This weekend past, I went to the memorial of the late Rochelle Porteous, whose string of accomplishments is too long to include here, but her LinkedIn profile describes her as an “Advocacy, Communications and Policy specialist with extensive experience in Advocacy Campaign Design and Implementation.” She was also twice mayor of Inner West Council (Sydney).  I was struck by just how many people from all walks of life talked about her strong advocacy, and perhaps every speaker, without fail, used the phrase "She pushed me to be better." She was admired by speakers from all sides of politics, and numerous marginalised groups, as well as advocates for multiple causes.  What a remarkable legacy she left.
Looking at world events over the last few years I wonder how have we come to live in a world where showing kindness has now become a controversial act? When did extending a helping hand to those in need become something to debate rather than a basic expression of our humanity? Perhaps you don't agree, and I would love to hear your view.
Recent changes to DEI in the USA are nothing short of shocking. Disabled people will need to fight harder for basic accessibility, LGBTQ+ people need to amp up defending their right to exist authentically, and indeed for the TQI+ among them to be recognised at all. Refugees fleeing war and persecution face walls of hostility.
To those supporting deportation of migrants/refugees, please tell me if you would feel the same way if it was you trying to flee war or famine or seek a better life for your children and family? Why do you find these people scary? What do you fear you will lose by allowing them to stay?
I grew up as the daughter of a German migrant. He was born in 1940. I was always very aware of all the horrors of WWII, as well as my father's experiences growing up in post-war Berlin, and his experiences of the Berlin Blockade and the Wall going up. I was also exposed to ignorance and racism in the school playground, and I knew how it felt to be ostracised for being of German heritage, which at that time, that was not acceptable. I realise being of German ancestry is an unusual/ironic vantage point for my early understanding of racism, but it was instrumental in shaping my views about compassion, and feeling determined that the atrocities of the past should never ever be repeated.
So I am utterly flummoxed that the world is losing its compassion again. At least I think it is.
Recent political discourse has devolved into a theatre of cruelty. Leaders who mock, belittle, and bully are not only tolerated but seem to be celebrated in some circles. Of course I understand media and tech oligarchs are shaping the global narrative to suit their agendas, but I wonder about the reduced capacity for critical thinking from those buying into the narrative.
We watch as democratic institutions erode, as hate speech becomes normalised, as policies targeting the vulnerable are enacted – and each day brings a fresh outrage that somehow becomes yesterday's forgotten news, as we focus on today's political shockwaves.
How many organisations abandoned their DEI policies without a backwards glance recently? If you are one part of one of those organisations, please explain it to me, because I really want to understand your justification.
One of the most perplexing things to me is the rise of "Christian Conservatism" while betraying the very foundations of Christian teaching. I am not religious but know enough to recognise what I perceive to be hypocrisy. I know others have written it recently, but just to reinforce some key points, Jesus was a refugee. He was a radical who stood with society's outcasts, who preached unconditional love, who challenged the powerful and wealthy. He fed the hungry without checking their papers, healed the sick without asking for payment, and commanded his followers to love their neighbours as themselves. How is it even possible to twist those sensible and compassionate lessons into racism, misogyny, or the persecution of the vulnerable?
We stand at a crossroads. Will we continue to normalise the unconscionable, or will we reclaim our capacity for empathy, our responsibility to care for one another, our fundamental human duty to help those in need? We need to recognise that showing compassion is not weakness. It is the ultimate expression of strength.
To paraphrase/summarise one of the speakers at Rochelle’s memorial (Jamie Parker from memory), it takes courage to stand against the tide of hatred, to defend those who are different from us, to fight for justice when injustice seems to be winning. We must call out bullying when we see it, whether in our schools, our workplaces, or our highest offices.
This is not about politics or even about left and right – it is about our shared humanity. It is about who we are and who we choose to be. The measure of any society lies in how it treats its most vulnerable members. By that metric, we are failing.

​ here to edit.

Not every business needs (or can afford) a full-time senior communications leader—but that doesn't mean you don't need strategic comms expertise. A Fractional Communications Officer (FCO) comes in.
A fractional comms officer (FCO) is a highly experienced professional who works with your business on a part-time, contract, or project basis, providing C-suite level communications strategy without the full-time salary commitment.
They can assist your business with all your communication needs. 
✅ Need help with crisis comms or reputation management?
✅ Want sharper executive messaging or speechwriting?
✅ Do you need an internal communication or change communication strategy?
✅ Do you need to prepare regular newsletters, blogs, white papers or investor information resources?
✅ Does your senior leadership team need LinkedIn posts or thought leadership articles but doesn't have the time to write them?
✅ Do you need regular case studies?
✅ Maybe you require interim support for your PR team or agency?
A fractional approach gives you senior expertise, flexibility, and results—without the overhead.
​Have you worked with a fractional comms leader before? If you would like to explore the possibility, message me, or email me at [email protected]

​Photo by Ivan Samkov: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-in-black-long-sleeve-shirt-using-macbook-pro-7213549/

From Local Business Awards to National industry recognition, professional awards can be game-changers for your business. Quite apart from being shiny additions to the reception area of your office, they're also powerful tools that can elevate your brand, bring in more customers, attract top talent, and open doors to new opportunities. But crafting a submission that stands out can be challenging, especially if you aren't a writer. Let's dive into the top tips for writing award-winning entries that captivate judges and showcase your organisation's brilliance.
The first thing I will counsel is that if writing is not your thing, don't attempt it! Get a professional in who can collate all the stats and present a submission that reflects your brand and tone of voice. If you have a good writer on board and an equally organised internal stakeholder (to chase approvals and missing numbers), then there's nothing stopping you from creating award submission magic.
The Art of Data Presentation
Your achievements are impressive, but numbers alone won't win hearts. You will need to create a compelling narrative around your data. Don't just state revenue increased by 30% – paint a picture of the impact. How many jobs did it create? What innovations did it spark? How did you do it? Showcase your talent for revenue growth and transform cold statistics into warm, relatable stories that resonate with the judges.
Meeting and Beating the Award Criteria
Think of selection criteria as your roadmap. Each section presents you with an opportunity to shine. However, don't just tick boxes. Use the opportunity to demonstrate that your approach was innovative, how it met and exceeded industry best practices, or pushed boundaries. Remember, it's not just about meeting criteria – it's about exceeding expectations.
Showcasing Impact: Beyond the Bottom Line
While financial success is crucial, judges are increasingly looking for entries demonstrating a broader impact – That might be ESG figures- the disclosure of environmental, social and corporate governance data. Or it might include employment stats, being an employer of choice and inclusivity data. Perhaps you've launched an industry-first sustainable practice or implemented a groundbreaking employee wellness program. These are the stories that elevate a good entry to a killer submission.
Sometimes Less is More
One of the most common mistakes is trying to cram everything in. I have worked on submissions where the client initially wanted a submission that read like a company manifesto - it was comprehensive but without punch. The secret? Be ruthlessly selective on what makes the cut. Choose your strongest points and articulate them clearly.
The Power of a Streamlined Process
Here's a little-known secret: the quality of your submission often reflects the quality of your internal process. Establish a streamlined approval process to avoid the common pitfall of "too many cooks in the kitchen". While it's tempting to incorporate everyone's input, this often leads to bloated word counts and inconsistent styles. Trust your writing team to craft a cohesive narrative. I like to ensure I have a single point of contact internally, and that person is responsible for the approval process. That way, they can choose whose edits to incorporate according to their internal hierarchy, and I can focus on ensuring a consistent tone of voice when I insert the feedback into the copy.
When it comes to final edits, where I am near the final word count, I like to remind clients that if they plan to add something new, they must nominate something of equal length for deletion. It tends to keep everyone on track.
Be sure to proofread your submission, especially after multiple comments from stakeholders. Delete duplication, and if you don't have an editor handy, use software to help identify any errors. I am a professional writer and still use Grammarly to proofread everything.
Bringing It All Together: The Final Polish
Before you hit submit, make sure you read your entry through the eyes of a judge who knows nothing about your company. Is it clear? Compelling? Does it make you feel proud? The best submissions don't just inform – they inspire.
Remember, it's not just about what you've achieved - it's about how you tell your story. Be clear, compelling, and, most importantly, authentic. Your next industry accolade could be just a brilliantly crafted submission away.


Image credit: Photo by RDNE Stock project: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-man-in-formal-wear-holding-a-trophy-7005753/
First published on LinkedIn - ​https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/unlocking-secrets-stellar-professional-award-submissions-m01cc/?trackingId=UJW3%2FgHnTJeD6vLqWVX0Pw%3D%3D

This morning, I was perusing the recently published Digital News Report: Australia 2024 , published in June 2024, by the News and Media Research Centre at The University of Canberra. It sheds light on the evolving landscape of news consumption in Australia.
Given the contracting media landscape and recent publication closures, I found it a fascinating read. Apart from increased PR competition for column inches for shrinking news platforms/outlets, we (PRs) will also need to consider the changing ways Australians consume media and factor that into our PR and communications strategy.
I found several of the report's findings insightful. I will likely pull out some more interesting stats and discuss PR implications in more detail for future articles, but below are a few more salient bits.

Aussie news consumers are a mistrustful bunch.
Aussies are more distrustful of misinformation than the global average. Concern about online misinformation in Australia rose from 65% in 2016 to 75% in 2024, well above the global average of 54%. In terms of news, Trust in news has fallen to 40% (-3pp) since last year. With that in mind, audiences also find it hardest to identify misinformation on TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) and easiest on Google, Facebook, and YouTube.

Aussies aren't keen on AI for News.
Almost 60% of Australians are less comfortable with the use of AI to produce news compared to consumers in most other countries. We will accept AI to report on Sports, but reporting on politics using AI is a big NO.

Despite increasing "news avoidance", more than half of us access news daily
Reassuringly, 51 per cent of Australians access news more than once a day, a three percentage point increase from last year. I had thought that figure was dropping, so it was nice to see it growing. That said, news avoidance remains high at 68%, with weariness from the volume of news up by 13 percentage points.

Growing demand for Local News
The report highlighted the need for more local news and audiences wanting more. It said: "Local News has the widest gap between satisfaction with availability and levels of interest in it. This is especially true in regional areas." I think this presents attractive PR opportunities for small local brands where they have a local news source available to them. I am a passionate advocate of independent local news outlets that have editorial independence from the subjects of their news coverage. Local outlets are a fantastic vehicle for PR for community organisations and local businesses to reach audiences and markets.

PRs need video skills or a videographer in their network.

Audiences are tuning in to video-based formats and social media for their news, and for PRs, this signals that providing clear and accessible visual stories can help audiences understand complex events. Consumer PRs have known this for ages, but B2B PRs need to get more creative.

How we use social media for news

Facebook (32%), YouTube (26%) and Instagram (16%) are the top social media platforms for news among Australians. LinkedIn for news is still relatively low at 5%.
The report says: "Since 2016, Australians have been increasingly turning to image and video-based platforms like YouTube, Instagram and TikTok for news. There has been a significant decline in the use of Facebook for news (-13pp), whereas YouTube (+11pp), Instagram (+13pp) and TikTok (+8pp since 2020) have become popular ways to get news."
YouTube has jumped ten percentage points since 2022 (35%) for news among young men.
Mainstream news outlets are the most popular news sources on Facebook (57%), YouTube (48%) and Instagram (46%).
The use of mainstream news on X (formerly Twitter) has fallen to 49% (-13pp), and news from ordinary people has risen (47%, +10pp).
Instagram is now the top social media platform for news among Gen Z (34%, +8pp).

Gender Bias - Losing female audiences when news comes off socials
There's a clear gender bias when it comes to social media, with women using it more than men for news, primarily via Facebook and Instagram. PRs and journalists need to consider how to target this audience going forward, as news organisations will become less prevalent on social media platforms (particularly Meta) in the future.

News outlets will likely focus more on emails, alerts, and podcasts as a gateway to audiences paying for news (to reduce reliance on social media). PR professionals should start thinking of creative ways to partner using these formats.

​Given the information in the report, I will pull out some more interesting data in a later post to discuss the implications of PR and comms.

​Image Credit: Social Media Platforms for News 2016-2024. Image: Digital News Report: Australia 2024 by University of Canberra

The contemporary media environment is transforming significantly, reducing opportunities for journalists and content creators and making public relations efforts more challenging.
​
This week, dozens of jobs will be lost as the Nine-owned Pedestrian Group announced a restructure, including a plan to stop licensing overseas titles. Sadly that means the end of Australian editorial teams for Vice, Gizmodo, Refinery29, Kotaku and Lifehacker.
The loss of editorial roles is awful, but it also has implications for brand PR opportunities, as these publications are renowned for product testing and reviews.

During the pandemic, News Corp cut around 100 local newspaper mastheads, again a tragedy for the journalists working there but also detrimental for small businesses wanting to advertise or place sponsored content and earned media articles (PR) into their local paper. In 2020, Bauer Media permanently shut down eight titles, including InStyle, Elle, and Harper's Bazaar.
More recently, Seven Network, Nine Media, and News Corp announced further restructures, resulting in the loss of hundreds of editorial and other roles.

There are two ways to look at the issue for brands. The first is that with fewer journalists available to write or produce original content and more pressure on the remaining teams to make more with less,  there will be more demand for quality pre-produced or ghostwritten content to place in media, which is a win for brands and PR firms. However, with fewer titles and fewer journalists to pitch to, it's a double-edged sword.

There will be more competition for fewer available column inches, which means PRs or brand marketing teams need to develop, pitch, and produce higher-quality newsworthy content than their competitors to get noticed.
Public Relations consultants must manage clients' expectations about what makes a good news story and dissuade them from weaker stories.

Newsworthiness: Unless you work for a renowned blue-chip company with an iconic logo, your rebrand won't make the front page of the AFR. Heck, for the most part, no one outside your company will be interested. The same goes for new starter/promotion announcements. They will get traction in some industry media, but only expect tier-one coverage if your brand is renowned.
Local relevance: A media release for an unfamiliar brand issued by an offshore head office without reference to the local operation wastes time. Make sure media releases are locally relevant. If you are forced to issue a generic international release, at least ensure it's amended to Australian spelling and you have a localised covering note accompanying it, outlining the relevance to the local market.  Even then, don't expect too much coverage.

Consider other ways to reach your target audience: I think we will see a greater emphasis on social media, including Linkedin, podcasts and speaking opportunities to reach audiences. All have been extremely popular for years anyway, but the demand for quality content in that space will amp up even more (and so too will the competition between brands).

Quality human copy: While Gen AI can have benefits in terms of speed to create an article, you need to proofread it and ensure the article is fit for purpose (we can pretend no one uses it, but in truth, you can spot an AI story a mile off, and there's more of them out there these days). Please don't rely solely on AI to generate your article, and then simply pitch it using US spelling, Chat GPT format, and all. Human interest and relevance are critical to any article. Humans still have the edge on "being human", so proofread, sense-check, link-check and amend the copy appropriately. Better still, ask one of many (now) freelance journalists or PRs to craft/finesse it for you. It's what they (and we) do for a living.

If in doubt, get help:  PR consultants are often ex-journalists with a nose for news.   Now, the market is also full of fantastic newly-freelance journalists who understand the news. We know what makes good news stories and have experience pitching to media.
​
As the media landscape contracts and undergoes profound changes, competition for a smaller pool of opportunities will place significant pressure on media professionals and news sources. This will highlight the need for higher standards in news and content creation. It will also lead to a paradigm shift in how stories must be pitched to journalists from now on, with a greater emphasis on capturing the attention of a shrinking number of media platforms.

​This article first appeared on LinkedIn - 9 July 2024
Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/athletes-running-on-track-and-field-oval-in-grayscale-photography-34514/

As a small business owner, I really value staying connected with small business peers, especially when working remotely. This morning, for example, I caught up with two fantastic women I have worked with previously—one was when we were both full-time employees at a national TV network, and the other was a fellow supplier with whom I had once shared a mutual client.
At the end of one of the calls, we resolved to make it a monthly catch-up. The next meeting is already locked and loaded in the diary.
I can't tell you how enjoyable it made the rest of the day after some laughs with these two awesome small business owners.
Office-based workers often catch up over lunch or in the tea room to discuss personal and professional issues, fostering a sense of camaraderie, friendship and support. It's one thing I miss about running my own show. An online meeting with other remote-working business owners is a virtual version of these in-person interactions, providing a space for meaningful discussions, shared experiences, and mutual support. We should all be reaching out to our remote network.
It got me thinking about why we should all aim to network regularly with other small business owners. Here are some key reasons why regular online catch-ups should be scheduled in our diaries for our businesses' health and mental well-being.
Supporting Business Growth and Professional Development
Online catch-ups with industry peers provide an invaluable opportunity to share insights, experiences, and key learnings. These interactions can foster collaboration, spark new ideas, and offer solutions to common challenges faced by small businesses.
The greater your network of contacts within your local area or industry, the more likely you are to hear about new opportunities and projects. Virtual networking is no exception.
Through these virtual meetings, we can also gain fresh perspectives and stay updated on industry trends, which can ultimately contribute to the growth of our business.
Bear in mind that many small businesses rarely splash out on professional development and training, so catching up is a fantastic way to identify new trends and determine whether there's something you should be getting up to speed on.
Even if you don't have a training budget, #LinkedInLearning, #Coursera, and #Ed-X Online Learning have some great bite-sized learning modules—but without that networking chat, you might not even know about any skills gaps you might have.
Combatting Isolation
Working from home or remotely can sometimes lead to feelings of isolation and stress. Regular online catch-ups create a sense of community and support, helping to combat the loneliness that small business owners may experience. It allows us to connect with like-minded individuals, providing a vital support network for each other's mental well-being.
Engaging in online catch-ups with fellow small business owners can positively impact our mental health. It offers a platform for open discussions, peer support, and encouragement, fostering a sense of belonging and reducing feelings of loneliness or stress from remote work. By prioritising these connections, we can collectively work towards maintaining a healthy work-life balance and a positive mindset, contributing to our overall well-being.
The Black Dog Institute also has an excellent checklist for combatting isolation - initially written for pandemic isolation, but very useful for all remote workers today as well. (The link won't embed so here's a shortened link - https://shorturl.at/YvH7S)
Let's continue to support and learn from each other, ultimately striving for success in our professional endeavours and personal well-being. #SmallBusiness #RemoteWork #Entrepreneurship
I would love to hear how you manage professional development, networking and connection remotely.
Image Credit: Photo by Anna Shvets: https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-on-a-video-call-4226263/

For years, I took on all client work, regardless of industry or client personalities, to ensure a steady cash flow and income. However, after more than a decade of running my consultancy, I've realised that there's more to business than just financial stability. As a sole trader and small business, I've found that the most successful client projects are the ones where I've been integrated into the internal marketing teams and genuinely treated as though I am one of them.
It's the relationships where there isn't a power dynamic of "client and supplier" that work best. When we are all honest with each other, without any bureaucracy within our relationship (often despite the bureaucratic nature of a client's business or industry), we can really drive each other to be our best. External communications consultants bring fresh perspectives, often uncontaminated by internal biases or company dynamics. This integration leads to better outcomes and makes the process enjoyable for everyone involved.
The Pitfalls of Power Imbalance
On the other hand, I've also had clients who claim to treat external consultants as part of their team, but an obvious client/supplier power imbalance results in less open communication. This imbalance can hinder the collaborative process and ultimately affect the quality of any outcomes.
Finding the Right Communications Consultant: Aligning Values for Success
When seeking a communications consultant for your business, finding a professional whose values align with your personal ethos and the core values of your business is paramount. Integrating an external consultant whose values match your own can lead to a more honest and open working relationship, ultimately benefiting the overall success of the collaboration. It can also lead to long-term and more productive relationships in the future.
For example, I have one relationship that began when I was an internal Corporate Affairs Manager (client), and she was a Senior Manager in a PR firm (supplier). Over the past twenty-plus years, we have taken turns being the client and consultant across numerous jobs and roles. We understand how each other works and trust each other's judgement, which means we can quickly generate meaningful results for whoever the client is or even on shared clients - without any egos getting in the way.
The Importance of Shared Values
Your values play a crucial role in shaping the culture and ethos of your business, so finding a communications consultant whose values align with yours can lay the foundation for a solid and transparent working relationship. In turn, when the consultant's values resonate with the business's, it creates a harmonious environment where mutual respect, understanding, and trust can thrive. With those two alignments as a foundation, the sky's the limit to what you can achieve.
Establishing a rapport that allows for occasional personal sharing can also be invaluable. A positive relationship where occasional personal details are shared fosters camaraderie and also respectfully acknowledges the impact personal situations can have on professional performance. In an environment of openness and support between client and consultant, individuals can navigate personal challenges with mutual understanding, mirroring the support and affinity often found within high-functioning internal business teams.
Define What You Are Looking For
Naturally, it is best if there’s more than simply having aligned values. Experience and expertise also play a role. When assessing and planning resource allocation for hiring a communications consultant, consider the following steps to define and identify your ideal candidate:
Current Situation Review: Assess your current resource allocation and identify gaps to understand the baseline, your goals, and what skills gaps exist to achieve them.
Goal Definition: Clearly define the objectives, budget and priorities that will guide your subsequent resource allocation decisions.
Core expertise: Identify the expertise your ideal candidate will have, including industry/ sector experience and the specific communication expertise you need (e.g., strategy, media relations, social media, crisis communications, etc.)
Desired Values: Identify the values important to you as an individual, as a team, and as a business as a whole, and actively seek a consultant whose values align with these.
Cultural Fit: Look for a consultant who has the necessary skills and experience, and embodies the cultural fit that aligns with your business. After all, the objective is to identify a consultant who will blend seamlessly with your team.
Communication Style: Consider the consultant's desired communication style and your preferred mode of interaction.
Collaborative Attitude: Look for evidence of a collaborative and team-oriented mindset to ensure a seamless integration into your internal teams.
By prioritising shared values and cultural alignment in your search for a communications consultant, you can foster a more cohesive and productive working relationship, ultimately driving the success of your business's marketing and communications endeavours.
​Image Credit: Photo by Kindel Media: https://www.pexels.com/photo/group-of-people-putting-their-hands-together-7688159/