The leading PR and communications conference in APAC

Shih-Huei is CEO at Klareco Communications.

Shih-Huei has led the operations and expansion of the Group since 2010. The company underwent a rebrand as Klareco Communications in 2017. Under Shih-Huei’s leadership, Klareco operates in Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Yangon. Together with a global network of affiliates, Klareco serves businesses facing complex communications challenges in the region and globally.

Today, she leads a team of over 50 public relations specialists and advise a complete and diverse range of clients – including world leaders in politics and business, companies in every industrial and commercial sector, and other important organisations and individuals.

She has more than 18 years of communications experience in corporate reputation, crisis management and financial communications. Her clients span a wide range of industries such as property, healthcare, financial institutions, retail and technology. In the area of financial communications, Shih-Huei provided strategic communications counsel for close to S$10 billion worth of M&As, IPOs and other capital market transactions.

Shih-Huei sits on the committee of the Career Women’s Group of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CWG SCCCI) which promotes women leadership.

She holds an International Master of Business Administration (IMBA) from the University of South Carolina. She worked with Syngenta International AG in Switzerland and also studied at the Manchester School of Business, as part of her IMBA training.

Shih-Huei has a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Economics and Sociology, from the National University of Singapore.

Mark is Managing Director and Co-Founder of Klareco Communications. He is a career media and communications expert with extensive experience in crisis management, strategic corporate and financial communications, and public affairs.
Mark joined Klareco Communications after a decade as a front-line TV journalist with the BBC.
Mark works with regional and international companies across Asia. He has advised a variety of professional and financial services clients, including corporate banks, wealth and asset managers, law firms and management consultancies.
Mark graduated from the University of Oxford with an MA in English Language and Literature. He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Broadcast Journalism from City University, London.

As a political journalist, stand-up comedian, author, playwright and producer, Wendy has many titles under her belt. She has performed her one-woman shows across the world including in Melbourne, Edinburgh, London, Montreal and Glasgow, and led her hugely popular Breakfast show at Sydney’s 2Day FM to top ratings for eleven years.

The author of several best-selling books for both adults and children, Wendy has had great success writing fiction and non-fiction titles including Farewell My Ovaries, Love and Punishment, Nagging for Beginners and her series of children’s books Pearlie in the Park Fairy. To add to that, Wendy produced, wrote and presented the ABC television documentary Stuff, and recorded the national ABC podcast series Is It Just Me? with Angela Catterns.

Since 2018, Wendy has been the co-host of ABC Radio Sydney’s Breakfast program with Robbie Buck, which covers all of the latest news, current affairs, and sport, plus local stories from across Sydney.

Jodi has over 20 years experience working as producer on a variety of programs for various networks in Australia & the UK.

Jodi began her career at the Nine Network in Sydney and worked on a range of factual programs, before taking a role as Senior Producer and writer on the long- running series ‘This is Your Life.’

Moving to London, Jodi worked as features writer and reporter for The Evening Standard and others in the Associated Newspapers Group.

Still in the UK, Jodi went on to work as news producer and unit manager for the Nine Network’s London bureau before returning to Australia in 2007.

In the past nine years, Jodi has worked as a Senior Producer, Series Producer and writer on a range of prime-time factual and entertainment series for Australian free-to-air and subscription networks, including ‘The Biggest Loser’ , ‘Paddock to Plate’ and ‘Please Marry My Boy’ among many others. In recent years Jodi has been Series Producer and Executive Producer of ‘River Cottage Australia’.

In 2017, she helmed the first series of ‘War on Waste’ for KEO Films and ABC TV. In August 2017, Jodi won the title of “Journalist/Producer of the Year”, at the annual ‘B&T Women in Media Awards’& collected an AACTA Award for 2017 Best Documentary Series for ‘War on Waste’.

In 2018, Jodi produced a second 3 hour series of War On Waste: The Battle Continues, collected the most outstanding factual documentary program at the 60th Annual Logie Awards and gave birth to her second child.

Stephen started his commissioning career at the ABC with the AACTA and Logie Award-winning War on Waste (2017) and was instrumental in designing and implementing a game-changing impact campaign to help reduce our waste whilst achieving the highest ratings in the slot for two years. He has followed this up with an equally successful second series, War on Waste – The Battle Continues and several more high profile series including Don’t Stop the Music and associated impact campaign on music education in schools, Eureka prize-winning Can we Save the Reef?, true crime blockbuster Exposed – The Case of Keli Lane, AACTA-winning political biopic Hawke: The Larrikin and the Leader and AACTA / Venice TV Award-winning Employable Me which sparked a huge and heartfelt national conversation. Previously, Stephen was an award-winning writer/director/showrunner with credits including For the Love of Meat, Stop Laughing, This is Serious, What’s the Catch?, Chateau Chunder – A Wine Revolution and The Secret History of Eurovision. He likes diving, tennis, mushrooms and dogs. Oh and his kids, he really likes them too.

Jocelin Abbey is Head of Marketing for the ABC, working across the breadth of products, content and services. An avid consumer of media, Jocelin spends most of her spare time binge watching TV & video content, listening to podcasts or radio, and checking ABC News at least six times a day. She leads a team of passionate and gifted marketers, who alongside ABC content and distribution teams, take to market award-winning Australian content. Jocelin has had over 15 years of experience working in similar roles across a broad range of media, arts and entertainment companies, such as Yahoo7, Nova Entertainment, Secret Sounds Group and Universal Music

Craig Reucassel is an Australian writer and comedian who is best known for his work with The Chaser.

Craig and a group of satirical comedians founded The Chaser newspaper, which led to a number of ABC TV Chaser programs including ‘The Election Chaser’, ‘CNNNN, The Chaser’s War on Everything’, ‘Yes We Canberra’ and ‘The Hamster Wheel’. Most recently he’s appeared on ABC in ‘The Chaser’s Media Circus’, ‘The Chaser’s Election Desk’ and the current series of satirical consumer affairs show ‘The Checkout’.

Craig was born in South Africa but moved to Australia at a young age. He attended Bowral Public School and Bowral High School, but despite this never became a famous cricketer. He then attended the University of Sydney, and graduated with honours in Bachelor of Economics (Social Science) and Bachelor of Laws.
At some point he also co-hosted the triple j shows ‘Today Today’, ‘Bloody Sunday’ and ‘The Race Race’ with fellow Chaser Chris Taylor. In 2016 he performed in David Williamson’s ‘Jack of Hearts’ at The Ensemble.

Craig is married with three children. He has a cat and a dog that could do with a walk if you have any time.

Ellen Gunning MA, MIAPR, FPRII, NUJ is the founding director of the Irish Academy of Public Relations, a specialist communications college with 25+ years’ experience of teaching PR, Journalism and Event Management in 6 languages (English, French, Spanish, Russian, Polish and Arabic) across 50 countries.

Ellen has handled PR for national and international clients in politics, business, the arts and charity sectors for over 20 years.

She is author of three books. Her most recent, Public Relations a practical approach (3^rd edition) was published by Macmillan Higher Education International (Red Globe Press) in October 2018. Her other books are: Capital Women of Influence (Liffey Press, 2009) and 10 Red Hot Tips to Promote your Business (Mercier Press, 2016).

Ellen is a national past-president of the International Public Relations Association and former Chairman of the Irish national PR Institute’s Education Council. She is highly regarded as a motivational speaker.

She has received a journalism award from the European Parliament, a Fellowship from the Public Relations Institute of Ireland and an international recognition from the Nigerian Event Management Association.

She is a regular commentator on Ireland AM, the breakfast TV show on national Virgin Media One television and presents the Mediascope radio show each Tuesday with interviews of interest to communications practitioners.

Ellen is currently chairperson of 103.2 Dublin City fm radio station, director of the Irish Academy of Public Relations and a member of the executive council of the European Association of Distance Learning.

Vanessa is a public relations professional and agency leader with over 25 years’ experience in corporate and consumer public relations, brand & reputation, integrated creative campaigns, digital/social media and issues management.

As Group CEO for Herd MSL, one of Australia’s largest and most awarded public relations agency groups, Vanessa leads the performance of Herd MSL’s agencies – N2N Communications, Fuel Communications and Touch Creative – a team of 75 professional consultants.

After an extensive career in journalism that included Sydney Director of News for Network 10, a journalist for Win Television and a journalist for the Hobart Mercury, David Breen joined ING in 2008.

As Head of Corporate Affairs of Australia’s most recommended bank, David is responsible for managing ING’s reputation in Australia across internal and external channels. With wide-ranging expertise in corporate communications, media relations and crisis communications, David firmly believes in taking an inside-out approach to managing reputation. David believes a company’s values and behaviours are key to gaining trust and advocacy.

Amanda has almost two decades’ of experience in consumer and trade marketing, garnered in Australia and the US. She joined Gumtree Australia after five years at Wotif and Expedia, heading up brand and communications.

As Head of Marketing at Australia’s local marketplace, Amanda is responsible for overseeing all of Gumtree’s communication channels to drive further growth to the website and engagement with the brand’s community of 7 million Australian users per month.

Amy is a communications specialist with over 10 years’ experience, having worked across leading brands in cosmetics, health and FMCG.

Amy was previously the Beauty Publicist for Revlon, leading results through the APAC region, before spending time with Blackmores, Australia’s largest vitamin and supplement brand where she was responsible for delivering PR and sponsorship activations, including the Blackmores Sydney Running Festival and Australian Open campaign.

Amy is currently the Senior Communications Manager Brands, ANZ for Campbell Arnott’s, where she leads the editorial and social currency for some of the countries most loved brands including Tim Tam, Shapes, Tiny Teddy, Real Stock and Country Ladle Soup.

James Greet is one of Australia’s most experienced agency change leaders. During the course of his career he has worked with some of the world’s most progressive agencies across both media and creative, where strategic and creative thinking has been the definer and driver of their success.

During his 14 years in Australia, James has held the CEO role at OMD, Mindshare (ANZ, Japan and Korea), and Ikon (ANZ, ) building a reputation as a pioneer, helping turn under performing companies into both market and global network leaders.

More recently he has worked as a Partner of Cummins&Partners, a successful Australian independent Advertising Agency who wanted to realise the ambition of offering both creative and media under one roof, across both their Melbourne and Sydney offices.

Today he is a Co-founder of CleanThinking, a ‘jedi council’ of comms strategists, designed to help businesses turn media complexity into clarity and advantage. CleanThinking works with a range of businesses including brand marketers, media and entertainment companies and creative agencies.

Matt is Co-Founder and Executive Creative Director of paid, owned and earned PR agency Poem. With 16-years experience in London and Sydney at innovative agencies and with clients at the forefront of brand entertainment, he’s passionate about placing PR thinking at the start of the creative process. Ideas focused on human insights and emotion that move people to take action.

The creative PR agency Poem has had a rapid rise, with Sony PlayStation, Wotif, Movember and adidas, just some of the high-profile brands that they’ve produced content-led campaigns for.

His campaigns have been recognised by over a dozen awards at the likes of Cannes Lions, AWARD Awards, Mumbrella, CommsCon, Effies and Spikes Asia.

Katie is Group Account Director and leads content production at Poem with 9 years agency and in-house experience in the Australian market. Working on integrated campaigns early in her career at One Green Bean helped spark her passion for non-traditional PR work and when Samsung snapped her up as their Senior PR Manager, it provided her with invaluable knowledge of marketing team operations within a brand team.

Katie is passionate about all things content, campaign integration and process efficiencies, whilst also being a big advocate of removing PR stigmas and opening minds on what defines modern PR.

She’s worked on award-winning content led campaigns and major brands such as Sony PlayStation, Audible, Nike, Google, Meat and Livestock Australia, Tourism Australia, and Optus.

Rebecca is the Chief Executive Officer at WE Buchan and specialises in complex stakeholder engagement and communication including critical incident response, issues management and mitigation, reputation protection and crisis management, investor relations, corporate transactions (M&A, IPO) and board and management advice. She has worked on some of Australia’s most catastrophic crisis management assignments including the Quakers Hill Nursing Home fire where she was responsible for coordinating the rapid response. Other experience includes:

• Workplace relations (pay disputes, executive behaviour, EBAs, CSR);
• Disputes involving regulatory bodies (ACCC, ASIC, TGA, VCAT, Equal Opportunity);
• Financial and commercial mismanagement, fraud, insider trading and insolvency;
• Pharmaceutical trial results, product failure and recalls;
• Construction industry disputes;
• Breaches of care; and
• Major accidents and incidents in the aviation, transportation, and community service industries. Rebecca has a deep knowledge and experience of corporate governance having worked almost exclusively with publicly listed companies.

She is a Non-Executive Director for ASX-listed health informatics business, Alcidion, NED of Outcomes Australia, and Advisory Board member of Gillian Fox Leadership. She has as BA (Journalism) and Post Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance and Investment (FINSIA)

Michelle has worked as a financial services communication consultant for the last 12 years. During this time, she has worked with leading Australian and international blue-chip organisations, advising clients specifically on issues management and reputation-building campaigns. Michelle worked at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in London during the global financial crisis, as part of the Research Communication team, before returning home and back to her agency roots.

She now heads up the Corporate team at WE Buchan, where she has worked with clients such as the ATO, Allianz, AFIC, Hewison Private Wealth and NGS Super.

With a focus on communication outcomes that support business objectives, Michelle is driven by understanding the core issues facing and influencing a business in motion which can be addressed with communication.

Michelle is a specialist in corporate communication, with a particular focus on financial and professional services industries.

Detch Singh is a Co-Founder and Co-CEO at Aussie influencer marketing provider, Hypetap. Hypetap is a technology-driven media provider which plans, executes and reports on influencer campaigns for brands and agencies. Hypetap’s proprietary technology has set the standard for brand safety and data transparency in influencer marketing, as well as evaluating campaign success. Hypetap works with a range of incredible brands and organisations such as the Federal Government, Nestle, LG and Disney, along with top-tier agencies including Dentsu X, Mediacom, Carat, CHE Proximity and Starcom.

Detch has played a key role in pioneering how influencer marketing is reshaping the advertising, media and communications landscape in Australia. Prior to this, he worked in Investment Banking across Melbourne, Sydney and New York where his industry focus was on technology, media and general industrials.

Angus is the Editor-in-Chief at Finder. He’s been writing about technology, finance, travel and other topics for 25 years , and appears regularly on TV and radio across Australia in a selection of loud Hawaiian shirts.

Prior to joining Finder, Angus spent seven years as editor for Lifehacker Australia, turning the site into one of Australia’s biggest technology destinations. He has written for dozens of magazines, newspapers and web sites, and is a frequent nominee and winner at the annual Media Connect IT Journalism Awards.

A lifelong geek, red wine addict, travel lover and karaoke enthusiast, Angus has an honours degree (and a university medal) in linguistics, and a growing pile of novels-in-progress he really ought to finish writing.

Chris Wirasinha is a co-founder of pop culture and creative jobs website Pedestrian.tv. Chris co-founded Pedestrian when he was 21 and has helped lead it to becoming Australia’s largest youth focused publishing brand. Over the past 14 years Pedestrian has grown from two people working out of a bedroom to a team of 100 superstars across offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Pedestrian.tv has won back-to-back Mumbrella Media Brand of the Year Awards and is Australia’s most successful digital publishing start-up.

Tim is the Publisher and Co-Founder of Junkee Media, Australia’s leading publisher for young Australians and one of Australia’s most innovative new media companies.

Tim was named #1 on Startup Daily’s Young & Influential list and has been working in the digital space for over a decade, specialising in digital and content strategy, and the growing intersection between brands and consumers.

Tim also sits on the Boards of Hello Sunday Morning, the largest online movement for alcohol change in the world, and the Griffin Theatre Company, Australia’s new writing theatre.

Melissa Overman is general manager of news.com.au and WHIMN (With Her in Mind Network). She is responsible for developing and executing the strategy across content, product and commercial for news.com.au and WHIMN to drive audience growth, innovation and new commercial opportunities.

Highly experienced in digital media Melissa was promoted to this role in June 2018. Prior to this she was general manager of WHIMN for two years where she set up and launched News’ leading women’s network. Before moving to the role at WHIMN she was news.com.au’s group features editor for three years, steering the feature verticals of the brand in an environment of continual change to ensure news.com.au achieved and maintained its leading position. Here she was instrumental in driving Australia’s leading news site to number one.

Melissa began her career in women’s magazines before transitioning early into the digital world helping to grow various online female destinations; and content creation for lifestyle.com.au at Foxtel. She has been a journalist for over 15 years.

News.com.au is Australia’s number one news site. WHIMN consists of Australia’s number one parenting site Kidspot.com.au; leading health and wellbeing site mybodyandsoul.com.au; and whimn.com.au, targeting women as individuals with positive and empowering content.

With over 15 years experience in the media and marketing industry, Kim McKay has directed award-winning national and international campaigns that have not only garnered vast amounts of attention but have also correlated into considerable revenue increases.

In 2008, Kim launched Klick Communications, a digital focused communications agency. Ten years later, Klick Communications has expanded with offices in Los Angeles, Honolulu and Sydney and boasts thriving luxury, travel, entertainment and consumer portfolios. Klick specializes in driving communications to get excellent and sustainable business results. Klick Communications prides itself on finding the best ways to engage with audiences and pioneering new communication channels to build a brands influence.

Kim’s dynamic, creative and innovative approach to communications is what sets her apart.

A passionate technology advocate, Kim’s current obsessions are Artificial Intelligence, the power of earned media and ensuring that storytelling and content is delivered in a fresh, intelligent, compelling and relevant way.

For around 15 years, reputation expert Gerry McCusker has been analysing, documenting and weirdly entertained by brand and business PR disasters.

As the author of the pop-academic text and blog ‘Public Relations Disasters’ (Kogan Page, 2005), he has closely studied the hidden characteristics of those brands that all too regularly face PR flak.

In fact, most of Gerry’s PR and crisis consultancy work has been for brands that are not exactly ‘lovemarks’.

Now he’s written a new book about the phenomenon of “tough-to-love” brands – organisations that ban, deny, enforce, govern, legislate, police and tax – and he’s got a checklist inventory to help you spot if you deal with, or work for, a ‘tough-to-love” organisation.

Based in Melbourne, Australia, Gerry has published insights and articles for the AFR, IPRA, Mumbrella, B&T, Marketing Magazine. He is the creator of trans-media crisis simulator, The Drill.

www.thedrill.com.au

Stephen is a practicing solicitor and Partner at DVM Law, a specialist innovations, creativity, communications and entertainment firm based in Surry Hills, New South Wales.

Stephen has specialised in advertising, communications, marketing, promotions and media law since 1995. He has developed a keen interest in emerging technologies, media and the interactive and digital mediascape and in recent times has advised extensively upon disruptor technology platforms, social media, online reputation management, resonant content and the use of big data. He is now advising in relation to artificial intelligence technologies, the adoption of the blockchain and the emergence of tokens.

He has recently conducted an extensive review of the recently released AANA Master Media Planning & Buying Services Agreement and its impact upon media agencies and their advertiser clients.

Stephen also specialises in agency mergers & acquisitions and was legal counsel on a number of recent high profile independent agency and media acquisitions across the communications spectrum including Match Media, Mercer Bell, N2N / Herd Agency and Orchard Advertising.

Stephen and the DVM Law team regularly advise the industry, brands, agencies and individuals in respect of all legal and commercial issues facing these diverse industries.

He is the legal adviser to The Communications Council, the Media Federation, the Public Relations Council and the Global Association for Marketing at Retail. He is a regular presenter for these industry bodies on matters of legal and regulatory compliance including recent industry presentations on Social Influencer Marketing, Social Media Law, the introduction of the new Data Privacy Laws and a Marketing Law industry update.

Stephen regularly presents at CommsCon, Mumbrella 360 and other Mumbrella events. He is a guest lecturer at the University of Sydney and UTS from time to time and is regularly asked for comment by the media and to judge industry awards.

Humility is not a characteristic often associated with success, however businessmen don’t come much humbler than AUSFIT + Q-83 Technology Founder and Managing Director, Anthony Richardson.

When speaking to Richardson, you can feel the calm and get the sense that he can handle any challenge that is thrown his way. It’s a refreshing change to modern business culture, proving that you don’t have to crush all in your path to success. With such a laid back and selfless demeanour, it’s easy to forget just how successful his businesses have become.

AUSFIT was born out of necessity in 2015, the company that makes and sells weighted training bars, Anthony has taken his product from the parks of Sydney, to the Pentagon where he was the first Aussie to demonstrate a fitness product to the US Military HQ in history.

After dedicating 11 years of service in the Royal Australian Navy as a Mine Warfare Specialist, 2013 saw Anthony take a gap year and start an outdoor bootcamp in Sydney. Whilst training clients, he would use traditional torsion bars (small lengths of metal piping) as weights. These bars were primitive, rusted easily, and were hard to come by.

Sensing an opportunity, Richardson sought to produce and distribute a training weights solution by creating high quality, easy to transport, torsion bars for gyms, health practitioners and the military.

Richardson’s business growth has been phenomenal, with his torsion bars going truly global, selling in Australia, the UK, USA, New Zealand and China. In it’s first year, AUSFIT grew by 580 per cent, and is on track for US$7million of revenue in 2018.

How did your time in the Navy help when it came to running and building a business?

My time in the NAVY taught me many things, the first and possibly most important is how to remain efficient and ahead of the game when you’re sleep deprived and physically drained. Equally as important is how to maintain a resilient mindset.

How did you get involved in the manufacturing side of AUSFIT?

When I designed the first ATB’s [AUSFIT Torsion Bars] I was a one-man team and if I didn’t manufacture them, no one would. I began sourcing the steel, designing the end caps and manufacturing in my garage in North Sydney. In the early stages of AUSFIT this worked, however the company grew quicker than I could have imagined
and when the larger orders came in the production time and cost were way too high. After 3 months in the garage and 6 trips overseas I sourced offshore manufacturing with a focus on scaling up while improving the quality and lowering the retail price of the product. This process was much longer than expected due to the technical aspects such as product testing polymers, cap sizes, abrasion and knock tests these all blew the timeline out significantly however I ended up with a far better product that was certainly worth the wait.

What skills and values did you learn from your Navy career that have been transferrable to your business success?

Efficiency. Adaptability. Humility. These three values are definitely at the top of the list. Remaining efficient whilst traveling allows the business to maintain momentum. Maintaining an active mind allows for fast, emotionless adaptability in unforeseen circumstances. And always remaining humble no matter my achievement is important to me.

ATB has been accepted by the fitness and military communities, both here and overseas. In your opinion, what has attributed to this success?

I think the main reason for AUSFIT’s success over the years would be both the market gap the ATB’s fill in large gyms and boutiques and within the Military, as well as the fact that I never gave up in achieving what I set out to do. I set a goal and created a plan with a desired outcome that was realistic and achievable. Before I spent a $1 on the idea I had to make sure that the idea was not only financially viable but the business model was solid the plan was initially for 12 months it took just under 5 years to execute.

With so many avenues of growth for ATB, how do you manage your time?

I think its important to remain adaptable during all stages of growth in your business especially in the beginning as when it comes to time management every book, podcast etc. will say outsource it! However as every small business owner knows unless that person will accept a high five as payment, its not an option. I find myself wearing many hats within the business, (Marketing, Manufacturing, Sales etc.) whilst also working on the business. A simple To-Do list prioritizing each item as well as a loosely structured routine based around my lifestyle works for me. If it’s a Monday and I have no deadline, I’m at the beach!

How do you maintain a clear head when operating such a high functioning, fast paced business?

When I was 16 I was working up to 12hrs before and after school, after 3 months I burnt out losing the ability to focus my eyes and remember simple words. Thankfully after a few days rest I was back to normal, however it wasn’t until later in life I realised the importance of mental health.

As my mind doesn’t have an off switch, I focus on remaining active, getting my own training done early. I have Phone Free days (Sunday) to really disconnect as I generally react to every email regardless of the time. I love to cook which requires me to be present and not thinking about work, I also use essential oil to sleep which works amazingly when it comes to jet-lag. Even when I am at my busiest maintaining these rituals is important for me to remain physically and mentally healthy and adaptable. And like everyone, things don’t always go to plan so having a great support network of friends and family which keeps me grounded and happy.

Khali Sakkas directs the Isentia Insights service across Australia, New Zealand and Asia. With over 12 years’ experience in communications research, Khali has a deep understanding of our clients and the media intelligence and insights industry. She is passionate about Insights, and has presented at a range of conferences, providing strategic advice on demonstrating success, reputation management and the impact of integration.

Russ fell into digital advertising in 2000 as a web designer, joining London start-up Agency Republic as an interactive Art Director.

In 2007 Russ moved to Sydney to work on global movie websites for New Line Cinema. He’s since helped save dogs for Pedigree, make giant burgers for Macca’s and create meaningful interactive experiences for SKYY Vodka, amongst others.

He’s creatively helped the agency unlock achievements at Cannes, D&AD, One Show Interactive, Spikes Asia, Webby’s, even a digital Emmy, along with many local awards.

Russ has judged AWARD, Adfest, IAB and D&AD international awards as well as speaking at SXSW and judging Cannes Mobile Lions.

Software engineer turned marketer, Dany has founded, designed, and built several consumer startups before starting Koala at the end of 2015. In just three years, Koala has turned over more than $100m, disrupted an entire industry, and donated over a $1m to wildlife causes for koalas.

Phil started his career late last century at Y&R Sydney. Whilst still a junior, he won Australia’s third ever Grand Prix at Cannes for his work on Jim Beam.

Not really knowing whether big agencies were the future, he went to unknown start up The One Centre where he worked on broadcast, branding, experiential and built environment projects for clients including Drambuie, Audi, American Express, Tiger Beer, Woolworths and McDonald’s.

Realising digital was a thing he went to M&C Saatchi working on ANZ and Optus, and then to Iris Sydney, heading up the Shell business as well as working on award-winning campaigns for Christchurch Tourism and adidas, before joining the Sydney office of R/GA in the very early days.

As Executive Creative Director of We Are Social in Australia, he leads a team of art directors, designers, editors and writers working on social-first ideas for clients including Netflix and Samsung.

Dave currently leads a specialised team of creatives, technologists and strategists inside Google, working across Asia-Pacific on the business’ most valuable and strategic partnerships, exploring the future of technology, how people are using it and what this means for brands.

For the last twenty years he has worked in the creative fields at some of the world’s most renowned creative agencies including The Glue Society, Saatchi & Saatchi NZ and Droga5 NYC.

In Australia, he re-booted TBWA Sydney taking it to the number 1 creative agency in Australia and later took over the regional creative responsibilities for TBWA Asia-Pacific.

He has been lucky enough to produce award-winning communications across all disciplines, is a mentor to junior talent, judge for award shows, speaker on the power of creativity and an executive member of the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences.

Bridget Jung is currently the Executive Creative Director at Ogilvy PR Australia. She has over 20 years experience with a background in design and art direction. She’s had to reinvent herself and challenge her approach to work every few years as technology has changed and consumers have evolved. Bridget has spent most of her career working in Paris and became French along the way. In Paris she was Chief Creative Officer at DigitasLBi.

Earned and social first ideas are becoming more and more central to organisational and business success which makes it an exciting time for PR. Bridget jumped at the chance to join Australia’s largest PR agency to lead a different approach to creativity that goes beyond traditional thinking. She’s thrilled to be working with talented teams across the breadth of briefs the agency works on – from consumer, to business, to corporate and to government.

Bridget enjoys red wine, cocktails and rugby, but not in that order.

Abigail is currently a reporter at the media and marketing publication Mumbrella covering both the creative and PR space. In 2016 she completed her Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) degree at RMIT University in Melbourne, majoring in politics, economies and businesses. During her three year degree Abigail completed multiple internships across different publications including Mamamia, Channel 10 and 3AW.

Harrie is Head of Creative Services at Magnum & Co and has spent the last decade working with brands and ideas in both Sydney and London. Having started off in PR, she broadened her scope six years ago to include social and content direction resulting in her current role of managing a team of Art Directors and Content Creators and whilst driving creativity throughout the agency.

Alycia is a Brand Leader at Magnum & Co, bringing a passion for all things social and digital. With a love of measurement and data and an insights driven approach, she has worked across a variety of industries with the ultimate goal of driving real business results for clients.

Josie Tutty is Mumbrella’s deputy editor, formerly opinion and features editor. She’s previously written and edited in the UK for Jungle Creations and Trinity Mirror.

Richard Brett has 25 years’ experience of marketing communications, brand strategy and communications agency leadership. His passions including using public relations and social media to lead integrated campaigns, outcome based measurement and using new technology to drive innovative creativity for brands.

Richard is currently CEO for OPR (Ogilvy Public Relations Australia), working across all the OPR businesses to deliver stand out, effective campaigns for clients such as eBay, Bacardi, Netflix, Ford, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, KFC and IKEA.

Richard also leads OPR’s annual thought leadership platform ‘Futures’, which outlines forthcoming insights from Cannes Lions, SxSW and D&AD that will impact Australian business, government, brands and organisations. In the last four years Futures has been presented to over 100 different organisations and almost 4000 people across Australia and New Zealand, including a presentation in the New Zealand Parliament.

Before becoming CEO, Richard spent four years as managing director of the brand marketing team of OPR – Pulse Communications. During Richard’s tenure the Pulse team achieved successive record breaking years, and won or were shortlisted for over 30 awards including being named CommsCon Highly Commended Agency of the Year 2016.

Previously Richard was managing director of Shine Communications in London between 2009 and 2013, and global VP of marketing communications for Samsonite between 2006 and 2009.

Richard has been shortlisted or received over 140 awards for his work. He has an MBA in Management from Imperial College London and has written a number of papers on marketing communications including Brand Economics (2013) and SmartPlanning (2012).

Jacqui is a senior marketer and communications expert with more than 15 years corporate and consumer communications experience from both Australia and the UK. Having represented some of the biggest brands in the world in her career from Netflix, Virgin, IKEA, Microsoft, Proctor & Gamble, Peroni and Coca-Cola to name a few, she is a seasoned operator in creative, communications strategy, issues and crisis management, media and influencer engagement and digital marketing. Jacqui currently runs the consumer brand marketing agency, Pulse within opr and leads a team of more than 35 people. She is focused is on building the agency’s people, culture and client relations. Prior to joining Pulse Jacqui was head of PR and social at Virgin Australia where she lead the team through the brand’s transformation to a premium airline in Australia. Her prior career and experience spans brands like Optus, Emirates, ghd, Royal Mail, Bacardi, Elizabeth Arden, Sony, P&G and Virgin Money.

Matt Jones is one of Australia’s leading strategists and storytellers when it comes to the intersections of brand, business, leadership, experience, culture, technology, human behaviour and storytelling.

Matt has an eclectic background, combining economics, politics, brand experience and gin.

From 2001 to 2005, Matt was Chief Political Adviser to the UK Conservative Party.
(the youngest person in the party’s history to hold that role).

In 2006, Matt moved from politics into brand experience, first in Sydney and then in New York City, as Jack Morton Worldwide’s first chief creative and strategy officer. Between 2006 and 2012, Matt became one of the world’s most influential thinkers in the emerging world of brand experience, helping brands like IBM, Microsoft, Qantas, Sony, Samsung and Volkswagen navigate their way in a new era of socially-connected consumers and experience-led brand building.

In 2012, Matt founded his own consultancy, focused on applying creative strategy, storytelling and experience design to brand and business challenges for corporate, craft, start-up and social businesses.

In 2013, Matt co-founded Four Pillars Gin, a craft gin business based in Healesville in the Yarra Valley. Matt takes the lead on building the Four Pillars brand and customer experience, and has helped Four Pillars Gin become one of Australia’s fastest-growing and most admired craft businesses.

Matt is obsessed with sport, food, photography, wine, film, travel, politics, fiction, architecture, technology, design, hotels, ideas, experiences, cinema, contemporary art, human behaviour, ideas and (yes) gin. He works in, speaks about, and connects the dots, between all of the above areas and is a former panellist on The Gruen Transfer.

• Chief Executive Officer and Owner of The Fordham Company (Media, Sport, Entertainment Agency)
• Executive Producer of Outback Wrangler (National Geographic Channel)
• Co-Owner and Director of Cranky Health (Health Food and Digital)
• Broadcast Rights Holder of The Intrust Super Shute Shield (Seven Network)
• Co-Founder and Director of Mentored.com.au with Mark Bouris

Nick Fordham is owner and Chief Executive Officer of The Fordham Company, one of Australia’s most respected and successful talent management companies.

He joined the business, established by his parents John and Veronica in the late 1970s, virtually from the time he left St Ignatius College, Riverview. For almost two decades, he has played a significant role in the company’s growth, leading to him becoming owner of the business in late 2014.

Nick’s drive and passion and his creative and strategic nous have driven The Fordham Company’s dynamic leadership across numerous media, sport and entertainment platforms. More recently, his initiatives have led to global television production success and ownership of sports television rights.

With Nick at the helm, The Fordham Company prides itself on being a hands-on, select and personally-driven agency catering to the many needs and challenges of its high-profile clients.

A master at the negotiating table, Nick Fordham has brokered numerous long-term client contracts, global feature film and documentary deals as well as ground-breaking television, radio, publishing and endorsement agreements.

One of his first plays in television production, in his roles as co-creator, producer and executive producer, was creating the television series Outback Wrangler and seeing it grow a global audience in over 130 countries. Outback Wrangler Season 4 will be launched in mid 2019.

With Nick Fordham in the driver’s seat, The Fordham Company also secured ownership of the free-to-air television and digital rights for NSW Rugby’s Intrust Super Shute Shield competition, the oldest rugby competition outside Britain, which is broadcast on the Seven Network, Fox Sports and SKY SPORTS NZ.

He also negotiated The Fordham Company taking a major stake in one of Australia’s fastest growing health food and digital companies Cranky Health with flagship product The Man Shake, which has transformed and turned the men’s weight loss industry on its head. A new Cranky Health product The Lady Shake will be formally launched in 2019.

Fordham has also recently launched tech business Mentored.com.au with his client and friend Mark Bouris AM which is targeting the 2.1 million small businesses in Australia and disrupting the online education and business broker sectors.

David is the CEO and Co-Founder of Metigy, recently named in the top 10 AI startups in Australia, Metigy is using AI to deliver real-time marketing strategy for SMB’s. Formerly a Managing Partner of We Are Social, Regional Director APAC for McCann Erickson WorldGroup’s digital business, and Managing Director of The Brave Group (an early pioneer in digital marketing), he has continually worked at the leading edge of technology in the marketing function.

Brian leads strategic planning at Weber Shandwick Australia, and oversees our digital, social and performance capabilities. Working with clients and colleagues from Sydney and Melbourne to APAC and globally, Brian ensures Weber’s integrated programs make a measurable impact on sales and reputation using the latest measurement and analytics resources.

Prior to Weber Shandwick, Brian enjoyed a range of specialist roles – planning, creative, innovation, new business – over many years with global PR agency Ketchum. In London, Brian filled a dual planning and creative direction role. His remit included brand planning, integrated campaign strategy, corporate identity and narratives and creative development. In New York, Brian reported to Ketchum’s Chief Creative Officer in creative direction and innovation roles. During this time, Brian assisted to create and roll out Ketchum’s global planning process and build an award-winning crowdsourcing community of 50+ universities across 13 countries.

Brian holds both a Masters in Public Relations and undergraduate degrees in English, Philosophy and International Studies from the University of Maryland (USA).

Speaker biography: Mylan is the Managing Director for Hotwire Australia, which recently conducted research into the robo-journalism issue to uncover exactly what Australians do and don’t want from journalists this year. She’s also played a pivotal role in the agency’s growth and success, achieving over 40% year on year revenue growth last year, and creating a team culture and environment that led to the business attaining a NPS of +75.

Shane is the CEO and co-founder of Public Address, where he leads a team focused on delivering cutting-edge media relations management tools for Public Relations professionals across the world.

For the first time globally, PR professionals are able to access cutting edge AI and machine learning tools to pitch stories to media, obtain transcripts of interviews and optimise every media relations opportunity.

Shane was recognised as the Mumbrella Commscon PR Professional of the Year and Mumbrella neXt Award PR Talent for his work as a communications consultant, primarily for his role as Client Services Director at Sefiani Communications where his clients include EY, Rest Industry Super and Xero.

Brian West has more than 35 years’ experience in corporate & public affairs and issues/crisis management globally, including working in the US, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia, including for six Governments in Asia Pacific.  In Asia he started working in China in 1984.

Before joining FleishmanHillard, Mr. West worked in-house with Comalco Aluminium and CRA Limited (now Rio Tinto) for nearly a decade, before becoming a consultant for more than 25 years. He has worked in small, medium and large consultancies, including running the Asia Pacific operations for a global consultancy and sitting on the worldwide Management Board.

In issues and crisis management, Mr. West has managed the communication and stakeholder relations programs with governments, NGOs, media, unions, customers, employees and local communities during some of the highest profile incidents. In a number of cases he has been the key contact and spokesperson.

The crises include chemical tank farm explosions and the following days of fires; a gas plant explosion resulting in employee deaths; mine collapse and deaths; technology crises; consumer product recalls and withdrawals (food and pharmaceutical companies); and financial crises for banks and other financial institutions, as well as regional and global cyber breaches.

Mr. West has worked on coronial inquiries, Royal Commissions, and commercial and civil litigation. His experience includes police and security investigations, extortion and fraud.

In the technology, banking, defence, aviation, automotive and resource sectors he has consulted to major companies (such as Visa, J&J, L’Oreal, UOB Bank, Nikkei Asset Management, BT, Huawei, SAP, HP, Riverbed Technology, Lockheed Martin, Cathay & Qantas, GM, Rio Tinto and Vopak), and managed the international and local media, government and community relations with respect to both risk/vulnerability assessments, preparation of crisis response plans and managed the communications around actual incidents that resulted in fatalities.

Mr. West has implemented crisis audits, crisis preparedness strategies and developed and run media and crisis training programs and simulations for banks, insurance companies, superannuation funds, publicly listed companies, professional service and membership organizations, food companies, sporting organizations, telecommunications, technology, oil & gas and chemical companies, in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.

Sarah Trombetta is Chief Executive Officer of Red Agency Australia, responsible for leading PR, social and experiential teams across the company’s offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

With almost 20 years PR & Advertising industry experience in Asia, Europe and Australia, Sarah leverages award-winning credentials and diverse communication experience building global brands – including P&G, HSBC, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Facebook, Ford and GSK – to continually innovate and integrate Red Agency’s specialist services at scale, including its Social and BLVD divisions with content and technology offerings.

Before joining Red Agency, Sarah was CEO at WPP’s advertising agency Grey Group Hong Kong, It was awarded Creative Agency of the Year under her leadership and innovated its end-to-end marketing services solutions for Greater China’s largest clients. Bringing social commerce, advertising, PR, retail and activation specialists together with data its core, the agency earned industry recognition for winning an unfair share of cultural conversation and conversion to grow brands and white space launches.

Prior to that, Sarah held leadership roles at global public relations and integrated communications agency, H+K Strategies. She served as Marketing Communications Practice Director for Asia Pacific based in Hong Kong, elevating creative ambition and executional excellence for the region’s Top 20 clients and integrating the network’s crisis, corporate and social services to simplify solutions. Before that, Sarah was Board Director at H+K Strategies London leading the company’s fastest growing division with holistic award-winning campaigns, including P&G’s ‘Thank you Mom’ London 2012 Olympics Cannes Gold Integrated Lion winner.

With a firm eye on innovating for the future, Sarah is active within the local and international business community. Her relentless commitment to developing the next generation of leaders and creative ambition to collaborate with clients that push culture forward have shaped her contributions as Executive Committee Member of The American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A’s Hong Kong), Executive Committee Member at Hong Kong Baptist University (Graduate Career Board) and member of The Marketing Society APAC.

Bonnie Thorn is the Executive Manager, Group Content for Suncorp Group with over 20 year’s experience in marketing and digital across telecommunications, financial services and retail. Bonnie has helped businesses build relationships with their customers to deliver growth, profit and improved brand equity with a proven track record in delivering business results through best practices in customer experience through digital channels across the entire customer journey.

Mark has been the Managing Director of PHD Australia since early 2016, he is proud to lead Australia’s fastest growing media agency, it’s success is driven by combing the latest industry insight with the best creative minds to produce strategic and planning innovation. Finding a better way is our ethos and sums up how we approach everything – from a new client brief to the way we work.

His comms planning background reflects a passion for understanding what motivates and drives people, then linking those insights to communicate in a compelling way. The way brands engage with customers is evolving rapidly and ensuring our agency evolves to reflect these changes, is a constant challenge.
His 20 year media career has afforded him insight and experience across almost every major category including Alcohol, Finance, FMCG, Automotive, Telecoms, Travel, Government and QSR.

Prior to PHD Mark held roles at MediaCom London and as Managing Director of OMD Sydney.

Carl Ratcliff has more than 20 years’ experience in the world of marketing and building brands. He has a strategic background, having worked as an account planner on both the agency and client side at the likes of TBWA/London and Channel 4, respectively. In addition, he led brand strategy, marketing and creative direction while at Channel 5 in the UK. After relocating to Australia, Ratcliff ran creative agencies in both Melbourne and Sydney. Most recently he led the award-winning team at One Green Bean in Sydney before reverting back to the world of strategy as chief strategy officer at DDB Sydney. He takes pride in his ability to make teams feel safe – a security that elicits an excellent outcome. For clients and agency alike.

Darren Woolley is considered a thought leader on all aspects of marketing management. A Problem Solver, Negotiator, Founder & Global CEO of TrinityP3 – Marketing Management Consultants, founding member of the Marketing FIRST Forum, Industry Commentator and Author. He is also a Past-Chair of the Australian Marketing Institute, Past President of the Melbourne Advertising & Design Club, Ex-Medical Scientist and Ex-Creative Director.

Michelle Hutton is the Managing Director, Global Client Strategy at Edelman, based in London, having previously held positions as both the COO of Europe and Chair of the agency’s global consumer business.

Before relocating to the UK, Michelle ran Edelman’s operations in Australia, where she built and led an international award-winning team, producing communications marketing work for clients such as Samsung, KFC and GE.

Prior to joining Edelman in 2008, Michelle led Hill & Knowlton Strategies in Australia and ran the agency’s consumer marketing practice across Asia Pacific, where she particularly enjoyed driving campaigns taking a stand on cultural or societal issues.

Michelle has a keen interest in supporting female leaders in the creative industry. She is on the advisory board of Global Women in PR and was previously a Board Director of The Communications Council in Australia serving on its Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She is an active member of the International Women’s Forum.

In 2017, Michelle joined the PR Jury for the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity and was also PR Jury President for eurobest that same year. She has served on other global creative and effectiveness juries including The Effie Awards and is excited to see impactful earned-centric work in Cannes this year as 2019 President of the PR Jury.

Alt/Shift’s Managing Director, Elly Hewitt, is a marketing and communications expert of more than 15 years. Having built one of Australia’s most successful agencies, Elly’s a passionate leader of people and has delivered highly – publicised and award-winning campaigns for some of the most well-known brands in the world. Recognised as CommsCon’s PR Leader of the Year and with various other accolades in tow, Elly is one of the industry’s most respected PR practitioners. Hailing from Victoria’s Surf Coast, Alt/Shift’s fearless leader naturally migrates to the water when she isn’t chasing after her two bebes or running the agency.

Before taking the reins of CHE Proximity, David ran digital at Clemenger BBDO working on Virgin Australia, Tourism Australia, Hungry Jack’s, DHL and MARS. Prior to that, he learnt his strategy skills at OgilvyOne London where clients such as British Airways, Transport for London, Dove and Kronenbourg 1664 which taught David how to think like customers do.

Steve joined Edelman in 1998 and became Australia CEO in March 2016. He has two decades of consultancy and in-house experience working on consumer and corporate brands working in 6 different Edelman offices. Most recently he was COO of Edelman UK & Ireland, leading the day-to-day operations of over 600 staff across three offices.

Steve’s consultancy expertise is focused on brand building and positioning, influencer programming, and policy and systems change. Steve enjoys being very hands on, providing counsel and advice to some of the most senior people in organisations like Samsung, Unilever and Disney.

As Edelman Australia’s CEO, Steve leads an award-winning team across Sydney and Melbourne, ensuring clients enjoy the world-class work for which Edelman is renowned.
Combining his passions for economics, anthropology and science, Steve is driven to deliver progressive communications programmes that promote trust between Edelman’s clients and their audiences.

Guy cut his teeth working at multinationals on Coca Cola, MasterCard and Microsoft. He joined Bashful in 2013 looking for a more entrepreneurial, independent and creative environment. He became a partner in 2015. He’s developed Effie winning campaigns for P&O, Spikes Grand Prix winning activations for The Star and APG winning innovations for Biozet Attack. Outside of work he obsesses over the novels of Nabokov, the backhand of Federer and the anthems of Paul Kelly.

Sophie Onikul joined eBay Australia & New Zealand as Head of Communications in January 2018.

Sophie quit her first full-time job in advertising to work at independent radio station FBi – for free. Realising being paid in CDs and tickets doesn’t pay the bills, Sophie edged her way into commercial radio where she spent 10 years working in music and talkback – most notably as Executive Producer of The Ray Hadley Morning Show on 2GB.

She then moved to “the other side”, as a Media Adviser for the NSW Government including the Police Minister during the Lindt Café siege.

Sophie has also done media and stakeholder engagement for the Opal card and for the Australian Olympic team in Rio before doing comms for a start-up.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Communications Studies) from Western Sydney University.

Outside of work, you’ll find Sophie on the hunt for great food and wine, reading or at the cinema.

Anthony joined Saatchi & Saatchi Australia in 2018 as CEO, which includes offices in Sydney and Melbourne. Prior to that he was Group CEO of Havas Worldwide Australia for 7 years, where his responsibilities covered all Creative (advertising, shopper, activation) and PR agencies.
With 25 years of experience in marketing and communications, Ant has a proven track record of building successful businesses and award-winning campaigns for clients. His career spans stints on the client side as well agency, in Australia and the UK. He’s also worked on pretty much every category imaginable; from banks to beers and chocolate to cars. It’s this experience that gives Ant a unique insight into understanding the needs of clients and how to deliver for them.

Ant’s passion for the work is built on his philosophy that great creative thinking delivers an unfair business advantage. Amongst the many awards he’s won, including 3 Cannes Grand Prixes and a Cannes Gold Effectiveness Lion; he’s most proud to have worked on not one but two campaigns that have won the prestigious D&AD Black Pencil.

Mel officially joined Optus in November 2016 and leads the team for all customer-facing marketing and engagement. A self-confessed tech-freak, she is renowned for creating impact for brands with bold and ambitious campaigns in complex and challenging environments.

Mel has extensive global experience working across a range of brands and sectors with executive roles both client and agency side. Most recently she spent 4 years as Global Head of Brand for Vodafone in London and has previously led brands such as Absolut Vodka, the British Army, Nestle and Fujitsu. Mel has lived and worked across Europe, Asia Pacific, the U.S and the Middle East.

Mel has been a guest lecturer at London School of Economics; a contributor to Fast Company Magazine and a mentor to various U.S-based start-ups.

A media professional with over 10 years experience in both print and digital journalism, public relations and corporate communications. Passions include technology, travel, business, aviation, cars and motorsports, media, tennis, and family. An enthusiastic and sociable people person with a track record of building and maintaining relationships and strengthening brands.