI, video, and plain English to boost impact

Show notes:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#178: Leading quietly: The power of introverts at work

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 18:00:00 GMT

What if the best ideas in your team are the ones you never hear?

In this episode of GovComms, host David Pembroke speaks with Richard Etienne—internal communications expert, author of The Introvert’s Survival Guide, and founder of The Introvert Space. Together, they explore how introverts can lead, influence, and thrive in workplaces that often reward volume over value.

From overcoming self-doubt to navigating hybrid work, Richard shares powerful, practical strategies to help introverts find their voice—without having to shout. He also offers advice for leaders on how to build inclusive teams where every personality type can succeed.

Whether you identify as an introvert, manage one, or simply want to create more inclusive and effective teams, this episode is packed with eye-opening insights and actionable tips.

Discussed in this episode:

Why introverts often go unheard—and how to change that
How to build your personal brand without self-promotion
The hidden strengths introverts bring to leadership
What Theresa May taught Richard about quiet influence at the top

Show notes:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#177: From Jargon to Genuine: Reclaiming Trust in Government Comms

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 17:00:00 GMT

Trust is on life support. People are tuning out. Tech is speeding up. Noise is everywhere. So how can government communicators break through?

In this powerhouse episode of GovComms, host David Pembroke is joined by Ros Weadman – strategic communication expert, author, and driving force behind the Elevate Local Government Communications Summit 2025 – to unpack what it really takes to cut through and connect in today’s chaotic communication landscape.

Ros doesn’t pull punches. With four decades in the game, she makes it clear: the old ways of pushing messages just won’t cut it. It's time to ditch the jargon, lead with heart, and communicate with courage.

This is more than an episode—it’s a call to arms for public sector communicators who want to build trust, lead with purpose, and transform how government speaks to the people it serves.

Discussed in this episode:

How to ditch “message selling” and embrace bold, emotional storytelling
The real reason people feel disconnected—and how to bring them back
How to paint a vision people can believe in (and see themselves in)
What’s broken in community engagement—and how to fix it
Why communicators must stop hiding behind process and step up as leaders

Show notes:

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EP#176: From Google to AI: The Search Revolution Explained

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 22:00:00 GMT

Is Google still the king of search or has AI changed the game forever?

The way people find information is undergoing the biggest shift in decades and government communicators can’t afford to be left behind. In this episode of GovComms, host David Pembroke speaks with Jim Stewart, CEO of Stewart Media, about the seismic shift in digital search and what it means for public sector communication.

A 25-year SEO veteran, Jim explains why this transformation is as significant as the birth of the internet and how government agencies can stay visible in AI-driven searches. From optimising government websites for AI-driven platforms to ensuring search bots can access critical public information, Jim breaks down the practical strategies to stay ahead.

This isn’t just another tech trend – it’s a fundamental shift in how people find and use information. If you're in government communications, you can’t afford to ignore it. Tune in now to learn how to keep your content discoverable, credible and ready for the AI era.

Discussed in this episode:

Learn how AI is reshaping search and SEO strategies.
Discover why government communicators must adapt to AI search.
Find out how to keep public sector content visible online.
Expert tips on optimising websites for AI bots.
Explore AI tools that enhance communication and accessibility.
Understand the future of government messaging in the AI era.

Show notes:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#175: How to speak with power & build trust: The Gravitas Masterclass

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 17:00:00 GMT

Great communicators aren’t born—they’re made.

In this episode of GovComms, host David Pembroke chats with Dr. Louise Mahler, an expert in leadership communication, about the art of presence, authenticity, and confidence. With a background in business and opera, Louise brings a unique perspective to what makes a great communicator—and why government professionals need to master these skills.

Louise shares practical techniques to improve public speaking, from voice control and body language to storytelling and audience engagement. She explains the power of the "rule of three", how to structure compelling messages, and why good communication starts with breathing and body awareness.

Whether you’re presenting to stakeholders, leading a team, or engaging the public, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you command attention and build trust. If you want to captivate, connect, and communicate with impact, this is the masterclass you need.

Discussed in this episode:

Gravitas builds trust through presence, authenticity, and confidence.
Strong delivery relies on voice, body language, and gestures.
The rule of three makes messages clear and memorable.
Overcome self-doubt with mantras and better posture.
Storytelling, humour, and connection keep audiences engaged.
Breathing and structure improve communication impact.

Show notes:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#174: Trust, Humour and Bureaucracy: The Secret Sauce of Gov Social Media

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 20:00:00 GMT

Governments generate endless information, but so much of it goes unseen. So, how do we turn it into content people actually care about?

In this episode of GovComms, David Pembroke chats with Heather Lansdowne, a leader in transforming social media in government. As the social media manager at the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Heather and her team are turning heads in the government space, proving that data can be engaging, relatable, and even fun. She’s helped reshape how agencies communicate, bringing bold ideas and engaging content to the table. Her fresh approach connects with audiences in ways traditional comms never could.

From navigating government approvals to making stats go viral, Heather shares how agencies can rethink their content strategy. She talks about building trust with leadership, using humour to engage audiences, and why governments need to act more like digital publishers. Whether you're a social media pro or a government communicator looking to push boundaries, this episode is full of insights, strategies, and inspiration to help you create content that truly connects.

Discussed in this episode:

Making government content engaging by turning reports into stories.
Building trust with leadership to get buy-in for social strategies.
Using humour to make statistics fun and relatable.
Navigating approvals while staying compliant.
Exploring social media trends in government.
Showcasing ABS’s social media success.

Show notes:

Transcript:

A transcript of this episode can be found here.

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EP#173: Public Sector Content: Effective Strategies and Storytelling Tips

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 01:00:00 GMT

Buckle up for an episode packed with creativity, innovation, and a bit of storytelling magic!

In this first GovComms Podcast of 2025, David Pembroke sits down with Andrew Parsons, a communication powerhouse with a knack for turning challenges into storytelling gold. From his humble beginnings as a cameraman to transforming public sector communication strategies, Andrew’s career is proof that creativity thrives when bold ideas meet action.

Step into the evolving world of public sector content as Andrew reveals how he built massive social media followings, pioneered video content, and ran communication teams like newsrooms—fast, fearless, and focused. He’ll also share why 2025 is the year for governments to embrace new technology, leverage podcasts, and connect with citizens like never before.

Packed with practical tips and fresh perspectives, this episode will leave you inspired to level up your content strategy.

Discussed in this episode:

Turning challenges into powerful stories.
Why 2025 is the perfect time to rethink your content strategy.
The secret to building trust and support for bold communication ideas.
Running comms teams like newsrooms—speed and creativity in action.
Andrew’s journey from behind the camera to leading communication innovation.

Show notes:

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Encore EP#153: Communication that drives climate action

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 17:00:03 GMT

Today, we’re revisiting one of the most impactful episodes of GovComms! Stephanie Speck, Head of Communications for the Green Climate Fund, shares how authentic storytelling can transform the climate conversation.

Explore the power of "Story Sovereignty," a revolutionary approach that empowers climate-impacted communities to tell their own stories—humanising the issue and making it deeply relatable. Stephanie also takes us inside the Green Climate Fund’s evolution, shifting from output-focused tactics to strategies that prioritise reputation, relationships, and global impact.

She doesn’t stop there. Tackling the challenge of misinformation, Stephanie reveals practical ways to counter false narratives, build trust, and foster consensus in the fight against climate change. Whether it’s your first listen or a revisit, this episode is packed with actionable insights to inspire meaningful climate communication.

Discussed in this episode:

Co-designing climate strategies
Leveraging AI for efficiency
Addressing misinformation challenges
Building trust through transparency
Empowering authentic storytelling
Strengthening stakeholder collaboration

Show notes:

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Encore EP#161: Storytelling for social media success

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 17:00:34 GMT

Happy New Year! We’re starting 2025 by revisiting an inspiring chat between host David Pembroke and Stanley Henry, founder of The Attention Seeker. They discuss storytelling, strategy, and building a thriving content agency.

Stanley takes us on his journey from growing up in South Auckland and working in hospitality worldwide to becoming a LinkedIn success story. His mastery of personal branding on the platform gave him the confidence to launch his own agency, which now boasts a team of 31 and is gearing up to expand to New York.

He shares invaluable lessons on storytelling and social media strategy, offering practical tips on engaging audiences across platforms. Drawing from his hospitality background, Stanley reveals how those experiences shaped his leadership and business growth.

This episode is packed with advice on creating authentic brand messages, balancing internal and client content, and embracing strategic storytelling to thrive in the ever-changing digital landscape. Stanley also reflects on the evolution of his business and the exciting future ahead.

Discussed in this episode:

Using LinkedIn strategically
Authentic storytelling techniques
Tailoring content by platform
Aligning brands with human truths
Driving business growth strategically

Show notes:

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EP#172: The unmissable moments of 2024

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 18:00:24 GMT

What did 2024 teach us about communicating better? In this special 'Year in Review' episode, David Pembroke takes us through the stories, lessons, and ideas that made this year unforgettable.

From LinkedIn storytelling tips with Stanley Henry to tackling climate anxiety with Ruth Dewsbury, this episode revisits the moments that made us think and grow. You’ll hear how behavioural science is transforming public health. What the Olympics can teach us about connection, and why Alex Aiken’s 'five Vs' framework might just change the way you approach your next big message.

Packed with practical advice and case studies, this episode is a journey through the best of GovComms in 2024. It’s insightful, relatable, and a must-listen for anyone passionate about making communication meaningful. Tune in to reflect, learn, and get ready for an even brighter 2025!

Discussed in this episode:

Storytelling and reframing mindsets
Building resilience and growth
Behavioral nudges in public health
Addressing climate anxiety in communications
AI challenges in government messaging
Modern communication frameworks

Show notes:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#171: The AI Revolution in Comms

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 17:48:03 GMT

AI is shaking up the world of communications—are you ready? In this episode of GovComms, David Pembroke sits down with PR expert Stephen Waddington to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we work. From streamlining tasks to offering new ways to tackle big challenges, Stephen explains how AI can act as a "clerk, colleague, and coach" for communicators.

However, it’s not all smooth sailing. They dig into the risks, the need for ethical governance, and why every organisation needs clear policies to stay ahead. Stephen also shares his thoughts on the shifting media landscape, the growing influence of niche communities, and what it means for how governments connect with citizens.

Hear about Socially Mobile, the not-for-profit PR school empowering diverse professionals to lead in the industry. Whether you're a government communicator, public sector leader, or PR professional, this is a must-listen for anyone looking to future-proof their role in an evolving industry.

Discussed in this episode:

AI in communications transforming workflows
Ethical governance and responsible AI adoption
Shifting media landscape and niche communities
AI applications for communication professionals
Futureproofing by adapting to changes
Socially Mobile supporting diverse professionals

Show notes:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#170: Ubuntu and Storytelling: Building Relationships in the Public Service

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 17:00:38 GMT

What if leadership was less about authority and more about connection?

Imagine a young boy in rural Zimbabwe, discovering the world through books borrowed from a modest village library. That boy is Alfred Chidembo, whose love for stories sparked a journey from his village to Australia, where he now serves in the Australian Public Service and leads a literacy charity, Aussie Books for Zim.

In this episode of GovComms, host David Pembroke explores how the Ubuntu philosophy—“I am because we are”—has guided Alfred’s life and work. Alfred shares how empathy, storytelling, and genuine connection are at the heart of his mission. He also discusses how these values can enhance communication in government by fostering trust, understanding, and community engagement. It’s a heartfelt look at how empathy, flexibility, and the stories we tell can create lasting change. This episode is for anyone who believes that by lifting others, we all rise together.

Discussed in this episode:

Ubuntu philosophy and leadership through empathy
Power of storytelling in connection
Founding Aussie Books for Zim charity
Building relationships in public service
Overcoming challenges with resilience
Enhancing government communication with trust

Show notes:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#169: Fighting Disinformation in Cities: Insights from the Global Response Playbook

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 17:00:54 GMT

As cities around the world grapple with a wave of disinformation, how can they fight back and restore public trust? In this episode of GovComms, David Pembroke sits down with Ika Trijsburg, leader of the Disinformation in the City project, to tackle this urgent question. Ika unveils the Global Response Playbook, a powerful toolkit designed to help cities counter false information at a local level. She walks us through its three-phase approach—pre-empting, pre-bunking, and debunking—and shows how cities can become hubs of trust and resilience.

Drawing on many years of experience in city diplomacy and local government, Ika shares stories and insights on why disinformation impacts every layer of city life, from elected officials to public service teams. With her unique perspective, Ika emphasises the power of collaboration and the critical role cities play in protecting their communities. Full of actionable insights and real optimism, this episode is a must-listen for government communicators and public sector leaders who are ready to step up in the fight against disinformation.

Discussed in this episode:

How disinformation challenges local governments and impacts public trust.
A three-phase strategy to tackle disinformation.
Why cities are well-positioned to address disinformation where people experience policy firsthand.
The importance of community-focused strategies to build trust and counter disinformation.
Partnerships within and beyond government strengthen resilience to disinformation.
How cities worldwide can share strategies and amplify impact through diplomatic collaboration.

Show notes:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#168: From disaster to dialogue: crisis, community, and communication

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 17:00:04 GMT

What happens when disaster strikes?

In this second-part episode of the GovComms Podcast, crisis communication expert Michael Player shares his experiences managing some of New Zealand’s most significant crises, including the Rena oil spill and Pike River mining disaster. Michael gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how he led teams through media storms, community unrest, and logistical challenges in the heart of chaos.

Michael reveals the strategies that helped him succeed under pressure—building strong communication teams, adapting plans in real time, and working closely with local communities. His stories showcase the power of collaboration and the human side of crisis management.

As crises become more common, how can we be better prepared? Michael discusses the need for frequent training and the importance of involving communities in recovery efforts. Whether you're in government communication or just curious, this episode offers key insights into managing chaos and building trust when it matters most.

Discussed in this episode:

· Managing communication during disasters

· Assembling strong, adaptable crisis teams.

· Community involvement in disaster recovery efforts.

· Frequent tabletop exercises for crisis prep.

· Balancing media demands and operational focus.

· Collaborating across government and local agencies.

Show notes:

- Tragedy at Pike River Mine – Rebecca Macfie

- The Rena grounding | NZ GOV

- Pike River | NZ GOV Royal Commission

- Exercise and Preparedness Tools | FEMA

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EP#167: Comms unlocked: insights on influence, ethics and a lasting career in Government

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 22:19:45 GMT

What does it take to navigate a decades-long career in government communications while navigating ethics, changing media landscapes, and building lasting influence?

In this special two-part episode of GovComms, David Pembroke sits down with Michael Player, a communications veteran with nearly five decades experience. From his very first job to his long stint with NZ Police, Michael shares the highs and lows of working in public sector communications.

Join us as Michael reflects on the ethical backbone of the profession, revealing how great communicators must speak truth to power, even when it's uncomfortable. Michael’s journey is full of wisdom for both introverts and extroverts alike, proving that in a people-first profession, it’s the quiet listeners who often make the biggest impact.

This episode is packed with insights on how to navigate the shifting tides of today’s media landscape, where misinformation abounds, and how to maintain influence in an ever-evolving field. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, Michael’s career lessons on leadership, ethics, and crisis management will inspire you to step up, take initiative, and become a true communications leader.

Discussed in this episode:

· Importance of initiative and building rapport

· Ethical responsibility and speaking truth to power

· The three A’s: accessibility, affordability, ability

· Being a good listener

· The evolving media landscape and digital platforms

· Career advice: patience and continuous learning

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EP#166: The AGILE approach to digital advocacy: transforming communications

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 21:00:00 GMT

How can digital communications spark real-world change and drive social impact? In this episode of GovComms, David Pembroke speaks with Nicholas Bruneau, a global leader in digital advocacy and purpose-led marketing. Together, they explore how Nicholas’ AGILE Framework for social impact communications inspires organisations to leverage digital tools, tell compelling stories, and mobilise communities. Through real-world examples like the “Raise Your Hand” campaign, which raised over $4 billion for global education, Nicholas reveals how digital strategies can inspire lasting movements and revolutionise public sector communications.

Discussed in this episode:

· Digital communications for social impact through advocacy.

· AGILE Framework empowering public sector organisations.

· "Raise Your Hand" campaign

· Storytelling and digital tools to drive community engagement

· Post-pandemic shifts and growing risk aversion in digital strategy

· Data-driven strategies for greater communication impact

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EP#165: Applying Behavioural Science to Fight Misinformation and Sustain Change

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 02:00:37 GMT

What if small behavioural tweaks could transform government policies and change society for the better?

In this exciting episode of GovComms, David Pembroke chats with Sharon Rosenrauch, Principal Behavioural Scientist at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water. They uncover the powerful impact of behavioural science in the public sector, diving into how these insights can tackle misinformation, drive lasting change, and strengthen collaboration between scientists and communicators. Plus, she introduces game-changing tools like the EAST framework that are helping government departments revolutionise their strategies for more effective communication.

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EP#164: Building Trust and Enhancing Government Resilience

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 02:00:00 GMT

In this episode of the GovComms Podcast, Adrian Brown, Executive Director of the Centre for Public Impact, explores the evolving role of government in society and the importance of public legitimacy, trust, and resilience. Adrian discusses how governments can adapt to crises like COVID-19 by becoming more agile and citizen-centered, and highlights the role of innovation in public administration. Adrian also shares strategies for improving government-citizen communication, the significance of cross-sector collaboration, and the ethical considerations necessary for successful government innovation.

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EP#163: Managing High-Stakes Events and Data Driven Government Communication

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 02:00:27 GMT

In this episode of the GovComms Podcast, host David Pembroke interviews Alison Senti, a strategic communications professional with a career spanning both public and private sectors. Alison shares her journey from hotel management and legal marketing to consulting at KPMG, and various positions within government departments. Alison outlines the role of government communicators during major events, drawing on her experiences with the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit.

This episode also explores the importance of social cohesion, evaluation, and accountability in government communication. Alison shares insights on the future of the public sector and reflects on the evolving landscape of government communication and the vital role it plays in supporting public trust and policy implementation.

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EP#162: Navigating Crises and Pre-bunking Disinformation

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 02:00:20 GMT

In this episode of the GovComms Podcast, host David Pembroke interviews Bob Jensen, a leading expert in crisis communication with over four decades of experience in emergency and disaster risk management. The episode dives into Jensen's extensive career, including his roles in the US Air Force, the State Department, and FEMA, as well as his work with international organizations like the World Bank. Jensen shares insights from his career, emphasizing the importance of having robust systems in place for effective crisis communication and the need for regular training and exercises to ensure preparedness.

Jensen discusses the critical role of crisis communication in managing public perception, particularly in the face of disinformation. He introduces the concept of pre-bunking, where organisations anticipate and address potential disinformation before it spreads, and highlights the increasing use of AI by malicious actors to create deepfakes and spread false narratives. Jensen stresses the importance of understanding and countering these tactics, using technology to detect manipulated content, and developing clear, proactive communication strategies.

The conversation also touches on the challenges of communicating the impacts of climate change and the necessity of making such information relatable and understandable for the public. Jensen emphasises the importance of empathy and respect in communication, particularly when addressing widespread issues like climate change.

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EP#161: LinkedIn Mastery, Storytelling Secrets and the Key to Social Media Success

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 02:00:25 GMT

In this episode of the GovComms Podcast, host David Pembroke sits down with Stanley Henry, founder and CEO of The Attention Seeker, a New Zealand-based, New York-inspired advertising agency. Stanley shares his fascinating journey from growing up in South Auckland to establishing a successful career in hospitality, which eventually led him to start his own agency. He emphasises the importance of understanding and engaging with audiences by creating content that resonates with them rather than focusing solely on the message the speaker wants to convey.

Stanley elaborates on how The Attention Seeker transitioned from leveraging LinkedIn for personal branding to becoming a full-service agency offering content creation across multiple platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. He details their iterative content production process, which involves constant testing and refining based on performance data to ensure effective communication. Stanley also discusses the diverse range of clients they serve, from small businesses to large corporations, and the consistent onboarding process that ensures a deep understanding of each client's needs.

Throughout the conversation, Stanley provides valuable insights for government communicators, stressing the need to focus on what their audience wants to hear and to integrate their messages into existing narratives. He cites the example of Jacinda Ardern's social media strategy to illustrate how effectively listening to and engaging with the audience can lead to successful communication.

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EP#160: Climate Science and the Danger of Making Comms Too Simple

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 02:00:23 GMT

In this episode of the GovComms Podcast, host David Pembroke speaks with Dr. Nathan Borgford-Parnell, the science lead at the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) Secretariat. Dr. Borgford-Parnell provides an in-depth look at the CCAC's mission to mitigate short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs), such as methane, black carbon, hydrofluorocarbons, and tropospheric ozone. He emphasises the coalition's efforts to integrate climate and air pollution policies to achieve multiple benefits, including improved public health, labor rights, and population resiliency. The discussion highlights the scientific understanding of SLCPs, their sources, and the immediate and long-term advantages of reducing emissions.

The conversation dives into the challenges of communicating the complexities of climate change and the importance of presenting climate actions as delivering multiple benefits to various communities. Dr. Borgford-Parnell critiques the limitations of using CO2 equivalents as a metric for all greenhouse gases, advocating for a more nuanced approach to treating each pollutant as unique. He provides real-world examples of how different pollutants interact with ecosystems and human health, illustrating the need for tailored communication and policy development.

Dr. Borgford-Parnell also addresses the impact of misinformation and disinformation on climate action, offering strategies to combat these challenges by focusing on the multiple benefits and engaging diverse constituencies. He shares his optimism about the potential to achieve climate goals through existing technologies and policies, despite the current trajectory of global emissions.

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EP#159: The Evolving Communication Profession and Human-Centred Approach to A.I.

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 00:11:16 GMT

In this episode of the GovComms Podcast, host David Pembroke welcomes back Jennifer Muir, a communication professional with over 25 years of experience in the not-for-profit, government, social impact, and civil society sectors.

Jennifer, who has recently been appointed to the Global Alliance board for Public Relations and Communication Management, shares insights into the Global Alliance's mission and her role in leading international collaborations and community connections across the Asia-Pacific region. Her discussion emphasises the rapid growth of the communication profession in Asia and the need for aligning professional standards globally.

The conversation also discusses the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the communications field. Jennifer highlights the importance of a human-centered approach to AI, urging communication professionals to understand and responsibly use AI tools. She discusses the slower adoption of AI in government due to regulatory and privacy concerns, contrasting it with the faster-paced technology advancements in the private sector.

Jennifer also shares information about the upcoming World PR Conference (WPRF) in Bali in November 2024, a great opportunity for communicators for professional growth and networking opportunities. More information about this conference can be found at: https://www.globalalliancepr.org/wprf

Discussed in this episode:

Professional capability frameworks and their alignment in the ASEAN region.
Importance of trust and transparency in corporate and government communications.
Role of the Public Relations Institute of Australia and its recent name change.
The benefits of attending international communication conferences for professional development.

Show notes:

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EP#158: Managing Sports Integrity, Media Transparency and Stakeholder Engagement

Wed, 29 May 2024 00:34:09 GMT

In this episode of the GovComms Podcast, host David Pembroke interviews Tim Gavel, a veteran sports broadcaster who has transitioned into the role of Media Director at Sport Integrity Australia, an Australian Government agency aimed at promoting safe and fair sports.

Tim shares insights from his extensive career in media and broadcasting, detailing his journey from a disc jockey in Western Queensland to a highly respected commentator in Canberra. The discussion highlights his relentless work ethic and the skills he developed over decades, which he now applies to his current role in the public service.

Tim provides an in-depth look at the multifaceted issues managed by Sport Integrity Australia, including anti-doping, sexual abuse, integrity in sports betting, and racial abuse. He discusses the dynamic leadership of David Sharpe, the CEO of Sport Integrity Australia, and the challenges of building a robust framework for the organisation on the go. Tim elaborates on his daily routine, which involves early morning media analysis and maintaining strong relationships with journalists to ensure transparency and accurate reporting.

The conversation also touches on the importance of collaboration with key stakeholders, such as the Minister’s office and national sports organisations.

Discussed in this episode:

Tim’s strategy for handling media inquiries and building trust with journalists.
The role of the National Integrity Framework in Australian sports.
The evolution of Sport Integrity Australia’s communication strategies.
Innovative educational initiatives for athletes using virtual reality.

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EP#157: Olympic Communications, Preparing for Paris 2024 and Lessons from Tokyo 2020

Wed, 15 May 2024 02:00:00 GMT

In this episode of GovComms, we are joined by Strath Gordon, Head of Public Affairs and Communications at the Australian Olympic Committee.

With the 2024 Paris Olympics starting in July, Strath shares insights into the planning involved in preparing for the Olympic games, including the introduction of 460 Australian athletes to the public and the coordination required to manage media coverage for the event. He emphasises the importance of storytelling in sports communication, and discusses the AOC’s plans for effective on-ground media communication in Paris to ensure all athletes receive appropriate coverage and support.

Reflecting on the Tokyo Olympics, Strath highlights the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, from the postponement of the games to maintaining constant communication with athletes to keep their spirits high. He touches on the lessons learned during this period, such as the critical role of effective communication and the necessity of leveraging technology to stay connected with stakeholders.

Strath outlines how the AOC adapts to the rise of streaming services and digital media by providing content that enhances the viewing experience across various platforms. Additionally, the conversation highlights the AOC's community engagement efforts, such as the Olympics Unleashed Program, which aims to inspire young Australians by connecting them with Olympians.

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EP#156: Mastering Public Communication Strategies, Leadership and Campaigns

Wed, 01 May 2024 03:12:27 GMT

In this episode of GovComms, we are joined by Mardi Stewart, the Branch Manager of Campaigns and Strategic Communication at the Department of Social Services.

As a leader with extensive experience in strategic communication and public campaigns, Mardi shares insights on creating impactful and award-winning campaigns. From the foundational aspects of embracing a learning mindset to the intricacies of campaign management, she highlights the multifaceted approach required to navigate and excel in government communications.

Leadership in public communication not only involves the strategic dissemination of information but also encompasses fostering resilience and passion among communication professionals. Mardi emphasises the importance of loving what you do, and that passion fuels perseverance and success in any professional endeavor.

Mardi also explores the role of public communication campaigns in addressing societal issues and enhancing community well-being. She outlines the structured processes behind successful campaigns, from initial research to creative development and rigorous evaluation.

Discussed in this episode:

Mardi Stewart's journey and passion in public sector communications.
Key campaigns like "Stop it at the Start" and community awareness initiatives.
Importance of mentorship and professional networks in communications.
Challenges and shifts in media landscapes impacting government communication.

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EP#155: Part 2 - Managing Crises, Building Media Capability and A.I. in Service Delivery

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 23:51:47 GMT

In this episode of GovComms, we continue our conversation with Bevan Hannan, General Manager of the Communications Division at Services Australia.

Bevan delves into the complexities of government communication, drawing on his extensive experience to explore how crises like the Bali bombings have shaped public narratives and the role of media in managing these narratives.

Bevan reflects on the human aspects of communications and shares lessons learned from coordinating the government's response and supporting affected families. He explains how he strategically used media to maintain control over the public discourse and ensure sensitive handling of the aftermath.

The conversation also ventures into the future of communication in public service, particularly the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Bevan discusses the potential for AI to enhance service delivery and improve the accessibility and efficiency of government communications.

The episode takes a reflective turn as he addresses the Robodebt scandal, considering its impact on public trust and the essential role of integrity in government communications.

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EP#154: Part 1 - Building Relationships, Government Spokespersons and Pandemic Response

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 05:18:42 GMT

In this episode of the GovComms Podcast, we are joined by Bevan Hannan, General Manager of the Communications Division at Services Australia.

Bevan shares insights into the nuances of crisis communication during the COVID-19 pandemic, and outlines the strategies and technologies employed by Services Australia to manage public information needs effectively.

Bevan also discusses the challenges and strategies of maintaining team dynamics in a remote and hybrid work settings, and emphasises the importance of a supportive and collaborative culture. He highlights how his team adapted to ensure productivity and engagement despite the distance.

Furthermore, Bevan explores the significant role of government spokespeople in delivering complex information to the public. He stresses the importance of trusted, non-political figures in building public trust and ensuring clear communication from the government.

Discussed in this episode:

Impact of mentorship and networking in Bevan's early career development.
Bevan's lessons from transitioning from sports journalism to the public service.
Balancing between in-person and remote work for team effectiveness.
Evolution of government communication practices pre and post-COVID.

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EP#153: Climate Communication, Empowering Storytellers and Overcoming Misinformation

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 02:39:57 GMT

In this episode of GovComms, we are joined once again by Stephanie Speck, who is now the Head of Communications for the Green Climate Fund, for a conversation focusing on effective climate change communication.

With extensive experience in public sector communication globally, Stephanie shares insights into empowering climate-impacted communities to tell their authentic stories through "Story Sovereignty." This approach humanises climate change and grounds narratives in real-life experiences.

Stephanie also delves into the strategic evolution of the Green Climate Fund's communication, moving from output-focused tactics to strategies that prioritise reputation, return on investment, and relationship building, aiming to enhance global impact and drive effective climate action.

The conversation explores the challenge of misinformation in climate discourse, with Stephanie highlighting strategies to counter false narratives and the emphasising the importance of accurate communication in building trust and consensus on climate issues.

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EP#152: Marketing Communication Careers, Stakeholder Engagement and Impactful Campaigns

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 05:37:18 GMT

This time on GovComms we are joined by Andrea Garcia, a communication professional with over 15 years’ experience working for various organisations.

Andrea shares her stories working in UNICEF, Weber Shandwick and the New York State Court System in the United States and the Canberra Light Rail project, Museum of Australian Democracy (MOAD), and the Canberra Institute of Technology in Canberra, Australia.

Discussed in this episode:

Andrea's work across various sectors, including government, non-profit, and private sectors.
The importance and strategies of stakeholder engagement and community consultation
The role of integrated marketing communications in effectively disseminating information and engaging with diverse audiences.
The transition from working in high-profile, private sector roles to more community-focused, public sector positions.

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EP#151: Climate Communication, Community Engagement and Strategic Storytelling

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 22:53:39 GMT

In this episode of GovComms Podcast, we are joined by Ruth Dewsbury, a communication strategist with more than 20 years’ experience in government communications in the Australian federal government. Her most recent role was as a Senior Director of Communications at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

Along with host David Pembroke, Ruth reflects on the significant changes in the communication landscape, particularly the shift from traditional methods like typewriters and carbon paper to the digital revolution, which introduced new communication channels and tools, and the impact of the 24-hour news cycle.

“Things have changed massively in the whole communications land... Especially with the digital revolution.” – Ruth Dewsbury

Ruth emphasises the need for clear communication objectives by ‘going back to the basics’, and clear outcomes to effectively determine target audiences, messages, and channels.

“While there have been massive changes, a lot hasn't changed like the general approach to communications, strategic communications in its entirety hasn't changed, and in some ways, I think there's a real need to get back to basics." – Ruth Dewsbury

Ruth also talks about the unique challenges of communicating about climate change, including dealing with disinformation, engaging diverse audiences, and the importance of addressing climate anxiety, especially among young people.

“Disinformation has just gone wild, and different groups in the community are responding in different ways. There's huge climate anxiety with young people, in particular, something like 67% of young people think." – Ruth Dewsbury

Tune in to gain insights into gathering authentic stories to make government communications more relatable and effective, and more.

Show notes:

Ruth Dewsbury | LinkedIn

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EP#150: UK Government Communication Tactics, Disinformation and the Ukraine War

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 01:19:41 GMT

GovComms Podcast is back with brand new episodes.

Our first episode of the season welcomes back Alex Aiken, the Executive Director for Government Communications in the UK, who was our very first guest when the podcast debuted in 2015 as the 'InTransition Podcast'. The landscape of government communication has evolved since then, and this episode dives into the latest developments.

Host David Pembroke and Alex Aiken explore the collaborative efforts between the UK Government Communication Service (GCS) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Alex sheds light on the OECD's role in auditing and evaluating the UK's government communication practices, sharing insights into the process.

“One of the things that the OECD asked us to do was submit UK Government Communications to a what they call a country scan. What they really mean is an audit of UK Government Communications and the report we published next month early in February. Now that takes a degree of courage.” – Alex Aiken

The episode also delves into the UK Government's communication response to the war in Ukraine.

“When it was inevitable that the Russians were set to invade then we set up what we call the Government Information Cell. This was to bring together all the specialists that you need to deliver modern high volume communications into one place so we could have a fast, coordinated, and effective UK Government Communications response.” – Alex Aiken

In a world where disinformation is rampant and synthetic media is an emerging threat, Alex emphasises the importance of compelling storytelling.

“I think that the absolutely central point is unless you can tell your story brilliantly, you will fall victim to disinformation. On the 24th of February 2022, I listened to Boris Johnson thinking through the challenges we faced... 'Putin must fail.' That is our policy. Putin must fail." And that in a sense is a story that we told then and a story we're telling now" – Alex Aiken

Furthermore, Alex discusses the potential of artificial intelligence, and how the UK government seeks to use it as a ‘force for good’.

“The London Summit recently had a whole range of countries around the world looking at the threats but also the opportunities. As the Government Communication Service, we are seeking to bring together all the plans, the strategies, the knowledge that we have and create a large language model where we can plug all that in" – Alex Aiken

Tune in to gain insights into the UK Government’s strategic communication frameworks, such as OASIS and PITCH, and much more.

Discussed in this episode:

The evolving role of government communication.
Impact of technology and the challenge of mis- and disinformation.
OECD's involvement in government communication.
UK Government’s strategic frameworks: OASIS and PITCH.
The importance of international collaboration.

Show notes:

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Digital Storytelling to Captivate Audiences with Tim Price (2022)

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 05:18:08 GMT

This week's episode marks the final episode of Govcomms 'From the Vault'. In this episode, host and CEO of contentgroup, David Pembroke, revisits his conversation with Tim Price, the Acting Director of Strategic Communications and Content at the Australian Federal Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

David begins by exploring where Tim's career began - creating massively successful fan websites for Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff. Tim explains

"when I look back on my career, I was like, 'Well, that's really where it all started'. Back then, there was no such thing as a digital career. There was no such thing as a career in social media. So I travelled the wave of the constantly changing nature of digital and social media and into government as well."

The pair discuss the challenges of a new narrowcast world and the importance of building a sense of community no matter the type of communications you are executing. On top of this, the one key takeaway from this episode is the importance of building connections. Tim explains that making connections with individuals throughout your organisation can greatly benefit you when it comes to having a seat at the table from the get-go.

Stay tuned for a brand-new Govcomms episode coming Wednesday 7th February.

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Strengthening Democracy and Citizen Engagement with Sanjay Pradhan (2022)

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 03:11:23 GMT

This week on GovComms 'From the Vault,' we revisit our conversation with a special guest, the CEO of the Open Government Partnership, Sanjay Pradhan.

Sanjay joined OGP in May 2016. Prior to joining OGP, he served as the Vice President for Leadership, Learning, and Innovation at the World Bank, as well as the Vice President of the World Bank Institute, and as the Director for Governance.

David Pembroke, CEO and Founder of contentgroup, discusses with Sanjay the mission of OGP and its role in addressing governance challenges faced by ordinary citizens. Using three examples from Nigeria, Ukraine, and Costa Rica, Sanjay illustrates the impact of OGP in the real world. The pair explore the true effect OGP has in making governments more transparent, participatory, inclusive, and accountable.

"When you think of democracy, you think of the ballot box, citizens cast their vote, but all these problems existed beyond the vote. They continue to not get these services. So OGP is a way to indeed focus on the ballot box, but also beyond the ballot box empowering citizens to shape and oversee their government every year, every day, not just once in a few years when we cast our precious vote. "

They also delve into how digital technology has influenced the transparency of governments and how OGP can counter the rise of authoritarianism by tackling both domestic and external drivers.

Topics discussed in this episode include:

Building citizens' trust
Inclusion of marginalized groups
Taking democracy beyond the ballot box.

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Communicating Humanitarian Crises with Osama Saeed Bhutta (2017)

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 04:20:06 GMT

This week on Govcomms 'From the Vault', we revisit our conversation with Osama Saeed Bhutta, who is currently the Director of Communications, Policy & Campaigns at Shelter UK. At the time of this conversation, he was the Director of Communications at Amnesty International.

Osama started out as a volunteer organiser and press officer for the Stop the War movement in the UK, which later landed him a position with the Scottish National Party as a media and research officer.

Fast forward a decade and a remarkable career with news organisation Al Jazeera. His role at Amnesty International was to unite and mobilise the world against ever worsening humanitarian crises, widening gaps in wealth, education and equality and more refugees than ever before in the history of the world.

Along with host David Pembroke, Osama discussed the intersection of public relations and government communications, exploring how effective communication strategies can help build trust, credibility, and support for government initiatives.

“When you’re trying to get into people’s hearts, that kind of fact-based approach, which has historically been the approach of NGOs, is less successful, and at the moment, we are being eaten for breakfast as a movement.”

Discussed in this episode:

When images work against you and disempower your audience
The problem with highlighting the problem
The need for positive messaging in the harshest times
The importance of publicising the historical
The role of the internet in uniting people and the need for people to get out from behind their keyboards.

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Communicating Public Health Risks with Clare and Alice Collins (2015)

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 03:21:37 GMT

Are you interested in public health advocacy?

This week on Govcomms ‘From the Vault’, we revisit our conversation with Clare and Alice Collins, a mother-daughter duo who run Insight Communications- a multi-award winning agency specialising in communication management for cause, culture, community and health organisations.

We highlight the complexities surrounding asbestos awareness, including the challenges and strategies involved in educating the public about this often-overlooked health hazard. Clare and Alice discuss innovative approaches to public engagement and awareness campaigns, highlighting the importance of effective messaging in public health initiatives.

As they navigate through their journey in the public health sector, Clare and Alice offer valuable lessons learned from their extensive work in raising awareness about asbestos. Through their case study on asbestos awareness, they discuss the significance of community involvement and government action in tackling such public health challenges.

Discussed in this episode:

Utilising a holistic approach in communication through multiple channels.
Targeting influential figures for effective public health awareness.
Forming key stakeholder partnerships for efficient information distribution.
Employing detailed strategic planning for campaign objectives.
Applying a 'day in the life' technique for audience engagement.

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The UK Government Communication Service with Russell Grossman (2015)

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 00:14:43 GMT

Russell Grossman wears many hats; he was, and still is the Director of Communications at the Office of Rail and Road, an Executive Committee member and adviser to the Board

In this episode from the archives, Russell Grossman and David Pembroke discuss the best practices in government communication, and the establishment of the Government Communications Services (GCS) in the UK.

We hear about Russell’s experience as Director of Group Communications at the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, as well as International Chair of the IABC and Director of Engage for Success.

Discussed in this episode:

Maximising communications budgets
Using a project management approach to reform communications
Creating long-term marketing strategies
Strong bold leadership and sharp project management
Future directions and innovations within the GCS.

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Mastering Social Media in the Public Sector with Roger Christie (2021)

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 00:00:06 GMT

This week on Govcomms ‘From the Vault’, we revisit our podcast with the Founder & Managing Director of Propel, Roger Christie. This podcast in particular investigates the role of social media and how government communicators can use social media effectively.

Founder and CEO of contentgroup, David Pembroke, asks Roger tips to start conversations in organisations that are notoriously risk-averse when providing responses quickly to events online. Roger then stresses the importance of not trying to sell social media, but rather see social media as a meeting point.

Continuing the conversation, Roger talks about the importance of understanding the environment in which your organisation is operating to avoid mistakes in a public and permanent forum. In Roger’s words, “Don’t build a fort in a battle”.

Discussed in this episode:

How to position social media as a way to overcome barriers
The P-L-A-N Framework
Role of Individual vs the organisation

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Utilising Digital Marketing Tools for Success with Ian Cleary (2015)

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 01:05:59 GMT

In this episode of Govcomms ‘From the Vault’, we revisit our conversation with Ian Cleary, Founder of the acclaimed social media training business and blog, RazorSocial. He joins host David Pembroke remotely from Dublin, Ireland.

With over 15 years in the software industry, Ian shares his technical expertise in utilising various applications to boost your content marketing efforts. Ian's RazorSocial, a global leader in providing expert advice on social media tools, has been a game-changer in the digital marketing industry. Tune in as Ian unveils the essence of selecting the right tools to enhance your social media marketing and blogging, encapsulating insights from his venture, the RazorSocial Training Academy.

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Strengthening Internal Communication in Government with Rita Zonius (2018)

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 01:25:05 GMT

As communicators, we should all know by now that internal communication is the beating heart of any healthy organisation. Because without it, everything falls apart. And though that may sound scary there are plenty of tools available to introduce smooth internal communication to your department or agency.

In this week's Govcomms 'From the Vault', we look back at our 2018 conversation with Rita Zonius, a communication strategist and consultant based in Australia, where we discussed the deployment of enterprise social media, or large-scale internal communication.

Rita shares insights on various topics related to communication, such as the importance of storytelling, the impact of technology on communication, and the role of leaders in fostering effective communication within their organisations.

With a rich career in the bank sector, Rita was the Head of Internal Communication for ANZ for more than a decade. One of her biggest achievements was the implementation of an enterprise social network to connect over 60,000 ANZ employees around the world. After leaving ANZ in late-2017, Rita has become a leading consultant in the field and recognised internationally for her work in enterprise social networking. Under the alias The Enterprise Social Engineer she now works with brands around the world assisting them with all their internal comms needs.

Discussed in this episode:

What is enterprise social networking and why is important?
The increased efficiency from implementing internal social networks
Measuring risks and challenges in internal communication
Training your team in teamwork, not technology
Perfecting internal content, creating an internal narrative

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Thinking Like a System with Howard Parry-Husbands (2021)

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 01:00:57 GMT

In this episode of Govcomms ‘From the Vault’, we revisit our insightful conversation with Howard Parry-Husbands, CEO and Founder of Pollinate, one of Australia’s consulting and market research leaders in the world of branding, innovation and communications. The conversation explores how systems thinking can be used to solve complex problems.

Howard emphasises that everything is interconnected, suggesting that solving one problem might unintentionally cause another. Using the Murray Darling Basin as a case study, he explains how humans often struggle with understanding complexity and instead rely on cause and effect. To bridge this gap, Howard champions the use of metaphors, visuals, and storytelling to communicate complex messages to the public.

Discussed in this episode:

Definition of systems thinking, and how it can be used by communications professionals.
The benefits of understanding systems thinking from a policy perspective.
Comparing the management of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, New Zealand, and the US.
The drawbacks of a single-message strategy in government communications.

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Communicating the Benefits of Content Marketing with Russell Sparkman (2015)

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 01:53:27 GMT

In this episode of Govcomms ‘From the Vault’, we revisit a conversation between our host David Pembroke and Russell Sparkman, who is one of the pioneers of global content marketing and a believer in its inevitability. As the Co-founder of FusionSpark Media, Inc., Russell brings more than two decades of expertise to the table, specifically focusing on how content marketing can solve complex challenges in government and non-profit sectors.

The conversation explored the multifaceted benefits of content marketing for public and non-profit organisations. Russell discussed how strategically crafted content can not only engage but also empower citizens.

Established in 1999, FusionSpark Media boasts a diverse portfolio of content initiatives, specialisng in sectors such as environmental conservation, public health, and sustainability. With a global presence through offices in the United States and Japan, FusionSpark Media collaborates with a dynamic network of professionals skilled in marketing, PR, digital media, and journalism.

Russell’s versatile role in these impactful projects extends from new business development to content strategy, and even to hands-on content creation through photography and videography.

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Gen Z and the Future of Government Communication with Claire Madden (2018)

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 01:00:00 GMT

In this episode of Govcomms ‘From the Vault’, we revisit our insightful conversation with Claire Madden, author of ‘Hello Gen Z: Engaging the Generation of Post-Millennials’ and social researcher on generational engagement. Along with David Pembroke, Claire explores the technological cultural shift and what communicators can learn from these leaders of tomorrow though still young today.

By 2030, it's projected that Gen Z will make up one-third of the Australian workforce, setting the stage for an evolution in the way we communicate and work. This conversation explored the essential role of social media in shaping this generation's worldview and explore why it's crucial for governmental bodies and the public sector to harness their unique skill sets.

Discussed in this episode:

Generational change and how Gen Z broke the mould
The material and technological impact on Gen Z
What technology has done to how people learn, research and communicate
Ways government and the public sector can utilise the skills and abilities of Gen Z
Gen Z are born knowing the rules of social media engagement
Advice to effectively communicate and talk with Gen Z

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EP#149 Driving Positive Change with Social Marketing

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 23:07:51 GMT

On this episode of Govcomms, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke is joined once again by the Founding Director of Social Marketing @ Griffith, Professor Sharyn Rundle-Thiele.

Joining us from Queensland, Sharyn is an expert in all things social marketing. Drawing from her background in commercial marketing, her current research focuses on applying marketing to benefit both people and the planet. She has worked on numerous social marketing projects that help tackle issues such as marine pollution in Indonesia, unhealthy eating habits of military personnel, domestic pet and wildlife interactions and teen drinking habits.

In this conversation, we revisit the concept of ‘social marketing’ and uncover the positive impact it can create. Sharyn also highlights some of her recent work that involved mitigating koala threat from dogs and raising awareness of the importance of cleaning leaves in gutters.

We conclude the episode with details about the Change 2023 conference hosted by Social Marketing @ Griffith, which will take place on the 19th and 20th of October, with options to attend either in-person or online. This conference delves into the latest insights and best practices for achieving measurable change that benefits people, communities, and the planet. Govcomms listeners are eligible for a 10% discount on their tickets using the code CONTENTGROUP10. Reserve your spot today by visiting their website: https://www.griffith.edu.au/griffith-business-school/social-marketing-griffith/change-conference

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Creating a Digital Experience with Amanda Dennett (2020)

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 01:03:07 GMT

In this episode of Govcomms ‘From the Vault’, we revisit a conversation between our host David Pembroke and Amanda Dennett, a former Head of Digital Experience at the Australian War Memorial, who is now the Senior Manager at creativeXpeople, Synergy Group. Amanda is an experienced communication professional, specialising in digital communication strategy, crisis communication, and media issues management.

The Australian Government is increasingly harnessing digital platforms to create engaging and informative content. This conversation delves into the findings of Amanda’s research on the way the Australian Government is using social media. Amanda highlights industry success stories and the future direction of online communications.

Discussed in this episode:

How to measure a social media strategy
Getting permission from senior leaders to deliver communication strategies
Where has social media been used successfully in the public sector?
The key skills of a communicator
Creating credible and consistent information for online platforms.

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The Power of Content Marketing in Government with Shannah Hayley (2016)

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 00:00:48 GMT

In this episode of Govcomms ‘From the Vault’, we revisit our insightful conversation with Shannah Hayley, which took place at the Content Marketing World 2016 conference in Cleveland, Ohio. Shannah is the Director of Communications and Community Outreach for the city of Plano, Texas, with responsibilities in strategic planning for all aspects of the city’s communications, marketing and community outreach.

Along with David Pembroke, she discusses how local governments can capitalise on unfavorable incidents and utilise content marketing to enhance social awareness for their communities. Shannah shares her successful strategy which turned a disparaging comment from the reality TV show "Real Housewives of Dallas" into a powerful marketing tool.

When a cast member compared Plano to an uncomfortable conversation, Shannah seized the opportunity to transform it into a clever marketing campaign. She embraced the phrase "It's a little Plano in here" and turned it into a meme of civic pride, effectively raising awareness for the city through content marketing.

“It started a whole campaign of ‘It's a little Plano in here,’ and that was a saying that popped up in our community…” - Shannah Hayley.

By capitalising on unfavorable incidents and utilising content marketing, Shannah demonstrated how local governments can increase social awareness and turn challenging situations into positive exposure.

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The Science of Persuasive Communication with Nicole Thomson-Pride (2019)

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 01:00:00 GMT

In this episode of Govcomms ‘From the Vault’, we revisit our insightful conversation with Nicole Thomson-Pride. Nicole is a professional speechwriter and communication coach with experience working across the Australian government, private sector and not-for-profit organisations. Her previous workplaces include the New South Wales Government, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and Department of Defence.

Nicole's passion for communication emerged at a young age, when she had a work experience placement at CLEO magazine at just 13 years old. This passion led her to successfully complete an undergraduate and postgraduate qualification in the field. Today, Nicole excels as a professional speechwriter, with keen interest in understanding human cognition to write speeches that can better influence and persuade.

In today's ever-evolving landscape, characterised by increasingly complex issues, Nicole stresses the importance of having some of the smartest people in the country working in communication, because good communication can help shape and change the world.

Discussed in this episode:

JFK and using cognitive understanding to underpin his greatest speeches
Emotional decision-making at the crux of human beings
Placing audiences in a threat or reward state, using the the NeuroLeadership Institute's SCARF (Status, Certainty, Autonomy, Relatedness, Fairness) Model®
Finding the balance of art and science in communications
The current opportunity for communicators to be creative

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Leadership in Collective Engagement

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 01:34:28 GMT

In this episode of the Collective Engagement for Social Purpose podcast series, we are in conversation once again with the University of Adelaide’s Dr. Taylor Willmott and Professor Jodie Conduit for the sixth and final instalment of the series.

Jodie is the lead investigator on the Australian Research Council (ARC) funded ‘Collective Engagement Towards Social Purpose’ project, and has been working closely with Taylor on the analysis of qualitative data from interviews with community engagement managers and leaders of social purpose organisations. She stresses the importance of storytelling as a tool for leaders to connect with people.

It's only with that really deep understanding and almost feeling the emotional connection as well, that for someone having gone through it, that we can start to have a common understanding of where we want to go and really connect with those people. – Professor Jodie Conduit

Also joining us in this episode is Dr. Taylor Wilmott, a member of the University of Adelaide's research team for the Collective Engagement for Social Purpose research project. She emphasises the importance of the leader being a participant in workshops to ensure everyone feels like their voices will be heard.

The leader has to be there as a participant and someone who is managing their power dynamics in the room and is able to step back, and recognise that everyone has unique strengths and weaknesses including themselves, and how best can we leverage them and make sure that everyone feels like their voice will be heard in the room. – Dr. Taylor Willmott

The conversation focuses on 7 tips for effective leadership in collective engagement:

People-first.
Make it tangible.
Create access points.
Get the right people in the room.
Create a safe space.
Empower people.
Celebrate success.

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Harvesting and Hosting Conversations with Ian Andersen (2021)

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 02:00:00 GMT

In this episode of GovComms' 'From the Vault,' we revisit our insightful conversation with Ian Andersen, who dedicated 35 years to improving communication for Europeans at the European Commission. As a passionate Participatory Innovation Adviser, Ian strived to foster genuine engagement and co-creation with stakeholders, even in the midst of the challenges posed by online discussions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the interview, we delve into Ian's remarkable journey as an Interpreter. He shares valuable insights, highlighting the crucial factors that contribute to an interpreter's success. Ian also emphasises the crucial role of active listening in achieving sustainable outcomes, and the importance of involving everyone in policy-making discussions.

“Generating solutions start with the conversation. By focusing on actually listening, we can get to results that are sustainable, that people will actually happily engage in rather than try to flee from it.”

Furthermore, Ian states that adopting a participatory policy-making framework reduces the influence of lobbyists and is the most productive way of involving stakeholders. As the interview concludes, effective strategies for harvesting and hosting productive conversations are explored, providing valuable insights for successful communication endeavors.

Discussed in this episode:

Why communication is leadership made flesh
How to develop your listening skills
Hosting and harvesting conversations

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The Citizen Focus with Martin Schipany (2016)

Wed, 24 May 2023 00:22:52 GMT

This week on GovComms ‘From the Vault’, we dip into the archives to a conversation between contentgroup CEO David Pembroke, and Head of ‘City Communications’ for the City of Vienna’s Press and Information Services, Martin Schipany.

They reflect upon how the City of Vienna has developed their communications approach across Martin’s career. The city is now working across multiple media projects and using content communications to create a strong relationship with their citizens.

"We created the so-called 'citizen journey'. Citizen journey is comparable to the customer journey as we know it from marketing, or also content marketing, so you know in which situation your customer needs which kind of information." - Martin Schipany

Discussed in this episode:

How do you get the attention of the political media officers
Why all government departments need to discover their citizen’s journey
Where Europe is in their adoption of content marketing
Why communications team should be close to the leadership
How do you convince government to adopt digital?

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From Analogue to Digital with Alex Aiken (2015)

Wed, 10 May 2023 02:00:00 GMT

Welcome to the first episode of a new season of the Govcomms podcast, "From the Vault." In these episodes, we travel back in time to the best conversations we had on the podcast with leaders, experts, and innovators in communications from around the world.

This time, we will be revisiting our conversation from 2015 with Alex Aiken, the Executive Director of Communications for the United Kingdom (UK) Government.

In this interview, Alex explains to host David Pembroke his approach to modernising government communications in the UK, the changing expectations of citizens, and the need to move from analogue to digital communication. They also delve into how digital communication has improved the delivery of government services, the challenges of government communicators and much more.

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Human Connection and Relationships

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 02:29:59 GMT

In this episode of the Collective Engagement for Social Purpose podcast series, we chat with Prof Ingo Karpen who is a Professor of Business and Design at the University of Adelaide and Karlstad University in Sweden. Ingo is also a Chief Investigator on the Collective Engagement for Social Purpose project, with a strong interest in improving lives and systems, and a desire to work with researchers and entrepreneurs to effect positive social change in various contexts.

In conversation with our host David Pembroke, Ingo explores the role of human connections and relationships in collective engagement, with a particular focus on the importance of compassion.

When it comes to social change, there is far less talk of compassion. Often, we look at charts, figures. We're interested in performance indicators. We try to assess the way we have performed in various ways, but often we don't put enough primacy on the on the human beings involved. It's a really fundamental phenomenon in society that can make a difference on a on a daily basis. – Prof Ingo Karpen

Also joining us in this episode is Dr. Taylor Wilmott, a member of the University of Adelaide's research team for the Collective Engagement for Social Purpose research project. She provides further insights into building compassionate communities.

I think in terms of creating compassionate communities, there's two sides. There's the bottom up side to creating a compassionate community where it's really community members that are driving the collective and the change. The other side is the top-down model where policy changes in government or health systems are what further change and potentially what enable community members to feel empowered. – Dr Taylor Willmott

Discussed in this episode:

The importance of human connections and relationships in collective engagement
Mechanisms for transitioning from individual engagement to collective engagement to achieve change
Understanding and practicing compassion in engaging others
Promoting positivity, purpose, and avoiding blame and judgment in collective engagement.

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EP#148 Creating Impact Through Customer-Centric Design

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 01:46:35 GMT

In this episode of Govcomms, we are joined by the Deputy Secretary of Revenue NSW, Scott Johnston.

Scott is an internationally recognised statistician specialising in economic analysis, with a history of working as a senior leader across the Australian and United Kingdom public sectors.

With our host David Pembroke, Scott discusses why Revenue NSW started to focus on a more customer-centred approach.

“The tension of an organization that's primary purpose through history has been about collecting revenue - 40% of NSW budget comes from us - to stepping back and thinking, ‘Well, if we can provide an exceptional service to three and a half million people, the revenue will take care of itself’. But actually the relationship we have with people, which is an ongoing one, can thrive. That's made us fundamentally look at things differently.” – Scott Johnston

Further, Scott discusses his views on integrating automation technology and artificial intelligence to improve customer experience.

Tune in to the episode to learn how Scott’s leadership in digital transformation and focus on providing high quality customer service is creating impact at Revenue NSW.

Discussed in this episode:

Leading digital transformation and customer-centric design
Mitigating risks when integrating automation and AI technology
Being a humble leader and driving effective collaboration

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Humility and Partnerships

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 02:00:50 GMT

"This story of Orange Sky really started a few years, before Orange Sky got kicked off in high school, my best mate, Nic and I went to school together and our school actually ran a food service for people doing it tough. So we had this opportunity when we were 15, to head out, cook breakfast for people, a kilometre from where we went to school who were sleeping in the park or sleeping, crisis accommodation centres around that centre." - Lucas Patchett

In the latest episode of the Collective Engagement for Social Purpose podcast series, we chat with Lucas Patchett whos is the co-founder of Orange Sky alongside his best mate Nic Marchesi.

Orange Sky is a platform that provides " for every day Australians to connect through a regular laundry and shower service. The focus is on creating a safe, positive and supportive environment for people who are too often ignored or who feel disconnected from the community. Our volunteers are not social workers or experts on homelessness - they are empathetic listeners and great conversationalists."

Dr. Taylor Wilmott, a member of the University of Adelaide's research team for the Collective Engagement for Social Purpose research project, also joins us in this episode.

"So we spoke about a different food van, we spoke about showers in the first instance to, but then we said, "Well, actually let's just do one thing, do it well, give it a go and then we can build on it from there." And that I think has been a really key foundation to what we do now. It's really simple. It's doing a couple of things really well and then plugging in and collaborating with other service providers to make the biggest impact possible." - Lucas Patchett

Discussed in this episode:

The importance of prioritising one thing at a time.
How to overcome challenges and flip roadblocks into positive outcomes.
Why you should have a clear and simple vision.

To check out everything Orange sky does head to: https://orangesky.org.au/

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EP#147 Digital Government Festival

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 13:26:07 GMT

In this latest episode of GovComms we revisit a conversation from the 2022 Digital Government Festival hosted by the University of Melbourne.

Robert Christie, Founder and Managing Director of Propel, Stephanie Speck, Chief Communications Officer at the Victoria Department of Education and Training, and David Pembroke, CEO of contentgroup, discuss the potentiality of active participation within the digital landscape for the public sector.

"If you're not active in managing what you look like, what you say, your reputation and voice online, then someone else will be using that as an opportunity." - Stephanie Speck.

As Pembroke points out, the current challenge lies in maturing relationships between government agencies and departments, as well as political officers, to find a space in which the guardrails are respectful and understood so that the public is better informed about what the government is doing.

Tune in for tips galore and to find out how you can improve your digital reputation.

Discussed in this episode:

Managing your online presence
Government and its digital reputation
The importance of continuous, focused, content and communication

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EP#146 Demonstrating Impact and Creating Value through Comms

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 00:11:18 GMT

"Arm yourself with the evidence you need to make a case... We shouldn't sit there in our own little bubbles and focus on our communication skills only... At the end of the day, we are business people just like everybody else, and we need to act like business people." - Sia Papageorgiou.

Host David Pembroke engages in a discussion with multi-award-winning strategic communications leader and Managing Partner at the Centre for Strategic Communication Excellence, Sia Papageorgiou.

"Our job is to build relationships with people. That is the key component of our role." I mean obviously strategic planning is important and you can't be an effective communication professional if you don't plan strategically. "

Tune in to discover how to make a "real impact from often simple ideas." - David Pembroke.

Discussed in this episode:

How to demonstrate impact and create value through communications.
Making a "real impact from often simple ideas." - David Pembroke.
Building relationships with your audience

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EP#145 Personalising Government Communications

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 23:22:58 GMT

"Doing that allows us to be more personalised with our communications. And that's definitely the future for us in government communications, you know? Making it more personalised. To be honest, the less we communicate the better. Because people are so busy these days, they don't want to hear from you with emails every day, or how many emails do you get every day in your inbox? It's so frustrating and we understand that. We get that feedback from customers.." - Angela Kamper

A new GovComms season begins with Angela Kamper. Angela is the Executive Director for Brand Digital and Communications at the New South Wales Department of Customer Service.

Host, David Pembroke, chats with Angela about how her previous career in journalism has helped her in her role at the Department of Customer Service.

"Sometimes people are a bit skeptical of journalism, so when you first start in government, people have been burnt perhaps, in the past or story hasn't been told the way they want it wanted it to be told. So when you come in as a journalist, you need to kind of sell yourself a little bit in the beginning, and start really focusing on building those internal relationships and showing how your storytelling can help them to get the right message across in a better way, so people can listen and engage with content." - Angela Kamper

The pair discuss how the view of Government communications has changed throughout the years.

"In the past, people would often go to comms in a crisis. But now they've realised that, well, we actually have to engage the community before we make a decision. So we are playing a different role now, and we are really demonstrating that when you engage the community, you get a much better policy outcome, or programme outcome" - Angela Kamper

Finally, David and Angela share some of the key aspects of the Department of Customer Service that make it a global leader in citizen-centric communications.

Discussed in this episode:

Personalising Government Communications
The benefits of a Journalist background
The inner workings of the Department of Customer Service

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EP#144 The Fundamentals of Communications

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 03:26:46 GMT

In this episode, we give you a 2022 reality mega mix.

We revisit some of the key conversations from 2022 with the likes of Melinda Maddock, Richard Morecroft, Tim Price, Evan Ekin-Smyth, Melanie Gibbons, Deborah Rice and Stephanie Speck.

Join in one the conversation as we talk all about the fundamentals of communications.

"I think we need to move away from BAU plus COVID. BAU is COVID now. There is no going back to normal. We are in the next normal and systemic complex risk that we have to deal with." - Stephanie Speck

"I really feel like modern digital communication, it's still got the elements of storytelling which have existed for thousands of years. Humans want to connect with other humans and we connect through stories. ". - Tim Price

Discussed In this episode:

The art of storytelling
Solutions to some of the key issues the communications field faces
How you can use social media and digital content to your advantage
Some key skills for any and all communicators

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EP#143 The View of Communications from 30,000 Feet

Wed, 18 Jan 2023 00:00:33 GMT

In this episode, we take to the air and view the state of government communication from 30,000 feet.

With a little help from some of the guests we interviewed in 2022, we embark on a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

As part of our best bits episode, we bring back some of our key conversations with guests Carlotta Alfonsi, Sanjay Pradhan, Karine Badr, Jodie Conduit, Patrick Kidd and Sharyn Rundle-Thiele.

"Citizens actually look at the government as unitary. They don't understand or necessarily care about the silos of the internal bureaucracy of government. When they see disjointed or not coordinated messages coming their way, it can create confusion and it can actually undermine the efficacy of each of the communication of different ministries that might on their own be quite well crafted and effective." - Carlotta Alfonsi

"The fact that the nature of work is changing, technology is being used across all jobs. Nine out of 10 jobs will need people who are digitally literate in the next three years". - Patrick Kidd

Discussed In this episode:

The importance of citizen centric government
Challenges of facing both misinformation and disinformation
Cohesive Communication
Why collective engagement is so important

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EP#142 The 2023 Fast Forward

Tue, 03 Jan 2023 23:12:19 GMT

Wanting to look at the crystal ball of communications?

In this special episode we dive into the future of communications.

David Pembroke, CEO and Founder of contentgroup, who hosts the podcast regularly, sits down with long-time friend Andrew Bell. As they fast forward to 2023, they discuss what may be next for government communications.

"The ambition for communication inside government and the public sector should be to better explain and better listened to people such that there is a greater understanding because ultimately, if there is a better understanding, we can build trust because that is a challenge. The Edelman Trust Barometer in Australia this year showed that only 52% of Australians trust government institutions." - David Pembroke

Discussed in this episode:

Recruitment
Why communications should be seen as a long-term career in the APS
Meeting the needs of citizens

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EP#141 The 2022 Rewind

Wed, 28 Dec 2022 00:00:17 GMT

As we come up to the end of the year, host of the GovComms podcast, David Pembroke, reflects on the year that was.

Taking the guest chair for a change, David chats with old time friend Andrew Bell about all things 2022. With the help of some of the key interviews from the GovComms podcast, the pair discuss the highs and lows that the communications space has experienced this year.

"I think with the benefit of hindsight, we are going to look back on this last 12-month period as a bit of a tipping point.... As a comms person, you should be nosy. You should be getting out there and talking to people, not sitting behind your desk. You need to discover and know what's going on, and be able to invite yourself to meetings that perhaps you're not being invited to at the moment. And when you are there, able to explain to your policy and programme colleagues about this wonderful capability that you are going to be able to have, and the benefit that it can bring to the people that you're seeking to serve.." - David Pembroke

Discussed in this episode:

OECD Conference for Public Sector Communications
The emphasis on discoverable content
Impacts of the approval process

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EP #140 The Making Of The World's Most Customer-Centric Government

Wed, 14 Dec 2022 05:39:35 GMT

"In 2019, this department of customer service [was] created. And I think the mission at the time that we were set was to make New South Wales the world's most customer-centric government. And that's the mission that we're on." - William Murphy

We are wrapping up our interviews on a high note with a jam-packed episode of inspiration featuring William Murphy, NSW Government's Deputy Secretary for Customer Delivery and Transformation.

Host, David Pembroke, chats with William about some of the key changes that have occurred since switching to a customer service mindset.

"Well, I speak to a lot of public servants to talk to them about this. And what we've got in New South Wales government, we've got a set of things we call the New South Wales customer commitments. These are things that we've pulled out of our research over years that are the things that customers expect from us. And they are things like they expect our services to be easy to access. They expect us to respect their time when dealing with us. They expect us to make clear to them what might be the outcome of their interaction with government." - William Murphy

Mentioned at the most recent Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) conference for Public sector communications, NSW Government has set a precedent for how Communications should be.

"The story of New South Wales digital transformation is being shared with governments around the world. Because I think where you are at... I think you're leading the way and you've carved this path." - David Pembroke

In addition, the pair discuss the importance of having one touchpoint for critical life events like marriages, births, and deaths.

Discussed in this episode:

Becoming customer-centric
The importance of research and innovation
Why you should "just get started"

"The only advice I'd have for people is really just get started. It's not rocket science and it's not huge stuff. Some of the things that we started in now, we have a programme of work called Government Made Easy. Sounds pretty simple. " - William Murphy

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A Whole-Of-Systems Approach to Tackling Obesity

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 04:04:21 GMT

"Our collective governance has evolved over time... based on what we've learned and what the opportunity is and who's involved. So, it's never a static thing... We're always open to going, "Oh, this is how we should pivot," or, "This is how we should reframe what we're about," ... we're looking at ... bringing new people to the table to help us think about how we can get more impact." - Tiffany Petre

In the latest episode of the Collective Engagement for Social Purpose podcast series, we chat with Tiffany Petre, Director of The Obesity Collective as well as Dr.Taylor Willmott.

The Obesity Collective is a national platform for committed individuals and organisations from across the community who are taking on the obesity challenge together from a whole-of-society and systems perspective.

"[People] don't understand the many environmental drivers [of obesity]...For example, many healthcare professionals or the everyday person in Australia wouldn't know that when you lose a lot of weight, your hunger hormones increase and your metabolism decreases, and that fights people's ability to maintain weight loss or lose weight." - Tiffany

With host, CEO of contentgroup, David Pembroke, Jodie and Tiffany discuss how to impact change through shared purpose.

"The complexity of some of the issues that are being faced, particularly in public health, are characteristic of problems that do not have one solution ... Everyone has their only invested interest in the problem, and that just makes solving a problem so much more difficult.... we've seen ... [that] understanding how you can bring diverse groups of people together to focus on a shared purpose and a common vision [is so important]. " - Dr. Taylor Willmott

Important Links for this episode:

The Obesity Collective website: https://theobesitycollective.org.au/
The Weight Issues Network website: https://weightissuesnetwork.org/
The Obesity Evidence Hub: https://www.obesityevidencehub.org.au/
A Public Health Research and Practice series on obesity and the narrative: https://www.phrp.com.au/issues/october-2022-volume-32-issue-3/

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EP #139 Clarity Over Cleverness

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 01:41:55 GMT

In the GovComms chair this week is the Director of Communication with Cushman & Wakefield, Ben Roberts. Ben is an experienced strategic communication expert with comprehensive experience in the Australian Public Service and in the Australian Defence Industry.

A Navy veteran, Ben has spent the last several years in senior communication roles in the Defence industry and prior to that he was a senior speechwriter in the public service where he wrote for Ministers, agency heads, the Senior Executive Service, ambassadors, and more. He was also a political adviser many years ago.

Ben talks about how he began his career in communications with host, CEO, and founder of contentgroup, David Pembroke.

"What I really cut my teeth on was speech writing, especially. Lots of speeches, lots of constituent correspondence and things like representations to ministers. That's where somebody will come in and say, "I need your help with this matter. Can you please write a letter to the minister on my behalf and kind of flag this issue with them?" Doing lots of that kind of work. Also, things like op-eds, media releases with the Cumberland Newspapers and all that kind of stuff. It was really great"

The pair also discuss how best to communicate with ministers offices. Who to befriend, and how best to leave your mark.

"Always make friends with your EAs and your EOs, they're the gatekeepers to your senior executives and they're a very important person for you to be friendly with because they can be influential and they can also give you more information when you need it. And you don't necessarily want to bother, you don't want to bother your DepSec, but you can talk to the EO and get the information that you need out of them. That's really important."

The two discuss some of the best advice to help government communicators engage effectively with citizens, to help build community, and to help restore trust in government. Some of this advice includes your communication being frequent and sincere, clear and concise and understanding context.

"Firstly, you need to be clear, and that's a point in really all communication and something that I'll return to time and time again when discussing this with people, which is don't ever try and sound clever. Go for clarity instead. Clarity over cleverness every day, all the time. "

Discussed in this episode:

The importance of context
The future of communications
Why you should utilise your LinkedIn

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EP#138 How to Train your Political Animal

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 05:01:14 GMT

"When you're in a meeting... you've got the opportunity to observe, [so] take the minutes of the unspoken. The unspoken in where people sit, what the body language is like, who's talking the most, who's chairing and why, who are they listening to? There are power dynamics in every relationship, especially where we come together as strangers to get things done." - Melinda Maddock

In this episodes of GovComms we are lucky to be joined by the author of the book How to Train Your Political Animal; A Power Handbook for Changing Yourself and Your World.

Melinda Maddock is a Tasmanian based Author and Strategist whos involvement in political discussions and social justice cases stem from her primary school days where she first organised a sit - in on the playground.

Following the bombing of Libya by the US, Melinda generated a petition that garnered more than 75,000 signatures and presented it to former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke.

"when I was in year nine, it was international year of peace, and I was watching the news and the US bombed Libya. I was pretty horrified at the time and anxious as kids were in the '80s. Also, you know, afraid of the cold war that was going on.

So, I was just sitting there getting upset about it. I remember my mom was ironing at the time and she said, "Well, what, what do you wanna do about it? What can you do about it?". And then, we talked about it and came up with the idea of having a petition which started off being with Tasmanian school students, a petition for nuclear disarmament."

To see image: https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/ep138-how-to-train-your-political-animal

Within this episode, David also discusses with Melinda her newly released novel "How to Train Your Political Animal; A power handbook for changing yourself and your world". The pair break down what motivated Melinda to write the book as well as some of the books key takeaways:

"Politics is not a dirty word. Some people are afraid of it. They think other people are better at it than they are. They think they don't wanna be involved in it. So, the message is when you don't participate, you're leaving the decisions to people who may be more self-interested than you. "
"The best way to influence change is to listen."
"The other lesson is don't sleep walk. So, stay awake, pay attention, especially to the power dynamics that are going on around you"
Practise curiosity over judgement

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep#137 Change 2022

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 01:06:47 GMT

In this episode of GovComms we discuss all things Change 2022. Change is an annual event that is tailored to individuals who are focused on achieving measurable change that benefits people, communities, and the planet.

During the 2-day conference, you will learn from people with a track record of delivering positive health, environment and social change. You will network, collaborate with and learn from a wide range of people offering their own experience in delivering policy, practice and behaviour change.

Date: 20th and 21st October

Venue details: Building S05, 2.04, South Bank campus, Griffith University, 226 Grey Street, South Bank QLD 4101

Ticket pricing:

General registration ($499)
Student, Griffith Staff, AASM Member registration ($399)
Livestream registration ($100)

(All pricing (excluding livestream package) is inclusive of access to two workshops, catering and access to the networking event)

Change 2022 features:

A line-up of over 20 speakers who will be sharing their change stories in TED-style talks
Open mic sessions for up to 20 delegates to share their stories and/or get any questions answered
Your choice of 2 workshops to take an even deeper dive into the world of change
A Network Evening event to connect with fellow change agents from around the globe

Who should attend?

Directors, Founders, Entrepreneurs, Managers, and Officers that are dedicated to pursuing behaviour change in:

Government (Federal, State and Local)
Not-for-profit, Non-profit, NGO, Charity
Social enterprise, Social business
Academia
Commercial industry

To register for this event: https://www.griffith.edu.au/griffith-business-school/social-marketing-griffith/change-conference

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What We Found: Collective Engagement For a Social Purpose

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 04:50:43 GMT

In a new series for GovComms we will be going along for the ride to follow the journey of the University of Adelaide's latest multi-year, multi-phase research project, which is called Collective Engagement for Social Purpose.

For this new series, we will regularly be joined by Dr. Taylor Willmott and Professor Jodie Conduit, who are from the university's business school.

In this weeks episode, we catch up with Jodie and Taylor to discuss some their key findings so far.

As a recap, the project emerged as a culmination of several projects and research across several sectors. However, all projects and research had in common one thing... how organisations could better engage with their stakeholders to drive improvements in both their products and the service offering's. This latest research comes from the position that stakeholders aren't passive recipients, that they are people that you want to engage with to make change, to work better with them, and to really drive that enhancement in everything that you do.

"In the interviews, respondents have discussed shared purpose and a sense of social purpose in slightly different but related ways. I think ultimately it's our why. It's your reason for existing and for being. They spoke about things like, "It's our DNA. It's actually our North Star and the things that we're striving to achieve, but ultimately it's something that we all align on and can connect with in some way." - Dr. Taylor Willmott

David, Jodie and Taylor discuss factors that can help create that sense of sharedness ("if that's a word" - David). Alignment for all parties is one aspect the others being transparency and clarity.

"Getting people all on board and getting aligned in their understanding with a shared purpose is actually a concept that has challenged us a little bit in understanding it because in our interviews, people talk about the need to have alignment and a shared purpose, but they also talk about the need to have diversity and different opinions and different roles and different people at the table" - Professor Jodie Conduit

For the NHS paper mentioned in this episode head to: https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/what-we-found-collective-engagement-for-a-social-purpose
For more information about this research: https://business.adelaide.edu.au/collective-engagement-for-social-purpose
If you have any questions about this episode or would like to get involved in this research please reach out to Dr. Taylor Willmott via: taylor.willmott@adelaide.edu.au

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#136 Reputation Management

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 01:44:34 GMT

"Reputation management is not just communication, but for our team, it means not over promising and under delivering." - Evan Ekin-Smyth

The final four principles are discussed in part two of our conversation with Evan Ekin - Smyth, Director of Media and Digital Engagement at the AEC. Evan also discusses some of the strategies the AEC uses to stay ahead and on top of the narrative in this episode.

"A lot of the operation of the command centre was about operational delivery, but we have a little media hub within our command centre and it allows us to be right there, knowing what's going on, getting the information. So it allows us to get ahead of things, but it also allows us to respond if there's an issue going." - Evan Ekin-Smyth

Also discussed by Evan and David is the Social Media Operation's Group or SMOG, the labour hire staff that provided assistance to the core team during the election in responding to social media inquiries. He then explains more about the operation, which has three tiers: SMOG Queens, SMOG Kings, and as David labels it, the SMOG Emperor.

Evan Ekin-Smyth: "So we always had roistered on both a Social Media Operations Group Operator, who we called a SMOGGLE, and a SMOG Queen to enable those things to happen. And then if a SMOG Queen was finding content that they thought was particularly sensitive, it would come either to me or a colleague to..."

David Pembroke: "Kind of SMOG Emperor, if you like."

Evan Ekin-Smyth: "And it's all a little bit jovial, but it worked really well. We were having a look at the structure seeing on what we can improve there, but it served us very, very well to get through what was a ridiculous amount of content."

Finally, The pair discuss why it was so vital that the AEC meet regularly with social media organisation's.

Discussed in this episode:

Reputation Management
The inner operations of the AEC
Media and Communications Training

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP #135 It's All About Tone - Australian Electoral Commission

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 04:27:16 GMT

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) played an important role in keeping the recent Federal Election in Australia on track.

Our latest two-part series features Evan Ekin-Smyth, director of media and digital engagement at the AEC. Starting at the beginning, host David Pembroke, CEO of contentgroup, walks with Evan through the early stages of his career.

"I think you spend, I don't know how much it is, but half of your waking time at work. If you're not doing something that you enjoy, you're probably doing it wrong. I had a look at the field of media and journalism. I thought it looked interesting, that we could do interesting things like having chats to your good self David, and that's a good place to be."

The AEC's Twitter account during the election became a major talking point. The account fought hard against misinformation and disinformation online and the team behind the witty tone were responsible for responding to 150,000 tags on social media through that six week period.

"I started the AEC's Twitter account. I remember writing the document to our executive who probably picked it up with a bemused look on their face and thought, "Do we really want do this?" Luckily they said, yes, because I think it's been a good thing for us."

Both episodes in the series cover the 6 key principles Evan and his team used to keep on top of the narrative. Some of the topics covered in part one include:

The need for speed
How the AEC produced content in real-time and why
The importance of being open and regular online

Part two of our conversation with Evan comes out on the 7th of September.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP #134 The Key To Captivating Your Audience

Wed, 03 Aug 2022 03:24:32 GMT

"If you did something that wasn't risky and no one even looked at it, what was the point? I don't think it's successful communication. It might be good internally...but if you're actually thinking about who you're communicating with and what you did no one saw and no one interacted with, I don't think that's worth it.' - Tim Price

On this weeks episode of GovComms, host and CEO of contentgroup, David Pembroke, is joined by Tim Price the new digital content and social media manager at the Federal Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

David begins by exploring where Tim's career began - working for Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff. Tim explains "when I look back on my career, I was like, "Well, that's really where it all started." Back then, there was no such thing as a digital career. There was no such thing as a career in social media. So I travelled the wave of the constantly changing nature of digital and social media and into government as well."

The pair discuss the challenges of a new narrow cast world and the importance of building a sense of community no matter the type of communications you are executing.

On top of this, the one key takeaway from this episode is the importance of building connections. Tim explains that making connections with individuals throughout your organisation can greatly benefit you when it comes to having a seat at the table from the get-go.

"For people who work across various government departments, you really need to get in on the conversation very early. I think if you are sitting in a space where you just get things at the end and they're all approved and all you're doing is putting that message out, it's very hard to change things at that point. Whereas, if you're brought in early or you worked to build up those relationships where you get brought in early on a project, you can work on those things at the very start. "

In this episode, we also break down:

Why evidence is so important in strengthening the argument for your strategy.
The importance of building connections
What tactics you can use to better grab the attention of your audience.

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EP# 133 The Art of Accessible Content

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 00:31:26 GMT

"There are so many opportunities to make sure that every element of what we do is actually usable and accessible. And I don't mean just accessible in terms of being able to be accessed by screen readers and that sort of thing, but accessed and understood by the general public generally is a challenge." - Deborah Rice

On this weeks episode of GovComms, Deborah Rice, Content Strategy & Editorial Lead at Office of the eSafety Commissioner, chats with CEO and Founder of contentgroup, David Pembroke about the current climate of eSafety and the importance of creating usable and accessible content.

The pair begin by reflecting on Deborah's time at the ABC and what skills she has transferred to her role at the eSafety Commissioner.

In this episode the pair hone in on the modern best practise of having the subject matter expert, the technologist and the storyteller sit at the table together. Deborah explains that creating accessible, unique content cant be siloed but rather, the process needs to be a collaborative experience amongst various teams.

"What we did is brought together an office wide meeting where we actually look at the content production and design schedule. So we could ensure that everyone in the office knew what we were putting out. And there's also a column there for the marketing team and a column there for the media and communications team. So they've got line of sight right from the beginning on a resource."

This episode also touches on how traditional methods of communication may need to be adapted to reach a wider range of audiences.

"A lot of those things that you use as a communicator to make content warm and friendly and snackable can actually be problematic for low literacy audiences where there's ambiguity or where you are using idioms that might make it very familiar to a large part of your audience, but might actually exclude and in fact, misinform other people within your audience."

Discussed in this episode:

Creating accessible and usable content
The current climate of eSafety
How to engage a broad spectrum of audiences

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP# 132 Digital Literacy across our Population

Fri, 08 Jul 2022 06:53:37 GMT

This week we are joined by CEO of the Digital Skills Network (DSO), Patrick Kidd.

Patrick and host, CEO and Founder of contentgroup, David Pembroke, discuss the importance of developing digital skills. The pair first begin by addressing what digital skills are, how to upskill your employees in digital skills and how companies can make better use of their employees digital skills.

"A classic example is core part of this is almost like it's language and awareness. We tend to find that lots of people are automatically not enamoured by the idea of a digital career, not enamoured by the idea of accruing digital skills, and that's so often because of the language that we use which is impenetrable and tends to talk technology that nobody really understands. So, how do we actually move away from using this complex language to talking really simple language?" - Patrick Kidd

David and Patrick continue to discuss how government should be thinking about this skill acquisition. Patrick explains that "there has to be a sort of a tacit recognition of the fact that no matter what job you're doing, the job itself isn't necessarily changing, but the way that the job is being done is changing". According to Patrick, without the full support of leadership, employees may not be able to develop their digital skills as quickly.

Discussed in this episode:

How government can aid the development of digital skills
Why developing digital skills can improve efficiency
What core skills underpin successful interactions with systems

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Beginning: Collective Engagement for a Social Purpose

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 21:00:38 GMT

For this new series, we will regularly be joined by Dr. Taylor Willmott and Professor Jodie Conduit, who are from the university's business school.

The project emerged as a culmination of several projects and research across several sectors. However, all projects and research had in common one thing... how organisations could better engage with their stakeholders to drive improvements in both their products and the service offering's. This latest research comes from the position that stakeholders aren't passive recipients, that they are people that you want to engage with to make change, to work better with them, and to really drive that enhancement in everything that you do.

"We were thinking about how we can bring people together to generate, not just engagement at an individual level, but engagement really at a collective level, where we know from work that we'd done to drive change in any sector... But, we need to have engagement among groups. And we wanted to do that in a really meaningful context. And we didn't want to be, I guess, tied down to any one sector. So we started to think about this notion of collective engagement towards, or driving a real social purpose in society. And, our discussions really took off from there." - Jodie Conduit

The project will advance knowledge on how managers, consultants, and leaders can cultivate a shared commitment among a group of individuals or team toward a common cause that benefits the broader community and their environment.

The trio also discuss how Government can play a crucial role in bringing together community initiatives to help drive behaviour change.

"I think government really is an enabler, a facilitator of change. But I think more than that, when we get movements happening that have become bottom up movements, ultimately, you do need someone to come in and provide some level of structure and organisation. And, for real change to happen in the long term, you really do need the government to take ownership and share responsibility." - Dr. Taylor Willmott

For more information about this research head to: https://business.adelaide.edu.au/collective-engagement-for-social-purpose
If you have any questions about this episode or would like to get involved in this research please reach out to Dr. Taylor Willmott via: taylor.willmott@adelaide.edu.au

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP# 131 The OECD report on Public Sector Communications

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 03:55:36 GMT

Your host, CEO and Founder of contentgroup, David Pembroke, is joined by two of the OECD's policy analysts, Karine Badr and Carlotta Alfonsi, to discuss the OECD's Report on Public Communications. The trio walk through some of the key findings of the report and share the process in which the data was obtained.

Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, government was rushed into the opportunity of utilising new digital channels for engaging with and listening to citizens. The OECD report was based on the OECD 2020 Understanding Public Communication Survey results provided by 46 countries and the European Commission. The questionnaires targeted centres of government (CoGs) and ministries of health (MHs), to ensure both a whole-of-government perspective as well as a sectoral one from a key service-providing ministry were captured.

"Citizens actually look at the government as unitary. They don't understand or necessarily care about the silos of the internal bureaucracy of government. So when they see disjointed or not coordinated messages coming their way, it can create confusion, and it can actually undermine the efficacy of each of the communication of different ministries that might on their own be quite well crafted and effective. And I think COVID-19 provided a very good demonstration of the need for coordination and most of all of cohesive communication." - Carlotta Alfonsi

This episode touches on the key challenges faced by government communicators. For example, more than three quarters of CoGs (76%) and MHs (79%) identified lack of human resources and skills as one of the top three challenges in conducting core communication functions.

Another point the trio touch on is that of evidence and data. Specifically its place within the current structure of many governments and its challenging demand for a specialised skill set.

"The issue about structures and capacity really links to kind of ensuring that public communication is considered as a profession in itself. And it's historically not always been the case, but as any profession it requires standards, guidance, skills. And so we've really seen how capacity, structures, skills, training came up for most countries that we've talked to. " - Karine Badr

To view the executive summary of the OECD report click here

Discussed in this episode:

Research process for the OECD report
The key Findings of the OECD report
Challenges faced by Government communicators

*01:00 The OECD is not an international organization but rather an inter-governmental one.

*03:33: The survey for the report was launched in January 2021 and not 2022.

David Pembroke has recently released a blog focusing on the key takeaways of the report which can be found here.

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EP #130 Good Professional Communication is a Performance

Fri, 27 May 2022 02:07:56 GMT

"We often think of performance in a pejorative way, as though that's a bad thing. The thing about performance is that if it is genuine and a reflection of the message that you genuinely feel and want to communicate, then the performance component of that is just the way in which you manage to achieve that task most effectively." - Richard Morecroft

In this episode of GovComms we are joined by Former principal news presenter for ABC Television, Richard Morecroft. Speaking of where his love for broadcasting began Richard shares that "I was just fascinated by the whole gamut of being able to potentially be a broadcaster, be an ABC announcer, which is what I wanted to be and eventually auditioned to be and was fortunate to get a job to be."

Host, CEO and Founder of contentgroup, David Pembroke, breaks down with Richard the key components of making a good communicator; "A communicator who wants to do the best possible job needs to understand what they look like, what they sound like, how they come across, and that understanding, being able to look at themselves and to make a professional, genuine assessment is a hugely important skill."

The pair touch on how technology has paved a new path for government communications and Richard exclaims his optimism for this new age. However the discussion also explores the challenges faced by communicators such as reduced audience attention span, reduced event significance and the difficulty of breaking through the huge amount of information available online.

Discussed in this episode:

The importance of genuine, honest communication
Presentation skills every communicator needs
Why one needs to check the motivation, purpose and message of their material

To contact Richard Morecroft: richard.morecroft@hotmail.com

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EP#129 Part Two: Being Citizen Centric

Tue, 10 May 2022 00:46:00 GMT

In this weeks episode, we bring you part two of our interview with the CEO of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), Sanjay Pradhan.

The current war in Ukraine, Sanjay explains, is providing a window of opportunity for democracies to ban together and challenge authoritarianism.

"I believe in galvanising action, I believe in galvanising coalitions ...to get to the root of the problem. One route is a stronger Western alliance, or a democratic alliance as you said, but another route must be to really empower citizens and make real reforms " - Sanjay Pradhan

Sanjay chats with CEO and Founder of contentgroup, David Pembroke, about the importance of holding social media platforms accountable. He shares his thoughts on the use and misuse of information and how information can be used to polarise citizens.

The pair touch on why citizens need a voice in policy and how comms can be used as a positive medium for citizen engagement. Being citizen centric involves a three way communication consisting of government to citizens, citizens to government and governments to respond and provide feedback directly to the citizens.

Finally, Sanjay and David discuss Open Government Week coming up between the 16th and 20th of May. The event is a giant festival for open government across the globe. Inviting government, civil society and other reformers, the event harvests an opportunity to start co-creating reforms that can really make a difference. For more information head to: https://www.opengovpartnership.org/events/open-gov-week-2022/

Discussed in this episode:

The war in Ukraine's impact on democracy
The importance of government communications
Putting citizens back in the heart of government

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#128 Part one: Democracy Beyond the Ballot Box

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 06:54:36 GMT

This weeks GovComms podcast welcomes a special guest, the Open Government Partnerships CEO, Sanjay Pradhan.

Sanjay joined the OGP in May of 2016. Before reaching the OGP, Sanjay served as the World Bank’s Vice President for Leadership, Learning and Innovation and the Vice President of the World Bank Institute, and the Director for Governance.

Host, CEO and Founder of contentgroup, David Pembroke, chats with Sanjay about the mission of the OGP and its role in tackling governance challenges faced by ordinary citizens. Using three examples from Nigeria, Ukraine and Costa Rica, Sanjay breaks down the impact of the OGP in the real world. The pair explore the true impact OGP has in making governments more transparent, more participatory, more inclusive, and more accountable

"When you think of democracy, you think of the ballot box, citizens cast their vote, but all these problems existed beyond the vote. They continue to not get these services. So OGP is a way to indeed focus on the ballot box, but also beyond the ballot box empowering citizens to shape and oversee their government every year, every day, not just once in a few years when we cast our precious vote. "

The pair also discuss how digital technology has influenced transparency of governments.

Sanjay discusses how OGP can counter the rise of authoritarianism by tackling both domestic and external drivers.

Be sure to tune in to the Next GovComms release for Part two of our discussion with Sanjay.

Discussed in this episode:

Building Citizens trust
Inclusion of Marginalised groups
Taking democracy Beyond the Ballot box.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#127 Back to Basics

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 22:56:38 GMT

This weeks episode of GovComms welcomes, Melanie Gibbons Communications Advisor at Elm Communications.

Melanie has over eighteen years’ experience in communications across government, not-for-profit and the private sector in Australia and the United Kingdom. Before moving into consultancy, Melanie worked in the Commonwealth Government for over a decade.

Your host, CEO and Founder of contentgroup, David Pembroke opens by asking Melanie how she found moving from working in government to the private sector; "I decided to... have a bit of a break from being a public servant. I never thought of myself as a very good public servant. I always tried to break the processes and break the mould a little bit, but now I've actually found that is a really good grounding for going back and working into government because I understand procurement, I understand the hierarchy. I understand what's like working with the minister's office."

Melanie shares her insight that going back to basics may be the next thing for government. She explains that "we've gotten quite caught up in social media and creativity and video production and animation and delivering all the big shiny things, which I think are amazing. But what we know is that trust in government has decreased and continues to decrease." In order to tackle this decline for citizens trust in government, Melanie suggests 'going back to those basic strategy skills, stopping and thinking about who your audience is, worrying less about the grand production that you could put on and going, "Well, where are my audience and what are they reading? What do they need to know and what's the information they need?".

Melanie's discussion with David closes with the topic of Human-centred design and how it is the at the core of good communication planning.

Discussed in this episode:

Top tips to maximise trust in citizens
The core of good communication
Where to find good communicators

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#126 Never backing away from the truth

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 22:33:47 GMT

In this GovComms episode your host, CEO and Founder of contentgroup, David Pembroke chats with Stephanie Speck, the Executive Director and Chief Comms Officer for the Department of Education & Training, Victoria.

The pair begin by discussing the topic of truth. How to encourage someone to speak the truth, why you should speak the truth and why your external perspective as a communications professional is valuable.

Stephanie shares where her journey began... in Papa New Guinea. She explains that "people are people are people anywhere in the world", that you are able to love all people, and that once you see the humanity in every person you meet, this is something that's very easy to do. This outlook on the world started her journey towards wanting to fix problems and issues she felt were unfair, inequitable or got in the way of people exercising their human rights.

David and Stephanie also touch on the battle between expediency and resilience.

"I think that really undervalues the strategic power of comms. Comms, if its about changing things, is a management tool. You use it to understand where your problems are... so you can move to a tactical perspective on where you want to be. " - Stephanie Speck.

Discussed in this Episode:

Changing the narrative through engaging with your audience online
Why you cant have a strategy without content anymore
You don’t need to know everything but you need to know people who do.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#125 Investing in your people

Tue, 22 Feb 2022 01:06:03 GMT

Joining us on the podcast today is Phil Brown, Founding Partner & Advisor at The Growth Activist, a strategy and communication consultancy that turns provocative thinking into action.

CEO and Founder of contentgroup, David Pembroke chats with Phil about the importance of strategy. They discuss how communications has changed in recent years and why strategy has become the centre of good communication. Phil explains that understanding strategy is what allows for a successful plan, they are intertwined.

David asks what skills communication teams need in the digital age to be successful. Phil states that storytelling is fundamental to effective communication and audience engagement. A second important point is to give attention to junior members of teams. These members of your comms team should be well-versed in strategy and plans - which ties in to the pairs later discussion of skill development and investing in your team.

"Innate curiosity... that's the bit that has to be inside you. I don't think that can be taught. but the [Journalists] nose... I think that can be taught" - Phil Brown

Discussed in this episode:

The importance of learning and development
What skills a good communicator needs
How to get organisations to commit top developing skills

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#124 Powered by Data - with Tyler Masterson

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 00:08:19 GMT

In this GovComms episode we travel to the windy city of Chicago to chat with Tyler Masterson; the CEO and Co-Founder of True Roll. True Roll is an innovative, Chicago-based start-up company focused on helping governments maintain accurate tax data so that property tax burdens are distributed equitably among citizens.

Host of GovComms, CEO and Founder of contentgroup, David Pembroke, discusses with Tyler the importance of inclusivity not only in the office but through interactions with customers.

The pair also touch on the challenges of convincing governments to use data to solve their problems. They discuss the power of data and that winning the work is "much like a relationship and referral based game".

Tyler shares his experience of starting True Roll and explains "governments are hard to convince that what they are doing can be improved. You might hope that they are progressive risk takers but in fact they are usually lagger at some technology curb and so convincing them to do their work in a different progressive way can be challenging."

The episode concludes by reflecting on the power of software and why governments should "skill - up" on their data skills and understanding.

Discussed in this episode:

Challenges of government acceptance in a new data driven age
The importance of getting infront of the human
Why you need to find a niche

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#123 Fast Forward - with David Pembroke

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 03:02:54 GMT

In this week’s GovComms Podcast, Andrew Bell takes the host chair as he asks guest CEO and Founder of contentgroup, David Pembroke his latest thoughts on the future of government communications.

The pair discuss how government departments should begin to think like a media company's and have a content strategy to improve internal communications. There is an opportunity for communicators to add value to organisations by becoming an enabler of cross-functional teams, according to David Pembroke.

David and Andy also discusses the need for government to clearly communicate to its citizens in this age of misinformation and disinformation. Making use of emerging, relevant platforms and the importance of putting the citizen before the message, are all aspects covered in this episode.

Discussed in the episode

The future of Government Communications
How to optimise digital technology
where we are going next in the world of Communications

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#122 Best Bits - with David Pembroke

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 00:02:06 GMT

We bring some of our best episodes back to work in this special GovComms Podcast episode.

Join your host, CEO and Founder of contentgroup David Pembroke take a walk down memory lane as we highlight key discussions covering crisis communication during COVID-19, storytelling, content communication, and more.

Tune in as government communication professional Dr Neryl East provides insight into how you can ensure that the audience you need to reach understands your story.

Professor Michael Cardew-Hall at ANU states that the key to crisis communication is to get messages out to the community broadly and as as frequently as you can.

Andrew Babington, Team Leader for Change and Communications at ACT Policing and David Pembroke discuss their thoughts on the future of content communications.

And according to Tess Salmon, the General Manager of External Affairs and Communication at Western Sydney Airport, when communicating about a new policy, you need to understand the audience and which parts would resonate with them the most.

Discussed in this episode:

How to communicate in a crisis
Communicating policy's effectively
The importance of narrative

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP# 121 2021 Rewind - with David Pembroke

Mon, 20 Dec 2021 04:12:22 GMT

To move forward, it is often good to reflect.

In this GovComms podcast episode we turn the tables on GovComms podcast host David Pembroke to get his take on 2021.

This podcast deep dives into lessons learnt and challenges faced in the year coming to a close. Nothing is off limits.

In the hosting chair is an old friend of David's, Andrew Bell. The pair begin by talking about David's introduction to communications and why he transitioned from mainstream media to helping government improve their communications.

David stresses the importance of having a story that is consistent and can be connected to over a period of time. He shares that in order "to be effective you need to think very clearly and very carefully about what you are going to say."

As there has been an evident shift in the way people communicate as a result of this pandemic, governments "can see that they need to take advantage of this ability to be able to go direct" say David.

Discussed in this episode

What was learnt in 2021
The richness of social platforms
Where to from here?

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EP#120 Why Communication is like making a Martini - with Phillip Jones

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 04:09:16 GMT

Effective communication is like creating the perfect Martini or mocktail according to Phillip Jones.

The Director of Marketing, Fundraising and Communications for St Vincent de Paul for Canberra/Goulburn shares his wealth of consulting experience, which includes being the “Martini Whisperer”, with the GovComms podcast.

GovComms host, CEO and Founder of contentgroup, David Pembroke, has a fun and insightful conversation with Phillip about getting back into the swing of things following two rather isolating years.

The pair discuss how much time should be invested into promoting meaningful and constructive relationships.

Phillip is a big fan of narrative. He defines it as one of the most important parts of communication.

He also discusses the importance of face-to-face communication in a world where technology is increasingly part of the way we work.

Discussed in this episode:

Importance of a narrative
Why context is vital
How we can communicate in the new year.

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EP#119 Part two: Protecting Reputation - With Roger Christie

Tue, 07 Dec 2021 23:19:47 GMT

This GovComms podcast episode welcomes back Roger Christie, the Founder of Propel Group. Following on from part one, CEO and Founder of contentgroup David Pembroke discusses all things P-L-A-N Framework (Profile, Listening, Action and Network) with Roger. The pair deep dive into how the P-L-A-N framework can/should be implemented and what leaders can gain from Propel Groups recent White paper investigation. The episode also explores the importance of purposeful brand building. In Rogers words, " Through building a purposeful digital brand, leaders give themselves the greatest opportunity to protect their own reputation... to build trust and rapport with stakeholders." Roger stresses that participating in discussion on social media are more important than ever. Staying silent and hoping 'it will pass' is no longer the way of the future. The main findings of the report stressed that participation protects reputation. Discussed in this episode: - Using social media in a human way - Recommendations for approaching building a brand - Why visibility on social media is so important for leaders

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EP#118 Part one: The importance of social media insights - With Roger Christie

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 22:08:15 GMT

Want to learn how you can use social media effectively as a government communicator?

This week’s podcast features Founder of Propel Group, Roger Christie. Growing up in the world of Public Relations, Roger now focuses on everything social media. This podcast in particular investigates the role of social media and its influence on government communications.

Founder and CEO of contentgroup, David Pembroke, asks Roger tips to start conversations in organisations that are notoriously risk-averse when providing responses quickly to events online. Roger then stresses the importance of not tyring to sell social media, but rather see social media as a meeting point.

Discussed in this episode:

How to position social media as a way to overcome barriers
The P-L-A-N Framework
Role of Individual vs the organisation

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EP #117 Harvesting and Hosting Conversations - With Ian Andersen

Tue, 09 Nov 2021 04:20:13 GMT

In today’s GovComms episode we welcome Ian Andersen, who throughout his 35 years of active service at the European Commission focused on improving communication for Europeans. As discussed with the podcast host David Pembroke, within Ian’s role as Participatory innovation adviser, Ian aimed to create real engagement in co-creation with stakeholders.

This was reflected even in the online format discussions during COVID-19. David and Ian also discuss Ian’s journey as an Interpreter. He explains that intuition, a deep understanding of your mother tongue, and an understanding of conversational language, contribute greatly to the success of an interpreter. As Ian puts it in the episode, “only by really focusing on listening will we get to results that are sustainable”.

Ian sheds light on the importance of getting everyone involved in policy-making discussions. He states that by working in a participatory policy-making framework, the level of openness reduces lobbyists, and is the most productive way of involving stakeholders. Ian states, through this listening process, stakeholders “can collectively arrive at much more refined solutions than they would be able to produce by simply providing a position on white paper.” The pair end the latter part of their discussion with a focus on how to effectively harvest and host conversations.

Discussed in this episode:

• Why communication is leadership made flesh

• How to develop your listening skills

• Hosting and harvesting conversations

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EP#116 All things evidence-based policy making – With Adam Rowland

Tue, 26 Oct 2021 21:22:03 GMT

Want to learn how you can use data to identify, plan, and manage risks?

This episode of the GovComms Podcast features conversation between contentgroup CEO and founder David Pembroke and Adam Rowland from the commonwealth department of health.

Over his career Adam has spent around 15 years in the private sector, working in evidence-based consulting. This has included roles in large consulting firms like Kantar Public and Ipsos, as well as some time spent in running his own company, Better Intelligence.

The pair begin by discussing evidence-based policy making, delving into how this area is growing because of technological development and new digital demand.

David asks what government communicators need to keep in the front of their minds when contributing to effective research; leading to discussion on clear objectives and scope of what you are trying to achieve.

David and Adam end by touching on Adams views of what is required for communication and engagement to grow in terms of teams

Discussed in this episode:

Assembling a research programme
Tips for establishing and contributing to effective research
The growth of communication and engagement

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EP#115 Embracing the suck - With Zoë Routh

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 00:15:30 GMT

For today’s release of the GovComms Podcast contentgroup’s CEO and Founder, David Pembroke, speaks with Zoë Routh, author of the 2020 Australian Business book of the year - People Stuff, about all things leadership.

Zoë Routh is the Owner and Director of Inner Compass Australia Pty Ltd. With over 30 years’ experience showing teams struggling with office politics and silos how to work better together, Zoë is a leadership expert in people management.

Zoë discusses her introduction to team building and leadership. The pair then move on to talk about the importance of embracing challenges and good times or ‘embracing the suck’ as Zoë puts it.

The podcast ends with Zoë sharing tips and tricks to become a great leader. Specifically, she highlights, instead of being an ‘achiever’ be an ‘amplifier’ type of leader, to build up the capability of those around you.

Discussed in this episode:

The Power Paradox
How leadership has changed over the years
What you can do to make an impact in the Australian Public Service.

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EP#114 It is not just a Gantt chart – With Mike Klein

Wed, 22 Sep 2021 07:28:10 GMT

With our first ever GovComms Podcast guest from Iceland, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke speaks to Mike Klein, an internal and social communication consultant with an interest in developing the field of communication leadership through his #WeLeadComms initiative.

Based in Iceland, Mike has worked in a broad range of editorial, communication planning and research roles. Having completed his MBA at London Business school, Mike has authored "From Lincoln to LinkedIn, the 55 Minute Guide to Social Communication," a manual for mobilizing peer-to-peer communication in communities and organisations. He also owns "Changing the Terms", which has been recognized as one of Europe's top PR and Communication Blogs by Communication Director Magazine.

The pair begin by discussing the importance of understanding and expanding on your vocabulary. Stressing that politics and businesses can, and will interpret vocabulary differently.

Mike and David touch on the role of establishing clarity in a meeting from the outset. They also talk about presence and awareness as well as how if you execute with authority and humility, your ‘effectiveness can go through the roof.’

Mike explains #WeLeadComms and how communication leadership is his focus for the #WeLeadComms Open Conference on September 23rd (Europe and the Americas), October 29 (West Coast) and October 30 (Australia & New Zealand).

To learn more about #WeLeadComms check out their virtual open conference::

Australia and New Zealand: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/open-conference-on-the-future-of-communication-leadership-pacific-edition-tickets-170427431034

Europe and the Americas : https://www.eventbrite.nl/e/weleadcomms-open-conference-on-communication-leadership-tickets-158893056409?aff=scriptdoctor

The pair end by discussing working remotely and how understanding the organisation you are working with is vital to the level of your effectiveness out of office.

Discussed in this episode:

Expanding your vocabulary
How to establish clarity
The #WeLeadComms initiative and what you can learn from it

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EP#113 Preventing Watermelon Reporting - With Katrina Macdermid

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 05:35:52 GMT

Todays release of the GovComms Podcast features a discussion with Katrina Macdermid, Director of KayJayEm services.

Katrinas unique skillset has provided training and consulting for many agencies including the NSW Police Force, Sydney Metro & NSW Health who have all embraced Katrina's human approach to information technology (IT). Katrina is a contributing author to the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) 4 official publication and has written white papers explaining how to incorporate human-centered design into IT service management.

The pair begin by discussing the development of her own innovative approach called human experience agreements. Katrina explains that when negotiating service level agreements with big providers, grabbing contracts from a year to three years before and simply updating them is no longer acceptable, and needs to change in order to prevent ‘watermelon reporting’.

Katrina goes on to state the importance of the customer and employee experience in relation to IT and why service providers need to come along on the journey. Katrina explains how, through service integration and management, she bought service providers along for the journey to see how they could collectively contribute to an organisation’s outcome.

David and Katrina go on to talk about creating personas through human-centered design. She advises communicators to be mindful of who you are communicating to, how they like to be communicated to and who is the decision-maker within their eco-system.

The pair end by discussing the importance of IT and the role those within the field have played throughout COVID-19 to remobilise organisations.

Discussed in this episode:

The importance of IT within the field of communications
How to implement and use human-centered design
What human experience agreements can do for organisations

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EP#112: Trust in Communications and Journalism – with Brigid Glanville

Sun, 22 Aug 2021 23:35:22 GMT

On this episode of the GovComms Podcast, contentgroup founder and CEO, David Pembroke, speaks to Brigid Glanville, Deputy chief of staff at NSW Government for the office of Hon Bronnie Taylor.

Skilled in Crisis communications and Government relations, and close to over 20 years of experience within the communications industry, Brigid, prior to working in government worked for the ABC reporting on government, business and politics

In this conversation, David and Brigid discuss her shift from reporting on politics to now working in government. Brigid talks about how although she loved her role at ABC, she wanted to develop her knowledge within the world of politics and make policies.

She discusses how skills learnt from her career as a journalist have transferred to her role as chief of staff; such as taking complex content and breaking it down into plain English for the general public to understand, to thinking critically and fast in government.

David and Brigid discuss how our perceptions of government are often incorrect. Such as time frames for passing policies as well as how many layers are involved in doing so. She explains for some, the transition of going from a solo journalist to working in a team environment may be tricky.

To end, Brigid explains that one of the greatest benefits of going from journalism to government is the understanding of consistent and appropriate messaging in times of crisis.

Discussed in this episode:

The importance of trust in communications.
How the skills of journalism can be applied to the world of politics
Why it is so important to challenge and push yourself out of your comfort zone.

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EP#111: The Art of Caring within Communications – with Laurian Hubbard

Wed, 04 Aug 2021 04:58:29 GMT

On this episode of the GovComms Podcast, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke speaks to Laurian Hubbard, a CIPR Fellow and award-winning Chartered PR Practitioner.

Based in Wales, Laurian is currently the Head of Engagement for Welsh Parliament, having previously held senior positions in 10 Downing Street and Cabinet Office. She is also the Founder and Co-President of Women in PR Cymru as well as, an International Board member of Global Women in PR, and a Chartered Assessor for the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.

In this conversation, David and Laurian discuss the difference between parliament and government. Within this exchange, Laurian explains the importance of having a variety of teams with specific roles. From the events team to the outreach team, she stresses the importance of communication between these teams in order to get messages out to the public despite covid restrictions.

Laurian also explains how important it is to stay on top of where audiences are, whether this is TikTok, Facebook, or Instagram. She expresses the vitality of staying on top of technological developments.

Laurian stresses how important it is to actually care for people, whether this is your clients, audience or your team. She expresses the difficulty of shifting from working in person to working from home as a result of COVID-19. However, she does provide some tips and tricks that have enabled her to form and keep relationships with those you work with through a screen.

David and Laurian finish off their conversation looking at the work Laurian has been doing with Women in PR Cymru.

Discussed in this episode:

How lessons from your past can shape your path in the future.
What we can do to encourage women in the communication field to take the next step in their careers.
The importance of taking the time to reflect on and grow from your experiences.

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EP#110: Communications through the lens of the Leaders reports – with Sean Larkins

Wed, 21 Jul 2021 03:53:38 GMT

On this episode of the GovComms Podcast, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke speaks to Sean Larkins, the Global Director of Capability at WPP Government and Public Sector Practice.

Located in London, Sean has led projects in Europe, the Middle East, and across Australasia where he has helped improve communications functions and strategies.

In this conversation, David and Sean discuss the big changes and challenges that WPP has experienced as a result of the pandemic. The pair also discuss the leaders report released in 2017 that identified a number of structural difficulties within communication as well as a deficit of trust.

Based on Seans discussion surround the leaders report, David questions whether those within government communication areas are exhausted and are they ready to go again when responding to COVID-19? Sean explains that there is a sense of exhaustion throughout the government communication realm and that those specifically in lower tiers of Governments such as city halls and town shires.

Following on from this, Sean discusses capabilities and how there has been a shift to smaller channels such as social media, user-generated content and streaming services. Sean also emphasises the need to support citizens in making sense of their situation through a sense of facts and security.

The podcast ends with David and Sean chatting about the new leaders report that was released in June through WPP Leaders report, free of charge.

Discussed in this episode:

How can we ensure we do not exhaust the communication efforts of those in Government?
What communication teams can do to help build and grow their communication reach.
How to get to grips with shifts in communication habits such as consumer skipping of ads.

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EP#109: Communities role in Government Communications – with Kent Wyatt

Tue, 06 Jul 2021 04:56:40 GMT

On this episode of the GovComms Podcast, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke speaks to Communications Manager for the city of Tigard and one of the founders of ELGL, Kent Wyatt .

Located in Portland Oregon, Kent Wyatt has been working in local governments for over 18 years with positions ranging from management analyst, legislative analyst and now, communications.

In this conversation David and Kent discuss the importance of local governments and how their immediate impact is detrimental to the well-being of the community. The pair discuss the belief that individuals have a larger suspicion of governments in the US over that of other nations.

Kent also explains that ‘new blood’ in communications is imperative to have in government sectors. There is a need to use these new talents as a means of reaching all aspects of the community especially in the age of COVID-19.

Following on from this, Kent discusses how a ballot measure aimed at providing funding for parks and recreation forced a shift in his local governments tactics in reaching communities. Through technology and more engaging content such as interviews, YouTube, podcasts and Facebook lives.

The podcast ends with David and Kent chatting about how Kent has adapted new communication abilities to meet rising content marketing demands. As well as discussing the importance of trust between Governments and communicators.

Discussed in this episode:

How can relationships be built in communications?
What can we learn from the pandemic through the lens of local governments?
The importance of communities in government communications.

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EP#108: Let’s Talk Crisis Communications – with Tess Salmon

Mon, 17 May 2021 02:28:23 GMT

On this episode of the GovComms Podcast, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke speaks to a highly experienced media adviser and communications professional, Tess Salmon.

Tess is currently the General Manager of External Affairs and Communication at Western Sydney Airport. Before this she had roles as the Director of Media and Communication to Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and Media Manager for the NSW Police Force.

In this conversation David and Tess discuss best practice communications during a crisis. Telling the story of how she responded on the spot to the Martin Place siege, where she was a media adviser at the time. Here she explains how it is important to stay calm and use your communications skills to instill confidence in other people.

Tess also explains in detail how the day of the siege played out and how this moment has impacted her and given her lessons that she has taken into her career.

Following on from this, Tess chats to David about her small business that she used to run, AUBE Communications, and what caused her to move from roles working in crisis communications to strategic communications instead.

In this episode Tess also discusses her previous work as a journalist and how she utilises her skills in this field in her work today.

David and Tess finish off their conversation looking at the work Tess is completing in the preparation for the new Western Sydney airport. How do you communicate the importance of this airport to such a wide audience?

Discussed in this episode:

What can everyday communicators learn from crisis communications?
How can communicators learn from journalists?
The importance of learning from every experience within your career.

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EP#107: How to explain communications – with Merrin Fabre

Mon, 03 May 2021 01:46:02 GMT

On this episode of the GovComms Podcast, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke speaks to strategic communication adviser, change manager and project manager Merrin Fabre.

Merrin is currently leading the corporate communications team at the Victorian department of Families, Fairness and Housing. When not doing this, she is working with the IABC Victoria where she is currently their president.

In this conversation David and Merrin discuss alignment and what you can do as a communicator to help others within an organisation get on ‘the same page’. What skills do you need in order to do this? How do you decide on the overarching view of where your organisation is going?

Merrin also draws on her previous experience from working at the CSRIO and how she helped leaders, scientists and engineers within the organisation understand the importance of communication.

Following on from this, Merrin explains that a communicators approach is not always the correct approach. That is why, when it comes to deciding on how to run your organisations communications, you must compromise your thinking and work with others from various sectors within your organisation to decide on the best approach that fits all.

In this episode, Merrin also discusses how to utilise company values to drive culture and to drive change. How do you help leaders understand the importance of values in their decision making?

David and Merrin finish off their conversation looking at how the pandemic has affected government staff in Victoria. How have they built resilience and continued to move forward?

Discussed in this episode:

How to align those within your organisation.
The importance of collaboration in creating a ‘best fits’ communications approach.
Why values are essential to driving change within your organisation.

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EP#106: The Essential Tool: Social Media – with Francesco Di Costanzo

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 00:42:30 GMT

On this episode of the GovComms Podcast, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke speaks to the President of PA Social, Italy’s National Association for ‘new communication’, Francesco Di Costanzo.

Joining us from Florence, Italy, Francesco is an expert in government communications, having over 16 years’ experience in the sector, as well as authoring many books discussing ‘new communication’ within the Italian government.

In this conversation Francesco discusses how government communicators in Italy have adapted and changed their roles to help quickly and effectively communicate emergency information during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Francesco discusses the tools that these communicators have utilized to do this, as well as how they have worked with different social media channels to help relay information from the government to the citizens.

Following on from this, Francesco draws on his experience and insights to share some of his top tips for social media managers who work within government departments around the world and how it is vital now more than ever that we know how to use social media to our advantage.

In the episode, Francesco also discusses the work that he and the team at PA Social do and how them and their members work together to help improve digital communications for government.

David and Francesco finish off their conversation looking into the future, reflecting on where they see PA Social going in the next few years.

To get in contact with Francesco and the team at PA Social, visit their website or alternatively connect with Francesco on LinkedIn.

Discussed in this episode:

How COVID-19 shaped and changed government communications in Italy.
Why Social Media is an essential tool to government in 2021.
What is PA Social and what role do they play in Italian government communications.

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EP#105: Mastering Social Marketing– with Sharyn Rundle-Thiele

Sun, 11 Apr 2021 22:43:14 GMT

On this episode of the GovComms Podcast, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke speaks to the Founding Director of Social Marketing @ Griffith, Sharyn Rundle-Thiele.

In this conversation Sharyn discusses the true meaning of marketing and explains to us why it is one of the most misunderstood terms in the corporate world, and how we as communications professionals can learn to explain marketing to the world in the correct way.

Sharyn also explains how effective good social marketing can be, using as an example a project that her and the team at Social Marketing @ Griffith worked on where they used social marketing to successfully reduce the death rate of Koala’s by dogs.

Following on from this example, Sharyn shares with David and the audience some tips for creating a successful social marketing campaign, and how these steps can be incorporated into the work of all communications professionals.

In the episode, Sharyn also shares with us how she feels digital technology has changed and evolved the communications professions.

David and Sharyn finish off the episode focusing on the future of Social Marketing @ Griffith, and where Sharyn sees the organisation 12-18 months from now.

To get in contact with Sharyn and the team at Social Marketing @ Griffith, visit their website where you can learn about all the courses that they offer on Social Marketing and find all their contact details.

Discussed in this episode:

Why is marketing such a misunderstood term?
How social marketing can create behaviour change.
Tips for creating a successful social marketing campaign.

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EP#104: Agile Delivery – with Sonia Irwin

Mon, 05 Apr 2021 22:07:00 GMT

On this episode of the GovComms Podcast, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke speaks to Agile Delivery Adviser and Digital Delivery Transformation expert, Sonia Irwin.

Sonia has worked in Canberra for over 25 years and is currently working with the Department of Agriculture, Water and Resources as well as directing her very own practice, Redgrass Communications.

In this conversation Sonia discusses the role that Agile Delivery plays in Communications and explains to David how it is different from strategic communications. She explains that being ‘Agile’ is all about keeping a flexible mindset and rebranding yourself or your organisation.

Sonia also shares her view on company vision and mission statements, and what steps you should take to create not only a good, but effective one. Your vision should be an ‘elevator’ that helps bring those in your organisation to where you want them to be.

Using her insights gained from user testing and research, Sonia also speaks to her love of IT, however acknowledges that people can sometimes get lost with it, particularly when it becomes a bit intense with tools such as coding. As a result, she tells us the important role she plays in translating ‘tech speak’ to publics, and how she goes about doing so.

In the episode, Sonia also shares her advice to government communicators at a time where the industry is going through rapid change due to the result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

David and Sonia finish off their conversation looking into the future, discussing what Sonia hopes to achieve in her career in the next few months.

To get in contact with Sonia, contact her on LinkedIn. To learn more about Agile Delivery, visit either Sonia’s company website, Redgrass Communications or the IABC

Discussed in this episode:

What is Agile Delivery and how can it assist you in communications.
How the communications landscape is changing in regard to ICT.
The importance of an effective company vision and mission statement.

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EP#103: Communicate from the COCKPIT – with Chris Huet

Mon, 22 Mar 2021 01:18:22 GMT

On this episode of the GovComms Podcast, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke speaks to communications coach, mentor and speaker, Chris Huet.

Chris is based here in the Nation’s Capital where he works as a Communications Coach for Understood Consulting Services and a Speaker Coach for TEDxCanberra. As well as this, Chris has also led a fighter jet squadron and performed his very own poetry on stages across the globe.

Taking all his skills and experiences into account, in this podcast Chris speaks to David about how people should communicate from ‘the COCKPIT’, a terminology her gained from his time in the air force.

Chris explains the importance of reflection and how people, particularly those in business, don’t take enough time to reflect on their meetings, conversations or days in general, and how this is potentially damaging to them. He shares with David tips on how to fix this and how to fit reflection into your everyday schedule.

Further breaking down his COCKPIT terminology, Chris talks about the importance of being considered and consistent in your communications message. He explains the role that emotion plays in messaging and why we must utilize it in order for our messaging to be successful.

Chris finishes off the terminology by describing how to use trust and how to build it for the long term in order to bring all of the steps of COCKPIT together. Trust is the key to communication and is what Chris believes will unlock the full potential of any communication plan or strategy.

David and Chris finish off the episode by discussing some quick tips for speaking in front of crowd, such as an ‘iron man’ posture, and how to project your voice.

To get in contact with Chris for tips on your own communications, engage with him on LinkedIn or contact him through Understood Consulting Services website.

Discussed in this episode:

How the COCKPIT terminology will assist you in communications.
The importance that trust and relationships play in maintaining strong communications with stakeholders.
Why communication skills are vital for every career, not just someone who works in comms.

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EP#102: Communicating with Action – with Barbara Tversky

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 21:41:51 GMT

On this episode of the GovComms Podcast, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke speakers to cognitive psychologist, Barbara Tversky.

Currently located in New York, Barbara is a Professor of Psychology at Columbia Teachers College as well as a Professor Emerita of Psychology at Stanford University. She has conducted extensive research into the areas of memory, language, spatial thinking, event cognition, extended mind, diagrammatic reasoning, design, gesture and creativity.

In this podcast, Barbara shares with us what she has learnt about the brain and how her research on gesture and movement can benefit communicators when trying to get an audience to understand or learn about a certain concept or idea.

Barbara explains how the brain is quite complex, and as a result, when you are trying to get a group of people to understand something, you must do so in a way that easy for the brain to understand.

She goes on to explain studies which she has conducted that prove how using gestures play a big role in helping someone understand a concept or remember a set of rules that they have to follow.

However, with the COVID-19 pandemic seeing people separated and having to communicate through video conferencing platforms, such as zoom, more often, Barbara explains the difficulties that this holds for communicators and what changes she feels need to be made to these services, to allow the most effective forms of communication.

Barbara explains that gesturing is a natural way of communication, and that it should be used. She also explains to David that humans are visual thinkers and therefore should not shy away from trying to visualize ideas and concepts to their audience.

We end the episode with some tips from Barbara on how government communicators should use gestures and graphics to their advantage.

Discussed in this episode:

How our brains understand information and concepts and how we can best communicate them to one another.
The importance of gestures and the research that proves how effective they are.
How to communicate effectively when face-to-face options are not possible.

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EP#101: The rise of Generation Z – with Anya Dua

Sun, 28 Feb 2021 21:42:14 GMT

On this episode of the GovComms Podcast, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke speaks to the Founder and President of the Gen Z Identity Lab, Anya Dua.

Living in Miami Florida, Anya is the youngest guest to have ever joined us on the podcast. At just 15 Anya has appeared in The New York Times and Forbes, sharing her views on an array of political and social issues that the world faces. She is determined to change how the media views her generation and works hard to educate, inspire and empower her peers.

In this podcast, Anya discusses the purpose and mission of the Gen Z Identity Lab. She also shares her thoughts on how Generation Z is viewed by the rest of the world and explains why they should be an integral part of government communications.

From an idea in year 8, to the business it is now, Anya shares her story of how the Gen Z Identity Lab came to be and what the important research that the Lab conducts on Generation Z, means for government communications.

Anya also touches on how the political landscape has changed globally and as a result their generation cares about and is involved more than ever in politics, and what this will mean for the future.

David asks Anya what Generation Z can bring to the political table. Anya explains that no one understands Generation Z, like Generation Z, meaning that their role in a business can help create messages that target the audience best, especially when it comes to creating content for social media.

Finally, we end the episode with an important message from Anya, to decision makers from around the world, on what you can do to help make their generation be heard.

Discussed in this episode:

What the Gen Z Identity Lab is and why it is important to the world of government communications.
Why Generation Z care more about politics than they ever have before.
How decision makers can utilize this generation to create more targeted messages to their audience.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#100: Communicators in Leadership – with Kerri Hartland

Sun, 21 Feb 2021 21:30:00 GMT

On this episode of the GovComms Podcast, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke speaks to the Principal Advisor to Proximity, Kerri Hartland.

Before joining Proximity, Kerri was the Secretary of the Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business. Throughout her thirty-year APS career, Kerri was also the Deputy Director General of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).

In this podcast, Kerri discusses her new role in government consulting at Proximity. She gives her thoughts on the evolving role of consultants in the public sector.

Kerri explains how her background and skills as a journalist and a communications professional translated into her role as the Secretary of a major government department in Australia.

Kerri reveals what it is like being a Secretary in the Australian Public Service (APS), shining a light on the job of some of the most important people in government. What skills are needed to become a Secretary? What is it like briefing a government minister? How do you get a Secretary’s attention?

Kerri discusses what she enjoyed most about her career in the APS, including what her favourite roles were. She reflects on what she did well as Secretary, and what she could have done better.

She gives some advice on how public servants should interact with department heads, and how communications professionals can get their foot in the door of a Secretary’s office.

Kerri and David examine the changing media landscape in Australia, and what this means for government and communications professionals. They also discuss the coming COVID-19 vaccination campaign, and what communications professionals and APS leadership should know about the road ahead.

Discussed in this episode:

What it is like working as the Secretary of a major government department in the APS.
The skills of a journalist, and their relevance to a career in the public service.
The career of Kerri Hartland, a journalist and communications professional who ascended to the highest rungs of the public service ladder.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#99: The Power of Listening – with Oscar Trimboli

Sun, 14 Feb 2021 21:30:00 GMT

On this special episode of GovComms, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke speaks to listening expert Oscar Trimboli.

Oscar Trimboli is the host of the award-winning podcast Deep Listening and is also the Author of Deep Listening: Impact Beyond Words. He is considered one of Australia’s foremost experts on the topic of interpersonal listening.

He is also a consultant to organisations such as Google, Qantas, News Corp, PayPal and TripAdvisor. As a consultant, Oscar helps executive teams perfect their listening skills to the benefit of their customers and employees.

In this episode, Oscar discusses the importance of interpersonal listening. He explains how improved listening skills can lead to a more positive and collaborative workplace. Oscar also explains the five levels of listening and how to improve each of these in order to reap their rewards.

Oscar goes on to talk about the listening skills required to be a great leader and gives advice for government communicators about how they can improve their practice by advancing their listening techniques.

This interview is a recording from the 2020 GovComms Festival, which featured hundreds of speakers from around the world. To view more content from the GovComms Festival, please visit the GovComms Institute website.

Discussed in this episode:

The five levels of listening and how to unlock them.
The importance of listening within government, and how government communicators can improve their listening skills to the benefit of citizens.
Practical advice on how to become a better listener.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#98: Thinking like a System – with Howard Parry-Husbands

Sun, 07 Feb 2021 23:00:00 GMT

On this episode of GovComms, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke speaks to Howard Parry-Husbands about how systems thinking can be used to solve complex problems.

Howard is the CEO of Pollinate, one of Australia’s consulting and market research leaders in the world of branding, innovation and communications. In his spare time, he is studying a Masters in Systems Thinking and Forestry at the Australian National University.

Howard and David discuss the definition of systems thinking, which Howard believes is: the recognition that everything is related to everything else. This means that a solution to one problem can inadvertently create another problem.

In order to use systems thinking to solve these complex issues, Howard explains how we first must understand the key parts of the complex system which we are working with. He explains this using the Murrray Darling Basin as an example.

Howard believes that humans are bad at understanding complexity, and better at understanding cause and effect. Therefore, we need to use metaphors, visuals and storytelling to communicate your complex message to the public.

As an example, Howard compares how the COVID-19 pandemic was dealt with in Australia, New Zealand and the US. Howard believes that this comparison highlights the effects of what happens when systems thinking is put in place, compared to when it’s not.

Howard also gives his opinion on the single-message strategy, and how it is incompatible with an understanding of systems thinking. According to Howard, governments regularly make the mistake of giving one message to multiple audiences (the single-message strategy).

Discussed in this episode:

What is systems thinking, and how can it be used by communications professionals?
The benefits of understanding systems thinking from a policy perspective.
What is the single-message strategy, and why do governments need to stop using it?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#97: Communicating Cyber Security – with Shey Dimon

Sun, 31 Jan 2021 23:00:51 GMT

On this episode of GovComms, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke speaks to Shey Dimon about the role that government communicators need to play in communicating cyber security messages.

Shey is the Marketing and Communications Manager at Penten, an Australian cyber technology company based in Canberra. Shey has over a decade’s worth of experience working in communications in and around government. In the past she worked for the Head of Australian Defence in Washington DC, as well as the Marketing and Communication Manager at BMT.

Shey and David discuss the best resources that communicators can use to understand the world of cyber security. Shey explains the value the government’s official cyber security strategy document that was released in August last year.

Shey runs through some tips that everyone can use to minimise their chance of being the victim of cyber security attacks in the future. Shey explains why it is important to tell someone immediately if you have experienced a cyber-attack, whether it is in the workplace or at home.

Shey states that government workplaces need quarterly updates about what they should do to avoid cyber-attacks, as well as information on recent attacks that may have happened nearby. To make things interesting, Shey recommends using other companies who have been breached by a cyber-attack as a case-study that you give to employees for them to learn from.

This podcast also explores the work of the company that Shey works for, Penten. In 2020, Penten created technology to all those who work in Defence to communicate both securely and flexibly. These technologies allow Defence staff to work from home, which in the past was seen as a near impossible scenario.

Shey also discusses her opinion on Artificial Intelligence (AI), and how AI can be used as an offensive and defensive tool. Shey believes that AI is something that Australians should not be scared of.

For more information about Penten: https://www.penten.com/

Discussed in this episode:

What communications professionals need to know about cyber technology.
How we can all shield ourselves against the threat of cyber-attacks, in the workplace and at home.
The work and achievements of Australian cyber-technology company, Penten.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#96: The Road to Alignment – with Zora Artis and Wayne Aspland

Sun, 24 Jan 2021 21:46:06 GMT

On this episode of GovComms, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke speaks to Zora Artis and Wayne Aspland about their recently-released research that is now available on the GovComms Institute.

Zora Artis is the CEO of Artis Advisory and an alignment strategist with almost three decades of experience working with government, private, and non-profit sectors. Wayne Aspland is the Principal at The Content Factory. He has more than fifteen years of experience in corporate, leadership and internal communications.

In this podcast, Zora and Wayne discuss their recent study: The Road to Alignment. The pair firstly discuss the definition of alignment, which they believe as being all about unity.

This study is a follow-up to their 2018 study into strategic alignment, which found that many organisations struggled with their alignment strategies, and that this was because people either didn’t know how to align or they were not committed to it.

Since writing this paper they realised that COVID-19 has caused some organisations to be more aligned and others to be less. Working remotely has played a role in this, as well as other variables that were present before the pandemic hit such as having ill-defined values.

Zora and Wayne have created a four-step strategy: one VISION, one STORY, one TEAM and one VOICE.

The pair discuss this strategy step-by-step in this podcast episode, explaining that these steps involve gaining support from an organisation’s executive team, creating a narrative about your organisation that resonates with your staff, and working together with them to ensure that this narrative is communicated by the staff correctly and effectively with each other and the public.

Zora and Wayne show that communications done well can act as a fundamental enabler for alignment.

To read Zora and Wayne’s latest paper visit: https://contentgroup.com.au/govcomms-institute/

To find out more about alignment visit:

The Content Factory: http://www.thecontentfactory.com.au/

Artis Advisory: https://www.artisadvisory.com/

Discussed in this episode:

What is alignment, and why is it important?
How has COVID-19 impacted the level of alignment in organisations?
What role do communications professionals have to play in improving alignment?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#95: Building and Sustaining High Performing Teams (The Dallas Mavericks) – with Donnie Nelson

Sun, 17 Jan 2021 21:00:00 GMT

In this special episode of the GovComms Podcast, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke speaks to Donnie Nelson, the General Manager of the Dallas Mavericks basketball team which competes in the NBA.

This podcast is a recording of a session from the 2020 GovComms Festival. To see even more content from the GovComms Festival, please visit the GovComms Institute website. Over the coming months, we will be uploading all of the content from the Festival to the website, so stay tuned!

In this episode of the podcast, David and Donnie discuss the secrets to bringing a team together and sustaining high performance over a period of time. Donnie explains why he thinks the secret to leadership is understanding the ‘human business’.

Donnie is one of the most successful and respected General Managers in basketball. He brought together the Mavericks team that won the NBA championship in 2011.

David and Donnie also discuss how the Dallas Mavericks have been able to bring together people from a wide array of backgrounds. They discuss how to unite a diverse group of people around a common goal.

Donnie explains that a commitment to winning an NBA championship is the first, second and third most important quality in a player. Donnie claims that too many people in basketball are ‘blinded by talent’, and that not enough focus on motivation, drive, integrity and teamwork skills.

Donnie explains how he managed to get everyone in the Dallas Mavericks organization, from the owner Mark Cuban down to the ball boys, united behind a common goal. Donnie also discusses the importance of listening, communication and patience in the development of high-performing teams.

Discussed in this episode:

How Donnie Nelson uses communication and listening practices to get the best out of elite athletes competing in one of the biggest sports in the world.
The Dallas Maverick’s victory in the 2011 NBA Championship.
How the Dallas Mavericks have been able to unite a team, and an organization, around a common goal, and how non-sporting teams can implement those same techniques.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#94: Building and Sustaining High Performing Teams (England Rugby) – with Eddie Jones

Sun, 10 Jan 2021 20:19:57 GMT

In this special episode of the GovComms Podcast, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke speaks to Eddie Jones, the Head Coach of the English Rugby Union team

In this episode of the podcast, David and Eddie discuss team Eddie’s success in building and sustaining high performing teams in the sport of rugby. Eddie reveals his keys to motivation and creating a vision so that your team can achieve its goals, no matter what industry you’re in.

The stage is set as we learn that government communications teams have a real opportunity, in the age of digital transformation, to jump from being an under resourced function to taking a position of strength and leadership. Eddie then shares how to go about creating a team that is continually improving and providing value.

Some important questions that are examined include: how to build an inspiring story for a team to follow, how to get team members to give their best in pursuit of your vision and why it is beneficial to surround yourself with people who represent different perspectives. This is an essential watch for those looking to improve their skills in leadership communication.

Discussed in this episode:

How Eddie Jones leads national sporting teams.
Why listening skills are important to leadership and continuous improvement.
Set long-term goals and visions that your team will follow and be motivated by.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#93: Technology, Listening and Communications – with Jim Macnamara

Sun, 03 Jan 2021 19:43:55 GMT

On this episode of GovComms, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke speaks to Distinguished Professor at the University of Technology Sydney, Jim Macnamara. The two discuss the use of technology in the communications profession, as well as the importance of listening and two-way communication.

Jim is an internationally recognized academic known for his pioneering research into measurement and evaluation of public communication. He is also considered one of the world’s leading experts on organizational listening. Jim recently presented at this year’s GovComms Festival on that very topic.

Jim and David delve into the intersection between technology and communications, explaining what technology skills need to be learnt by communications professionals. Jim talks about why he thinks communications has changed the most out of any profession over the past decade, and what communications professionals need to know about these changes.

Jim and David explore the ethical side of these technological changes, including the topics of privacy, social media algorithms, misinformation and fake news. Jim then explains why he thinks inter-disciplinary communication can be the solution to these ethical dilemmas.

Jim also discusses how technology can assist listening habits, whilst also touching on the importance of building listening cultures within government.

Jim discusses the nature of communication as a two-way process. He explains how and why communications, in its current form, has remained mostly one-way. Jim discusses why listening and effective engagement needs to be a core part of any communications practice.

Discussed in this episode:

The past, present and future of the communications profession.
The importance of ‘listening cultures’ within communications approaches, and how to foster two-way communication practices
How the intersection of technology and communication is changing the way government communication operates, and what we need to know about these changes.
How communications professionals can take their seat at the decision-making table.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#92: Telling Untold Stories at Sydney Trains – with Vanessa Grimm

Sun, 27 Dec 2020 23:00:00 GMT

On this episode of GovComms, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke speaks to the Associate Director of Media and Government Relations at Sydney Trains, Vanessa Grimm. The two discuss Sydney Trains’ approach toward handing COVID-19, as well as an exciting new venture from Sydney Trains.

Before her career in communications, Vanessa had decades of experience working in the highest levels of the news media. She spent thirteen years as a journalist working in the news teams at Sky News, Nine News Sydney, and the ABC. She was also the inaugural Executive Producer for Sky News’ flagship political program Agenda.

Vanessa discusses Inside Central Station, an upcoming television series about the work of Sydney Trains and its staff. Two years in the making, Inside Central Station will shine a light on the untold stories inside one of Australia’s largest and most complex government organisations. The series will examine the unique and exciting daily experiences of many of the 11,000 staff members at Sydney Trains.

Vanessa also explores the topic of how Sydney Trains navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, what platforms they used to interact with train users, which channels worked best and how Sydney Trains changed their strategy after the March lockdown. Vanessa gives insights into how Sydney Trains celebrated their workforce, and how they celebrated pride in Sydney Trains at the difficult times during the pandemic.

Vanessa comments on how Sydney Trains got used to encouraging people to not use their services. She explains why government agencies, of every stripe, need to become content creators by finding compelling and engaging stories within their organization.

Discussed in this episode:

Sydney Trains’ upcoming television series, Inside Central Station.
How Sydney Trains managed to handle the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown.
What worked and what didn’t in the effort to promote social distancing on Sydney’s trains.
How and why organisations can look internally for engaging stories that can be used in communications campaigns that have an impact.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#91: How to Talk about Vaccines – with Merryn McKinnon

Sun, 20 Dec 2020 22:44:15 GMT

On this episode of GovComms, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke speaks to Merryn McKinnon, a Senior Lecturer and Researcher at the Centre for the Public Awareness of Science at the ANU.

Merryn is one of Australia’s experts on helping scientists and policy makers communicate science issues with clarity and impact. She regularly appears on ABC Radio to discuss scientific issues, and she recently hosted the Science Communication Panel at the 2020 GovComms Festival.

In 2017, Merryn published an academic paper about the history of vaccination campaigns and how government have executed vaccination campaigns in the past. With the COVID-19 vaccine around the corner, Merryn has come on to the GovComms Podcast to discuss the challenges and opportunities the government faces in convincing the public to get vaccinated.

Merryn and David address the debate around whether focusing on emotion is more effective than focusing on scientific fact. Trust in experts and scientists has risen in 2020, but is appealing to people’s empathy and humanity more effective in changing behaviour? Who should be the government’s prime audience when it comes to their communications about the vaccine?

Merryn also explains the role that trust in government plays in contributing to effective vaccination campaigns. She also explains how government and politicians can regain trust so that the public will feel more comfortable taking the COVID-19 vaccine.

Merryn also discusses the anti-vaccination sentiment that is prominent on social media. She explains why people call themselves anti-vaxxers, and how government needs to communicate with these people.

Discussed in this episode:

How governments should talk about the upcoming COVID-19 vaccine.
The movement of anti-vaxxers, and how government should communicate with people who are reluctant to take the vaccine.
Trust in government, experts and scientists during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#90: Diving into the Pacific – with Jordie Kilby

Sun, 13 Dec 2020 22:24:52 GMT

On this episode of GovComms, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke and Jordie Kilby discuss the Pacific Region – a dynamic and diverse region that includes countries like Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Somoa, Tonga and Papua New Guinea.

Jordie is a communications consultant based in Fiji, but working across the entire Pacific region. Jordie began his career at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation working first in Local Radio in Canberra before a stint as a presenter and senior producer for Triple J. More recently, Jordie was a Communications Team Leader at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Fiji.

Jordie discusses how the Pacific has handled COVID-19, the challenges associated with government communication in many pacific countries and what mediums work best in countries like Fiji. Jordie and David discuss the Pacific’s under-reported measles outbreak in 2019, and how it might have assisted their preparedness for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jordie also discusses what he thinks are the similarities and differences between the Pacific and Australia, whilst also revealing how the Pacific views Australia from a diplomatic perspective.

Jordie explains what Pacific nations like Fiji could teach his home country of Australia, the biggest and most influential country in the region. Jordie makes the point that the biggest lesson in communication that Australia could learn from the Pacific is the power of storytelling and listening.

Discussed in this episode:

What it is like to be a government communicator in the Pacific region.
What people in the Pacific understand about listening that Australians do not.
The importance of storytelling to communications in the Pacific.
How many Pacific countries handled COVID-19, and how some managed to remain COVID-free.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#89: A Podcast about Podcasts – with Kellie Riordan

Mon, 07 Dec 2020 00:15:33 GMT

On this episode of GovComms, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke and Kellie Riordan looks at podcasts from an entirely new lens. Tune in to listen to a podcast … about podcasts. With the help of Australia’s leading podcast expert, we explore the history of podcasts, as well as their future.

Kellie is Australia’s leading podcast strategist, and the creative lead behind many of Australia's biggest podcasts including Conversations, Ladies We Need To Talk, and Unravel True Crime. She was also the founding Commissioning Editor of ABC Audio Studios.

Kellie recently founded her own independent audio and podcast consultancy, Deadset Studios. In this episode of GovComms, Kellie reveals why she left the ABC to create Deadset Studios.

Kellie leads us through the three phases of podcasting throughout history, explaining why 2020 sparked the third phase. She predicts where the podcasting profession will be five years from now, as well as the trends that will eventually take over the podcasting world.

Kellie explains what makes a good podcast, how to build a podcast audience, what makes podcasts different from radio and television, what the best platforms are to host your podcast and what skills you need to be a good podcast host.

Kellie also gives tips on how to avoid ‘pod fade’, a common trend when people get excited about their podcast, only to lose interest after only a few episodes.

Discussed in this episode:

The past, present and future of podcasts and the podcasting industry.
The career of Kellie Riordan, and how she became Australia’s leading podcast guru.
How to create and sustain a successful podcast in 2020.
The three phases in the history of podcasting, including the third phase which began in 2020.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#88: Behavioural Science: A Communicator's Best Friend - with Amy Arbery

Sun, 29 Nov 2020 23:03:44 GMT

On this episode on GovComms, Amy Arbery shows us the significance of behavioural science and psychology in the policy cycle. With the enormous behavioural changes that have occurred in the COVID-19 period, Amy explains how large an influence this area can have.

contentgroup CEO, David Pembroke, sits down in the studio and learns what a behavioural science team has to offer. Amy has a wealth of experience in the public sector providing expert advice and analysis in understanding, designing, and implementing behavioural change interventions. She currently is the Director of the Behavioural Analysis Team at the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water, and the Environment.

Amy leads us through some of the projects she has undertaken recently and the steps her team took to provide practical solutions. This discussion is indicative of how these teams are necessary in building further capability across a department. By giving these areas more sway, Amy tells us that we can understand what drives the people at the heart of the policy thereby delivering better results

Discussed in this episode:

The three superpowers in government: Strategical communications, stakeholder engagement and behavioural science
The EAST (Easy, Accessible, Simple, Timely) Framework
Human centred design
COVID-19 as a catalyst for behavioural change

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#87: Scientific Communications in the Age of COVID-19 - with Rebecca Richter

Sun, 22 Nov 2020 21:47:46 GMT

In this episode of GovComms, we revisit a conversation from a few weeks ago with Rebecca Richter, the Head of the Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Unit at the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Contentgroup CEO David Pembroke and Rebecca explore best practice when it comes to communicating dense and technical information. They also go on to discuss how best to add value as a communications team in a larger organization.

Rebecca has a wealth of experience operating as a communications executive across both the public and private sectors. In addition to her current role, she has worked at the Australian Sport Commission as the director of Strategic Communications, and as media and communications advisor to Australia’s Chief Scientist.

Discussed in this episode:

How to effectively communicate technical information
Increasing engagement through social media and bite sized content
Focusing content creation to your audience
Broadcast to Narrowcast and how to adapt

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#86: The Business of People - with Georgia Wright

Sun, 15 Nov 2020 21:49:38 GMT

On this week of GovComms, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke speaks with Georgia Wright, the Director of Attention+Influence, a PR agency which is part of the CHE Proximity.

In this episode we get a new perspective on working through the pandemic and how we can make the best out of a bad situation. In this time of rapid change, Georgia reveals her secrets to maintaining and achieving long-term success.

Georgia has a wealth of Communications experience working with the biggest brands and organizations in sectors including Consumer Goods, Tech, Travel & Tourism, Luxury & Beauty and Consumer Entertainment. She is also a member of Women in PR, a membership body for senior women in the communications industry.

In her current role as Director of Attention+Influence, she aims to combine public relations, influence, social media, and content as areas of specialization in order to offer clients an excellent communications experience. This is part of CHE (Clemenger Harvie Edge) Proximity.

Discussed in this episode:

How the pandemic has altered the workplace
The importance of transparency
Adapting campaign in the COVID era
How to deal with a blocked news cycle
Tips for long-term success

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#85: Brain Training for Success- With Professor Selena Bartlett

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 01:15:05 GMT

This week on GovComms, we speak with Professor Selena Bartlett who is a Research Capacity Building Professor in the School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health at the Queensland University of Technology.

Contentgroup CEO David Pembroke learns everything you need to know about the brain and how to train the brain from Professor Bartlett.

In addition to her aforementioned role, Professor Bartlett is a Group Leader in Translational Neuroscience and has been awarded the Lawrie Austin Award for her contributions to Neuroscience by the Australian Neuroscience Society in 2019.

Professor Bartlett is also the CEO and Founder of MiGFiT Inc, a start-up company spun out her research lab that is focused on brain training for resilience, fitness and to reduce addiction and obesity. She has won the Outstanding Achievement Award and the Biotech Research Award and was an Ambassador for the Women in Technology organisation. Professor Bartlett recently launched three books to raise awareness about the brain health and to make neuroscience neuroplasticity actionable. Additionally, she has presented a TEDx talk about the brain fitness and neuroplasticity revolution underway focused on neuroplasticity for brain health.

Discussed in this episode:

The evolution of the brain and how it affects us now
How you can train your brain
Prevention vs Treatment to improve mental health
Mental health in the workplace
Doomscrolling

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#84: Change as the New Norm - with Michelle Chant

Sun, 01 Nov 2020 23:31:20 GMT

In this episode of Govcomms, we interview Michelle Chant who is the Managing Director of the Change Collective, a consultancy group that deliver business transformation and service delivery within government and private organisations.

Contentgroup CEO David Pembroke and Michelle discuss the nature of change and how it is fast becoming the new norm.

Michelle is highly experienced in the field having worked as an Organisational Change Manager with Services Australia, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. In these positions, Michelle was influential in implementing significant change programs after identifying the blockers and drivers of change.

She is passionate about change, using the power of ‘story telling’ to improve stakeholder buy in, and encouraging people to embrace change by putting the user at the centre of everything they do.

Discussed in this episode:

Government response to the pandemic
Change as the new norm
The importance of having communications come in on the ground floor
Empathy
Interventions you can implement as a change manager

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#83: Government Content in Developing Media Markets - with Professor Sora Park

Sun, 25 Oct 2020 23:35:29 GMT

This week on GovComms, we talk with Professor Sora Park, the Associate Dean of Research and Professor of Communication at the Faculty of Arts & Design at the University of Canberra.

Professor Sora Park chats with contentgroup CEO David Pembroke about the rapidly changing media market during and post the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges of effectively communicating throughout.

Sora was the former Director of the News & Media Research Centre at the University of Canberra and the Chair of Media Industry Studies Interest Group, International Communication Association (ICA). She is currently the President of Australian and New Zealand Communication Association (ANZCA).

She has extensive experience in policy research and consultancy regarding digital media in South Korea. In the private sector, she has had various consultancy experiences for major internet and media companies such as KBS, NHN Corp and MBC. She also has lots of education experience, teaching at Hanyang University and Kwangwoon University.

Discussed in this episode:

Trends in the consumption of Government media and content
The impact of citizens being able to access content direct from Government
Current issues in the media market such as anti-trust regulation and misinformation
The future of media companies

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#82: Story Telling and Innovation in Higher Education- with Professor Michael Cardew-Hall

Sun, 18 Oct 2020 23:05:02 GMT

Today, we chat with Professor Michael Cardew-Hall, the current Pro Vice-Chancellor of Innovation at the Australian National University. Here, he leads strategic initiatives to build growth in research and education outcomes through partnerships with industry, government and not-for-profit organisations.

Contentgroup CEO David Pembroke and Professor Cardew-Hall sit down and discuss the difficulties that the ANU has undergone during this pandemic and how they keep pushing through.

Michael is also a Chartered Engineer and a fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. He has previously held the position as CEO of ANU Connect Ventures, a pre-seed venture capital fund associated with ANU.

During this podcast, we learn about the importance of transparency and two-way communication in innovation. We also discuss the future of higher education after the pandemic. Professor Cardew-Hall takes us through communicating with students, staff and partners and what to prioritise when things aren’t going your way.

Discussed in this episode:

The future of higher education post COVID-19
The art of story telling
The importance of innovation during a crisis
Connecting the business and public sectors

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EP #81: Evolving Your Media Practices - With Mitch Joel

Sun, 11 Oct 2020 23:10:58 GMT

This week on GovComms, we revisit a discussion between contentgroup CEO David Pembroke and Mitch Joel, a leading thinker in all matters content.

At the time of this conversation, Mitch was president of Mirium, a global marketing agency operating in over 20 countries with 2,000 employees. He has since founded Six Pixels Group, which is an advisory, investing and content producing company. Significantly, he also hosts his own podcast, Six Pixels of Separation, which has run for over 500 consecutive weeks.

Discussed in this episode:

How businesses and marketers can capitalize on the interconnections of modern society
The strategy behind growing your audience
The evolution of published content: from magazine to podcasts and beyond
How to go about converting viewers into consumers

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#80 – The path to efficacy: record keeping – with Jen Snyder

Mon, 05 Oct 2020 03:57:59 GMT

Our guest today has a mission to use her communications expertise to help bring state, county, and city government agencies together, learn from one another and expedite positive change.

Today on GovComms, contentgroup CEO, David Pembroke, is joined by chief evangelist at GovQA, Jen Snyder to discuss how trends in business and consumer worlds can apply to the government space.

GovQA is the leader in enterprise workflow automation for government requests, mainly focused on Public Records (FOIA).

Jen is interested in meaningful conversations that look both at the big picture, as well as dig deep into nitty-gritty best-practice working sessions on all government challenges and opportunities including those related to technology, transparency, security, procurement, legislative mandates, compliance, staffing challenges, and more.

Not only has she spent 15 years in the Government realm, she also spent ten years managing local and international business development initiatives for b2b companies.

Discussed in this episode:

How technology is advancing record management
The value of change management
Adapting to the COVID-19 new normal
The trends that support effective government

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EP#79: The citizen focus, with Martin Schipany

Mon, 28 Sep 2020 05:12:49 GMT

This week on GovComms, we dip into the archives to a conversation between contentgroup CEO David Pembroke, and Head of ‘City Communications’ for the City of Vienna’s Press and Information Services, Martin Schipany.

Discussed in this episode:

How do you get the attention of the political media officers
Why all government departments need to discover their citizen’s journey
Where Europe is in their adoption of content marketing
Why communications team should be close to the leadership
How do you convince government to adopt digital?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP#78: Moving fast in the media landscape - with Ian Czenz

Mon, 21 Sep 2020 02:00:00 GMT

Our guest today understands the media landscape like the back of his hand.

Today on GovComms, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke and Chief Strategy Officer at OMD, Ian Czenz discuss how the media landscape has evolved over the past 20 years.

With plenty of enthusiasm, Ian and his team work with clients to deliver creative and innovative content.

His goal is to create good content that entertains, and important delivers results for his clients.

From starting his career as a media buyer at J. Walter Thompson and working on big blue-chip clients then moving into the media strategy, Ian has covered lots of ground in the industry.

In this episode of the podcast, they examine how speed continues to characterise the digital media landscape.

From diversifying a media strategy, to working quickly within an agency, Ian is making sure narratives come first – at scale and at speed.

Discussed in this episode:

Reflecting on change in the media landscape
Embracing creativity in media
What is does a media strategy look like?
The evolution of measuring campaign success
The future of print, radio and television

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EP#77: Getting communications right – with Trish Johnston

Mon, 14 Sep 2020 04:02:26 GMT

Today on GovComms, we dip into the archives, when in 2016, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke was joined by a very special guest, Trish Johnston, who was then the Assistant Secretary of Communications at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet in Canberra, Australia.

Trish has been in the communications game for over two decades. She's worked on some of the government's most complex policy issues including domestic violence, cyber security, indigenous affairs, climate change, resources and energy and preventative health.

Her experience spans large scale advertising campaigns, strategic communications, public relations, media, issues management and digital strategy.

Today, Trish is Assistant Secretary at the Communications Advice Branch at the Australian Government Department of Finance. That means that she runs the show on behalf of the very important policy department here in Australia.

Discussed in this episode:

A typical day in an Australian Government Department
Creating a high level of strategic interface
Embedding the communications strategy in every conversation
How to communicate a policy effectively
Pitching your communications strategy

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EP#76: Leading crucial conversations – with Kylie Walker

Mon, 07 Sep 2020 02:00:00 GMT

On this episode of GovComms, contentgroup CEO, David Pembroke, sat down in #studio19 with CEO of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering, Kylie Walker. She gives us a masterclass of advice.

Kylie works everyday to open doors and create opportunities for people in STEM. She specialises in connecting technologists, engineers and scientists with governments, business, media and society – skills built over many years in senior federal communication and advocacy roles in the science, technology and health sectors.

Kylie teaches us how to build communications plans into the workforce from day one.

Her secret tip – repeat your message until you throw up.

Listen to the episode to find out exactly how to build relationships that create meaningful dialogues, empower change, and promote sustained engagement.

Discussed in this episode:

Providing advice to government
Building relationships between academia and the private sector
How to create authentic connections in the workplace
The importance of repeating your message, again… and again…
Kylie’s strategic oversight framework
Why we need to invest in digital skills

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EP#74: Creating a digital experience – with Amanda Dennett

Mon, 24 Aug 2020 02:00:00 GMT

In Australia, government is harnessing digital platforms to create engaging and informative content.

Today on GovComms, contentgroup CEO, David Pembroke is joined by the Head of Digital Experience at the Australian War Memorial, Amanda Dennett.

Amanda is an experienced communication professional, specialising in digital communication strategy, crisis communication, and media issues management.

We investigate what Amanda found when she researched the way Australian Government is using social media. Amanda highlights industry success stories and the future direction of online communications.

Discussed in this episode:

How to measure a social media strategy
Getting permission from senior leaders to deliver communication strategies
Where has social media been used successfully in the public sector?
The key skills of a communicator
Creating credible and consistent information for online platforms

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EP#73 – Embracing complexity – with Dan Formosa

Mon, 17 Aug 2020 06:02:23 GMT

Today on GovComms, we discuss the importance of looking to design methods to create strong and targeted communication.

Our guest is Dan Formosa, a design wiz living a couple of miles north of Manhattan. His research focus is accessible design. Dan’s expertise is knowing how to design to directly engage and fit the needs of their user.

contentgroup CEO, David Pembroke and leading design consultant and researcher, Dan Formosa sit down to discuss the importance of embracing complexity in all types of work.

Dan explains why communicators need to start thinking like designers.

Dan works with companies, organisations, and internal creative teams to develop products and services in a wide range of categories. Dan’s background is in product design, and he holds a Masters and a Ph.D. in Ergonomics and Biomechanics.

Dan based his career on the idea that design should focus on people, not things. His work has received numerous design awards and has been selected for national and international exhibits. In 1977, invited to work with the Eliot Noyes studio, Dan became the junior member of a design team that helped IBM conceive how a computer could possibly fit into a home.

Discussed in this episode:

Looking to the edges rather than the average
Developing ideas – how to research and ask smart questions
Maintaining the momentum to innovate – plan for small successes
The minimum requirements of branding

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EP#72: The agenda of change – with Lucy Cameron

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 04:00:00 GMT

What are our possible futures? How can government plan for increased digital technology? Is government leading the way for change?

On this episode of GovComms, contentgroup CEO, David Pembroke, joined Dr Lucy Cameron to discuss digital transformation and future communications possibilities.

Lucy is a leading proponent of foresight, digital transformation, and innovation in the Asia Pacific region.

As a previous Queensland Government Smithsonian Fellow, she has a special interest in policy leading to innovation hot-spots.

Prior to working at CSIRO's Data61 Lucy worked for 10 years in digital economy and productivity policy in the Queensland Government. Her PhD from the University of Queensland studied the impact of broadband on regional development.

Discussed in this episode:

- Understanding the medium to long-term future

- Black swan events - how has the pandemic changed the course of Australia?

- What is digital transformation?

- The digital skills communicators need

- Creating priorities for Australian digital development

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EP#71: Listening and learning together - with Janine Mohamed

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 02:39:59 GMT

“There is so much to be told in Australia’s history, and there are terrible truths that need to be spoken about but there is also much to celebrate, and I hope we continue to build on that celebration.”

A poignant closing from our guest this week, CEO of the Lowitja Institute, Australia’s national institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research, Dr Janine Mohammed.

On this week’s episode of GovComms, Dr Janine Mohammed sits down with our host, David Pembroke to discuss closing the health gap, creating a culture of safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and the role of the Lowitja Institute as the only health research that has a sole focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues.

Dr Janine Mohamed (née Dutschke) is a proud Narrunga Kaurna woman from Point Pearce in South Australia who has dedicated her career to the Indigenous health through roles in nursing, management, and policy for over two decades.

Recently, Janine has contributed to the establishment of the Close the Gap campaign and was part of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander Peoples’ delegation that participated in the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in 2011 and 2012.

Janine was appointed CEO of the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives (CATSINatM) in 2013 and led the organisation for five years.

Janine has been recognised for her contributions on multiple occasions, including a University of South Australia Alumni Award in 2016, the ACT Health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander “Individual” NAIDOC Award in 2018 and the 2019 NATSIHWA Lifetime Achievement Award due to her integral role in establishing a national professional association for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners.

She has also been awarded an Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity Fellowship and an Honorary Doctorate from Edith Cowan University.

Discussed in this episode:

- Finding the language to discuss racism

- Creating systems that support cultural safety and lifelong learning

- The magic ingredients of effective communication

- Navigating unintended consequences of media coverage

- Ensuring research is relevant and accessible to those who need it

- The legacy of Lowitja O’Donoghue

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EP#70: Creating a long-term relationship with COVID-19 - with Garrett Tyler Parker

Mon, 27 Jul 2020 04:40:00 GMT

How is COVID changing the way we operate? Some researchers are pivoting their focus, and looking at how people are coping with lockdown.

With a background in psychology, our guest this week is researching the wellbeing of Australians during COVID and how government needs to adapt communications strategy in this time.

In this episode of GovComms, contentgroup CEO, David Pembroke, is joined by Garrett Tyler-Parker in #studio19, to discuss research during a health crisis. As a second wave hits, Garrett stresses the importance of creating communications strategy that is engaged with the world, and reflects how people are feeling.

Garrett is the Canberra Managing Director of Pollinate Research, an independent market and social research company. With research experience in Australia and South East Asia and previous experience in The Parliament House Federal Press Gallery, Garrett brings a well-rounded, real-world perspective to research, incorporating human behaviour and systems thinking, to deliver actionable results.

Garrett’s experience covers a broad range of categories; from small not-for-profit organisations to local, state and federal government agencies, through to nation-leading companies and multi-national organisations. Garrett’s specialisation is strategic Government research, and bringing the voice of the public into the decision making process.

Garrett is also a guest lecturer at ANU and UNSW on Market Research and was recently published in The Australian Journal of Psychology.

Discussed in this episode:

How are Australians dealing with COVID-19?
Using research to ensure wider systems approaches
Why psychographics drive engaged government communications
The importance of rich picture exercises
Understanding the why behind decision making
The disruption of COVID and the why research is vital

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EP#69: Leaving your ego at the door - with Rose Cameron

Mon, 20 Jul 2020 04:30:00 GMT

From Glasgow to Pennsylvania State, Rose Cameron is a well-travelled communicator who brings curiosity, perspective, and resilience to her communications strategies.

She has created success in her career by using her ingenuity. Like many Scots, Rose is driven by questioning the norm; why is it that way? Is it really needed anymore? And what do we need next?

Rose’s interest in cultural anthropology has led her to a long career in delivering communications strategies that transfer value to individuals.

In this episode from the 2015 archives, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke sits down with Rose Cameron to talk about the importance of elasticity in the workplace, staying young, learning and being real in the advertising industry.

Discussed in this episode:

Knowing what topics fascinate people, and what will keep people engaged in your conversation
Communicate by listening first
Contextualising your communications strategy
Transferring value – the new way of marketing
Advice to government communicators in the digital age

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EP#68: The communicators toolkit – with Deb Ganderton

Mon, 13 Jul 2020 04:30:00 GMT

In this week’s episode of GovComms we go back to 2015 when contentgroup CEO, David Pembroke sat down with Executive Manager, Communications & Engagement for the City of Boroondara, Deb Ganderton.

Deb is the Executive Manager Communications and Engagement for one of Australia’s most innovative local council areas, the City of Boroondara in Melbourne. Her work at the City of Boroondara has seen the creation of a matrix style department successfully blending traditional communications and customer service roles with community and employee engagement and research. She has led projects achieving national and international recognition for strategy and evaluation.

Currently, Deb is the President of International Business Communicators, an industry association dedicated to excellence in government communication.

Deb is a legend of Australian municipal government communications. Her and David discuss Boroondara’s communication structure and how her team has implemented an award-winning content marketing strategy.

In this conversation, we discuss building capacity within teams to add value to government departments and share their important work with the community.

Discussed in this episode:

Developing a strong internal communications network
Consulting early and widely to ensure a smooth policy roll out
The importance of co-creating
Measuring the impact of an activity by knowing your goals and desired outcomes
Creating autonomy within your team

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EP#67: Get the lawyers involved early, with Shaun Creighton

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 05:00:00 GMT

Content communication can come with a minefield of legal issues. How do you identify legal issues? Who owns the content you are distributing? What happens when there is an intellectual property claim?

This week go back to 2015 when contentgroup CEO, David Pembroke, sat down with leading commercial lawyer, Shaun Creighton, to discuss the copyright implications of creating and curating content.

Shaun Creighton has specialist expertise in the identification, protection, and commercialisation of intellectual property rights. He has expertise and experience negotiating technology, broadcasting and commercial agreements. Previously, he has provided in-house Legal Counsel for the Australian Sports Commission and Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Corporation.

As a dual Olympian, Shaun has an extensive network in the sports and events industries. As part of ARETE Group’s thriving sports law practice group, he represents professional athletes, national sporting organisations, media outlets and event organisers on matters ranging from drafting sponsorship and merchandising agreements to broadcasting rights disputes, copyright advice, trade mark registration services, selection appeals, privacy, governance advice and Competition and Consumer Act issues.

Discussed in this episode:

Intellectual Property Law – what is it?
Why we need contracts - indemnity and liability
How content marketing fits in with law
The legal questions that arise when distributing content
Resolving issues by identifying them upfront
The potential risks of using social media channels

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EP#66: Fostering care and compassion within community, with Lucy Ibrahim

Mon, 29 Jun 2020 04:45:05 GMT

Communications is about going with your gut. Our guest today, uses core values to create marketing campaigns that she knows will stand out. She understands when to use speed and when to be strategic and insight led.

In this episode of GovComms, City Marketing Coordinator at the city of Ballarat, Lucy Ibrahim, joins contentgroup CEO, David Pembroke, to discuss the importance of delivering communications plans that connect with community members.

Working in a city that shows genuine care and compassion for their community in the toughest of circumstances, Lucy talks about how to take those values and deliver effective communications solutions to big problems.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lucy has led her community by engaging with stakeholders and supplying the city of Ballarat with accurate and accessible resources.

Today, we dive back to when Lucy delivered and launched a marketing campaign, Be Kind Ballarat, in less than 24 hours. The campaign was a kindness initiative launched in response to COVID-19, which she reflects on as one of the toughest and most rewarding campaigns she has worked on.

Lucy Ibrahim has over 18 years’ experience covering brand strategy, marketing, events and tourism. Prior to working for the City of Ballarat, Lucy served as Head of Marketing at Visit Ballarat, and Managing Director of PLAY communications.

Work produced under Lucy’s direction has been recognised at over 15 international and local awards. She has most recently been recognised for the 2020 Ad Campaign of the Year at the Mumbrella Travel Awards for her campaign Made of Ballarat. Lucy is passionate about insight-led creative, efficient execution and measurement to optimise outcomes.

Discussed in this episode:

Using core principles within government policies to develop clear communications plans
Delivering an effective campaign in less than 24 hours
Using communications to support residents and provide relief
Responding and recovering from the fallout of COVID-19
The nature of work for a communications professional
Using hard metrics to measure effectiveness within industry and media sentiment

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EP#65: Government communications matters – removing barriers to equip citizens with information

Mon, 22 Jun 2020 02:00:00 GMT

We are coming into the golden age of communications. Perhaps the most important thing a government can do, is communicate effectively with their citizens. Communicators are the people in control. They make sure that information is available and importantly, accessible, to citizens. The technology has increased the visibility of communications system, but what are the challenges that come with these advances? What are the challenges facing government departments? Where does change comes from in the public sector? In this episode of GovComms, contentgroup Founder and CEO, David Pembroke, is joined by the Head of GovCom Group, Alun Probert. Before heading GovCom Group, Alun spent nine years as the Executive Director of Strategic Communications in the NSW Government, with the responsibility for advertising and digital policy including managing the NSW Governments and Premier’s website, overseeing approval of Government and all advertising campaigns and managing whole of Government media contracts. Alun’s global communication experience spans 25 years. In this conversation from the archive, Alun shares valuable insights on adopting new media and the opportunities within content marketing. Discussed in this episode: - Opportunities for content marketing in government - what does success look like? - Understanding how people consume government media - Aligning a communication plan to strategic objectives - Setting ambitions and achieving measurable targets - Clear communication - removing barriers that connect government to citizens - The evolution of information and communications technology

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EP#64: How to be tech-savvy in 2020, with Michelle Melbourne

Mon, 15 Jun 2020 01:34:06 GMT

In this week’s episode of GovComms, contentgroup Founder and CEO, David Pembroke, sits down with business and technology innovator, Michelle Melbourne, to discuss how technology is impacting the communications. They talk using data to create a personalized experience for your audience, the importance of learning and where technology is headed.

This episode is a must listen for leaders in any sector, with valuable insights into how to harness and use technology in a manageable and workable way.

With 30 years’ experience in government technology, Michelle Melbourne, Co-Founder of Australian software maker Intelledox (now SmartIQTM, a product of Smart Communications), has a long history delivering better online process for citizens. Michelle evangelized the term Digital Transformation years before it was commonplace, and her company pioneered the use of AI to automate business processes. She has helped many large and complex customers to modernise their processes, and more importantly, to transform their team culture and behaviours to maximize the outcomes for citizens.

In 1998, Michelle started a highly successful technology, communications and logistics company - The Communication Link - working on behalf of corporate and government VIPs from around the world. This involved arranging official visits to Australia by Madeleine Albright for senior U.S Government officials and the management of various Sydney Olympic and Paralympic projects. She is currently a Board Member of Smart Communications, Governor of the ANU Foundation Board and an Entrepreneur In Residence for the Canberra Innovation Network.

Discussed in this episode:

- Translating an inspiration into reality

- The importance of understanding technology

- How to apply personalized services to your customers

- Adopting new technology during COVID-19

- The future public service as automation takes hold and AI matures

- The skills we need to enable digital transformation

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Ep #63: Rebuilding a Website, with Inga Davis and Richa Arora

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 00:39:43 GMT

From the Archives:

This week on #GovComms, we are going back to a very special episode. In 2015, contentgroup Founder and CEO David Pembroke, met with guests Inga Davis and Richa Arora to discuss rebuilding the University of Canberra website. This episode takes us through the whole journey. They tells us how they met their objectives and managed to bring more than 15,000 pages of content under one umbrella.

Inga Davis gave this interview on the eve of her last week at University of Canberra. Having spent the last 10 years working her way through the ranks at UC; as a marketing manager, alumni manager, Director of Vice-Chancellor Stephen Parker's Office, Director of Advancement and finishing up as Director Advancement, Marketing and Communications.

Working closely with the Vice-Chancellor, Inga has led projects integral to building the University's profile; including the university's 40th anniversary celebrations in 2008, the latest "breakthrough" re-brand, content marketing strategy and most recently an enterprise-wide upgrade of UC's 10,000 page website. A project with 15,000 staff and student users, 50 stakeholder representatives, 25 senior managers and 3 million annual visitors.

Richa was the project manager for the redevelopment of University of Canberra's website and closely worked with marketing and content producers on the content strategy for the new website. Richa believes that the aesthetics of a website are important for a friendly user experience, but people visit a website when they need information. The up to date content targeted to its audience is the key to a functional and engaging website.

Richa has worked in public and private sector leading user workshops, stakeholder engagements and managing change and communications. Richa is a specialist in business process analysis, process re-engineering, solution design and implementation and project management. Richa is currently a Deloitte Consulting Manager in Technology Advisory team at Deloitte.

Discussed in this episode:

- Operating a website and using a distributed authorship model

- Using health checks to keep websites clean

- SMART website goals

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Ep #62: Transformation in Advertising, with Bob Hoffman

Tue, 02 Jun 2020 01:44:28 GMT

The internet has changed the way we consume content, has it also impacted the way we advertise?

In this week’s episode of GovComms contentgroup Founder and CEO, David Pembroke, sits down with industry leader, Bob Hoffman, to discuss how traditional advertising remains the primary income for internet platforms such as Facebook.

Bob Hoffman is the author of five bestselling books about advertising. He is one of the world’s most sought-after speaker on (this topic/subject) advertising and marketing. Indeed, one of his books, ‘Bad Men: How Advertising Went From A Minor Annoyance To A Major Menace’ exposed many of the dangerous data abuse practices that are leading to a re-evaluation of the role of the major platforms around the world.

Discussed in this episode:

· Transformation of media and advertising

· Using creative methods to create strategic advertising campaigns

· Eroding of local media platforms

· Dominant major advertising platforms

· Is antitrust on the backburner?

· The future of traditional paid advertising

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EP#61: Government Communications in the UK, with Russell Grossman

Mon, 25 May 2020 06:04:04 GMT

Fresh from the Archives

Russell Grossman wears many hats; he is Director of Communications at the Office of Rail and Road, Head of Government Internal Communications Profession for the UK Government and Director at Engage For Success.

In this episode from the archives, Russell Grossman and David Pembroke discuss the best practices in government communication.

Discussed in this episode:

· Maximising communications budgets

· Using a project management approach to reform communications

· Creating long-term marketing strategies

· Strong bold leadership and sharp project management

· Adapting to digital platforms

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EP#60: Responding to a crisis, with Farooq Mulla

Mon, 18 May 2020 00:07:26 GMT

A communications professional with more than 15 years of experience working in busy and demanding media relations and communications environments, Farooq has a range of experience having worked both in the public and voluntary sector.

Having trained as a journalist, during his career in UK Government he has been media adviser to several UK Prime Ministers and senior ministers. Farooq has led teams and delivered high-profile communications campaigns for key government domestic policies including the major housing building programme, a review of the public broadcaster BBC and controversial reforms to teachers’ pay and pensions. He has also dealt with international issues such as the UK’s military operations in Afghanistan and was part of the UK Government Olympics Communications team for London in 2012.

Farooq led the crisis communications response for UK Government following the tragic Grenfell Tower fire, where he led a team of 40 plus professionals to deliver an effective communications strategy.

Having recently relocated to Sydney, he brings this wealth of experience to his current role supporting Transport for NSW with its communications response to the current Coronavirus outbreak.

Discussed in this episode:

A human-centric approach to government communications
Farooq's advice on crisis management
The importance of planning
The current state of government communications
Developing evidence-based communications
Building trust - being accurate and realistic
Measurement and evaluation

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EP#59: The non-negotiables of content marketing, with Gina Florence

Tue, 12 May 2020 01:19:46 GMT

Fresh from the Archives

Gina is a senior digital marketing professional with successful experience in product management, social media strategy and integrated marketing campaigns for the City of Bryan.

In addition, Gina has also developed brand ambassador and employee ambassador programs online to reinforce branding goals, drive loyalty and amplify the message.

Working for the City of Bryan, she has put her non-government experience to work to boost economic development, city programs, and tourism across all online channels. In addition to marketing, she serves as the PIO for the City of Bryan and Bryan Texas Utilities.

Discussed in this episode:

A grass-roots approach to content
The essentials of content marketing
How content marketing served the City of Bryan
Gina's advice for government communicators

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EP#58: Mental health and wellbeing amidst COVID-19, with Tony Bradford and Rachel Clements

Tue, 05 May 2020 05:27:47 GMT

Tony Bradford is the co-founder and Managing Director of the Centre for Corporate Health, an organisation that specialises in helping workplaces of all shapes and sizes to better manage mental health, psychological safety and workplace stress.

Originally a country boy from the Riverina, he ran away from home and joined the Navy at the age of 17 and started his career as a navigation officer driving ships and patrol boats. Fascinated by what happens in workplaces and the dysfunction and stress that often results, he developed his passion for understanding and transforming workplace cultures especially through building leadership capability.

Following his service in the Navy and a short stint with EY’s change management consultancy division in the late 90’s, Tony has spent the past 20 years consulting to organisations of all shapes and sizes and industries, including Government.

Rachel Clements is the co-founder and Director of Psychological Services and Principal Organisational Psychologist at the Centre for Corporate Health

For over 25 years Rachel has focused on building individual and organisational resilience, and minimising risk of workplace mental health. She has worked across a range of industries and has carved a niche especially in professional services organisations such as law firms, banking, finance as well as government (at all levels).

Rachel is often the go-to subject matter expert when it comes to workplace mental health and is a regular keynote presenter at national and international conferences. Rachel is frequently consulted by media organisations from around the world and is regular contributor to the Huffington Post

Discussed in this episode:

Characteristics of a mental health conscious organisation
The biggest predictor of workplace wellbeing
The impacts of isolation
Preparing for the 'new normal'
Why Australia leads the way in workplace wellbeing
Why 'givers' do better than 'takers' during a crisis
Tony and Rachel's advice for staying mentally well

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EP#57: The revolution of listening, with Carmel McGregor

Tue, 28 Apr 2020 07:16:45 GMT

Fresh from the Archives

Carmel McGregor forged a highly successful and notable career in the Australian Public Service. She is a psychologist by training and is intrinsically interested in how people think and what makes them tick.

Before her retirement in 2014 Carmel was the Deputy Secretary Defence People in the Department of Defence. Prior to joining the Department of Defence in 2012 Carmel held a position as the Deputy Australian Public Service Commissioner where she was a member of the Advisory Group on Reform of Australian Government Administration (Blueprint) and led a review of Pathways for APS Women in Defence.

Before joining the Australian Public Service Commission, Carmel was Deputy Secretary Client and Corporate Services in the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). During her time with DIAC she led global client service reform and a major organisational and cultural change program.

Discussed in this episode:

The role of communications
Communicating for success
The revolution of listening
Understanding why public servants need to be able explain their work to the public
Carmel's advice for government communicators

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EP#56: Adjusting to a virtual world, with Sree Sreenivasan

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 01:56:03 GMT

Sree Sreenivasan is the inaugural Marshall Loeb Visiting Professor of Digital Innovation at Stony Brook School of Journalism. During the COVID-19 crisis, he is hosting a daily global conversation with experts - and helping companies adjust to the newly virtual world.

Sree is a leading social and digital media consultant and trainer, working with nonprofits, startups, companies and executives from around the world. He has served as Chief Digital Officer of New York City, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Columbia University (where he was a full-time professor of journalism for 20+ years).

He has also been a paid on-air tech expert for the three largest news stations in NYC. He taught a course on entrepreneurship at Columbia for four years with Ken Lerer, the co-founder of Huffington Post, chairman of Buzzfeed and co-founder of venture firm LererHippeau.

In 2015, Fast Company named him one of the 100 most creative people in business and in 2010, he was named one of the 35 most influential people in social media by the Poynter Institute. In 2014, he was named most influential CDO by CDO Club.

Check out Sree’s Daily Global COVID-19 Show here

Discussed in this episode:

How COVID-19 has changed New York City
Sree’s views on the U.S response to the pandemic
How Sree develops content for his daily show
Why now is the perfect time to upskill and try something new
Sree’s approach to editorial calendars and guest pipelines
Platforms for live streaming
The importance of transparency in government
Following passion over expectation

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EP#55: PuMP - a new method for measurement, with Stacey Barr

Thu, 09 Apr 2020 02:39:53 GMT

Stacey Barr is the creator of the PuMP methodology for measuring organisational performance and developing meaningful KPIs. Stacey is one of the world’s leading specialists performance measurement field. She is author of two books - Practical Performance Measurement and Prove It! – and writes the weekly Measure Up blog. Her content also appears on Harvard Business Review’s website and in their acclaimed ManageMentor Program.

Stacey has specialised in the field of performance measurement since 1993. This gave her a deep insight into the transformational power of measuring the right things well – and revealed the most common struggles people have with performance measurement. The most common obstacles she observes include immeasurable goals, meaningless measures, lack of buy-in, and KPI dashboards that aren’t useful. The root cause, she found, is that common KPI practice is fraught with bad habits. So she created PuMP to replace those bad habits.

PuMP is known for its practicality in making performance measurement faster, easier, engaging, and meaningful. Strategy and performance professionals say it’s made it easy to engage people and align their work to the strategy. Stacey has also received feedback from teams, saying that it’s the first time they’ve found measurement exciting.

Discussed in this episode:

Why PuMP is different to other measurement tools
An example of PuMP in action
Defining measurable goals and avoiding 'weasel' words
Bringing physicality to concepts
Identifying relevant stakeholders
Where to learn more about the PuMP methodology

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EP#54: Building an agile, digital Government, with Andrew Parkinson

Mon, 30 Mar 2020 05:23:16 GMT

Andrew’s 20 years of experience cover a broad range of communication and public affairs practice. His experience ranges from proactive and responsive media handling to strategy, operations and team leadership.

Most recently, Andrew was the Director of Media and Social Media with a major NSW Government Department, building and leading teams of media and content specialists to support the Department and its Ministers on issues including: Planning, Energy, Water, Mining, Resources, Skills, International Trade, Small Business, Regional Economic Development, Infrastructure, Housing, Tourism, Industry Support, Crown Lands, Indigenous Affairs, Liquor Gaming and Racing, and the Arts.

Prior to Government, Andrew held senior positions in financial services and not-for-profit organisations. He began his career as an industry advocate and lobbyist in London. He was Head of Communications for the British Chambers of Commerce as well as Campaigns and Government Relations Manager for MAKE UK, the peak body for engineering, manufacturing and technology companies. Alongside his undergraduate degree, he has a Masters in Public Administration.

Discussed in this episode:

How Government might move to better meet citizen expectations
The implications of the 24/7 news cycle
Moving to a more agile, digital Government
Fast tracking great ideas and navigating complex approval processes
Minimising risk and maximising opportunity in government communications
Moving from a broadcast to narrowcast channels
Andrew's advice for all Government communicators

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EP#53: Science communications, with Dr Melanie Bagg

Mon, 16 Mar 2020 06:13:10 GMT

Melanie is a PhD qualified medical research scientist and award winning professional science communicator. Currently CEO of the National Youth Science Forum, Melanie is focused on delivering transformative youth-led experiences for young Australians to encourage life-long participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).

A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course and having experience in higher education, media and NFP sectors, Melanie brings over 15 years of expertise in STEM management, fundraising, science communication, outreach, publishing and media for the not-for-profit and higher education sectors.

Melanie is particularly interested in using digital platforms to help connect wide audiences with STEM. In 2016 Melanie was awarded the Unsung Hero of SA Science Communication for her commitment to translating complex science into something we can all understand. Recently, Melanie led the establishment of a video production and social media distribution capability that has connected over 1.5 million people with evidence-based science on Facebook alone.

Melanie is a member of the Advisory Board for the ARC Centre for Nanoscale Biophotonics (CNBP) and is Chair of their Education and Outreach Committee.

Discussed in this episode:

Coronavirus, from a communicator’s perspective
‘Fake news’ and misinformation
Communicating for decision-makers and the public
Knowing your field, when to communicate and when not to
Keeping a focus on audience needs
Communicating accurately while meeting tight deadlines
Melanie’s approach to changing the brand image of the Australian Academy of Science
Building an audience from 9,000 to 1,000,000
Using communications to achieve business objectives

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EP#52: Getting value from video, with Ben Curry

Mon, 02 Mar 2020 04:09:25 GMT

With more than 20 years’ experience in news and current affairs, Ben worked as a camera operator and video editor for several Australian TV networks including Seven, Sky News, and SBS. He covered national and international news based in the Parliamentary Press Gallery in Canberra, and later worked on the ABC “Stateline” program.

Ben is also experienced in audio production and has composed music for various television current affairs programs.

Prior to joining contentgroup as Senior Videographer, Ben worked in media production for the Commonwealth Public Service. As Senior Editor at the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Ben oversaw the technical and aesthetic aspects of video content for the various portfolio areas of the Department. This role included delivery of web video campaigns and live streaming Ministerial events.

Discussed in this episode:

Ben’s background in videography
The elements of video production that have stood the test of time
The importance of storytelling
Why everyone can now make video content, but few can make it well
Identifying when to use video and when not to
Using video to evoke emotion and produce action
Keeping authenticity at the heart of video storytelling
Producing content that won’t be scrolled past in a news feed
Why all videos should have video captioning
Ben’s tips for producing quality audio and lighting for video

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EP#51: The power of telling a story, with Gabrielle Dolan

Mon, 17 Feb 2020 22:09:03 GMT

A highly sought-after keynote speaker, educator and author, Gabrielle has worked with thousands of high-profile leaders from around the world and helped several of Australia’s top 50 companies and multinationals to humanise their communications - These have included Telstra, EY, Accenture, VISA, Australia Post, National Australia Bank, ANZ, Vodafone and the Obama Foundation just to mention a few.

She holds a master’s degree in Management and Leadership from Swinburne University, an associate diploma in Education and Training from the University of Melbourne, and is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School of Executive Education in both the Art and the Practice of Leadership Development and Women and Power: Leadership in a New World.

Gabrielle is also the bestselling author of Real Communication: How to be you and lead true, and a finalist in the Australian Business Leadership Book Awards for 2019. Her other published books include Stories for Work: The Essential Guide to Business Storytelling (2017), Storytelling for Job Interviews (2016) and several other renowned works.

Discussed in this episode:

Why storytelling is a skill in growing demand
Finding a balance between vulnerable and professional
How to influence without manipulation
Using the heart to reach the head – the affective power of stories
The benefits of keeping stories and data separate
Why all leaders should strive to be authentic
The risks of jargon and acronyms
Keeping messages as simple as possible
Gabrielle’s top tips for communicators

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EP#50: Comms in a crisis - talking crisis management, with Elise Davidson

Mon, 03 Feb 2020 03:38:23 GMT

Elise Davidson is the General Manager of Strategic Communications at the ACCC in Sydney. There, she leads a team responsible for the agency’s media, social media, content & digital production. Her team is also responsible for employee communications, speechwriting, library & research services.

Prior to joining the ACCC, Elise was General Manager of Corporate Affairs at Vodafone where she helped to rebuild its reputation post ‘Vodafail’. She also has a strong consumer advocacy background, having led communications and media teams at ACCAN from 2010-13, and Choice from 2007-2010.

Elise has a Bachelor’s degree in Media from Macquarie University, co-authored Weird and Wonderful Jobs, and was awarded PR of the Year (in house) at the Mumbrella CommsCon Awards in 2014.

Discussed in this episode:

Using communications to overcome the ‘Vodafail’ crisis
Communications as a crisis management tool
Practical tactics for relationship building and public relations
Elise’s advice for building a great team
Operating in a dynamic, high activity environment
An ACCC social media success story and the benefits of paid advertising
Making a winning business case for more resourcing

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EP#49: The future of data, with James Wunsch

Mon, 20 Jan 2020 01:24:29 GMT

James joined Faster Horses Consulting in 2019 as head of its Social & Government Division after previous social & government research roles with Colmar Brunton, Ipsos & Eureka Strategic Research. He has over 20 years’ experience in the Australian Federal Government sector as both a buyer and a supplier to Government across nearly every portfolio at the Federal level. He is MBA qualified and has been granted Qualified Practicing Researcher (QPR) status.

James has been at the forefront of the evolution of market & social research over his 21-year research career, including pioneering the use of online research communities in government with the Australian Taxation Office, the Murray Darling Basin Authority and the Royal Australian Mint. Just as we’ve moved from paper to phone to online data collection, he sees advancements in artificial intelligence and the effective leveraging of ‘big data’ as rapidly reshaping the industry – not sometime into the future, but right now. He believes the key challenge for researchers lies in retaining their ability to connect with people in order to tell clients the true, evidence-based human story.

Discussed in this episode:

The skills required to be a great researcher
A new model for data acquisition – UBDI
How technology has effected research, and where it’s going next
The disruption of artificial intelligence
Why the future of data will always require a human touch
The importance of linking research to objectives
James’s advice for government communicators working with researchers
Developing a ‘no surprises’ mantra

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EP#48: Connecting content to purpose, with Kym Charlton

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 22:35:49 GMT

Kym has enjoyed an interesting career, beginning as a print journalist in regional New South Wales after a career advisor suggested she was cynical enough to be in the media.

Her career has taken her around the world and given her entre into some of the highest profile political, public safety and disaster response incidents of her generation.

She started with the Department of Immigration on the day they opened Woomera Detention Centre, and spent the next six-and-a-half years dealing with a rather dynamic work environment.

Kym has since managed a range of impactful campaigns. One of which being the internationally recognised efforts of Queensland Police Services' use of social media as a public information channel in 2010-2011. Kym has always taken an integrated approach to issue and media management, public relations and reputation management, using new and owned media as a crucial and effective plank.

These days she is Director of her own public relations and communications agency: The Fasterhorse Company, where she deals with culture building within government departments, juggling niche clients, and running the occasional marathon or ultra and upsetting Spanish food Twitter for fun.

Discussed in this episode:

Kym's early career as a regional journalist
Being mindful of your energy when communicating
The impact of democratised media
Finding the right stories to tell
Why content has to be connected to a strategic objective
Influencing sentiment to effect mainstream reporting
Understanding your organisations risk appetite
Finding authentic storytellers (and where to look)

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EP#47: Creating Behavioural Change, with Michelle Harrison

Mon, 25 Nov 2019 03:49:36 GMT

Dr Michelle Harrison is the global CEO of Kantar Public and the founding CEO of WPP Government and Public Sector Practice. She is responsible for the effectiveness of Kantar Public’s work around the world, and supports the delivery of major projects. Michelle has worked with government and corporate clients in every continent across all aspects of public policy and public affairs. Her career to date has included time in academia, international development, strategy, marketing and social research. She is a Davos speaker, book author and the founder of the WPP Executive Education Programmes in Public Communications and Behaviour Change. She has also led the establishment of WPP Government Practice Hubs in London, Brussels, Sydney, Beirut, Singapore and Nairobi.

Discussed in this episode:

How great campaigns can fail without adequate research and testing
Methods of combining policy and communications
Why the best communications outcomes are produced through a united approach
Learning to embrace rapid technological change
Avoiding audience isolation
Why there is no replacement for face-to-face interaction
What behavioural change campaigns will look like in 5 years
The pains and gains of working with multiple communications channels
The current opportunity for government communications

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EP#46: Emotion at the heart of it all - Discussing the SCARF model, with Nicole Thomson-Pride

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 05:14:45 GMT

Nicole has had a passion for communications from a young age. At 13-years old, she developed a taste for the industry through a work experience placement at CLEO magazine.

Since then, she has completed an undergraduate and postgraduate qualification in the field, and worked in a variety of communication roles across government, the private sector and the not-for-profit space. Her previous workplaces have included the New South Wales Government, Soldier On Australia and Dimensional Fund Advisors.

Today, Nicole works as a professional speechwriter. And she is keenly interested in understanding human cognition, because she believes it’s key to writing speeches that can better influence and persuade.

Nicole also believes that in today’s world, with increasingly complex issues, we need some of the smartest people in the country working in communication... because good communication can help shape and change the world.

Discussed in this episode:

JFK and using cognitive understanding to underpin his greatest speeches
Emotional decision-making at the crux of human beings
Placing audiences in a threat or reward state, using the the NeuroLeadership Institute's SCARF Model®
S: Status
C: Certainty
A: Autonomy
R: Relatedness
F: Fairness
Finding the balance of art and science in communications
The current opportunity for communicators to be creative

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EP#45: High impact storytelling, journalism and communications, with Michelle Dunne Breen

Mon, 28 Oct 2019 03:35:57 GMT

Michelle graduated from Trinity College, University of Dublin, Ireland in 1991 with an honours degree in Sociology and German, before training as a journalist. She then worked for newspapers and magazines (both political and lifestyle) for more than 20 years, in Ireland, Britain and then Australia. Michelle’s most recent position as a journalist was at The Canberra Times, as editor of the Saturday edition’s news review and analysis section.

Michelle later moved into academia, joining the Faculty of Arts & Design at the University of Canberra as a Teaching Fellow in Journalism & Communication in 2011. Here, she educated students on political and strategic communication. She received a Communications doctorate in 2015, for her research into the Australian media's representation of Indigenous opposition to the Northern Territory Emergency Response 2007, also known as the Intervention.

Michelle then worked as a researcher for the University of Canberra’s News & Media Research Centre, specialising in media representation of marginalised groups. Following this, she worked as External Affairs & Media Adviser to Amnesty International Australia.

Her most recent role was as Capacity Building Outreach adviser to the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, a small government agency under the Australian Aid umbrella. She now works here with us, at contentgroup, as a Senior Communications Strategist.

Discussed in this episode:

What makes a good journalist
Finding the story for your audience
Six tips for writing a great story
Balancing creativity and consistency for campaign success
The benefits of a simple approval process
The challenges that come with everyone being a storyteller
The importance of curiosity in the workplace
Michelle’s advice for the modern communicator

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EP#44: The evolution of media, with Kerry McCallum

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 05:27:49 GMT

Kerry McCallum is Director of the News & Media Research Centre at the University of Canberra (UC) where she leads a team of researchers to advance public understanding of our changing media environment. Her research in political communication specialises in the relationships between changing media and Australian social policy, particularly in indigenous affairs.

Kerry is a lead professor on the ‘Breaking Silences: Media and the Child Abuse Royal Commission’ project which is the first Australian research document to explore the connection between media and commissions enquiries in the digital era.

Kerry is a major contributor to the field of communication and media studies in Australia and internationally, notably as former President of the Australian and New Zealand Communication Association (ANZCA). She is also a member of the Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies.

Kerry has implemented a complex curriculum development and change management process at faculty, university and national levels, notably as UC’s inaugural Academic Director (Dean) of Graduate Research from 2017-19. Her career has been supported and grounded by nearly a decade of professional experience working in federal parliament, political and media advisory roles.

Discussed in this episode:

Kerry’s transition into academia
The combat sport of politics
Reflecting on life in parliament, with David and Kerry
Kerry’s advice for Ministerial Advisors
‘Breaking Silences’– The impact of digital media on modern royal commissions
Why the commission into child abuse was so groundbreaking from a communications perspective
How journalism is currently evolving, and the role of the modern journalist

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EP#43: Building a digital footprint, with Brenda Duran

Mon, 30 Sep 2019 06:28:03 GMT

Brenda is an established communications professional for the U.S public sector. Prior to her role with the Los Angeles County, she held several positions throughout journalism, media, and communications domains.

Brenda graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Arts (Journalism). She later worked as a staff reporter and writer for major U.S news and journalism organisations including:

The Southern California News Group
US Weekly; and
The North County Times.

Later in her career, Brenda served as the Senior Associate Editor for MPA Media and went on to become the Head of Communications for the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder. Brenda has also garnered several prestigious communications awards throughout her career. These include the FOLIO Award for feature writing, the North American ‘Excellence in Communications’ Award, and multiple accolades for her work in public relations and public affairs.

Discussed in this episode:

Why communicators need a love for people and storytelling
Brenda’s process for simplifying complex information
The latest digital insights: going mobile
Making post-campaign data a bigger part of pre-campaign decisions
Governments going social: the power of social media
Brenda’s advice for government communicators
Learning to use modern citizen engagement techniques

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EP#42: Communicating federal budgets and managing unexpected challenges, with Shannon Kenna

Mon, 16 Sep 2019 02:00:00 GMT

Shannon Kenna is an experienced communications professional, specialising in strategic communications for the public sector. She joined the Treasury in 2015 to manage a major government advertising campaign and has since managed the delivery of five federal budgets.

As Division Head of Communications and Parliamentary, she manages a broad program of work, including oversight of a full suite of communication functions. These include media relations, social media, stakeholder engagement, corporate communications, speechwriting, graphic design, publications and web management. Shannon is also responsible for all ministerial and parliamentary business for Treasury.

Since beginning her public sector career at the Department of Immigration in 1994, Shannon’s career has included diverse roles in communication and program management. Shannon has also worked in the private sector in Australia and the United Kingdom.

Shannon holds a Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations) degree, majoring in Management, from the University of Canberra.

Discussed in this episode:

Using internal face-to-face discussions to approach key message building
The Intergenerational Report, featuring Dr Karl
Factoring risk into campaigns and handling unexpected setbacks
How technology is impacting the demand for tailored content
The duties, timelines and challenges of communicating a federal budget (five times)
The efficacy of a whole-of-government communications approach

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EP#41: Frontiers of policy communications, with Olga Stankova

Mon, 02 Sep 2019 05:48:26 GMT

Olga Stankova is Special Assistant to the Director of the International Monetary Fund's Communications Department. She currently leads technical assistance and conducts research on economic policy communications, and manages outreach on the Fund’s strategy and policy work.

Previously, she was responsible for communications on the World Economic Outlook and the Global Financial Stability Report. Prior to that, she was Senior Press Officer for all of the countries of the Former Soviet Union, along with several countries in Europe and the Middle East. She also worked at the European Central Bank during the global financial crisis. Olga previously served as Director of Marketing with Russian investment bank Troika Dialog and as Chief of the Banking and Investment Division of the United States Agency for International Development in Moscow.

She has recently released her latest work: Frontiers of Economic Policy Communications, which highlights the emerging importance of effective communication to successful policy making and implementation.

Discussed in this episode:

Olga’s early career in communications
The importance of communications in a crisis
The IMF’s approach to outreach
A typical day in the IMF’s communications team: the communications cycle
The modern marketplace and ‘digital citizens’
Addressing cultural differences in communications
Changing technologies: the opportunities and challenges
Getting communicators a larger seat at the policy table
Why cutting through the noise will only get more difficult
A look at Olga’s report: the need for cross-department collaborations

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EP#40: A matter of trust: rebuilding citizen trust, with Caroline Fisher - Part 2

Mon, 19 Aug 2019 02:00:00 GMT

Caroline Fisher is the Assistant Professor in Journalism at the University of Canberra. In 2014, she completed her PhD, which examined the career transition between journalism and parliamentary media advising. Prior to perusing further studies at the university, Caroline was a producer, reporter and presenter for ABC News and Radio National. She has also acted as a ministerial media advisor to Anna Bligh, the former Premier of Queensland.

Caroline is an expert in journalism and political communication. In 2018, she received the Anne Dunn Scholar Award for her research work in communications. She also received the Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in teaching in 2014 and again in 2017. Caroline is the co-author of the annual Digital News Report-Australia, and has published several peer-reviewed articles on her research into politics, media, trust and communications.

Discussed in this episode:

Why it’s harder than ever to earn trust
Journalism suffering the trust deficit
Defining trust: the many pieces of the puzzle
Why we will continue to consume news we don’t trust
Addressing the negative bias in media
The importance of authenticity
Caroline’s advice for government communicators
Back to old methods: putting relationships at the heart of trust

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EP#39: Giving up on news? The latest trends in digital news consumption, with Caroline Fisher - Part 1

Mon, 05 Aug 2019 02:00:00 GMT

Discussed in this episode:

Australia: now the lightest news consumers
The factors leading to a low news satisfaction
What the latest trends mean for government communicators
What’s making citizens choose Netflix over news
The links between political orientation and news consumption
Repackaging the news: a new take to re-engage audiences
The power of television

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EP#38: Communications for complex organisations, with Tanya Bowes

Mon, 22 Jul 2019 02:00:00 GMT

Tanya is a communications and brand professional with over 20 years’ experience. Her wide range of skills relate to communications and branding strategy, public relations, issues management, stakeholder communications and government liaison. Tanya has led communications for organisations in both public and private sectors. Prior to managing corporate affairs at the CSIRO, Tanya was the General Manager of Communications at Destination NSW. Her prior roles have also seen her lead functions across Japan, Asia Pacific, the United Kingdom and Europe, working both client and agency side.

Discussed in this episode:

Making the shift from private to public
Advice on managing ministerial transitions
Tanya’s take on the most effective communications channels
The importance of having a clear purpose
Dealing with message saturation
Using powdered broccoli lattes to achieve strategic objectives
The benefits of collaboration and how to identify valuable opportunities
Capitalising on the demand for video
How Tanya measures campaign success: lead and lag measures

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EP#37: The Year of Marketing, with Conrad Bird - Part 2

Mon, 08 Jul 2019 06:07:12 GMT

Conrad is Director of the GREAT Britain campaign. GREAT is the government’s most ambitious international campaign ever run, uniting the efforts of both public and private sectors to generate jobs and growth for Britain. Conrad also leads the UK Government’s Year of Marketing initiative, which aims to inform and prepare communicators across departments.

In 2014, Conrad’s role at the Prime Minister’s Office on 10 Dowling St expanded to include responsibility for delivering major cross-government campaigns, and ensuring Government’s spending on communications is efficient and cost-effective. Conrad has also previously worked at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office as Head of Public Diplomacy and Strategic Campaigns; and the Central Office of Information, on issues such as consumer rights and international export.

He later joined the Cabinet Office as Director of Strategic Communications. Here, he launched a new approach to Government Communication and was responsible for campaigns to counter terrorism and other societal issues. Prior to his career in government, Conrad spent 18 years in advertising, working with both national and international businesses, and established his own communications consultancy which he ran for 8 years.

Discussed in this episode:

Addressing the stigma of government ‘marketing’
The future of government marketing in the UK: a look at 2025
A new, UK Government definition for marketing
Why the skills of the modern marketer are needed now more than ever
A new approach to marketing budgets
Catering to a millennial audience
The responsibility of government in thinking ahead
Why it’s good to see an empty office: the importance of curiosity and relationship building

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EP#36: A GREAT campaign, with Conrad Bird - Part 1

Mon, 24 Jun 2019 04:31:55 GMT

Conrad is Director of the GREAT Britain campaign. GREAT is the UK Government’s most ambitious international campaign ever run, uniting the efforts of both public and private sectors to generate jobs and growth for Britain. The GREAT brand has a current value of 271 million pounds and has received 69 national and international awards to date.

In 2014, Conrad’s role at the Prime Minister’s Office on 10 Downing St expanded to include responsibility for delivering major cross-government campaigns, and ensuring government’s spending on communications is efficient and cost-effective. Conrad has also previously worked at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office as Head of Public Diplomacy and Strategic Campaigns; and the Central Office of Information, on issues such as consumer rights and international export.

He later joined the Cabinet Office as Director of Strategic Communications. Here, he launched a new approach to government communication and was responsible for campaigns to counter terrorism and other societal issues. Prior to his career in government, Conrad spent 18 years in advertising, working with both national and international businesses, and established his own communications consultancy which he ran for 8 years.

Discussed in this episode:

What sparked the GREAT campaign
Leveraging a name, and the power of keeping things simple
What drove cooperation across departments
How public perceptions changed throughout the campaign
A moment in the spotlight: the London Olympic Games
How Conrad approached ROI and measuring key success indicators
Employing a ‘soft power’ approach to communications
What’s next for the GREAT campaign

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EP#35: The future of government: talking data and digital, with Craig Thomler

Tue, 11 Jun 2019 00:52:02 GMT

Craig has 25 years’ experience in the digital industry and is passionate about boosting organisational performance through the use of digital strategies and tools. Craig has previously managed and created start-up companies, and served in a variety of senior roles in both government and private sectors. Throughout his professional career, Craig has led national digital projects, designed innovative products, hosted stakeholder engagement initiatives, and coordinated the development of hundreds of websites. He has also trained thousands globally on how to maximise their social media engagement.

Craig’s current role with Accenture focuses on supporting clients to respond, manage and create value from digital disruptions. His previous work as an advocate for Digital Government (Gov 2.0) has given him an appreciation for work relating to government and health industries.

Discussed in this episode:

Craig’s background and passion for digital
The role of data in modern communications
Room for improvement regarding government data use
The different roles of data: comparing public and private sectors
Managing the issue of citizen privacy
Viewing privacy and data as a ‘transaction’
Craig’s thoughts on introducing government incentives for data sharing
What the government will look like in 5 years’ time
The shift towards agile and multifunctional teams
Craig’s take on the skills government communicators should be learning now
The future of digital and the implications for businesses

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EP#34: The ingredients of a winning campaign, with Nick Sharp-Paul

Mon, 27 May 2019 23:47:22 GMT

Nick is the Head of Strategy and Communications at The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA). Nick graduated from the University of Melbourne with his Postgraduate Diploma of Editing and Communications in 2008. He has since filled a range of communications roles within the medical and pharmaceutical industry. Nick has worked in a range of areas, from communications research to media and strategy.

He has recently been recognised by the International Association of Business Communicators for his campaign with the SHPA. Nick received a Gold Quill Merit Award for change communication, relating to his campaign titled ‘A New Prescription: Elevating Australia’s Leading Pharmacists’. The campaign involved multiple communication channels including social media, email and radio; and produced a range of positive outcomes for the SHPA.

Discussed in this episode:

The importance of having a clear objective
Driving organisational change
The challenges and learnings from Nick’s campaign
The power of tone in message framing
The role of visual ques in Nick’s strategy
The value of face-to-face interaction in achieving outcomes
Making the most of consultations and interviews
The power of people and advocacy programs
Leveraging third-party voice
Effective communication: Nick’s tips for success

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EP#33: The do’s and don’ts of public sector communications, with Brent Hill

Mon, 13 May 2019 05:56:45 GMT

Brent joined the South Australian Tourism Commission in November 2015 as a marketing communications specialist with experience in advertising, digital, public relations, sponsorship and communications across the banking, retail and telecommunications sectors.

Brent has been responsible for overseeing $1.6 billion growth in the visitor economy. He played a key role in launching the new global brand for South Australia and coordinated two global television campaigns and multiple digital programs that now see the southaustralia.com attracting over 6 million visitors annually. Brent has also managed several successful marketing partnerships with platforms such as the Project, MasterChef Australia and Sports Illustrated. In 2018, Brent was recognized as #21 on the CMO50 list of Australia’s top marketers and will be speaking about public sector strategic communication in Canberra this May.

Discussed in this episode:

Getting recognised as a top 50 CMO
Being digital native, and taking risks in government
Creating a point of difference
The power of authenticity
Pushing the creative limits of social media
Informing instead of promoting
Making content ‘snackable’
Using data to increase consumer value
An insight into the ROI metrics used by South Australia Tourism Commission.
Brent’s tips for effective communication within government

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EP#32: Improving outcome measurement in Government, with Mark Hocknell

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 03:38:31 GMT

Mark Hocknell has over 25 years of experience in corporate management, consulting and academia. He has completed his Masters degree in Business Administration at the Queensland University of Technology and has developed two business courses which he has now been teaching for 8 years. Beyond Mark’s experience teaching and consulting, he is also a member of the Industry Advisory Board Griffith University.

Mark has an established skill-set relating to performance measurement processes and evidence-based leadership. In 2015, Mark was appointed the Australasian partner for PuMP, a performance measurement process employed globally by over 40 organisations. Mark consistently runs workshops and speaks publicly about the importance of evidence-based approaches to outcome measurement. He will be in several cities throughout May, hosting workshops on how communicators can better measure outcome-based approaches in Government.

Discussed in this episode:

The essential steps required for measuring an outcome
Learning to define a vague concept or objective
An introduction to the PuMP methodology
Focusing on improvements over outcomes and setting measurable targets
The 8 steps of PuMP
Why what is observable is measurable
The challenges of adopting any new methodology
Where to learn more about PuMP and upcoming workshops

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EP#31: Leveraging influencers and media, with Eleanor Dean

Mon, 15 Apr 2019 06:19:14 GMT

Eleanor is the General Manager of Outreach and Capacity Building at the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). She has worked in a range of management roles, from strategic marketing and communication to Director of public affairs. Her previous places of employment include the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Australian Tax Office and Department of Environment and Heritage.

A communications honours graduate from the University of Canberra, Eleanor has worked in public affairs and communications for the Australian Government for more than 23 years, on a range of issues including heritage, pollution, natural resource management, biodiversity, arts, education and training and superannuation.

One of Eleanor’s more recent campaigns has been broadcast on the SBS Food Network, aiming to promote awareness about the ACIAR. The television program titled "The Good Cooks" sent influencers to key ACIAR sites and aimed to promote current initiatives. The program was massively successful reaching over 2 million people, leveraging media platforms and influencers.

Discussed in the episode:

Building a big public profile for a small government department
Rallying ministerial support for a high-risk campaign
The importance of communicating without advertising
Getting the balance right: editorial control and entertainment value
How social media and influencers helped Eleanor reach over 2 million people
Evaluating the campaign: reach vs awareness
Weighing up the risk and reward of ambitious, creative campaigns
Managing social media backlash
Current ACIAR work and where you can check out Eleanor’s program: "The Good Cooks’’

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EP#30: Social problems & digital solutions, with Jenny Riley

Mon, 01 Apr 2019 05:15:08 GMT

Jenny is an experienced producer of data management systems and data dashboard solutions for social change. Her skills relate to co-design, delivery and evaluation of collaborations, working with complex and wicked social problems. These include poverty, homelessness, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and development, school to work transitions and school readiness in vulnerable communities.

Jenny has over 20 years’ experience in the social sector and has previously worked for leading NGO’s such as Oxfam and Plan International. She currently works as a Digital Transformation Lead at Clear Horizon, and is a Non Executive Director at Eating Disorders Victoria. She is trained in a range of reporting and communication formats to engage and mobilise communities and stakeholders. She is also a sought-after facilitator and trainer working to improve knowledge and skills in the areas of design and evaluation, especially in cross-sector collaborations.

Discussed in this episode:

The importance of simplicity in communication
Preparing an evaluation checklist
The qualities of a good evaluator
The shifting focus from output to outcomes
The impact of technology on change measurement
Making data work for us (and not vice versa)
Developing a toolkit for social change
Avoiding data overwhelm
Resources for those who want to learn more

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Ep#29: Government to Client. Measuring the effectiveness of experiences, with Jo’Anne Langham

Mon, 18 Mar 2019 04:21:11 GMT

Jo’Anne Langham is an experienced independent consultant with a strong background working in public policy. Her capabilities include human-centred design, statistical data analysis, and public administration. Jo’Anne holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) focused on economic psychology - tax compliance at the University of Queensland.

She formerly worked as a Senior Director of Corporate Research and Intelligence at the Australian Taxation Office where she created a professional social research capability. She has also acted as a Governance Review Lead responsible for managing stakeholder relationships and the design of new operating models.

Jo’Anne’s latest Ph.D. work has investigated citizen experience measurement from a public sector perspective. Her framework titled ‘XE Heuristics’ looks at measuring the effectiveness of client and citizen focussed design.

Discussed in this episode:

The origins of citizen focused experience design
Government adoption of a citizen-focussed approach
The importance of measuring and modifying design
Developing metrics for client experiences
An introduction to Jo’Anne’s experience measurement framework
Creating customer journey maps
Using the framework to improve public sector outcomes

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Ep#28: Corporate Affairs and Content. A Regulatory Perspective, with Matthew Abbott

Mon, 04 Mar 2019 04:45:07 GMT

Matthew Abbott, Senior Executive Leader – Corporate Affairs. Matthew is head of media, government relations, internal communications, publications and the internet at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

Before joining ASIC in 2010, Matthew was a director of a public affairs consultancy, held a senior corporate affairs role with global shopping centre company, the Westfield Group, been an adviser to Joe Hockey in the Howard Government and worked for several NSW Liberal leaders. He has also worked as a financial journalist in the United Kingdom and started his career as a staff reporter with the Australian Financial Review.

Matthew has a Bachelor of Commerce (UNSW) and a Master of Public Affairs (Sydney University). He also lectures on media and political campaigning in a masters program at Sydney University.

Discussed in todays episode:

Influencing behavior from a corporate affairs position
How self-sufficient regulators are regarding media and communications output
Measuring communications progress towards a strategic objective
How is the regulatory communications environment is changing
The shared challenges amongst regulatory communicators
Managing the media spotlight on the Royal Banking Commission
The right stories to tell
Advice for government communicators

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Ep#27: Strengthening Government Communications. How and Why, with Sheena Ireland

Mon, 18 Feb 2019 21:49:25 GMT

Sheena Ireland is the founder and director of communications consultancy: Specialists in Communications. She has held senior communications positions in government and industry, including areas such as science and research, automotive, arts and sport. Her 16 years’ experience working with government and industry includes working as the Director of Stakeholder Relations at the Australian Research Council, Media Adviser to a Federal Government Cabinet Minister and Communications Manager for the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.

Sheena has spoken at government and small business conferences and seminars on the importance of communications strategy, the power of social media and the need for stakeholder engagement in any communications plan. She has also facilitated panel and ‘in-conversation’ discussions on meaningful connection, our quest for happiness, and mental health and wellbeing.

Discussed in this episode:

The impact of changing technology on government communications
How pace and efficiency are impacting communication
Why communicators should always have a seat at the table
An introduction to Sheena’s new platform: Our Comms Network
Sheena’s advice for all government communicators
The future direction of government communications

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Ep#26: THE SOCIAL MEDIA LITMUS TEST, WITH BARBARA WALSH

Mon, 04 Feb 2019 06:00:00 GMT

Barbara Walsh is a Senior Lecturer and Program Director in the Faculty of Arts and Design at the University of Canberra. Her specialised teaching and research interests lie in areas of integrated learning, social responsibility and corporate and strategic communication.

Barbara’s 25-year career in public relations and corporate communications, also includes working as an Account Director for PR Consultancies in Sydney and London, managing her own consultancy in Sydney and several senior-level roles in the Australian Public Service.

Discussed in this episode:

Is effective social media engagement a litmus test for how well communicators can do their job? And how this reflects on the intent of an organisation to engage with citizens. Social media is a fast way to directly engage with citizens. But requires two-way trust and access to the right people for approval and support.
The characteristics of good communicators are those who are agile, opportunistic, have strong personal characteristics, and can engage at senior levels.
How entrenched views in senior levels of bureaucracy coupled with an increasing demand for transparency with citizens, means communicators need to argue their case for social media channels as part of the suite of channels.
UC is helping create career ready graduates with practical integrated learning, providing students with relevant education while embedding them in practical industry environments.
Academics need to stay on top of changes and stay ahead of students, and industry needs to stay relevant and continue moving towards specialisations. This changes the way academics teach and the way degrees are built as students move into evolving communications roles.
And, the age-old challenge of embedding communications at the start of the process. Speaking the language of senior executives - risk appetite, governance, benefits – and the need to reshape how we talk about the role of communicators. For example, look at how behavioural scientists are taking on a communications role and establishing credibility. Can communicators create credibility using tools or methodology?

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Ep# 25: Bridging the trust divide, with Mark Evans

Mon, 21 Jan 2019 23:23:46 GMT

Professor Mark Evans (PhD) is Director of Democracy 2025 and Professor of Governance at the Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis.

Mark is an expert in the study and practice of governance and policy analysis.

He has a long track record of achievement in developing high quality, values-driven, knowledge institutions built around outstanding research with policy impact, relevant professional development programs, and creative partnerships with governance actors with a common commitment to delivering policy and leadership which delivers genuine public value.

“Democracy 2025 – bridging the trust divide” is a unique collaboration between MoAD and foundation partner UC-IGPA that will see a centre established at the spiritual home of Australian Democracy, Old Parliament House, that will generate research, education and practice to enhance the quality of democratic engagement.

It will bring together academic study and debate with public engagement opportunities such as events and exhibitions to investigate and experiment with what works in terms of renewing our representative system of government and facilitate evidenced-based cross partisan conversations on how to improve our democratic practices.

Discussed in this episode:

Communication is the oxygen of any organisation
The complexity for modern government, is that there is no one audience
We’re in a different era of government and it’s so important for the Australian Public Service to win hearts and minds and engage in better storytelling about the great work that it does
We need a great diversity in the workforce in order to understand the different channels of communication that will have any impact
If current trends continue no more than 10% of Australians will trust their politicians and political institutions

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Ep #24: May I have your attention please, with Simon Troeth

Tue, 11 Dec 2018 00:50:52 GMT

Simon Troeth is Director – Media at the Minerals Council of Australia.

He has a long and distinguished career in both the media and politics.

Simon started his career as a print journalist, working for the Herald Sun and several other newspapers before moving in to politics where he spent 15 years working for state and federal politicians and was the Principal Media Adviser to the Premier of Victoria.

He has also had several roles as media and policy advisers and was the Director of Strategic Communication for the Victorian Department of Justice.

Simon has worked for three industry and has also worked as a consultant specialising in communications and government relations strategies.

Discussed in this episode:

How communication has changed over the last 30 years
The growing nature of immediacy and personalization in how we consume media
Government has acknowledged the need to get closer with their audience
Important behaviours to follow when interacting with journalists
How to make an effective pitch
What’s more important, getting your own channels right or interacting with the media effectively?

Government sometimes operate inside out, they think ‘this is important, they need to hear this’ instead of asking ‘what do they need to hear?’
The importance of understanding how your audience perceives your organisation

Why evaluation is one of the best investments you can make as a communicator
How to attract and retain audience attention

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Ep #23: Using storytelling to communicate effectively, with Shawn Callahan

Tue, 27 Nov 2018 03:44:33 GMT

Shawn Callahan is the founder of Anecdote and one of the world’s leading business storytelling teachers and advisors.

He started his career in technology with companies including Oracle and IBM, before he founded Anecdote in 2004.

Anecdote helps leaders and sellers be better oral storytellers and assists corporations deliver on their strategies using stories.

Most recently Shawn published his book PUTTING STORIES TO WORK. At its heart, this book provides a process for becoming a good business storyteller.

Discussed in this episode:

Why storytelling is an effective communication approach
What makes a good story
Three focus areas for organisations to use storytelling
How you can become better at telling stories in an organisational setting
How to decide what information you should put in a story
Why you should never use the word story
How to measure the impact of the value of storytelling in your organisation

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Ep #22: Inserting creativity into storytelling, with Josie Khng

Mon, 12 Nov 2018 21:31:28 GMT

Josie Khng joined the contentgroup team in January 2018 as one of its strategists. Prior to her move to Australia, she was head of social media at global creative agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty in Singapore.

She has a wealth of global brand experience and has led award-winning creative campaigns for IKEA.

Now she focuses on developing creative strategies and content for her government and public sector clients.

Discussed in this episode:

The future of social media and how the entertainment in storytelling can guide government communication
Ways to capture your audience’s time
Why personas are a must
Examples of successful creative government campaigns
How to structure your communication team
Key takeaways for government storytelling

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Ep #21: How should you engage with reporters, with Andrew Bell

Tue, 06 Nov 2018 03:39:17 GMT

Andrew Bell is an ABC producer and reporter in the ACT. He worked for the BBC and commercial radio in Wales before moving to Australia in 1988.

In Australia, he has reported and produced news bulletins and documentaries for regional and metropolitan commercial television, Reuters and the ABC in Sydney and Melbourne.

Andrew discusses the evolving world of media and how technology is changing the profession.

Discussed in this episode:

What are reporters looking for when you call to pitch them your story?
What time of the day is best?
How is technology changing the way newsrooms behave?
What will give you your best chance of having your story run?

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Ep #20: Creating your DIY newsroom, with Stuart Howie

Mon, 29 Oct 2018 03:08:02 GMT

Stuart Howie, author, communications and media consultant, journalist and speaker shares with us insights and strategies from his latest book, The DIY Newsroom.

Stuart draws on the principles and practices of newsrooms. Why newsrooms? Well, newsrooms are at the top of the content food chain - information is their reason for being.

Stuart knows a thing or two about newsrooms, having transformed newsrooms across a 30-year career as an editor and journalist, including time as editorial director for Fairfax Regional Media.

Discussed in this episode:

What editorial operations that impacts a nation looks like. And the parts you can take and tailor to your own operations.
The power of acting SMART™. What it is and how you can control your message for maximum impact.
Future proofing your comms strategy for 2019
Essentials for authentic stakeholder engagement
Building diversity into an engaging strategy that converts

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Ep #19: The evolution of communication and leadership, with Adrian Cropley

Mon, 22 Oct 2018 19:00:00 GMT

As one of the leading and most experienced communicators in Australia, Adrian Cropley shares with us the growing functionality of combining communication and business and the role that plays in successful leadership.

With over 20 years’ experience, Adrian has worked with a number of Fortune 500 companies in areas such as change management, crisis management and strategic communication. From this, he has perfected the skills required to be a professional communicator and build strong teams.

Described as the “friendliest man in the [comms] game”, this a great listen to better your leadership skills, working towards creating a healthy, functioning and strong comms team!

Discussed in this episode:

The functionality of strategic communication in the late 2010s
Turning everyone in your organisation into a pro communicator
The evolution of communication and leadership
When two worlds collide - business and communication
Building the ‘comms team of tomorrow’
The damage of the 24/7 news cycle on comms in government
Building authenticity, stability and trust into your comms strategy

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Ep #18: How Project Management can transform your communication strategy, with Geoff Fisher

Mon, 15 Oct 2018 22:16:04 GMT

This week we present an exclusive interview with Geoff Fisher, contentgroup’s Client Services Manager, about the application of Phase One and Two of our Content Communication Framework.

Taking you behind the scenes of how contentgroup operates, we explore the future of strategic communication and what it means for government.

This week’s episode breaks down myths that surround comms teams, injecting project management and strategic thinking into communication and increasing your stakeholder engagement. Most importantly, Geoff outlines not only the ‘why’ but also ‘how’, through the Framework, this is achievable.

If you enjoyed today’s episode or have any questions email: info@contentgroup.com.au

Also discussed in this episode:

The future of government communication
How to successfully start a communication strategy
Why communication is important throughout, not just at the end
Injecting comms into the policy team
Comms as more than the ‘Colouring-in Department’
Keeping the audience involved and informed

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Ep #17: Using empathy and storytelling to connect with your audience, with Robert Rose Part 2

Mon, 08 Oct 2018 19:00:00 GMT

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This week we are excited to release Part 2 of our interview with Robert Rose, a leader in the content marketing space. As well as leading a consultancy firm of his own, most recently Robert Rose was the host of Content Marketing World.

Continuing from Part 1, in this episode Robert shares with us the creation of strategic content, focusing on the implementation of empathy and storytelling to capture your audience’s attention. Alarmingly, the tools and solutions Robert provides are a lot simpler than you may think!

If you missed Part 1 make sure to find it wherever you listen to podcasts.

Discussed in Part 2:

Putting your content strategy to use, effectively
Creating goals and actually reaching them
The power of stepping away from technology
Finding empathy and following it through
Learning what your audience wants and delivering that

Learn more and register to our Masterclass.

Discussed in Part 1:

Driving emotion and empathy to break through the noise
Creating scalable content
Creating an evidence-based case for a content strategy
The tools to build and evaluate your content strategy
Distributing content in a timely manner
“Culture eats strategy for breakfast”

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Ep #16: Creating a content strategy to impress your boss, with Robert Rose Part 1

Mon, 01 Oct 2018 20:00:00 GMT

TAKE PART IN OUR AUDIENCE SURVEY AND WIN!

This week we are excited to share with you Part 1 of our interview with Robert Rose, a founder and guru in the content marketing space. Through the release of his book ‘Managing Content Marketing’, co-written with Joe Pulizzi, the concept of strategic media came to be.

In this episode, Robert shares insights into how the world of content marketing is changing, the tools for us as communicators to stay ahead and the growing role of content in organisations.

Make sure to subscribe for Part 2 when we explore implementing your content strategy, furthering our discussion on empathy and the importance of taking a break while everything changes so rapidly.

Discussed in Part 1:

Driving emotion and empathy to break through the noise
Creating scalable content
Creating an evidence-based case for a content strategy
The tools to build and evaluate your content strategy
Distributing content in a timely manner
“Culture eats strategy for breakfast”

Learn more and register to our Masterclass.

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Ep #15: Breaking down silos, making room for communication, with Stephanie McCormick

Mon, 24 Sep 2018 20:00:00 GMT

To let your communication strategy flourish, you need to get everyone involved. On this week’s episode, we talk with leading social media specialist Stephanie McCormick from the Australian Catholic University (ACU) on how to get your whole organisation involved in communication.

A big part of Stephanie’s role is to find how to get everyone involved and break down traditional silos. Learn how she expressed the worth of comms and used all resources available, using digital communication to solve problems.

This week is a very valuable listen for all social media managers and specialists. Stay till the end for Stephanie’s advice on removing yourself from social media and step away from the computer!

Discussed in this episode:

Digital communication to solve problems
Applying law skills to the practice of communication
Breaking down silos – telling your company story is everyone’s role
University tactics applicable to the public sector
Combining traditional media with digital
Making the most of free digital tools and platforms
Top 5 tips for all social media managers

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Ep #14: Strategic communication and gamification, where two worlds collide, with Kerstin Oberprieler

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 20:00:00 GMT

What do you know about ‘gamification’? This week on GovComms we talk with Kerstin Oberprieler, a leading expert in the field, about what it means for the future of government communication and audience engagement.

While it may appear as an odd concept, it’s something that's always been around us. Whether it’s frequent flyer miles, points at your favourite retailer or your Fitbit, gamified systems are all around you. And what Kerstin and her company PentaQuest are trying to achieve is integrating it into much more than just a loyalty system and audience engagement.

More than just sharing photos and videos, gamification engages your audience and embeds them into your content giving them a personal, hands-on experience. Find out how the inner-workings of gamification fit perfectly into strategic communication by looking at specific Australian Government examples.

Discussed in this episode:

Government and gamification, where two worlds collide
The similarities between strategic gamification and communication
What gamification looks like in the real world – online and offline
Government examples of gamification to reach niche, specific audiences
Gamification as a tool to enhance external and internal communication

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Ep #13: Knowing what your audience wants through effective measurement (MASTERCLASS)

Tue, 11 Sep 2018 00:37:07 GMT

Another episode in our solo masterclass series, this week David takes you through the processes of ‘measurement and evaluation’ within the contentgroup Content Communication Methodology.

Though the benefits are apparent, this process is often left till last minute or left out completely. This episode addresses a variety of the misconceptions that are held against measurement and ways to start implementing measurement in your own projects.

Some benefits include the ability to target your audience better, communicate with stakeholders effectively, create and track goals and objectives, and using the information gathered to improve future projects.

“We test, and we learn, in service of our audience.”

Liked today's episode? Register to our Content Communication Masterclasses to learn firsthand the value of measurement and evaluation in government communication.

Discussed in this episode:

The growing streams for communication
Measurement and evaluation as a tool to increase capability
A step-by-step guide to implementing M&E
Audience as priority one, two and three
M&E as spending more time now to spend less time later

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Ep #12: Using 'Gen Z' to drive future innovation, with Claire Madden

Mon, 03 Sep 2018 20:00:00 GMT

While today they might just be at school or mastering streaks on Snapchat, one day the youth of today will be the leaders of tomorrow. And unlike the generations before them, 70% of these future professions and career paths don’t even exist yet.

But what’s more shocking is they’re more than prepared for such an occurrence and ready to face this task as it comes. While there is uncertainty in what this change will bring, they already know what change looks like and how to navigate it.

This week we’re joined by Claire Madden, author of Hello Gen Z and social researcher on generational engagement. Claire explores with David the technological cultural shift and what we as communicators can learn from these leaders of tomorrow though still young today.

Discussed in this episode:

Generational change and how Gen Z broke the mould
The material and technological impact on Gen Z
What technology has done to how people learn, research and communicate
Ways government and the public sector can utilise the skills and abilities of Gen Z
Gen Z are born knowing the rules of social media engagement
Advice to effectively communicate and talk with Gen Z

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Ep #11: How to effectively measure the stories you’re telling, with Todd Wheatland

Mon, 27 Aug 2018 20:00:00 GMT

Todd Wheatland is no stranger to the world of content; he’s had leading roles in strategy for agencies such as Isentia, KellyOCG and King Content as well as a variety of boutique operations for over a decade.

As an early player in the game, this week Todd shares with us the insights he’s gathered from years of experiences and provides you with the tips you need to become the best content communicator you can be.

If you’re lucky enough to be heading to Content Marketing World in Cleveland, Ohio next week keep an eye for him and say g’day and tell him you enjoyed the episode!

Discussed in this episode

Case study: how content drives change management
Thinking outside the box and breaking the rules to achieve the best outcome
How to measure stories
The power of the media to reach your greater audience
Using data and measurement to create content that grabs attention
Skills from the private sector that are applicable for public
Insights into what to expect from Content Marketing World 2018

You can find Todd Wheatland no LinkedIn here.

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Ep #10: One woman, managing half a million social media followers, with Jenna Bradwell from the University of Sydney

Mon, 20 Aug 2018 23:49:26 GMT

Supporting an audience of over half a million people is a gigantic task, especially when you have such a diverse crowd following you. For the University of Sydney, this is the exact challenge they face daily; students, international visitors, alumni and academics all coming for a unique experience.

The secret of managing it all? Jenna Bradwell, the one woman social media team.

This week on GovComms, Jenna Bradwell, their Social Media Specialist, takes you behind the scenes of the University of Sydney’s social media ‘team’ and shares with us how she alone manages their entire social presence.

Sometimes less is more; a must listen for all social media managers and directors.

Discussed in this episode:

Building a social media skillset
Importance of knowing your audience and how to find out
Ways to get your whole organisation involved in content creation
How to control and listen to a large, diverse audience
Creating a strong social media presence, mastering one channel at a time
Skipping social media tools and measuring yourself, FOR FREE

Find contentgroup on Twitter.

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Ep #09: Building capability in your communication team

Mon, 13 Aug 2018 20:00:00 GMT

This week on GovComms we explore the biggest problems being faced in government communication, but more importantly, we provide answers to solve them.

Through a research partnership at the Australia National University and the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, contentgroup has been developing an evidence-based methodology to solve governments biggest communication challenges.

Designed to increase capability internally, this special episode takes you behind the scenes of contentgroup and how we plan to change government communication.

Discussed in this episode:

The biggest challenges in government communication
The purpose of effective communication in the public sector
From Sydney to Vienna, how our methodology went international
Restoring trust one government at a time
The power of storytelling in communication and policy development

You can learn more by visiting our website or getting in touch info@contentgroup.com.au.

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Ep #08: Strengthening internal communication in government, with Rita Zonius

Mon, 06 Aug 2018 20:00:00 GMT

This week on the podcast we explore the implementation of enterprise social media, or large-scale internal communication, with Rita Zonius, an international leader in internal communication.

After leaving ANZ in late-2017, Rita has become a leading consultant in the field and recognised internationally for her work in enterprise social networking. Under the alias The Enterprise Social Engineer she now works with brands around the world assisting them with all their internal comms needs!

Discussed in this episode:

What is enterprise social networking and why is important?
The increased efficiency from implementing internal social networks
Measuring risks and challenges in internal communication
Training your team in teamwork, not technology
Perfecting internal content, creating an internal narrative

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Ep #07 Digital trends and opportunity for government communication with Caroline Fisher

Tue, 31 Jul 2018 00:21:42 GMT

This week on GovComms we talk with Caroline Fisher,an Assistant Professor in journalism at the University of Canberra.

Caroline is a member of the News & Media Research Centre and co-author of the annual Digital News Report-Australia. Caroline is the recipient of the 2018 Anne Dunn Scholar Award and the 2017 Early Career Researcher Excellence Award in Humanities and the Creative Arts. In 2014 and 2017 Caroline was the recipient of a Vice Chancellor’s Award for excellence in teaching.

Today we discuss how to navigate changes in the digital landscape and what that means for communication professionals in government.

Discussed in this episode:

The changes in the way Australians communicate digitally
News literacy and consumption continues to rise in Australia
How to overcome the fear of not knowing what works
Social media remains as a popular tool for news consumption
The new skills for government communicators to engage citizens
Expanding your presence to assure you reach your whole audience
How to give citizens the information they want

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Ep #06: How to successfully navigate government communication, with Neryl East

Tue, 24 Jul 2018 00:08:48 GMT

This week on GovComms we talk with Neryl East, an experienced government communicator, about how to successfully and positively navigate change in our industry.

Starting her career in the late 1990s, Neryl has encountered many dramatic shifts in communication. Following the introduction of the internet and social media, Neryl was an early advocate for governments using online tools to connect directly with citizens and residents.

Today she shares tips with you on how to navigate such changes and approach your communication strategies to producing the best outcome.

Discussed in this episode:

Why the ability to write efficiently is the key tool to online communication
How to use curiosity to your own advantage
Tricks to keep up with changing digital trends
The connection between traditional media and modern communication
Don’t be reluctant to try new tools or technology
Seeking inspiration from local governments

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Ep #05: Live from ComCAN 2018; solving problems in government communication

Mon, 16 Jul 2018 20:00:00 GMT

Recently David presented at ComCAN, an event by the Department of Finance that explores communication challenges faced in the public sector and ways they can be solved.

Held quarterly, ComCAN is an opportunity for government communicators to network and work together to coordinate efforts in the communication space; this includes digital communication, social media and advancements in communication technology.

In this episode of GovComms we’re excited to share with you David’s presentation, providing you with the tools and information to assist you in navigating government communications in the 21st century.

For more updates on government communication find contentgroup on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

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Ep #04: How government communicators can successfully pitch to the media

Mon, 09 Jul 2018 20:00:00 GMT

This week we bring you a special episode of GovComms; a free masterclass on how-to pitch to the media. We provide you with the tools and know how to approach the media confidently.

No stranger to this practice, David spent ten years pitching stories as a journalist and several more doing the same thing from the other side. In this masterclass he shares this perfected approach and how you can now successfully get your story and your message in front of the media.

Be sure not to miss any future masterclasses and subscribe today.

Discussed in this episode:

The key steps to creating a great media pitch
What makes a good story?
Common mistakes to avoid when preparing your pitch
The right questions to create a successful media strategy
How to build a strong relationship with the media

For more updates on government communication find contentgroup on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

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Ep. #03: How to effectively engage citizens, with Damian Carmichael (DIIS)

Mon, 02 Jul 2018 20:00:00 GMT

Damian Carmichael is from the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science and leading in the development of a framework that will change how the Australian Government operates. Supporting the 2016-2018 and 2018-2020 Open Government National Plan, his role is to design and implement tools that will enhance public engagement and participation in policy development and delivery.

According to Damian, step one was to understand what problems that currently underly the Australian Government. His advice for such a large task? Google it. Find the experts of the field, find the papers that explore these problems and track these changes over time.

What Damian and his team found was the growing complexity in Australia’s political landscape specifically in policy and trust. So, what has Damian done to combat this? Find out in this week’s episode as David explores his four-step approach to engage citizens.

Discussed in this episode:

The importance of initial research
Looking to local and state level governments to find the answer to federal level problems
A four-step approach to engage citizens and restore trust
Breaking through barriers, whether they are culturally or capability based
The Ontario Provincial Government Engagement Framework
Tracking the prototype product
What this means for the future of the Australian Public Sector

Make sure to rate and subscribe!

If you'd like to learn more, get in touch via Twitter and LinkedIn.

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Ep #02: Freedom of information in government: the facts, with Peter Timmins

Mon, 25 Jun 2018 21:00:00 GMT

In 2015 Peter Timmins led the establishment of the Australian Open Government Partnership Network, an organisation designed to assist the government in their approach to open governance. As part of the multilateral Open Government Partnership, Peter shares with us behind-the-scenes of our involvement with the partnership and Australia’s open government future.

With a career spanning close to 30 years as a freedom of information lawyer, Peter has played significant roles in assisting government departments, both state and federal, in law and policy. These efforts were recognised in 2017 and was awarded the Press Freedom Medal by the Australian Press Council.

Discussed in this episode:

The history of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) and how Australia became involved
What the OGP is aiming to achieve and how Australia is moving towards those goals
The direction Australia is taking and shortcomings in our approach
How we can perfect this approach and using champions to do so
The use of storytelling to engage citizens and build trust in the community

Learn more about Australia's involvement with the Open Government Partnership.

Learn more about the Australian Open Government Partnership Network.

Make sure to rate and subscribe.

If you'd like to learn more, get in touch via Twitter and LinkedIn.

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Ep #01 Innovations in the future of government communication and contentgroup

Tue, 19 Jun 2018 00:20:48 GMT

Our rebranded GovComms podcast has launched and now's the time to share what's in store for you, the listener.

In this episode your host, David Pembroke, tells the story of contentgroup. Our Story.

From small beginnings, David shares how contentgroup took an idea and created a thriving government communication hub that serves municipal, state and federal governments, as well as governments worldwide.

Discussed in this episode:

How did we get here? From political journalism and a spark of an idea to a thriving communications agency.
What differentiates us at contentgroup and how our level of excellence in creating compelling content serves government agencies and departments.
Ways we can help you deliver a successful communication strategy that connects you with your citizens and community.
What our dedicated team of professionals are delivering to meet your objectives and requirements.
Big plans. What we are working on now and for the future.

Be sure to subscribe to GovComms, so you catch all our new episodes.

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Read more about best industry practices from our blog and weekly newsletter.

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ANNOUNCEMENT InTransition Rebrands to GovComms

Tue, 12 Jun 2018 00:48:37 GMT

Our InTransition Podcast has been sharing insights and innovations in government communication with global audiences since 2015.

In this episode your host, David Pembroke, shares some exciting news about the growth of the InTransition podcast.

We've had a makeover and it's not just cosmetic. You'll hear a little about why we rebranded and the exciting changes in store for future episodes.

Previous episodes from InTransition are archived and still available for you to listen to.

Be sure to subscribe to GovComms, so you catch all our new episodes.

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InTransition #151: The role of video in government marketing, w/ Shootsta CEO Mike Pritchett

Mon, 28 May 2018 22:33:55 GMT

On the podcast this week we talk to Mike Pritchett, CEO and co-founder of Shootsta, a video production agency in Sydney. Designed to empower brands and agencies to produce high-quality video, Shootsta supplies clients with an all-in-one visual studio in a single hard case and offers a 24-hour turnover.

Understanding the importance of delivering consistent and timely content, Mike shares with David the value of video production in 2018 and the power it has to connect brands with their audience.

With humble beginnings in Sydney, Shootsta is slowly taking over the world with a presence in Southeast Asia, North America and Europe. It’s no secret anymore that video is the future of marketing and Shootsta has taken a complex idea and simplified it. Learn more!

Discussed in this episode:

What is Shootsta and why is it important
The future of video production
The role of video to connect brands and agencies with their audience
While attention spans get smaller, video can only become more influential
Reasons to consider introducing video production to your media/publishing team

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#84: The future of open government in Australia, with Helen Owen

Mon, 21 May 2018 06:35:35 GMT

After recently celebrating Open Gov Week 2018 we thought we’d revisit this episode with Helen Owen, the then Principle Advisor on Public Data Policy at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Helen shares with David the importance of Australia joining the Open Government Partnership and what it means for citizens. Aiming to connect governments with their citizens, it’s a tool necessary to increase transparency, fight corruption and harness new technologies to increase efficiency.

Discussed in this episode:

How the Open Government Partnership increases stakeholder engagement
Involving policymakers in open governance
Managing citizen expectations and increasing participation
The Open Government Partnership and their presence overseas
The open data agenda and what it means for freedom of information

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InTransition #150: The strength of internal communications, with Kate Powl (Data61)

Mon, 14 May 2018 23:42:12 GMT

In the world of communication, there’s one rivalry bigger than them all: internal vs external communication.

The common belief is that external is superior simply because it’s what you use to communicate with your audience. But something we often forget is the crucial role internal plays. It may not be pleasing your audience, and instead gratifying your staff.

This week we talk with Kate Powl, Communications Manager at Data61. As a young agency attached to the CSIRO, Kate’s role has been to build a strong team internally to ensure a strong external presence. When your team is organised on the inside, the external output improves.

Discussed in this episode:

Storytelling through data and building Data61’s narrative
Building a strong audience though a young agency
The importance of incorporating digital and data experts into your teams
How crucial internal communications is for strong external results
Internal communications, more than just house keeping

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InTransition #149: The future of government and public participation, with Kylie Cochrane

Mon, 07 May 2018 20:00:00 GMT

Public participation (P2) is a core principle of contemporary politics and policy and is used to involve people and communities in problem-solving and decision-making discussions.

In order to understand the importance of P2, we talk with Kylie Cochrane this week on the role it plays in infrastructure projects, the future of P2 in the digital age and ways governments can do public participation effectively.

Both an International Board Member for the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) and the Global Lead for Communication and Stakeholder Engagement at Aurecon, Kylie is a bit of a rock star in the world of public participation.

Discussed in this episode:

Social Triangle Theory at the heart of infrastructure projects
Trust decreasing in Australia and how public participation can save it
Building a community and making them stay
Effectively using storytelling and creating a strong narrative
The future of IAP2 Australasia working with the United Nations

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InTransition #148: A government gone digital, with Dana Berchman

Mon, 30 Apr 2018 20:00:00 GMT

Originally nicknamed the ‘Hay Capital of the World’, the City of Gilbert is now a leading example of what it means for a government to go digital. Wanting to engage their residents, they struck gold finding one crucial aspect of their demographic – the average age of Gilbert is 32. Why is that important? Well, because they’re young and digitally aware.

Dana Berchman, Chief Digital Officer for the City of Gilbert, attributes this one factor to the success of Gilbert’s digital transition. Understanding where her audience was lead to using resources in a more efficient, measurable way and increased government transparency.

The City of Gilbert now boasts over 25 channels across all major platforms and over the last five years has even reached viral success. By giving her residents the ability to directly contact their government for news and updates has been a major success and an example of effective government communications.

Listen to David and Dana go into great detail of how the City of Gilbert turned into a digital hub known throughout North America.

Discussed in this podcast:

The demographics of Gilbert and how it pushed for digital reform
Building a digital roadmap – “Willing to try, willing to fail”
The importance of transparency and accountability in government and how social media helps
Drawing inspiration from New York City and their digital presence
How storytelling strengthened Gilbert’s community
A local governments responsibility to its residents

Read Case Study: The City of Gilbert.

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#83: Delivering stakeholder engagement, with Rachael Sweeney

Mon, 23 Apr 2018 23:03:19 GMT

Rachael Sweeney is the Director of Collective Position, a boutique communications agency that specialises in stakeholder engagement. Collective Position pride themselves on bringing clients closer together.

With her extensive experience in the field, hear Rachael and David discuss the importance of stakeholder engagement and how you can build your own skills today.

Collective Position has worked with local governments across Australia as well as Wine Victoria. Rachael studied public relations with a politics major at Deakin University before starting a career in government and stakeholder relations, working on two major rail infrastructure projects in Victoria.

Discussed in this podcast:

Perfecting government communications
How to find stakeholders and mapping their influence
Transparency with antagonistic stakeholders
Tips on delivering information
Managing the consultation process
Getting the public’s attention early with content

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This episode was originally aired November, 2016

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InTransition #147: Tourism Australia gets creative at Super Bowl LII, with Lisa Ronson

Mon, 16 Apr 2018 19:00:00 GMT

Lisa Ronson is the Chief Marketing Officer at Tourism Australia. With extensive history in marketing, Lisa brought a unique approach to her position after working alongside national and international brands. This includes Carlton & United Breweries, Visa, David Jones and Westpac.

At the start of the year, Tourism Australia disguised a movie trailer for a Crocodile Dundee reboot as the launch for the next tourism campaign. Aiming to target high-end consumers in the USA, Lisa takes us behind the scenes of getting the $36m project off the ground and what the future holds for Brian Dundee.

Discussed in this episode:

National branding and marketing Australia
Value behind building personas
Tracking audiences and putting them at the heart of planning
Tourism Australia shifting focus from southeast Asia consumers to US
The results of the campaign – 250,000 mentions on social media, and more
What happens next to Brian Dundee

Watch the trailer here. And watch the ad here.

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#105: Online citizen engagement for local government. with Martyn Wallace

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 20:00:00 GMT

Martyn Wallace is the Chief Digital Officer for the Scottish Local Government Digital Office, aiming to assist local Scottish Governments in their digital transformation. Similar to what the DTA is doing nationally in Australia, SLGDO seeks to do the same but for regional and rural Scottish councils and citizens.

In this episode of InTransition, Martyn speaks with David about the challenges of coordinating change across multiple local government bodies and the importance of continuing to move forward digitally to engage and inform citizens.

Noting the negatives we have seen when private companies have not embraced the digital transition (Woolworths UK, Blockbuster etc.), Martyn discusses the role digital media plays in connecting citizens with their government, especially those outside major cities.

Discussed in this episode:

The growing need for government communications
Using digital media to connect citizens with their governments
Convincing local governments the importance of going digital
What happens when you don’t go digital
The role content plays in transitioning from traditional to digital
Creating the comms team of the future
Transitioning from the private sector to the public

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Read more about best industry practices from our blog and weekly newsletter.

This episode originally aired April 2017.

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InTransition #97: Open government data: building trust and engagement

Mon, 02 Apr 2018 23:18:30 GMT

Amelia Loye is the Founder and Managing Director of engage2, an organisation aiming to "help governments understand and engage with people and organisations in their community." At times, it’s hard to trust all the information we’re fed which is where Amelia's role of building trust between governments and communities comes in.

Hear Amelia discuss with David how open data and “data from [the] community” are important ways to help shape and design government services and policies. At the heart of her work is building trust and reliability among all stakeholders.

Discussed in this episode:

The Open Government movement
The expectation of transparency in today’s political climate
Making information more accessible to the public
Using creative treatments to engage
Reaching people “where they are”
What skills are needed to reach citizens
Campaigns vs conversations
How to get your management’s support
Data about community, and data from community
Distributing data to the broader government
Building trust: change the conversation from consultation to participation

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InTransition 146: Genevieve Bell and the future of AI

Mon, 26 Mar 2018 19:00:00 GMT

This week we bring you a special episode of InTransition, a one-on-one discussion with Genevieve Bell, cultural anthropologist and leading expert in artificial intelligence.

Following her PhD in anthropology from Stanford University in 1998, Genevieve was offered a job at Intel through a chance meeting with a man in a bar at Palo Alto in 1998. This man in question had contacts at Intel who were busy setting up a social science research lab at the time and Genevieve was introduced to the world of anthropology in the high-tech industry. While Genevieve initially turned down this offer, as she was on track for tenure at Stanford, she later accepted.

With a career spanning 20 years, Genevieve is now back in Canberra as a professor at the Australian National University. She has founded the Autonomy, Agency and Assurance Institute (3Ai), seeking to advance Australia’s knowledge of artificial intelligence and its role in the future.

Discussed in this episode:

Genevieve’s humble beginnings on anthropology sites around Australia and the world
Her curiosity for change
Her life growing up and the influence it had on her field of study
“Accidentally” liking anthropology and later pursuing her PhD in that field
Looking at her transition from working towards tenure at Stanford to corporate life at Intel
A look at Silicon Valley in the late 1990s
The importance of cultural anthropology in technology
The role empathy plays in leadership and innovation
People always come first, “if it isn’t meaningful, it doesn’t matter”
“Why” is more powerful than “what”
The future of AI

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InTransition 89: How local governments can market themselves, with Shannah Hayley

Mon, 19 Mar 2018 19:00:00 GMT

What do you do when a reality TV show takes the name of your town and uses it in a not-so savoury comment? Steer into the mess and use it as free publicity (and make the most of a Taylor Swift.gif).

Shannah Hayley, Director of Marketing and Community Engagement for the city of Plano, TX, found this tactic useful in 2016 when a cast member of the Real Housewives of Dallas compared the city to an uncomfortable conversation. Knowing all eyes were on her, she used the opportunity to raise awareness for Plano, turning "it's a little Plano in here" into part of a clever marketing campaign.

Hear David and Shannah discuss how local governments can benefit from such events and how content marketing can be used to increase social awareness for government.

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Read more about best industry practices from our blog and weekly newsletter.

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InTransition 94: Understanding your audience with Virginia Haussegger

Mon, 12 Mar 2018 19:00:00 GMT

Initially aired in January 2017, today we hear Virginia Haussegger, highly regarded Australian journalist and champion for women's rights, discuss the importance of understanding your audience and using that knowledge to communicate from their perspective.

With three decades experience in presenting for Nine, Seven and the ABC, Virginia is no stranger to audience-centric communication, having built a strong reputation for her approach to news broadcasting.

In this podcast they discuss:

The Order of Australia
Dramatic changes in the news media
The post-truth world
How narrowcasting can be bad for the consumer
Everyone needs to be a communicator, not just the comms team
The continued use of formal language and jargon in government
The first question you should ask at a press conference
Understand your audience – stand in their shoes

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InTransition 56: QLD Police on crisis management and social media, with James Kliemt

Mon, 05 Mar 2018 19:00:00 GMT

This week on the podcast we reach into the vault to present an interview with James Kliemt, former Senior Digital Media Officer for Queensland Police, and discuss the role of social media plays in crisis management.

After launching the Queensland Police Services Facebook page without a policy or plan in place, Queensland Police Service is now close to one million likes (population of QLD is 4.5 million). Though a risky move, especially as a government body, it has paid off and during the Brisbane floods of 2011, it was a valuable asset to assuring the safety of many Australians.

If you're interested in reading further on the topic of government social media here's a piece touching on similar topics: The Importance of Social Media for Government.

We hope you enjoy this episode, originally released April of 2016.

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InTransition 145: Daryl Karp part 2, applying media rules to marketing

Mon, 26 Feb 2018 19:00:00 GMT

In part 2 of our interview with Daryl Karp, Director of the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House (MoAD), we learn how to take a skillset from one profession and apply it to another. Before MoAD, Daryl enjoyed a rich career in media; having held high positions in both the ABC and SBS (where she is still currently Non-Executive Director).

Since arriving at MoAD, Daryl has brought the museum to life. Today we learn from Daryl how she’s built a team rich in generalised and specialised skills; a real digital team of the future.

Discussed in this episode:

Taking your skills from media to marketing
The media and museums have a lot in common
Building a strong audience
The importance of digital transitioning
Celebrating success rather than fixate on mistakes

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InTransition 144: Daryl Karp part 1, selling offline experiences online

Mon, 19 Feb 2018 23:18:40 GMT

In part 1 of our interview with Daryl Karp, Director of the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House (MoAD) we explore the idea of selling an offline experience online. Though the internet initially damaged the museum sector in late 1990s and early 2000s, over the years audiences have begun making their way back in to museums and cultural buildings to experience history, ideas and art face-to-face, rather than behind a phone screen.

MoAD has used this resurgence in the importance of the hands-on experience as a tool to reconnect Australians with their political and national identity. Through clever marketing across their social channels to engage their users beyond likes, comments and shares, MoAD is an example of how to reconfigure the offline experience, once considered obsolete, to make it meaningful in the digital age.

Daryl is an experienced media communicator having worked in the industry for over 20s years with positions including Head of Factual Programs at the ABC and Non-Executive Director for SBS.

Discussed in this episode:

How to launch a museum in the 2010s
Building an engaging experience, offline and online
Reintroducing politics into education
Trial and error behind building strong engaging content
The growing want from consumers to experience physical experiences
Engaging an educated population

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InTransition 143: Effective measurement and evaluation, with Phil Lynch

Mon, 12 Feb 2018 19:00:00 GMT

Phil is an early pioneer of social insight techniques, now with over 20 years’ experience in media measurement and evaluation. Currently the Managing Director of Newton Insights in London, Phil provides insights into how we can effectively start using measurement ourselves and overcome common fears of mass-data evaluation.

Throughout his career Phil has built an impressive portfolio having devised insight programmes for large international organisations and brands such as GSK, Pfizer, Diageo, Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Moet Hennessy, Burberry, Airbus Group, Dubai Holding, the International Olympics Committee and the Council of the European Union.

And what's even better, he's sharing his email if you have any further M&E questions: philip.lynch@newton.net

Discussed in this episode:

The value of measurement and evaluation in communications
How to effectively start using M&E yourself
Questions to ask to put M&E in place when approaching new tasks and projects
What you can do to avoid data fatigue
The role of the internet in advancements of M&E
The use of focus groups in the digital age
Ensuring privacy in M&E and practice
The future of M&E

What is content communication? It is a strategic, measurable, and accountable business process that relies on the creation, curation, and distribution of useful, relevant, and consistent content. The purpose is to engage and inform a specific audience in order to achieve a desired citizen and/or stakeholder action. That is the practice and the process of content communication.

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Read more about best industry practices from our blog and weekly newsletter.

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InTransition 142: One-on-one with Eddie Jones, England Rugby Union coach

Mon, 05 Feb 2018 19:00:00 GMT

This week we bring you a special edition of the InTransition podcast. In late 2017 contentgroup CEO and InTransition host David Pembroke travelled to the UK to announce the news that Eddie Jones, coach of the English rugby union team, would be joining contentgroup in an ambassador role.

At a private event held at the Hilton London Tower Bridge, David and Eddie sat down to have chat about what’s at the heart of elite performance and how to build a strong team. Having travelled the world coaching culturally diverse teams, Eddie’s approach comes down to strategic planning, cultural understanding and mutual respect.

Presented first to an audience made up of an impressive mix of senior business leaders, diplomats, professional sports administrators and communication experts, now it’s your turn to draw insights from the man himself and use them to inform your own approach to leadership.

InTransition 141: Understanding cyber security with Laura Bell, CEO of SafeStack

Mon, 29 Jan 2018 19:00:00 GMT

This week we are joined by cyber security professional Laura Bell, CEO of New Zealand-based boutique security firm SafeStack. Aiming to provide her clients with a better understanding of cyber security and the risks we face, Laura shares with us tips on being as secure as possible in the digital age.

As people continue to live their whole lives online, our personal information has never been more vulnerable. SafeStack’s aim is to teach teams and individuals how to better protect their information; to decrease the fear of what might happen.

Topics discussed in this episode:

The role cyber security plays in the 21st century
Information protection
Delving into the unknown world of hacking
Accepting that it’s okay to be vulnerable
The importance of training staff to know how to behave online
Why you should celebrate success
What we can learn from illegal hacking
Reasons to consider building a generalised team

Find contentgroup on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Read more about best industry practices from our blog and weekly newsletter.

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InTransition 99: the power of personal storytelling, with Sonya Sandham

Mon, 22 Jan 2018 19:00:00 GMT

Happy New Year and welcome to 2018! To kick the year off while our host Mr. Pembroke is enjoying his time off we're going to be playing our most popular podcasts of 2017. This week, hear Sonya Sandham, a professional storytelling, discuss the power personal storytelling in communications.

Find contentgroup on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Read more about content on our blog or from our weekly newsletter.

-Original-description-

Sonya Sandham is so passionate about the power of storytelling in the public sector that she’s doing a PhD at the University of Canberra, to explore the evidence base for embedding oral storytelling in organisational communication practices.

Sonya started her career as a journalist at the Sydney Morning Herald and the Jakarta Post telling people’s stories. She now works as a strategic communication specialist and over the past two decades has helped Qantas and state government agencies promote their organisational stories.

In this podcast she speaks with David Pembroke about:

the power of personal stories
stories are not just for leaders
internal communication and storytelling
what makes a good story
using emotion to inspire people
encouraging a story culture in the public sector
using a story buddy
audience stories on social media
using journalism skills to upskill your staff

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InTransition 96: building trust with internal communications, with Gillian Field

Mon, 15 Jan 2018 19:00:00 GMT

Happy New Year and welcome to 2018! To kick the year off while our host Mr. Pembroke is enjoying his time off we're going to be playing our most popular podcasts of 2017. This week, hear from Gillian Field, an internal comms professional throughout the public sector, discuss building trust with your internal communications.

Find contentgroup on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Read more about content on our blog or from our weekly newsletter.

-Original-description-

Gillian Field has considerable experience in the Australian federal government, managing corporate and internal communications at the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Defence and Centrelink. Before her career in communications Gillian was a journalist. She is now at contentgroup consulting for government clients, and joined David Pembroke for this podcast.

In this episode they discuss:

reporting and writing are two different skills
the secret to getting an audience’s attention
why internal communication is important
building trust with consistent communication content
getting the story in the right sequence
setting manageable communication goals
testing your internal comms strategy
getting your management on board

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InTransition 110: connecting with niche communities through social media, with Elliot Frank

Mon, 08 Jan 2018 19:00:00 GMT

Happy New Year and welcome to 2018! To kick the year off while our host Mr. Pembroke is enjoying his time off we're going to be playing our most popular podcasts of 2017. This week, hear Elliott Franks, Queensland government social media manager, discuss how to break into niche markets.

Find contentgroup on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Read more about content on our blog or from our weekly newsletter.

-Original-description-

Queensland government social media manager Elliott Franks lets us in on the inner workings of state government social media strategy. From the significant number of social media channels he and his small team run to how they use multiple platforms to appeal to small and passionate communities, the online expert offers up many interesting insights applicable across all levels of government and the public sector.

Franks and contentgroup’s David Pembroke cover off:

The four Queensland government agencies Franks handles social media for, including the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries;
The challenges facing communicators in the social media space today;
Creating meaningful connections with passionate and often small, niche communities;
The scope of content contributors who can help to tell a story in an authentic and engaging way; and
Ensuring the right people with the right skills are in the right roles to make a social media strategy effective.

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InTransition 140: That’s a wrap! Our reflection on 2017, and what’s next in 2018

Mon, 18 Dec 2017 19:00:00 GMT

Join us this week for a special and extended episode of InTransition where we explore the history of contentgroup, where we are today, key highlights for 2017 and what you can expect from us in 2018.

With a rich history in journalism and marketing, David describes the process of starting this company 20 years ago, and why we believe the relationship between government and citizens is so important to improving the well-being of the Australian population.

Talking about the power of effective communication, we hear what happens when communication breaks down between government and people.

For contentgroup this has been a big year, hence this lengthy episode. Below are the topics covered and where you can find them.

History of contentgroup and how we got where we are today – 00:00
Our company’s ethos and mission – 13:00
Why it’s important to work towards strengthening government comms – 15:00
Using both traditional platforms is still important today – 19:00
Where the money goes in public vs. private comms 23:00
The future of communications in the digital age – 26:00
The story behind our methodology – 33:00
Highlights and insights from 2017 – 41:00
Our predictions for 2018! – 46:00

Find contentgroup on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Read more about content on our blog or from our weekly newsletter.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

InTransition 139: Delving into the world of digital governments, with Brian Lee-Archer

Mon, 11 Dec 2017 19:00:00 GMT

Countries all over the world are slowly working towards building digital governments. While nations such as Estonia and the UK have built digital havens for citizens, other countries around the world are trying to catch up.

Understanding that the transition to digital-first doesn’t just happen overnight, we talk to Brian Lee-Archer, Managing Director at Accenture, about why countries should start investing in an e-upgrade.

According to Brian, there has never been a better time to start working towards taking your government online. It creates transparency, promotes trust in the government and increases citizen engagement.

Discussed in this episode:

The importance of including measurement and evaluation in your communication strategy
Why governments need to a higher level of transparency, and how going digital can help
The dangers of countries using people’s data to track citizen’s
Understanding the political process is important to keep up with political communications
E-government isn’t a passing trend; it’s the future
How governments can create value for their citizens
The role content plays in the future of digital governments

Find contentgroup on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Read more about content on our blog or from our weekly newsletter.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

InTransition 74: Jenny Muir from the Public Relations Institute of Australia

Mon, 04 Dec 2017 19:00:00 GMT

Jenny Muir is the Chief Council of Primary Communication, an Australian strategic communications agency. As one of Australia’s leading communication professionals, Jennifer shares decades of experience in media relations, government policy development, strategic community and stakeholder engagement, and high level advocacy. Jenny is the National President of the Public Relations Institute of Australia and has been a member of the Mindframe industry Advisory committee since 2007.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why the Public Relations Institute of Australia recognises over 1,200 job titles
Where are the challenges and opportunities of communications?
How can communicators become influential?
How has technology allowed public relations professionals to create more value?
Do executives understand how large the transformation of digital and communications is?
Why the public sector should be more vulnerable and more human?
Two ways to use the authentic first-person story

Follow Jenny Muir on Twitter @jennymuir

Learn more about the Public Relations Institute of Australia Website | Twitter @PRIANational | Facebook

Learn more about Primary Communication Website | Twitter @PrimaryCom | Facebook

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InTransition 100: ways to strengthen the value of your communications with Alex Aiken

Mon, 27 Nov 2017 19:00:00 GMT

Following a successful trip to the UK recently, we thought for InTransition this week we'd dig up one of our favourites for you and revisit episode 100 with Alex Aiken, Executive Director of Government Communications for the UK government.

He has been responsible for creating the Government Communication Service and developing many of the UK’s very successful cross-government campaigns and offers 5 tips on strengthening the value of communications.

He speaks with David Pembroke about:

Public trust in government communications
The lessons of Brexit and economic change
Governments need to listen to be nimble
Sharing research across government departments
Five ways to strengthen the value of communications
Proving your value to your political masters
The new professional skills required for communications

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InTransition 138: Building strong relationships with your audience, with Trevor Young

Mon, 20 Nov 2017 18:30:00 GMT

A veteran in the world of marketing and content creation, Trevor Young joins us this week to talk about the changes he’s observed in his 25-year marketing career. While the internet has made it easier for people to communicate, the daily saturation of content in people’s lives means it’s becoming harder and harder to break through the noise.

In this episode, Trevor provides us with ways to do just that; break through the noise and engage a following. His tips include finding what interests your audience, then building your skill set to meet those interests and specialising as required, to make your relationship with your audience a successful one.

Like our host David, Trevor is one of the old dogs in the industry, busy teaching us all the new tricks. There’s a lot we can learn from those communicators who began their careers at the dawn of the internet, and this podcast is a rare insight into those times.

Listen to two old friends discuss the past and future of content.

Discussed in this podcast:

How to build strong relationships with your audience
The growing noise in marketing and how to avoid it
Connecting PR with content marketing
It’s a competition for people’s attention
How to get people to listen, and stay listening
Why storytelling is such a crucial element in engaging your audience
Ways you can get creative with your approach to content creation
The future generation of comms professionals: more prepared than ever
Generalise your skills, then specialise
Learning from experience – want to give advice about podcast? Make a podcast. Want to provide tips for blogs? Start your own blog.

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InTransition 137: Sports communication in a digital age

Mon, 13 Nov 2017 19:00:00 GMT

Engaging your supporters 100 years ago was simply showing up and giving it your all. These days you’ve got to create and post relevant content, produce beautiful videos, reply to questions, tell engaging stories and provide frequent updates. You could say it’s gotten kind of complex.

Tom Nickson is the Digital Media Manager of the Western Bulldogs, and it’s his job making sure the above is happening. From assisting and directing his production team daily, to leading his social media team to boost engagement, this is a job that doesn’t stop when the season ends – this a 365-day commitment.

This week we take you behind the scenes of the AFL’s Western Bulldogs communication team and how they build their library of content. Comprised of two video producers, a digital marketing coordinator, a social media and digital coordinator, an editorial manager AND a graphic design team, they have almost as many players as the Doggies themselves.

Key points:

Developing a strategy beyond the wins and losses
Creating an experience via digital channels to evoke feelings from the fans; excitement of a new recruit, devastation of a season-ending injury, tension from rivalries
The never-ending search for stories, with the women’s league a key source.
The importance of recycling content and how they do it
How to measure and evaluate digital content, and the importance of benchmarking
The need for authenticity and candour from players, coaches and staff

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InTransition 136: How Defence is solving the recruitment problem in the digital age, with Pat Duffy

Mon, 06 Nov 2017 19:00:00 GMT

This week we have an extraordinary guest for you. With 30 years’ experience in marketing and a decade in recruitment for the Australian Defence Force, Pat Duffy is no stranger to the ins-and-outs of adapting and embracing change.

Starting her career at Defence Jobs in the late 2000s while the internet was on the verge of becoming the beast of a machine it is today, Pat has been at the forefront of innovating recruitment practices and efficiently making the most of the resources available.

While technology advanced and connecting with people has become a whole lot easier, Defence recruiting had to adjust its approach. With the use things such as social media, AI and storytelling Pat was able to keep her team up to date and move defence recruitment into the 21st century.

We are excited to announce Pat is the newest member of the contentgroup team; we couldn't be more excited.

Discussed in this podcast

The history of content in marketing – Telstra, Optus and Amdahl Corporation
The value of face-to-face communication, online and offline
Content being a mix of journalism and marketing
How to measure the reach of your products pre-internet and social media
The expensive price tag on qualitative and quantitative research
Why technology has become such a crucial part of the recruitment process
Storytelling and content essential in building a citizen understanding of military operations and experiences
Early days of social media and defence – from one Facebook to 28, 27 Twitter accounts, 6 Instagram accounts and 6 YouTube channels
Having multiple messages in your adverts – why people should shop with you, want to work for you, answer questions they will ask
The future of AI in recruiting

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InTransition 135: From Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy to High Commissioner, Effective Leadership with Paul Maddison

Mon, 30 Oct 2017 19:00:00 GMT

Leading is always challenging; you need to have authority, be an inspiration to others, guide your people through change, diplomatically manage the politics of internal and external stakeholders – the list may well be endless.

For those searching for someone who has navigated these turbulent waters with finesses, we have the man for you – Paul Maddison, once Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy and the current now High Commissioner of Canada to Australia.

Paul has seen dramatic changes in his 38-year naval career, the rise of consultative communication and women in the workforce to name just two. Now as High Commissioner, he fosters bilateral relations between the two nations using an innovative communication strategy.

A must listen for all in a leadership role, with any interest in defence or international communications.

In the podcast:

Changes seen during Paul’s 38 year long military career, including the introduction of a consultative communication approach and the rise of women in naval roles
The importance of genuine and authentic leadership
The role of storytelling in effective communication
How to inspire subordinates and instil confidence in them
The move from Naval Commander to Diplomat
How the Canadian Embassy creates and manages content
The importance of innovation in communication

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InTransition 134: Libby Varcoe and the rising importance of content

Mon, 23 Oct 2017 19:00:00 GMT

Libby Varcoe, Content Community Lead at the Digital Transformation Agent, is no stranger to the content world having started around the same time that contentgroup was in its early stages. It all started with a conversation she had with a fellow communications graduate in a café back in 1997 who merely said: “look, I think we need to break into this content world.” And from then on, she was hooked.

Opening her own agency in 2002 called write-minded, she has worked with some massive names from around Australia including The Australian Museum, The National Museum, St. George, Qantas and many more. As a boutique content agency, she would help brands create and implement their best content strategies focusing on online channels.

While doing a nine-week contract for the Digital Transformation Agency, she was offered the opportunity to join the team permanently, which she took. And two years on she is now the Content Community Lead, leading a team of content designers to transport our government across federal, state and local areas to the digital age.

Discussed in this podcast:

From the late-1990s to now, content continues to become more relevant to the government and public sector
Departments shouldn’t just focus on a content team; all teams should have an understanding of content
Why it’s important to approach content proactively rather than leaving it to the last minute
Why archiving is important
There are over 44 million ‘.gov.au’ pages floating around the internet
How making the government/citizen interaction online easier boosts community participation
Taking inspiration from gov.uk and their approach to content – click here

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InTransition 133: Lola Berry on Loyalty and Communication

Mon, 16 Oct 2017 19:30:00 GMT

Starting her career on Myspace, Lola Berry built an audience alongside a growing, though niche, market focusing on nutrition and health products. Though today these can be considered as standard for most social platforms, for Lola it was quite the opposite and early days for healthy blogging.

Through consistency and perseverance, she was able to build her empire by mastering YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as well as finding time to have a successful writing career. Her ability to adapt as platforms changed built her audience and through her belief of honesty to her fans, they remain to watch her journey.

There’s a lot we can learn from Lola, who can be labelled as one of the first Australian influencers. Whether you are creating a social profile for personal growth or for work, Lola provides valuable insights into how she built her empire, and how you can too.

In this podcast

The how and why being honest on your platforms promotes growth and builds relationships with your audience/ Why honesty is the key ingredient
The importance of transparency in your social media campaigns and that builds towards organic growth/Authenticity + transperancy = organic growth
Why you should bring a unique approach to the field to stand-out against competition/ Dare to be different, it’s the only way to stand out
Reasons to consider Instagram as part of your communication strategy
How Lola continues to have high physical book sales in the digital age
The double life of an influencer – separating work and play

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InTransition 132: The future of influencer marketing with Matt Hurle from TRIBE

Mon, 09 Oct 2017 19:00:00 GMT

From increasing the sales of a major bread company to boosting awareness of a vitamin supplements brand, Matt Hurle is a leader of the pack when it comes to selling your brand. At the forefront of the rising industry of influencers, Matt is the Sales Director at TRIBE, a company that aims to connect multi-million-dollar brands with everyday people through micro-influencers.

A micro-influencer is identified as an individual with a minimum of 3,000 followers/likes on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram who has a pre-built audience that engages regularly. As one of the newest tools in marketing, micro-influencers provide brands with a doorway into the lives of consumers by subtly endorsing products and events to their following.

It’s entirely cut out the middleman and makes it easier for brands to target future customers. Unlike purchasing a time slot on TV or clipping in the paper which targets a broad audience, it’s a highly efficient process and as discussed with Matt has proven results. The idea behind this new approach to marketing is rather than having a commercial pushing a product at the consumer and telling them to buy, an influencer is merely recommending it to you and thus increases the chance of sales.

Discussed this week:

The reach that micro-influencers have over celebrities with millions of followers
Why brands should start embracing micro-influencers and implementing them into their marketing strategies
Looking at government departments embracing influencers
How the Victorian Government hired 30 influencer mums and broke Twitter
How easy it is to become an influencer (only 3,000 followers/likes!)
Influencing as the future of marketing

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InTransition 131: What the West can learn from Eastern communications with Prof. Anne Gregory

Mon, 02 Oct 2017 23:35:52 GMT

Recorded during David’s time at the ASEAN PR Summit in Bali, this week’s InTransition podcast considers the importance of bridging the gap between Eastern and Western communications. Focusing on the eastern approach of listening and understanding, the potential for collaboration and economic growth among the East and West increases.

Discussed in this podcast:

Bridging the East and West
Listening -> Understanding -> Speaking -> Dialogue
The future of communications is in technology and the future of technology is in these youthful nations
The quality of communications in the ASEAN region
Problems facing public relations and communications

Combining the philosophical differences leads to strengthening ties between nations and creating the opportunity for growth throughout the southeast Asian region.

Talking to speaker Anne Gregory, professor of Corporate Communication at the University of Huddersfield, we learn insights from the conference as well as the future of communications in government.

Read David's blog post about the future of business relations between Australia and the ASEAN nations here.

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InTransition 130: Catherine Payne and building a strong digital comms team

Tue, 26 Sep 2017 02:03:36 GMT

Social media and the digital landscape are forever changing and growing. While small brands are in a position to adapt, monolithic corporations and government agencies find it difficult to change. The other challenge is many departments are simply change adverse, or too slow. On InTransition we look at the benefit of giving your communications department more room to move.

Catherine Payne, Executive Director of Digital Communications at the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning in Victoria, works towards building a strong, supportive, creative communications team and has already seen the public’s perception of her department improve in the space of 12 months. Though not an easy task, Catherine credits the success to her team. To her, all that was needed was a) for communications to be taken seriously and b) to rearrange the traditional approach to complex situations. For her this was approaching her role in a proactive, rather than reactive manner, and by hiring people from a variety of professions – especially journalism..

Discussed this week:

The ongoing debate about the value of digital communication in the public service–
Proactive is better than reactive
Building a strong, open team is crucial to digitalising your communications plan Hiring individuals with skills based in journalism is a major plus
The need to engage your audience
The short-term difficulties of implementing new communications models into our department, as well as their long term benefits

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InTransition 129: Gabrielle Dolan and the importance of storytelling

Mon, 18 Sep 2017 20:30:00 GMT

With the sheer size of the internet and the power consumers have to filter through information that appears in their social feeds it can be hard to create engagement with your audience. In the digital age there are so many options for each individual, so how do you engage them?

Bouncing from our blog post looking at the importance of storytelling to capture your audience’s attention, this week on the podcast we talk to Gabrielle Dolan who has been consulting brands how to increase the ability of internal and external communications through sharing stories with your audience.

Discussed in this podcast:

Building a connection with your audience through storytelling to create an emotional connection,
Using stories to boost engagement between yourself and the audience,
Taking a story from your past to implement something for the future,
It’s not the topic people tend to focus on, it’s the relatability and authenticity in your voice that will really grab people’s attention,
Looking at one her past roles which turned a snake story from a women’s childhood into a speech redesigning crisis management at their work, and
The importance of authentic leadership and storytelling in the modern workplace

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InTransition 128: Andrew Barr and government communications in the digital age

Mon, 11 Sep 2017 20:00:00 GMT

This week on the InTransition Podcast we discuss government communications in the digital age with the ACT’s Chief Minister Andrew Barr.

Minister Barr is a well-known presence on social media and has always been an early adapter of new technology. Unsurprisingly, as Chief Minister he operates his social media accounts personally, and is known to cut out the middle man, breaking stories online himself instead of via a journalist.

This week, hear the Chief Minister on:

governing in a digital age,
connecting with the right audience on the right social channel,
how the public’s lack of faith in an unbiased media has fostered the rise of social platforms as a news source,
how he deals with internet trolls,
the impact of increasing polarisation in online debate,
how he organises his social media calendar and strategy, and
fears Australia is heading in the same direction as the US and UK with the election of Donald Trump and rise of Jeremy Corbyn.

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Intransition 127: Osama Saeed Bhutta, Director of Communications for Amnesty International

Mon, 04 Sep 2017 20:00:00 GMT

This week on InTransition we talk to Osama Saeed Bhutta, Director of Communications at Amnesty International and former Head of Communications at Al Jazeera.

Fast forward a decade and a remarkable career with news organisation Al Jazeera, Osama is now the Head of Communications for Amnesty International. His role is to unite and mobilise the world against ever worsening humanitarian crises, widening gaps in wealth, education and equality and more refugees than ever before in the history of the world.

“The other side make very emotionally laden arguments,” he said of the difficulty in presenting an engaging, rational opposition to many of today’s issues. “When you’re trying to get into people’s hearts, that kind of fact based approach, which has historically been the approach of NGOs, is less successful, and at the moment, we are being eaten for breakfast as a movement.”

Discussed in this episode:

When images work against you and disempower your audience
The problem with highlighting the problem
The need for positive messaging in the harshest times
The importance of publicising the historical
The role of the internet in uniting people and the need for people to get out from behind their keyboards

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InTransition 125: Meet our latest #contentgroupie, Petra Masinova

Tue, 29 Aug 2017 01:18:31 GMT

This week on InTransition we speak with Petra Masinova, an international communications professional with two decades of experience spanning seven countries.

David explores Petra’s childhood under a communist regime and the joy she felt when travel bans were lifted and she crossed her first international border.

Since then, Petra has represented her home country before the European Union and worked as the Global CEO for Newton Media, a multinational media monitoring and analysis company.

Tune in to learn more about Petra’s work in international government communications and why she’s excited to be contentgroup’s new Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer.

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Incoming CEO of the Digital Transformation Agency on the future of government in the digital age

Mon, 21 Aug 2017 20:00:00 GMT

This week on InTransition we will listen to a speech made by Gavin Slater, the new CEO of the Digital Transformation Agency, held by the Institute of Public Administration Australia at the National Gallery of Australia.

Mr Slater spent the last seven years at the National Australia Bank (NAB) focused on driving a widespread digital transformation agenda and leading initiatives to overhaul NAB's technology. Mr Slater is known for driving transformational change and responding to digital disruption having 30 years’ experience working in the private Financial Services sector.

In this speech, he discusses:

Challenges in improving the government’s service delivery;
The Senate probe into the government’s $10bn IT spend; and
His vision for the future, including more transparency and website consolidation.

Content communication is a strategic, measurable, and accountable business process that relies on the creation, curation, and distribution of useful, relevant, and consistent content. The purpose is to engage and inform a specific audience in order to achieve a desired citizen and/or stakeholder action. That is the practise and the process of content communication.

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InTransition 124: Alison Wright on crisis management at the NGA

Tue, 15 Aug 2017 00:43:55 GMT

This week on InTransition we speak with Alison Wright, Assistant Director of the National Gallery of Australia and all-round strategic marketing and communications guru.

Join us in this funny and frank account of her career and lessons learned as Alison delves into how she’s navigated turbulent times at the NGA, and why her straight-shooting style works. "I think that we deploy enormous filters [in our professional lives], I see it every day, and I've seen it all throughout my career. I do not do is deploy those filters... I'm simply not interested in the filter because it's cutting out a lot of time, but also, it doesn't enable a truth telling environment.”

Alison’s career spans 20 years, from working as a journalist in regional Australia to leading the ABC’s Sydney newsroom, embracing PR in China and starting as the Head of Communication at the peak of an international scandal at the NGA.

Alison talks managing the message, why permission to fail is a must, the switch from journalism to “the dark side” and her perpetual fear of being like everyone else.

Also in this episode:

When to cut the BS and get to the point;
When complete transparency is the best way to work with the media;
The one thing all public servants should remember to make themselves a better worker; and
Why the best time to step into a communications role may be when they’re “knee-deep in it”.

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InTransition 123: Talking to Angela Sinickas about how to measure communication with numbers

Mon, 07 Aug 2017 23:55:07 GMT

This week on the InTransition Podcast David talks to a ‘legend of the communications business’ Angela Sinickas who has been the in the field since 1974. Labelled as a pioneer of organisational communications measurement and measuring effectiveness Angela is quite renowned amongst publications such as Harvard Business Review, the Journal of Communication Management and Communication World.

Now the CEO of Sinickas Communications she is a consultant for brands all around the world including Barclays, CISCO, Ergon, Verizon and ING Bank with a reputation for making a promise and sticking to it.

Discussed in this podcast:

The importance of measurement in communications
Her history in the field – from journalism to avoid maths to pioneering data analysis for communications
Turning communication into numbers
Problems faced in the field and tips to counteract them
How to stay afloat in a fast-growing industry

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InTransition 122: Why governments are content-rich with David Rawling

Tue, 01 Aug 2017 00:04:32 GMT

This week for the InTransition Podcast we're delving into the archives and revisiting our interview with David Rawlings, a social media professional starting his online career in 1996. With his background knowledge in the field, David P and David R discuss challenges facing the government in getting started with content marketing and the endless opportunities the government has to publish engaging content upholding the responsibility of explaining policy and programs to the public.

Discussed in this edition:

Using skills learnt in one area communications (PR or journalism) and applying it to another (social media)
Governments learning social media engagement comes from quality and consistency, not one or the other
How to keep things interesting and curating information to cater for your audience

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InTransition 121: The ABS's Kanchan Dutt on the importance of story telling

Tue, 25 Jul 2017 03:50:13 GMT

This week on InTransition David speaks with Kanchan Dutt, Director of Media, Digital and Design Communications at the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Originally from the UK and with a background in journalism, Kanchan has been in the Australian public service for around a decade now, moving from the ACT government and community services into the federal statistics agency. As a self-described "dutiful public servant", Kanchan's experience has equipped him with insights he shares with David in this episode of InTransition, such as:

* The growing importance of story telling;

* Why meeting people face-to-face is the key to communication success;

* How to effectively reach reporters and relay the story you want told; and

* That ABS census debacle.

Tune in for the whole chat.

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InTransition 119: Clinton Parr, head of people and culture at Clemenger BBDO, on fostering happiness

Tue, 11 Jul 2017 05:47:25 GMT

Clinton Parr's job, as head of people and culture at Clemenger BBDO, Australia's largest and most successful marketing communications company, is to deliver happiness. As he describes it, happy employees mean happy clients, happy clients mean happy companies, happy companies mean happy communities and happy communities mean a happy world. Keeping in mind contentgroup's mission of helping government and the public sector strengthen communities and improve the well-being of citizens, we reckon Clint is right on our level.

In this week's episode of InTransition, David finds out how is Clint is helping to foster happiness in the workplace, even in these increasingly stressful, stretched and strenuous times. We're all being asked to do more with less. We've got technology, we've got change, we've got pace, we've got new channels, we've got expectations, we've got accountabilities, we've got automation, we've got artificial intelligence, we've got machine learning, and we've got to do it all.

Tune in to hear how Clint is managing to tackle these challenges, one happy connection at a time.

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InTransition 118: Renee Noble on the power of data

Tue, 04 Jul 2017 04:28:28 GMT

contentgroup's CEO David Pembroke calls her "one of the smartest young people in Australia" and he sure isn't wrong. Our podcast guest this week is Renee Noble, a 25-year-old computer scientist who is responsible for the algorithm behind Data61's Ribit student-employer matchmaking platform. A self-confessed lifelong "nerd" and lover of all things mathematics, Renee shares some fascinating insights into the power of data, its huge potential to do good in this world and the importance of knowing your target audience - this week on InTransition.

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InTransition #117: Tim Conway on ICT, digital transformation and evidence-based policy

Mon, 26 Jun 2017 20:00:00 GMT

Tim Conway is the founder and chief executive of C-Metrics and the Asia-Pacific director of the Global Digital Foundation, a think tank and policy network that provides an interdisciplinary framework for dialogue between policymakers, stakeholders and scholars in support of an evidence-based approach to policy. He has a passionate interest in the transformational impact of ICT and the importance of ensuring that the topic is recognised and discussed on both regional and global policy stages.

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InTransition Ep 116: Paul X. McCarthy on momentum, millennials and maximising Australia's potential

Mon, 19 Jun 2017 20:00:00 GMT

In this episode of InTransition, David speaks with Paul X. McCarthy, author of Online Gravity. A leader in Australia's digital industry, Paul is an authority on the transformative nature of technology and the internet, and shares intriguing insights about what the future of online might look like and how it will shape our world and workforce.

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InTransition 115: Dr Ying-Yi Chih gives an update on the contentgroup-ANU content communications research project

Tue, 13 Jun 2017 03:33:34 GMT

About eight months ago, the National Innovation and Science Agenda identified the problem that small businesses and their engagement with university was a very weak part of the Australian innovation system. contentgroup was then fortunate enough to apply for and receive an Innovations Connections Funding. We are now using this grant to bolster our content communications methodology with evidence-based research and specially designed toolkits. As aprt of this, Dr Ying-Yi Chih and her team have engaged 20-plus governments from local, state, federal and multilateral levels, to test, validate and feedback on the contentgroup approach. David Pembroke speaks to Dr Ying-Yi about some of this feedback and where the project will go from here.

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InTransition 114: Simon Westaway, CEO of the Australian Live Export Council

Tue, 06 Jun 2017 03:34:57 GMT

Heading up an organisation that represents the live export of animals such as sheep and cows has its obvious challenges, says Simon Westaway. As CEO of ALEC, Simon says he's been focusing on the framing and representation of the organisation, using skills he's acquired over a long career focused on government relations and media management. Tune in to the podcast for the full discussion.

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InTransition 113 - Vijay Chadda - the challenge and reward of communicating in India

Mon, 29 May 2017 20:00:00 GMT

As the CEO of the Bharti Foundation, the development arm of Bharti Enterprises, one of India's leading business groups, Vijay Chadda is responsible for initiatives such as the Satya Bharti School Programme. The scheme provides free, quality education to more than 42,000 children from marginalised communities in rural India. He says he's come to evolve into this role after a career spanning more than 45 years, which has taken in everything from military service to sitting on various tourism boards.

In this episode of InTransition, David Pembroke speaks with Vijay Chadda about:

The military-influenced values that continue to inform his leadership and business styles;
The intrinsic Indian desire to give back, particularly among powerful conglomerates;
The Indian leadership's struggle with the near-universal problem of effective government communication, and the diversity of the nation that plays a major role in it; and
The prospect of a Digital India.

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InTransition #112 - Liz Jakubowski pt. 2 - students, skills and the future workforce

Mon, 22 May 2017 20:00:00 GMT

In the second and final installment of our chat with Liz Jakubowski, digital maestro and director of Ribit in the Data61 team at CSIRO, we discuss the foundations of and history behind Ribit. A free online matchmaking platform that connects digital and STEM students with SMEs looking to grow and compete, Ribit is helping to address skills shortages and students' employment concerns.

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InTransition #111: Liz Jakubowski: Leadership in the digital age

Tue, 16 May 2017 01:16:35 GMT

In the first of a two-part series, digital maestro and director of CSIRO's Data61 team Liz Jakubowski and our CEO David Pembroke discuss how to be an effective and innovative leader. From affecting change by influencing the right people at the right time to empowering diverse teams so that they believe in themselves and their message, the conversation is a refreshing one.

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110 Elliott Franks on harnessing social media in government communications

Mon, 08 May 2017 20:00:00 GMT

Queensland government social media manager Elliott Franks spills the beans on the inner workings of state government social media strategy. From the significant number of social media channels he and his small team run to how they use multiple platforms to appeal to small and passionate communities, the online expert offers up many interesting insights applicable across all levels of government and the public sector.

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109 John Allsopp - Keeping up with the future Web

Mon, 01 May 2017 20:00:00 GMT

John Allsopp discusses the future of online communications, and what public sector communicators can do to keep up. For nearly 20 years John has developed software, built websites, applications, written articles, tutorials and more.

He speaks with David Pembroke about advances in technology, artificial intelligence, and what will come next.

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108 Shannah Hayley - civic pride and local government (reprise)

Mon, 24 Apr 2017 20:00:00 GMT

How can you turn a disparaging comment on "Real Housewives" into a marketing tool for your city? Shannah Hayley explains how "It's a little Plano in here" became a meme of civic pride for one local government.

Shannah is the director of marketing and community engagement for the city of Plano, Texas. David Pembroke spoke to her at Content Marketing World about content communication.

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107 Professor Stephen Martin - how to communicate public policy

Tue, 18 Apr 2017 00:02:03 GMT

Professor The Hon Stephen Martin has had a distinguished career in the Australian Parliament, academia and the private sector. Amongst many roles he is the outgoing chief executive of the Committee for the Economic Development of Australia. Professor Martin was on the advisory board on WPP's report on the state of communications in governments worldwide.

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106 Leanne Joyce - managing ministerial communications

Mon, 10 Apr 2017 20:00:00 GMT

Leanne Joyce is an experienced corporate and public sector communicator, working as a consultant in government policy, media management, stakeholder relations, and executive management. In this episode of the InTransition podcast she discusses ministerial communications, and finding the stories in public sector organisations.

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105 Martyn Wallace - online citizen engagement for local government

Mon, 03 Apr 2017 20:00:00 GMT

Martyn Wallace is the Chief Digital Officer of the Scottish Local Government Digital Office. His task is to change the way local councils engage with citizens in Scotland through the use of technology. Martyn speaks with David Pembroke in this episode of InTransition.

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104 Sean Larkins - why governments should invest in communication skills

Mon, 27 Mar 2017 19:00:00 GMT

Sean Larkins from WPP continues his discussion of "The Leaders' Report" - the first global research focused on government communications. He found that government bodies that invest in communication skills and training achieve better outcomes. This is part 2 of a double episode of InTransition.

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103 Sean Larkins - the decline of trust in government

Mon, 20 Mar 2017 19:00:00 GMT

WPP's Government and Public Sector Practice has recently published "The Leaders' Report" - the first global research focused on government communications. Sean Larkins explains how a decline of trust in government is one of 5 key challenges for government communicators, revealed in this study conducted in 40 countries. For the first time we have a sense of what government and public sector communications leaders around the world are thinking. Sean led this research project and spoke with David Pembroke for this two-part InTransition podcast.

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102 Frank Quinlan - connecting citizens with government through social media

Mon, 13 Mar 2017 19:00:00 GMT

In this podcast we learn how social media is being used to connect citizens with decision makers, to advocate better outcomes for mental health. Frank Quinlan is the Chief Executive Officer of Mental Health Australia, the peak body representing mental health organisations in Australia. Frank is responsible for implementing Mental Health Australia's vision of mentally healthy people, mentally healthy communities.

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101 Ari Sharp - how to create niche content

Mon, 06 Mar 2017 19:00:00 GMT

Ari Sharp is the Senior Media Manager at the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In this podcast Ari describes how he overcomes the hurdles of content creation in a niche subject area.

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100 Alex Aiken - 5 ways to strengthen the value of communications

Mon, 27 Feb 2017 23:03:10 GMT

It's our 100th episode of InTransition, and our very first guest returns for a special chat. Alex Aiken is the Executive Director of Government Communications for the UK government. He has been responsible for creating the Government Communication Service and developing many of the UK's very successful cross-government campaigns.

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099 Sonya Sandham - the power of personal storytelling

Mon, 20 Feb 2017 19:00:00 GMT

Sonya Sandham is so passionate about the power of storytelling in the public sector that she's doing a PhD at the University of Canberra, to explore the evidence base for embedding oral storytelling in organisational communication practices.

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098 Ruth Dewsbury - a case study in government communications

Mon, 13 Feb 2017 19:00:00 GMT

Ruth Dewsbury describes how the Department of the Environment is using content communication to not only inform the Australian public, but to help achieve the department's goals through grass roots involvement.

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097 Amelia Loye - open data for citizen engagement and building trust

Mon, 06 Feb 2017 19:00:00 GMT

Amelia Loye from Engage2 explains how open data and "data from community" are important ways to help design services and policy. Amelia specialises in consultation and engagement for government, and has been helping manage engagement for the NZ and Australian open government national action plan.

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096 Gillian Field - building trust with internal communications

Mon, 30 Jan 2017 19:00:00 GMT

Gillian Field has considerable experience in the Australian federal government, managing internal and corporate communications at the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Defence and Centrelink. Before her career in communications Gillian was a journalist. She is now at contentgroup consulting for government clients, and joined David Pembroke for this podcast.

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095 Trish Lavery - website analytics in government communication

Mon, 23 Jan 2017 19:00:00 GMT

Our podcast guest is Trish Lavery, from the Department of the Environment in the Australian Government. Trish is the Assistant Director in the Design and Analytics area of the Innovation and Behavioural Insights Team. Her role includes website analytics, A/B split testing of websites, and looking at the effectiveness of digital social media interactions.

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094 Virginia Haussegger - communicate from an audience perspective

Mon, 16 Jan 2017 19:00:00 GMT

Virginia Haussegger AM is an award-winning journalist with over 25 years' experience in news media. She's held senior reporter and presenter roles at Channel 9, the Seven Network, and the ABC, and has experience in corporate and strategic communications. Virginia spoke to David Pembroke about the need for simple clear language, and understanding how your audience will receive your message.

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093 Allan Yates - moving from journalism to communications

Mon, 09 Jan 2017 19:00:00 GMT

Allan Yates worked as a senior national journalist before moving into media relations, strategy and communications. He has worked with a number of state and federal government departments and institutions including the Australian Institute of Sport, the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and the Australian War Memorial. David Pembroke talked with Allan about the transition from journalism to a comms role.

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092 Gregory Andrews - fighting extinction with social media

Mon, 02 Jan 2017 19:00:00 GMT

Gregory Andrews is Australia's Threatened Species Commissioner. His job is to raise awareness of and support Australia's fight against extinction, and leads implementation of Australia's first Threatened Species Strategy. In this podcast Gregory explains how content communication using social media is getting results.

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091 Craig Hodges - strategy breeds success

Mon, 26 Dec 2016 19:00:00 GMT

Welcome to a special short holiday edition podcast. Craig Hodges from King Content talks about content marketing strategies, and how crucial they are to success. Craig caught up with David Pembroke for a very fast chat at Content Marketing World in Cleveland, Ohio.

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072 Hank Jongen on Centrelink's massive social media programme

Tue, 16 Aug 2016 00:58:14 GMT

Hank Jongen is a General Manager and Departmental Spokesperson for the Australian Federal Government's Department of Human Services (DHS). As the primary spokesperson for DHS, Hank Jongen regularly participates in talkback radio, is interviewed on television and is actively engaged across the spectrum of social media. Hank has been a Senior Australian Public Service Executive for more than 20 years. He has been responsible for national strategies supporting key government reforms and had a major role in the creation of Centrelink. Hank was awarded the Australian Public Service Medal for outstanding public service as Centrelink’s media spokesperson and leading innovations in communication. In this episode, you'll learn about DHS' massive social media effort.

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071 Assistant Secretary Trish Johnston on the perfect storm for communications

Tue, 09 Aug 2016 01:09:23 GMT

Trish Johnston is the Assistant Secretary, Communications Branch at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C). For over two decades Trish Johnston worked on some of the government's most complex policy and communication issues including domestic violence, cyber security, indigenous affairs, climate change, resources and energy and preventative health. Her experience spans developing large scale advertising campaigns, managing complex media and stakeholder issues and supporting communications in remote indigenous communities. She is currently leading PM&C's digital communications transformation. In this episode, you'll learn about 3 case studies which received ~450 news articles in press or trended #1 on Twitter.

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070 Assistant Secretary Kim Ulrick on finding content gems

Tue, 02 Aug 2016 03:44:22 GMT

Kim Ulrick is the Assistant Secretary of Digital Communications for the Department of Communications and the Arts. She has extensive experience in the public sector. Kim Ulrick was the Assistant Secretary of Border and Counter Terrorism Policy at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, National Manager of Strategy Policy and Stakeholder Engagement at the Australian Crime Commission, Assistant Secretary of Marketing and Communication for the Department of Human Services and many other roles. Kim uses content marketing techniques in her communication strategies.

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069 The power of communications in local government with Catherine Staite

Tue, 26 Jul 2016 02:30:10 GMT

Catherine Staite is Director of the Institute of Local Government Studies (INLOGOV) at the University of Birmingham in England. Catherine leads her university department to bridge the gap between local government research and practice. Prior to INLOGOV, Catherine was the Director of Organisational Development and Policy for OPM, an independent research and consultancy institute for the public sector leaders, policymakers and regulators. Catherine has had other previous roles including Non-Executive Director of a high security British hospital, Vice-Chair of a healthcare trust and a member of the Board of Visitors for a local prison. In 2015, Catherine Staite was ranked in the top 100 most influential people in local government in the UK by the Local Government Chronicle. In this episode, you'll learn the paradox of less money and stronger communities, why local government reluctant to start a two-way conversation with residents, and the dichotomy between the political and the managerial.

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068 The content marketing methodology with Dave Polglase

Mon, 18 Jul 2016 20:00:00 GMT

Dave Polglase is the Head of Consulting at contentgroup. Dave Polglase recently celebrated his 10 year anniversary with us. Dave has worked with over a hundred clients over the years, including Federal, State, and Local Government. His projects have included strategic communications, public relations, and content marketing. Dave helped develop contentgroup's content marketing methodology. He has worked as part of the Australian media team for the past three Olympic Games. In this episode, you'll learn why content marketing is a hack against the time pressures of government and how contentgroup's content marketing methodology is applied to government.

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067 How to influence the majority of shared conversation with Bob Pearson

Mon, 04 Jul 2016 20:00:00 GMT

Bob Pearson is the President of the W2O Group, a group of 3 marketing and communications companies. Prior to working at the W2O Group, Bob Pearson was the Vice President of Communities and Conversation for Dell, where he developed their first global social media efforts. Bob also worked as Head of Global Corporate Communications for Novartis Pharmaceuticals. Bob recently wrote Storytizing: What's Next After Advertising?, where he explores how messages proliferate through society. Bob is also a frequent speaker on digital marketing at the Syracuse Center for Social Commerce and the U.S. State Department’s Marketing College. In this episode, you'll learn how to find the people who drive the majority of conversation, easy quick wins for government and public sector communicators, which no one can object to, and why 43 people drive the majority of shared conversation for Harry Potter.

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066 The best practices of survey research with Jon Cohen

Mon, 27 Jun 2016 20:00:00 GMT

Jon Cohen is the Vice President of Survey Research at SurveyMonkey. Jon Cohen has a long history of experience in surveys and research. Jon was the Associate Survey Director of the Public Policy Institute of California, Assistant Director of Polling Unit for the American Broadcasting Corporation News, Director of Polling for The Washington Post, the list goes on. Before he started at Survey Monkey, Jon was the Vice President of Research at the Pew Research Center, an independent research organisation. Jon’s experience in survey design is extensive. In this episode, you'll learn why you should think of research as a strategic investment, how do you get people to understand the value of research, why research is part of the process of effective content marketing, and how you should invest in research.

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065 Washington, DC transparent with negative public feedback

Tue, 21 Jun 2016 03:22:47 GMT

Kristen Kavalier is the Senior Director of Research and Analytics at Sprinklr, a social media software company valued at over US$1 billion. Kristen Kavalier has worked on technology projects for government, non-for-profits and the private sector as a Consultant, Manager, and Product Manager for Acumen Solutions. Previously, Kristen was the Vice President of Customer Relations for NewBrand, a social media intelligence company. NewBrand went on to be acquired by Sprinklr last year. Kristen’s expertise is in listening and understanding customers and citizens to help organisations make better decisions. This interview explores how the District of Columbia pioneered a transparent government by publishing the good, the bad, and the ugly feedback of local government agencies.

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064 Why design thinking is changing government

Mon, 13 Jun 2016 20:00:00 GMT

David interviews two people who are doing amazing work at the London Borough of Bexley. Anne-Louise Clark is the Head of Organisational Development and Internal Communication for the London Borough of Bexley and Ellen Care is the Internal Communications Officer. Anne-Louise and Ellen discuss how design thinking has changed the way their local government operates.

In this episode, you'll learn: 2:20 What is the Bexley Innovation Lab? (And how it is different from anything they have done before) 3:51 Why is design thinking different to government's business-as-usual? And what are the steps in design thinking? 6:35 How was design thinking received by the London Borough of Bexley? 9:25 A problem design thinking solved which traditional processes could not (and saved the Borough of Bexley money) 11:56 How to increase the use of government services 14:41 What is User Research? (And why it can be better than surveys and focus groups) 18:32 How do you know if you're solving the right problem? 22:20 How does design thinking change the way internal communications is run? 26:58 The struggles of getting government to adopt design thinking (and how you can overcome these challenges) 29:23 How User Research overcomes survey fatigue

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063 Case study: content marketing with local government in Melbourne

Mon, 06 Jun 2016 20:00:00 GMT

Scott Alexander is the Digital and Content Marketing Lead at the City of Boroondara in Melbourne, Australia, a local government with a population of over 170,000 residents. Scott Alexander manages a team of 9 content creators for both internal and external communications. Prior to working for local government, he worked in content creation and social media management in the production industry for companies such as Madman Entertainment and Media World Pictures. Scott has written and produced multiple award-winning short firms. In this episode, you learn: the marketing funnel of local government, how to target content to the right part of the funnel, and the types of content and channels which are getting the City of Boroondara the best results.

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062 Director-General David Fricker on the value of information

Mon, 30 May 2016 20:00:00 GMT

David Fricker is the Director-General of the National Archives of Australia (NAA). David Fricker began his career at the Australian Customs Service before moving to the private sector. David worked on major Federal and ACT Government projects in defence, science, immigration, finance and health on information systems, strategic planning and project management. David joined the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) in 2002 as Chief Information Officer and later as Deputy Director-General. In 2012, David Fricker became the Director-General of the Archives to lead the digital archiving transformation. In 2014, David became the first Australian to be elected the President of the International Council on Archives.

This conversation explores the importance of archiving and how it relates to public sector communicators. With the Archives possessing an information asset of over AU$1.46 billion, David Fricker understands the value of information.

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061 How to use content for change management with Kim Moeller

Mon, 23 May 2016 20:00:00 GMT

Kim Moeller is an Executive Director of Synergy Group Australia, where he specialises in change management. Kim previously worked as Associate Director for KPMG Australia and Consulting Director for Oakton. Kim’s experience in change management is extensive, where he has worked on projects for the Department of Defence, Department of Health, Australian Customs, Telstra, and more. Kim is currently the ACT Chapter Lead of the Change Management Institute. You'll learn the 'big levers' of successful organisational change and how you can use benefits realisation to show your boss the value of communications.

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060 Thousands of public records are disappearing every month with Anil Chawla

Mon, 16 May 2016 20:00:00 GMT

Anil Chawla is the Founder & CEO of ArchiveSocial, a civic tech company which specialises in social media archiving and risk management for public agencies. ArchiveSocial has archived records for hundreds of government entities including the City of Chicago, the State of North Carolina, and the U.S. Department of Justice to increase government transparency and record-keeping. Anil Chawla has over 10 years of experience in the software industry, working for companies such as IBM. Anil Chawla founded ArchiveSocial with the mission to give organisations protection and control of their own social media data. Topics include the regulatory requirements and legal reasons why you must archive social media, how much Facebook data is disappearing every month and how to manage the risks of social media.

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059 Dr David Marshall’s Ph.D on government communications

Mon, 09 May 2016 23:54:07 GMT

Dr David Marshall has over 25 years’ experience in the media industry. David Marshall started as an on-air personality on local radio to eventually become General Manager of radio stations in Adelaide, Sydney and Canberra. He then transitioned to Chief Executive of the Canberra Tourism and Events Corporation, where he worked on major events for the ACT Government. David is now Director of Talkforce Media and Communications Strategists, where he works with government and private sector organisations around Australia in media training and strategic consultancy. In 2015, David completed his Ph.D. in Communication and Media Studies on Prime Minister John Howard’s media and communication operation. You learn the foundation of the Howard Government's communications strategy, how they stayed in power for so long and how you can apply these lessons to your communications strategy.

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058 Special episode on NSW and ACT Government case studies

Tue, 03 May 2016 00:54:02 GMT

In this podcast episode, we try something different.Davidanswers some of your questions on content marketing ingovernmentand the public sector. David digs into how we haveapplied thecontent marketing methodology to some of our publicsector clients.David talks about how content marketing is beingused by the boththe New South Wales and the Australian CapitalTerritorygovernments to achieve their objectives. How do you makethebusiness of telling your story a priority? How do youstreamlinecontent marketing in an environment of competingpriorities andlimited resources?

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057 Make policy interesting with Gina Ciancio

Mon, 25 Apr 2016 20:00:00 GMT

Gina Ciancio is the Senior Social Media Adviser for the Department of Human Services. Gina Ciancio joined the DHS as a Public Affairs Officer and rose to join a specialised team in digital and social media. Gina also spent a short period working in the UK in marketing. This interview is taken from a live webstream at the ACT Digital Hub in Gungahlin Library back in 2014. In this episode, you'll learn where the Department of Human Services is getting it right, an example of where the DHS has used content marketing to achieve an objective, where to get your stories from and how to make policy interesting to civilians.

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056 Crisis management using social media with James Kliemt

Mon, 18 Apr 2016 20:00:00 GMT

David interviews James Kliemt, Senior Digital Media Officer for the Queensland Police Service. James created and maintains the largest Police Facebook page in the English-speaking world. He grew this Facebook page to three quarters of a million likes in a state with a population of 4.5 million. James Kliemt has received many awards for his leadership in social media by State Government, Federal Government and independent sources. James also led award-winning projects for police blogs and a real-time emergency management website for the State of Queensland. In this episode, you'll learn: the paper that convinced the QLD Police to start social media, how social media became the go-to news channel for the QLD floods (one of Australia's largest natural disasters in decades) and the QLD Police's future with social media in the next 6 months.

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055 Stakeholder mapping with Kate Bradstreet

Mon, 11 Apr 2016 20:00:00 GMT

David interviews Kate Bradstreet, a communications consultant with over 15 years experience in the industry. Kate has advised on several projects for the Prime Minister and Cabinet including the Prime Minister’s National Ice Taskforce and Reducing Violence against Women and their Children. Prior to founding her own consultancy firm, Kate was the Senior Director of Online Communications for the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency. Kate Bradstreet also spent several years with the Australian Federal Police, rising to become the Commissioner’s Chief Media Advisor, where she advised on such high-profile events as the second Bali bombings and crises in East Timor. In this episode, you learn: How do you sustain interest in topics such as domestic violence. How stakeholder mapping is used to track the conversation. How do you get a seat at the table with the executives? Why you should do government communications as a consultant (and how to succeed). How can you add research into your content marketing strategy?

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054 Mitch Joel on the secrets of podcasting

Mon, 04 Apr 2016 20:00:00 GMT

Mitch Joel is one of the world’s foremost advocators of digital marketing. Mitch Joel is the President of Mirum, a global marketing agency that operates to close to 20 countries with over 2,000 employees. He is the host of the popular podcast Six Pixels of Separation, which recently celebrated its 500th episode. Mitch is the author of two books on the implications of the new media. His last book CTRL ALT Delete, which was named one of Amazon.com’s best business books of 2013, examines how businesses and marketers can capitalise on the interconnectedness of modern society. Mitch Joel has been named one of the top 100 online marketers in the world

In this episode you'll learn:2:40 The secrets of podcasting7:29 How to be successful in today's marketing environment9:42 How to not suck at publishing19:32 How to be effective when you start content marketing28:30 Mitch Joel has advice for you and large organisations

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053 The citizen journey and its success with the City of Vienna with Martin Schipany

Mon, 28 Mar 2016 19:00:00 GMT

Martin Schipany is the Head of ‘City Communications’ for the City of Vienna’s Press and Information Services. Martin started working for the City of Vienna as a Press Officer before becoming an Editor in the Press and Information Services, eventually to rise to the Head of the sub-department ‘City Communications.’ Martin has also been the Head Press Officer for a political party in the Vienna State Parliament. Martin recently completed his Executive Masters in International Media Innovation Management. Martin’s thesis was on the necessary criteria, instruments and processes to implement a municipality’s content marketing strategy.

In this episode you will learn:

9:01 How do you get the attention of the political media officers to tell them that there is more to life than speaking to the media?10:00 Why all government departments should be completing a citizen journey discovery13:32 Where Europe is in their adoption of content marketing15:53 Recommendations on how the City of Vienna can improve their content marketing strategy (you can apply these too to your government department)21:33 Why the communications team should be close to the leadership27:47 How do you convince government to adopt digital?

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Assistant Secretary Trish Johnston on how comms is run in the Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet

Mon, 21 Mar 2016 21:50:36 GMT

In this episode, we sit down with Assistant Secretary of Communications at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Trish Johnston. Trish has worked on some of the Government's most complex policy issues including domestic violence, cyber security, indigenous affairs, climate change, resources and energy and preventative health. We discuss the changing role of government communications, how social media has changed the way government communicates with the public, how comms strategies are built in the public sector and how to improve the quality of public sector communications campaigns.

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51 Why Government comms should act more like a business, says Sean Larkins

Tue, 15 Mar 2016 02:11:20 GMT

Sean Larkins is the Director of Consulting & Capability for the Government and Public Sector Practice of the world’s largest communications services group, WPP. Sean was previously the Deputy Director of the UK Government Communications. Sean led the reform of the UK Government’s communications to build a centralised strategy. Sean set up and ran the UK Communications Service. Sean was responsible for almost 4,000 government communicators.

In this episode, you'll learn:

5:37 How to discover government communication priorities 6:34 Why government communications should be run more like a business 10:58 How do you change the government's tendency for risk aversion? 19:07 What are the small, simple steps to move from traditional marketing to content marketing? 25:31 What skills do government communicators need to become more effective? 28:55 How do you make communicators the most prestigious civil servants in government?

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The hardest part about telling stories for Government

Mon, 07 Mar 2016 19:00:00 GMT

In this week's episode of InTransition, we interview Mandy Gyles. Mandy has over 25 years’ experience in the communication and media industry. Mandy started her career as a reporter for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Mandy moved into the role of Communications Officer in the agricultural industry. She moved through various roles in PR, media and communication. Mandy worked for the Department of Agriculture and as Public Affairs Officer for the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research. Mandy has now ceased working in-house and has become a Media and Communication Consultant for her own company. Her recent clients include Capital Metro, SBS Radio, International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics, and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.

In this episode, you will learn:

4:10 What makes a good reporter?

5:25 What are the hard things about telling stories about organisations?

6:52 How do we improve public sector storytelling?

8:45 What is the way forward to overcome the risk to tell stories?

11:11 What tactics do you use to tell the senior management that the risk of telling stories is mitigated?

12:40 What are the obstacles for doing well in government communications?

19:32 What are the biggest challenges for public sector organisations to create a publishing mentality?

22:15 What does it take to tell good stories about research?

23:45 The changes in the way stories are told in research communications

24:57 What is the best story you have ever told?

30:13 What do you see is in the future and what advice can you give to the public sector?

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How do you convince the leadership to invest in content marketing?

Mon, 29 Feb 2016 22:00:00 GMT

In this week's episode of InTransition, we interview Karl Herger, Digital Marketing Specialist for the City of Sydney. Karl is responsible for implementing the City of Sydney’s digital marketing strategy, including its content strategy, social media, website builds, app development, analytics, online advertising and email marketing. Karl has been with the City of Sydney for over four years now.

Karl previously worked for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation as a Digital Marketing Specialist. He launched and managed the ABC Facebook page, growing it from 2,000 to 40,000+ likes through content strategy and advertising. Karl has over eight year’s digital marketing experience.

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What are the constraints of government communications?

Mon, 22 Feb 2016 19:00:00 GMT

In this special episode of InTransition, David Pembroke interviews Kanchan Dutt, the Senior Manager of Media and Communications for the Australian Capital Territory Community Services Directorate. This interview includes discussions on the constraints of department communications, how to improve the skills of staff to become better publishers and the challenges faced when convincing senior level management to use content marketing techniques. The interview featured as part of a live webcast from the Digital Hub at Gungahlin Library in 2014.

Kanchan started his career as a reporter in the traditional media before moving into the public sector where he has excelled in government communications for almost a decade. Kanchan has previously managed communications for the ACT Department of the Environment, Climate Change, Energy and Water and also spent time as a Senior Media Adviser to the ACT Chief Minister's Office.

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Tell your story using data

Mon, 15 Feb 2016 19:00:00 GMT

Today, David Pembroke sits down with guest Isabelle Oderberg, the National Social Media Lead for the Australian Red Cross. The two discuss the increasing appeal in hiring data analysts to work in social media, how data underpins story telling, how to teach an old work force how to identify and publish compelling social media content and how the approvals process works in a large organisation, among other things.

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Why a press release just won't do it anymore

Mon, 08 Feb 2016 19:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Founder and CEO David Pembroke sits down with Dr Caroline Fisher, Lecturer in journalism at the University of Canberra. They discuss the new role journalism plays in the public sector and how that is changing with new content marketing initiatives. David and Caroline explain how public sector workers should convince media advisors to employ content marketing tactics when pushing out new programs. They also talk about the new Bachelor of Journalism, Content Marketing degree at UC and where it is headed. Dr. Fisher's thesis can be found here.

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The ins and outs of publishing

Mon, 01 Feb 2016 19:00:00 GMT

This week we’re joined by Bobby Graham, Director of Bobby Graham Publishers and Business Development Manager of MasterDocs. In this episode, Bobby takes us through the ins and outs of publishing. We discuss the importance of the user, why print is not dead and how to have successful production meetings, among other things.

Bobby is an experienced digital publisher. Her business passion is digital publications, marketing and communication. She holds a Masters in eBusiness and a Bachelor of Arts in English and History. Over the past years, she has worked in the government sector, in mainstream publishers and libraries.

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Architecture of Listening

Mon, 14 Dec 2015 05:37:14 GMT

In this episode of InTransition we are joined by Jim MacNamara from the University of Technology, Sydney. We take a look at Jim’s distinguished career and discuss why more public sector organisations need to learn the art of listening.

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How does UNICEF Australia communicate during a crisis?

Tue, 08 Dec 2015 02:02:39 GMT

This week we’re joined by Kate Moore, UNICEF Australia’s media manager. In this conversation, David and Kate talk about UNICEF Australia's communication department and how they get the message out during an emergency.

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Wild About Whales: How they got it right

Tue, 01 Dec 2015 01:09:54 GMT

This week we’re joined by Clint and Todd Wright, Managing Directors of Threesides Marketing. In this episode we chat with Clint and Todd about their award winning campaign for the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Wild About Whales project.

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Show Me the Data: Leveraging Analytics

Tue, 24 Nov 2015 00:18:15 GMT

This week we're joined by Chris Rottler, Head of Digital Analytics of the US Peace Corps. In this episode, Chris explains how the Peace Corps uses data to understand their audience and develop content.

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Learn how to engage with your audience

Tue, 17 Nov 2015 00:59:52 GMT

This week we're joined by Matt Crozier, the co-founder and CEO of Community Engagement firm Bang The Table. In this episode Matt explains how organisations can engage with their audiences.

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How to stand out in a crowd

Mon, 09 Nov 2015 19:00:00 GMT

In episode 39 we're joined by Michelle Robertson, the Communications and Marketing Manager of Communites@Work. In this episode we explore the challenges faced by communications departments and how they can stand out in the crowd.

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How to be a publisher

Mon, 02 Nov 2015 06:14:38 GMT

Today, we're joined by one of Australia's most distinguished journalist and the publisher of The Mandarin, Tom Burton. In this episode we discuss how public sector organisations can become publishers.

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How the public and private sector can work together

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 19:00:00 GMT

In episode 37, we are joined by government communication expert and founder of GovCom Group, Alun Probert. If you will recall, back in episode 23 Alun joined us to discuss why government agencies should act as a newsroom. In this conversation, we discuss how the private and public sector can work together.

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How Redland City Council used social media during the 2014 Stradbroke Fires

Mon, 19 Oct 2015 19:00:00 GMT

In this episode, we speak with a leader in digital communication in government in Australia, Matt Murray. We discuss how Redland City Council used social media to inform and engage citizens during the 2014 Stradbroke Fires.

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How the UK Parliament became a publishing house

Mon, 12 Oct 2015 19:00:00 GMT

In episode 35 of InTransition, our guest is the Head of Strategy at Parliamentary Digital Services in the United Kingdom, Tracy Green. In this episode, we explore how the UK Parliament trained staff and became a publishing house.

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Working with a consultant: Be clear and strategic

Mon, 05 Oct 2015 19:00:00 GMT

Today, we speak to an award winning Australian government communications advisor, Jo Scard. Jo is the founder of the communication agency, Fifty Acres. In this episode we discuss the relationship between a consultant and government departments and how Jo developed a virtual agency.

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How CSIRO operates like a newsroom

Mon, 28 Sep 2015 20:00:00 GMT

In episode 33 of InTransition, we speak to the Content Manager at the CSIRO, Carol Saab. In this conversation we discuss CSIRO's publishing process and how the organisation acts as a newsroom.

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Why politicians love Twitter

Mon, 21 Sep 2015 20:30:00 GMT

In this episode we are joined by Flip Prior, Twitter Australia's Partnerships Manager - News & Government. In this episode we examine how government departments and politicians use Twitter to tell their message.

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The culture of change: Making the citizen a customer

Mon, 14 Sep 2015 23:12:28 GMT

Our guest today is the Senior Digital Officer at Nottinghamshire County Council, Sarah Lay. In this episode we discuss Nottinghamshire County Council’s innovative Digital First Project and how the council took a customer-centric approach when dealing with its citizens.

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The 5 universal truths for government communicators

Mon, 07 Sep 2015 20:00:00 GMT

In episode 30 of InTransition, our guest is the Director of Innovation (Outreach & Online) at Pennsylvania State University, Rose Cameron. In this episode, we explore the five universal truths for government communicators and why brands are moving away from traditional advertising.

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Death of Print and TV News

Mon, 31 Aug 2015 22:13:29 GMT

This week our guest is Jerry Watkins is the Director of the News and Media Research at the University of Canberra. In this episode we chat with Jerry about Digital News Report and the future of Print and TV News.

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Why you must attend Content Marketing World on 8-11 September 2015

Mon, 24 Aug 2015 20:00:00 GMT

Today, we are joined by the godfather of Content Marketing, Joe Pulizzi. Joe is the founder of Content Marketing Institute and someone who has a profound impact on the growth of contentgroup. In this episode we look at Joe’s professional career and we discuss the upcoming Content Marketing World and why everyone should attend.

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Developing an internal communication strategy for government

Mon, 17 Aug 2015 20:00:00 GMT

Today we are privileged to be joined by a legend of Australian municipal government communications, Executive Manager of Communications and Engagement for the City of Boroondara, Deb Ganderton. In this episode we discuss Boroondara’s communication structure and how her team has implemented an award winning content marketing strategy.

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The future of digital media in government

Mon, 10 Aug 2015 20:00:00 GMT

Our guest today joins us from one of the leading Australian News and Media site for both advertising and media. Nic Christensen is the Deputy Editor of Mumbrella, in this episode we discuss Nic’s reporting from the Digital Content Newfronts presentation in New York City, where the biggest digital media companies in the world presented their offerings to the media buyers and advertisers.

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Bridging the gap between ICT and Marketing in Government

Mon, 03 Aug 2015 20:00:00 GMT

Our guest today joins us with a wealth of government communication experience. John Sheridan is responsible for whole of government ICT services and procurement policy and operations. In this episode, we discuss the growing importance between government storytelling and information technology.

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Copyright laws in content marketing

Mon, 27 Jul 2015 20:00:00 GMT

In episode 10, Kim Ulrick, the Assistant Director of Communication for the Australian Federal Government Department of Communication told David Pembroke, "Get the lawyers involved early." Today, we take on that advice and are joined by Director of ARETE Group and Senior Legal Counsel for Airservices Australia, Shaun Creighton. In this episode we discuss the copyright implications when creating or curating content.

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Why government needs a 24-hour newscycle

Mon, 20 Jul 2015 20:00:00 GMT

Our guest today joins us with a wealth of government communication experience. Alun Probert is the former executive director of Strategic Communication to the NSW Government and the CEO of GovCom Group.

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Using content marketing to develop your website

Mon, 13 Jul 2015 20:00:00 GMT

In episode 22 of InTransition, we are joined by two special guests from the University of Canberra. Our guests Inga Davis and Richa Arora undertook a massive project of rebuilding the universities website. We discuss the steps they took to reach their objective and how they managed to bring more than 15,000 pages of content under one umbrella.

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How to maximise your opportunities in social media

Mon, 06 Jul 2015 20:00:00 GMT

Our guest today, Richard Spencer leads the largest media monitoring agency in Australia. With extensive experience working in social media our conversation delves into the issue of trust for government agencies when using social media.

Richard Spencer is Head of Digital for Isentia and Head of Agency for Isentia Two Social, Isentia’s specialist Social Media agency. The Social Media landscape is changing and developing exponentially. Richard advises organisations on how to maximise their opportunities in this exciting channel.

Richard is also a regular media commentator on Social Media channels. Prior to founding iSentia Two Social, Richard was Senior Vice President, Global Marketing and Interactive with TMP Worldwide and has been working in digital communications and the internet since 1996. Richard holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA Hons) in Business and a postgraduate Diploma in Marketing (CIM). Richard is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

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Analyse your content and refine accordingly

Mon, 29 Jun 2015 20:00:00 GMT

Today’s guest, Prudence Cook is the Manager of Online Communities at the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC). With over 22,000 grain growers in Australia, Prudence blends the world of digital technology and agriculture seamlessly as she explains how social media has helped her understand her audience.

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The non-negotiables of content marketing

Mon, 22 Jun 2015 20:00:00 GMT

Our guest today, Gina Florence is a rising star in the government communication sector. Gina serves as the Marketing and Communications Supervisor for the City of Bryan, Texas. In this episode, we discuss her role for the City of Bryan which includes boosting economic development, city programs, and tourism across online channels.

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InTransition Episode #18: How to create searchable content

Mon, 15 Jun 2015 20:30:00 GMT

Our guest today, James Mathewson is one of the global leaders in building tools and education to enable a global workforce to do data-driven search marketing. We discuss the power of Google Adwords and the use of social media metrics to track, listen and ultimately engage with your audience.

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Ep#17: Think, act and deliver like a publisher

Wed, 03 Jun 2015 05:29:56 GMT

Today’s guest, Brody Dorland is the co-founder of DivvyHQ, a content planning and production workflow tool that is used by content marketers across the globe.

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InTransiton Ep 16: Writing: the core of effective communication

Mon, 01 Jun 2015 22:40:08 GMT

Clear writing is at the essence of great content marketing. Today we are joined by former Australian public servant and Owner of True North Writing, Matt Fenwick. Matt explains how you can improve the way that you write through practice and technique.

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Ep#15, The power of social media in promoting your brand

Mon, 25 May 2015 23:32:01 GMT

This week’s guest, David Hohnke is the Director of Communication at Icon Water (formerly ACTEW Water) in Canberra, Australia. Icon Water owns and operates the water and sewerage assets and business in Canberra, with David leading a team of 12 talented communicators.

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Using content marketing to drive citizen action

Mon, 18 May 2015 20:00:00 GMT

Today we head to Washington D.C. to speak with Scott Burns the CEO and founder of GovDelivery. GovDelivery is a successful company that has been helping government to tell the stories since the year 2000. Today they now serve 1100 different government organisations all across the US, across the UK and even a couple of the main EU organisations in Brussels.

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Why governments are content-rich

Mon, 11 May 2015 20:00:00 GMT

In this episode, we speak to a man who knows a great deal about content marketing in government - David Rawlings from Landmark Media in Adelaide, Australia. We discuss some of biggest challenges for government in getting started with content marketing and the endless opportunities for government to publish engaging content to uphold a responsibility to explain programs and policy. A seasoned online professional, David has experience with more than 1500 web sites and social media profiles ranging back to 1996.

He is an author of a social media book (with one to come shortly) and is a recognised presenter on the topic of online communication, particularly in the education sector.

His workshops cover content development for web, eNewsletters, social media and email marketing and have been run through the University of Adelaide – and in tailored form directly with Government departments – for more than 10 years.

David helps government organisations at a one-on-one level and through a variety of content-focussed workshops.

David also started up Content Marketing Adelaide in collaboration with Frank Stillitano, the Creative Director at Flux Visual Communication.

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Engaging government to citizen relationships

Mon, 04 May 2015 20:00:00 GMT

Keren Flavell is an award-winning interactive media producer with 20 years experience in creating content online. She has a long a distinguished career in community engagement and wrote her first book in her early twenties. Today, her work focusses on participative and engaging government to citizen relationships. Most recently, she created an edemocracy tool designed to help governments better engage with citizens. The TownHall App has been used by agencies in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

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How to create long-term relationships with your client

Mon, 27 Apr 2015 20:00:00 GMT

I promised you some of the biggest names in content marketing and today we deliver on this promise to have a chat with Jason Miller, the Senior Manager content and social at LinkedIn Marketing Solutions. For those who don’t know Jason Miller - prepare to be entertained. Jason Miller is the author of the Amazon #1 Best Seller Welcome to the Funnel.

He leads global content and social initiatives for LinkedIn Marketing Solutions helping marketers understand how to use LinkedIn to achieve their marketing goals and deliver real ROI. Previously he was the senior manager of social media strategy at Marketo and responsible for leading the company's global content and social media efforts. Before entering the B2B space, he spent ten years at Sony developing and executing marketing campaigns around the biggest names in music.

When he is not building campaigns, creating remarkable content, and tracking the ROI of social, he is winning awards as a concert photographer, singing 80’s metal karaoke and winning at Seinfeld trivia. Jason is a frequent contributor to Content Marketing Institute, Social Media Examiner, Marketing Profs, Copyblogger, and has presented at numerous industry conferences including Dreamforce, Social Media Marketing World, Social Fresh, Microsoft Convergence, Inbound, and more.

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Using content marketing to explain public policy

Mon, 20 Apr 2015 20:00:00 GMT

Our guest today likes to cross the boundaries between communications and policy. Kim Ulrick is the Assistant Secretary Digital Communications, Department of Communication. A major focus of her current role surrounds redirecting the strategic policy intent of the department to better communicate and engage with stakeholders in the public- an interesting topic to say the least.

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The Revolution of Listening

Mon, 13 Apr 2015 20:00:00 GMT

This week’s guest has a long and distinguished career in the Australian Public Service. Today we talk to Carmel McGregor about the vital role communications played in her success, the revolution of “listening” and understanding why public servants need to be able explain their work to the public. Carmel McGregor forged a highly successful and notable career in the Australian Public Service. She is a psychologist by training and is intrinsically interested in how people think and what makes them tick.

Carmel also held senior positions with Centrelink managing employment and education as well as People and Corporate Performance where she re-engineered the human resource, leadership development and organisational design functions.

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Episode # 8 Russell Sparkman Co-founder, FusionSpark Media, Inc.

Sun, 05 Apr 2015 20:00:00 GMT

Founded in 1999 FusionSpark Media has produced a wide range of content initiatives for non-profit and government agencies in the topic areas of environment, sustainability and health.

With offices across the US and in Japan, FusionSpark Media is made up of a talent network of indivduals with backgrounds in marketing, public relations, digital media and journalism.

Russell's role in projects ranges from new business development to content strategy to photography and video creation.

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Episode 7. Ian Cleary, RazorSocial

Tue, 31 Mar 2015 00:42:46 GMT

Ian is now launching the RazorSocial Training Academy which is an online training platform focussed on the technical side to social media marketing and blogging. RazorSocial is the global leader in the provision of expert knowledge and advice on social media tools and technology. This year they will run over 300 programmes with a team of 6 trainers with highly specialized Digital Marketing Skills.

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Episode 6. Steve Lewis, Senior Advisor at Newgate Communications

Mon, 23 Mar 2015 19:00:00 GMT

The debate gets heated as we chat with former journalist turned communications professional Steve Lewis, who gives us a different perspective on government communications and the importance of traditional media.

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Episode 5. Clare and Alice Collins, Insight Communications

Mon, 16 Mar 2015 19:00:00 GMT

Today we explore a case study that looks into the public health challenge of asbestos awareness. Our guests are Clare and Alice Collins, a mother-daughter duo who run Insight Communications- a multi-award winning agency specialising in communication management for cause, culture, community and health organisations.

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Episode 4. Joe Gollner, Managing Director at Gnostyx Research Inc.

Mon, 09 Mar 2015 19:00:00 GMT

Our guest today is ‘seriously’ into content and looks at content from a slightly different but extremely valuable angle. Joe Gollner is one of the world’s leading content strategists and his focus is on content strategy. This discussion holds particular interest for those in the audience who work for regulators and manage mountains of technical information.

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Episode 3. Andrew Metcalfe, Partner, Advisory, Performance Improvement at EY

Mon, 02 Mar 2015 19:00:00 GMT

Andrew has recently been appointed to EY following an extensive career at the highest levels of the Australian Government in borders and central agencies. He has extensive policy experience in often contentious areas, as well as in the delivery of client services on a national and global scale. Andrew was the Secretary of the Australian Department of Immigration for 7 years, and he also was the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Australia's Director of Quarantine. He was involved in all aspects of strategy, policy, governance and provision of client services to the more than 30,000,000 people who cross Australia's borders each year.

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Episode 2. Russell Grossman, International Chair at IABC

Mon, 23 Feb 2015 19:00:00 GMT

Russell Grossman wears many hats; he is the Director of Group Communications at the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, as well as International Chair of the IABC and Director of Engage for Success.

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Episode 1. Alex Aiken, Executive Director, UK Government Communications

Mon, 16 Feb 2015 22:51:13 GMT

We bring in a big name for our first episode, the most senior communications professional in the UK Civil Service, Alex Aiken.

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