Final weeks to book
Discover the future of PR and communications
The game is changing. Whether you're part of an in-house or agency-side team, the world of PR and communications is shifting in real-time. Mumbrella CommsCon is your one and only chance of the year to connect with your industry peers and stay on top of the evolving trends and technology - or risk being left behind. Discover how to navigate the stormy waters of AI, economic uncertainty, crisis comms, solutions to the volatile talent market and much more. This is a day you can't afford to miss.
Industry leaders taking the stage
Patricia Routledge
Patricia has had a career in Communications spanning 20 years across the UK and Australia in both agency and in-house roles.
Her broad range of experience on high profile brands includes Gumtree, American Express, and Optus - on which two of her campaigns were Cannes Lions award winners.
Patricia has been at IKEA Australia for 8 years, and as Head of Communications is responsible for the strategic use of communication both internally and externally to support the IKEA Australia commercial agenda and growth plans.
Her focus is building and securing brand positioning and brand reputation across media, government and industry stakeholders and IKEA co-workers.
Azadeh Williams
Azadeh is the Founder and Managing Director of AZK Media, a PR agency helping B2B tech companies expand into new and emerging markets.
With over 20 years' global experience in media, marketing and public relations, Azadeh’s focus is on growing the agency’s integrated marketing, PR and multimedia solutions, to deliver premium results for AZK Media’s growing client base across APAC, North America, the UK and EMEA.
A former solicitor, media lecturer and international journalist (Reuters, The Times (UK), CMO Magazine and CIO Magazine), her unique depth of experience enables her to market complex business concepts to attract the interest of prospects and the press.
She has been consistently recognised in Mumbrella CommsCon Awards and B&T’s Women in Media and Women Leading Technology Awards for public relations, marketing and entrepreneurship. In 2021, Azadeh was awarded the Best of the Best in PR for Australasia. Passionate about the application of AI, in 2023, she was appointed to the board of the Global AI Ethics Institute.
Chris Allan
As Head of Marketing - Core Beer, at Lion, Chris oversees a dynamic team responsible for crafting and executing marketing initiatives for Lion's core beer portfolio.
A highly driven professional with experience across Global and AU brands, Allan has an impressive track record of building strong brands and communication campaigns to deliver category and portfolio growth.
As the custodian of iconic brands such as XXXX, Tooheys and Hahn, Chris successfully balances tradition with innovation, ensuring that Lion's beer brands not only maintain their historical significance but also resonate with a modern and diverse consumer base.
Known for his approachability and collaborative spirit, Chris fosters a positive and creative work environment. He values the input of his team and encourages a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
In 2023, Chris and his team set on a mission to reinvigorate Tooheys for the future, including bringing back the ionic “I feel like a Tooheys” jingle for the first time in over a decade. Tapping into the power of music, memory structures and introducing the jingle to the younger generation, this campaign put a clear stake in the ground for the 150 year old brand, that it maintains relevance for the drinkers of today and is very much a brand for the future.
In his "down time" Chris is kept busy by his 3 young sons who's understanding of time management or play/life balance is currently non-existent.
Sue Cato
Sue Cato and Clive Mathieson are the principles of Cato & Clive, a fully integrated strategic communications firm. The firm has deep experience in planning and working on corporate transactions, issues management, campaigns and litigation support. Cato is recognised as one of Australia’s leading special situations management experts, having worked on business-critical issues and corporate activity for Australian and international entities for almost three decades. In 2003, she established Cato Counsel, which has since evolved into Cato & Clive. Clive has worked at the most senior levels of the media industry, state politics and federal politics. He is a former business editor and editor of The Australian, a former senior adviser and cabinet director for two NSW premiers and the former chief of staff to prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Catherine Tomlinson
At Thinkerbell, Catherine is responsible for steering the team of earned media experts to interrogate, challenge and stretch their thinking to land measured magic for our clients daily - bridging the gap between creativity and earned media.
Cat has 8 years of agency PR experience, with an expertise in pushing integrated earned-first campaigns for the likes of eBay, IKEA and Lion.
Josh Drayton
With over two decades of experience in the communications field, Josh Drayton is the General Manager of Communications and Corporate Affairs at Parramatta Eels National Rugby League Club, one of the most iconic and successful sports organizations in Australia. Josh leads the strategic direction and execution of the club's communications, government relations and stakeholder engagement, with a mission to create positive social impact and enhance the value and reputation of the club. Prior to this role, Josh was the Head of Communications and Brand at the same club, where he successfully repositioned the club's image and reputation after a period of turmoil and controversy. He is passionate about using his expertise to advance the organisation's vision and goals, and contribute to the growth and development of the sport across the community.
Prior to entering the sports industry, Josh had a decade long career in the Telco sector including various roles in Corporate Affairs team at Optus. In this role, Josh managed media and government relations on key regulatory, network, and consumer issues, and provided strategic advice and support to senior management.
Kat Kearney
As Brand Marketing Director at Who Gives a Crap, Kat is responsible for leading global brand communications. A particular focus on earned-led thinking has allowed them to consistently punch above their weight in a category dominated by legacy brands.
Kat previously worked agency side, developing brand campaigns focused on creating social good. She is passionate about applying creativity to tackle environmental and social issues and the power brands have to drive positive consumer behaviour change.
Elgar Welch
Elgar Welch is the former CEO and co-founder of Streem, the ANZ markets leading challenger media intelligence group. As CEO he led Streem from start-up, funding and through to acquisition, overseeing a business that grew to 150+ staff and over 700 customers across the region. Following Streem’s acquisition by global comms-tech company Cision in 2022, he now serves as President of the company’s global media
monitoring division (“CisionOne”) active in 24 markets around the world, and sits on the Cision ELT. Prior to founding Streem Elgar was an adviser in the Prime Minister’s Office media unit, an experience that served as a driving force behind the creation of Streem and its realtime media intelligence platform.
Mandy Galmes
With more than 20 years as an agency leader, Mandy has a proven track record as a strategic advisor and partner to businesses that are leaders, transformers and disruptors. Her work has spans complex regulatory and legislative change programs, behaviour change campaigns, consumer product recalls, brand activations, occupational health and safety issues and reputational damage. Mandy’s skills in corporate positioning and executive reputation management are complemented by her creative approach to consumer engagement and brand building.
As a business leader, Mandy is known for building people-centric agencies that are united around purpose. She is passionate about fostering the best talent in the industry and creating a workplace that enables everyone to thrive and realise their full potential.
Mandy joined Sefiani from Hill+Knowlton Strategies Australia where, as CEO, she led the agency through three years of growth and transformation. Prior to Hill+Knowlton, she was managing director of Sibling, a purpose-built integrated agency in WPP dedicated to Westfield and before that founded and led Fuel Communications, now within Herd MSL.
Peter Pippen
Peter is an award-winning strategic planner, having spent more than 10 years working across multiple communication disciplines. He brings a wealth of experience to Edelman from his time leading the brand and creative strategy for Westpac Group Regional Brands, St George, BankSA, Bank Of Melbourne and RAMS home loans. He has also recently been leading the strategic output for all brands under the Campbell Arnott’s portfolio, some of Australia’s most iconic and loved brands.
Originally from a qualitative and quantitative market research background, consumer insight drives his strategic process, but marrying that with a brand’s unique advantage, role in culture and society is what excites him working at Edelman, the opportunity for ideas and campaigns to take on a life of their own and generate fame.
Peter was the strategist behind the most awarded campaign globally in 2018, The Palau Pledge, the winner of D&AD Black Pencil (Best in Show) and a total of 7 Cannes Lions, including three coveted Grand Prix Lions, the coveted Titanium Grand Prix and Grand Prix Sustainable Development Goals.
He has been a recipient of the highest honour in strategic planning, The Australian Grand Effie, Long Term Effects for his work with the Australian Defence Force and the impact the strategic planning team had on transforming the ADF brands and digital recruitment strategy.
Peter has a Master of Commerce (Marketing) from UNSW, graduating with distinction honours and a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Political Science) from the University of Adelaide.
Laura Stoll
Laura is Ogilvy PR’s Strategy Director. She has a proven record of success in developing strategies and delivering integrated programs for clients, achieved through her extensive experience in research. Her passion is working with organisations to uncover a deep understanding of audiences, their cultures and what matters to them. Laura joined Ogilvy PR as a Strategic Planner in 2012, working across B2B, consumer, corporate and health clients in Australia and the APAC region. She currently works closely with teams to bring fresh thinking and creativity to the table, delivering meaningful solutions for clients including eBay, Xbox, Intuit, Ford and Atlassian. Laura also has a keen interest in measurement. She is certified by The Institute of Practitioners in Advertising with an Advanced Certificate in Effectiveness and is focused on developing Ogilvy PR's measurement capability Compass. Laura holds a degree in Human Sciences from Durham University in England.
Kiefer Casamore
Kiefer leads both Eleven Melbourne and sustainability practice, Sustain by TBWA. Having worked across both Asia-Pacific and Europe, his specialisation in integrated communications and earned-first creative has seen his work recognised globally at Cannes, SABRE and PR Week.
Furthermore, his expertise in corporate reputation, has helped guide clients such as Coca-Cola, the United Nations and PepsiCo to navigate brand risk on complex social and environmental issues.
Leigh Barnes
‘Barnes’, as he is known, is responsible for leading Intrepid’s global marketing, CX and digital functions with a focus on embedding a customer-focused culture across the business. Previously chief purpose officer, Leigh is an advocate for the business for good movement and has been instrumental in building Intrepid’s reputation as a purpose-led organisation. Outside of work, Leigh is a keen supporter of Melbourne’s arts and culture scene and a passionate fan of the Aussie Football League (AFL) team, the Geelong Cats.
Leigh's top Intrepid trip is Everest Base Camp Trek, which he credits for changing the way he sees the world.
Hannah Moreno
Hannah Moreno is founder & Managing Director of Third Hemisphere, a specialist climate, tech, and finance PR agency for innovators, leaders, and investors who are changing the world.
She has 20+ years’ experience across the gamut of communications disciplines, and has authored and placed hundreds of editorials for clients in Tier-1 media. This has included ghostwriting at the Australian Financial Review, which directly resulted in one client becoming an official “AFR Columnist”.
Hannah is also a leading feminist advocate and author, writing on issues related to sexual assault, domestic violence, leadership, workplace dynamics, and trauma for publications such as the AFR, The Australian, Women’s Agenda, and Stockhead.
Hannah holds a Bachelor of Commerce (USYD & Università Bocconi), a Masters of Strategic Public Relations (USYD), and a Diploma of Investor Relations (AIRA).
Lexi Penfold
Lexi is the General Manager of FleishmanHillard ANZ. FleishmanHillard is focussed on B2C2B engagement which is a part of the global FleishmanHillard network as well as the TBWA Collective in ANZ.
Her experience spans a series of sectors, with a specific focus on ‘corpsumer’. Lexi believes that values, actions, and corporate reputation are of equal importance to ‘product’ attributes and features. And when paired together continue to be a winning formula for earned. She has extensive experience working on global and homegrown bands, including market launches and start-ups.
Prior to joining FleishmanHillard, Lexi ran the PR offering at 303 MullenLowe and was a member of the SLT at the consumer team within Ogilvy PR.
Rob Lowe
Rob Lowe is the Founder and Managing Director of independent PR, Social and Content agency Poem. With over 20 years in consumer PR, working within some of the world’s leading creative PR agencies, Rob’s consistently been at the forefront of change within the industry. He was the fifth employee at One Green Bean, founded Eleven PR Australia in 2011 and launched Poem in 2015.
Poem is built on the principle of being ‘deeply human’ and therefore built to evolve as people do.
The agency has had a rapid rise in just eight years, with Sony PlayStation, Tourism Australia, Oporto, Amazon, Sonos and Uber being amongst just some of the high-profile brands that it’s currently engaged by.
Clive Mathieson
Sue Cato and Clive Mathieson are the principles of Cato & Clive, a fully integrated strategic communications firm. The firm has deep experience in planning and working on corporate transactions, issues management, campaigns and litigation support. Cato is recognised as one of Australia’s leading special situations management experts, having worked on business-critical issues and corporate activity for Australian and international entities for almost three decades. In 2003, she established Cato Counsel, which has since evolved into Cato & Clive. Clive has worked at the most senior levels of the media industry, state politics and federal politics. He is a former business editor and editor of The Australian, a former senior adviser and cabinet director for two NSW premiers and the former chief of staff to prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Jeremy Liddle
Jeremy Liddle is Executive Director at Third Hemisphere, a specialist climate, tech, and finance PR agency for innovators, leaders, and investors who are changing the world.
Jeremy is a capital markets, climate, and technology specialist. He is a founding partner of climate tech investment & advisory firm, SDGx, has invested in 25+ tech & climate startups and multiple venture funds, and was President for Australia at the G20 Young Entrepreneurs Alliance. He also spoke at TedX, authored the book "From Idea to Startup", and has worked extensively with the UN including co-authoring the G20 & UN White paper on youth entrepreneurship and participating in the formation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Jeremy holds a Bachelor of Business (Monash) and a Graduate Diploma of Finance (Griffith).
Tim Powell
Tim Powell has 30 years’ experience in journalism, politics, corporate affairs, and PR. He has an extensive network across Australian business and media covering food and agribusiness, retail and sustainability.
Tim’s primary role is acting as a C-level advisor on corporate and consumer issues, public relations strategy, and crisis management.
He is the Chairman of First Nations social change agency Cox Inall Ridgeway, and sits on the Board of the Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence, a joint venture between Dentsu, UTS Institute of Sustainable Futures and AiGroup.
Sean Aylmer
Sean Aylmer is a trained economist and an experienced business reporter. He has been a banking writer, an economics writer, a political reporter, an New York correspondent and an editor of the AFR. He ran the business sections of the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, was Editor-in-Chief of the SMH, and eventually was Editorial Director of all of Fairfax's newsrooms. He is the co-host of the Fear & Greed podcast - Australia's most popular business podcast - and also runs a content agency, Aylmer Anderson.
Sam Buckingham-Jones
Sam Buckingham-Jones is the media and marketing reporter at The Australian Financial Review, covering the biggest stories in the industry each week. He has been working in journalism for more than 10 years, across radio at 2GB, at national broadsheet The Australian and for marketing trade journal Mi3 (he even interned at Mumbrella back in the day).
Nino Tesoriero
Nino Tesoriero is a crisis management and public affairs specialist. As Ogilvy PR’s Chief Counsel and Sustainability Practice Lead, he provides corporate communications and reputation management advice to leadership teams across a wide range of public and private sector clients.
Prior to Ogilvy PR, Nino was a communications adviser to former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and before that, a senior media adviser to a former Deputy Premier and Treasurer in New South Wales.
Nino supports leadership teams on sustainability solutions, political engagement and critical media issues. His clients have included Orsted, Boston Consulting Group, Ford, CSIRO and the Powerhouse Museum.
Nino began his communications career nearly three decades ago as a radio journalist and gained a national profile as a political reporter with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. He also has international experience, having directed large-scale education campaigns as a marketing head for the Training and Development Agency for Schools in the United Kingdom.
Didi Lo
For the last 20 years Didi Lo has been at the forefront of healthier food and beverages. As founder and major shareholder of Soulfresh, he has overseen the growth across Australia before expanding internationally into NZ and then Europe.
A passionate and long-time advocate of purpose, sustainability and organics, Didi has built 10 brands across a wide range of food and beverage categories and today boasts some of the most recognised organic and better-for-you brands including Nutty Bruce, Lo Bros Kombucha, Pico Chocolate and Wildly Good.
Didi’s expertise lies in innovation, category design, brand development, sustainability and impact, path-to-market development – local and international, and a wide array of food and beverage manufacturing.
Claire Maloney
Claire is Founder and Director of The Bravery, one of Australia’s longest standing purpose-led communications and social impact agencies, solely dedicated to positive social and environmental change.
Claire is driven by a deep desire and mission to work towards a brighter future for purpose, the environment, sustainability and social causes. She’s compelled to make the world a better place, working with brands and organisations to create change for good.
The Bravery launched over a decade ago in 2012, where under Claire’s stewardship it has has grown from start-up roots to a thriving boutique agency, having worked with the likes of Kimberley Clark, WWF, Pernod Ricard, Unicef, Australian Ethical, Ben and Jerry’s, Patagonia, Coca Cola, Hort Innovation, Corporate Carbon, Night Time Industries Association, Circular Australia and more.
Claire is a purpose leader, sustainability campaigner, a creative director, and a compelling storyteller at heart. With over 18 years experience in PR and communications, including international aid and development, not-for-profit, consumer, corporate and cause-led communications, Claire shapes the narratives in Australia, and globally, that creates true impact to last.
As a governance expert, Claire has also served on multiple boards, including the girls and women’s education empowerment not-for-profit, One Girl, and is currently a Board Member of Comms Declare, a communications, marketing, media and advertising organisation designed to supercharge the transition to a climate-friendly future.
Tom Wenborn
Tom began his creative career as a designer, before becoming a copywriter, then a designer again, then an art director before settling somewhere in-between.
He has spent the last decade working at Australia's top agencies including CHE Proximity and Saatchi & Saatchi, creating some of the country's most popular and effective campaigns for clients including Cadbury, Westpac, Toyota, Devondale, Furphy, Foxtel, Hahn and Bega.
His work has been recognized more than 100 times at major award shows including D&AD, Cannes, Clios, New York Festivals, London International Awards, The Effies and Young Guns. His campaigns have also been featured in Contagious' Best & Bravest as well as the Financial Review's Most Innovative List.
He’s helped create the world’s fastest coffee cart, the world’s largest oil painting, the world’s first AI powered bee hive, the world’s first coffee to leave you with fresh breath, the world’s first submarine viewing experience for the lounge room, the world’s most ridiculous list of world firsts.
He is passionate about simple work that makes a difference, whether that’s helping unfuck the environment or making your Nanna laugh, both are equally important.
Charli Walters
Charli brings a proven track record in building brands, with 10 years of experience in leading transformational growth in established stagnant categories. Combining creativity and commercial acumen she has conceived, launched, grown and successfully exited household FMCG brands to a public listed entity, SunRice. Now as CEO of cult cleaning brand Koh, Charli continues to drive change whilst challenging the status quo. Koh is Australia's leading purpose-driven home care system, loved by more than 1 million Aussies and a true high-impact disruptor in the category. Charli's expertise across retail consumer goods and brand building will support Koh's transition from D2C darling to omnichannel disruptor. Charli is thrilled to be with Koh at a time when mass impact is needed, with Koh's deep brand love and distinctive positioning Koh will continue to disrupt categories and channels all whilst giving back to the planet.
Clive Dickens
Clive Dickens joined Optus as VP, TV, Content & Product Development in May 2019. Clive is responsible for product development, lifting Optus’ digital capability and importantly leveraging Optus’ important exclusive content assets, content, and OTT partnerships, including Optus Sport.
Clive was also Chief Digital Officer at Seven West Media. He is an experienced digital leader with extensive worldwide media relationships formed over many decades. He has delivered innovation and hyper growth in numerous start-ups and mature businesses and driven shifts in consumer behaviour through technology, including advising Shazam (now acquired by Apple), Audioboom, Omny Studio. Other previous non-Executive roles include Yahoo7, Health Engine and AirTasker, and previous corporate executive roles include Southern Cross Austereo, Global and Absolute Radio.
Clive is currently Non-Executive Director and Co-Founder of OxisMedia, which invests in, operates, and provides consultancy services to media organisations and digital/mobile products in the UK/US and Europe.
Fiona Parker
Fiona Parker is the Head of Corporate, Edelman Australia, based in the company’s Sydney office.
With a 20+ year career in corporate communications, public relations and marketing, and with specialisms in technology, fintech and finance, Fiona’s experience spans a wide range of industry sectors and international markets.
Fiona is a passionate corporate storyteller, helping brands and their spokespeople articulate compelling, locally relevant narratives. She also has extensive cross-border crisis, issues and reputation management experience, and is an accomplished media, communication skills & crisis preparedness trainer.
Fiona recently joined Edelman from leading Australian finance agency, Honner, where she held the role of Chief Strategy Officer and also led the firm’s fintech and digital assets business.
Previously Head of Corporate Communications, Australia, for FleishmanHillard, and before that the dual role of Asia Pacific Technology Practice Director & HK Tech Lead for the former H+K Strategies, Fiona’s corporate, B2B and B2C experience covers a long list of blue chip global, regional and local companies.
Fiona holds a Bachelor of Arts (Communication) in Organisational Communication, Marketing and English from Charles Sturt University (Mitchell) and a Masters’ Degree in English (With Merit) from The University of Sydney.
Browse the full program
In an era of leveraging risk and ambiguity to drive category-defining communications, client-agency relationships must get comfortable with the fine line between success and failure.
Spotlighting the recently unveiled campaign, ‘Winnie-The-Pooh: The Deforested Edition’ - reimagining of the iconic children’s book - Kat Kearney, Brand Marketing Director at Who Gives A Crap, and Kiefer Casamore, General Manager of Eleven Melbourne and Sustain by TBWA, will explore how risk drove the brand’s creative process.
Highlighting the impact of deforestation across the globe, Who Gives A Crap is the first to update a piece of classic literature to reflect environmental changes. A bold to move to say the least. This session invites you to uncover the dynamics of cultivating a culture where risk becomes a potent catalyst for ground-breaking creativity.
Cato & Clive Partners have seen it all - from cyber incidents to boardroom brawls and full-blown reputational crises. So how should brands react when they’re in the eye of the storm and disaster strikes? Join this live interactive workshop as Sue Cato and Clive Mathieson will draw on their deep experience in these situations to test the audiences' thinking and (re)actions when they find themselves in the depths of a crisis.
Elgar Welch is the former CEO and co-founder of Streem, a business he built from a bedroom into the ANZ market’s leading challenger media intelligence company. This session takes a deep dive into how the Australian media-tech company was built, scaled and acquired by global PR behemoth Cision in early 2022, and how Streem’s platform is now being rolled out to comms teams in every major market around the world under Cision’s umbrella.
Now in the role of President of Cision’s global media monitoring business, and prior to Streem working in the comms team of the former Federal Labor government, Elgar will step through Streem’s creation, how AI and machine learning is changing the game for PR’s globally, how small beats big with this tech, and learnings from a colossal journey challenging and winning against monopolies.
This session invites you to uncover the dynamics of emerging tech in PR, how small can beat big, the value of media data to business and how the AI leap is making its way to PR teams.
In 2024, we can’t escape the increasing impact of social justice issues on the way our comms are received by a wide range of diverse audiences.
And the reality is, the world at large is hurtling towards a future that is more inclusive, more diverse, more egalitarian. So we are not grappling with the question of “if” the world will slowly head towards progress on a wide range of topics: race, gender, sexuality, climate change, disability, immigration, education… the list goes on.
Rather, we are grappling with the “how” and the “when” and the “what to do about it in the process” as we craft comms that speak to divergent audiences with sometimes dichotomous views on these topics.
And how do we adequately counsel spokespeople who might themselves sit anywhere on the broad spectrum of “wokeness”, from the outwardly woke to those who strongly believe social justice efforts have “gone too far” and constitute nothing more than “virtue signalling” and “political correctness gone mad”?
The trick is in the execution, according to PR & marketing agency founder, Hannah Moreno who will lead the discussion on what comms professionals need to know about “wokeism” in 2024.
In part 2 of this session, Moreno will be joined on stage by Third Hemisphere’s executive director Jeremy Liddle for a deep dive fireside chat on the topic.
In light of a slew of company scandals, never before has it been more important for organisations to stay accountable and transparent.
As a B Corp certified travel company, Intrepid Travel is required to meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
Join Intrepid Travel’s Chief Customer Officer, Leigh Barnes, in an open and frank discussion on the importance of a company-wide and consistent approach to accountability and transparency. Leigh will touch on Intrepid’s mishaps along the way that became key moments to build trust and reputation with their customers.
With News Corp Australia producing 3,000 articles a week using generative artificial intelligence, specialist titles embracing AI, and even the ABC dipping its toes in the AI pool, what threats and opportunities does this create for PR?
Dentsu Creative’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Tim Powell, provides an analysis of how AI is changing journalism, and the relationship between journalists, their audiences and PR consultants, and the strategic, craft and legal issues this raises.
XXXX, an iconic 145-year-old Queensland beer, used its 33-year-long sponsorship of the Queensland Maroons Rugby team of the State of Origin series to reignite Queenslanders’ passion for XXXX.
This keynote, hosted by Chris Allan, Head of Marketing-Core Beer at Lion, will showcase how XXXX reimagined its sponsorship through the unique 'Pride in your Origin' campaign.
Joined by Tom Wenborn, Executive Creative Tinker and Catherine Tomlinson, Lead Earned Thinker at Thinkerbell, they will outline how earned-first creative gave Queenslanders, who are proud of their origin, a voice - which transcended across all marketing touchpoints that generated a real change in culture, and most importantly, on the XXXX brand.
Australia’s renewable energy transition is set for a showdown as politicians, businesses, investors and communities compete to control the narrative ahead of the next federal election.
While a majority of Australians know climate change poses a serious threat to our way of life and want Australia to be a global leader in emissions reduction, there’s a growing grassroots backlash to projects designed to help Australia reach its net zero goal. Offshore wind, solar farms and new high voltage wiring projects are coming under fire from community members who don’t want them in their backyard.
It’s a complex challenge for communicators as small but loud groups in local communities become increasingly sceptical of government and corporate messages about Australia’s clean energy future.
With exclusive new Believability Index research, join Ogilvy PR’s Sustainability Practice Lead and Chief Counsel Nino Tesoriero and Strategy Director Laura Stoll to hear what’s behind this conflict, why fostering grassroots believability around climate change reforms is more important than ever, and how these approaches can tackle broader misinformation.
Attend this session for key learnings on:
- What’s driving the community fear and anger around renewable energy projects
- Who are the most believable voices and organisations in the renewable energy debate
- How can communicators best challenge disinformation campaigns and change community attitudes
While study after study continues to indicate that burnout is more prevalent than ever before, the PR and communications space ranks as one of the very highest in stress levels, fatigue and exhaustion.
In this session, Azadeh Williams, Founder and Managing Director of AZK Media reveals what are the common risks to watch out for, while sharing tried and tested habits to nurture a more healthier, productive culture as a communications leader.
During this insightful session delegates will walk away with key learnings on:
- Personal, lifestyle and professional ‘habits’ to combat career burnout
- An increased awareness on common causes and symptoms, drawing on personal experiences
- How to foster a positive and healthy working culture
There is now doubt that we are in an era of significant cultural and technological transformation. From AI to Climate Change, economic instability to geopolitical crises, organisations and brands of all shapes and sizes face change from all directions. For businesses that may have traditionally had an inward focus on profit and growth, there is now no choice but to look outwards and demonstrate they are innovating to deliver value for audiences in the now and near, while constantly preparing for the next horizon.
So, in this era of change, how can organisations meaningfully evolve, maintain their relevance, and stay to their core values? How can key stakeholders be brought along the journey? How do you measure long-term impact in the face of constant change and transformation?
During this panel discussion Sefiani will share initial insights from new research about how businesses can evolve their corporate self and reimagine their brand to reflect their changing world. Two brands who are going through this transformation process will share their experience – and insights into the process and challenges.
This session will show how ‘acts first, and ads second’, will drive a new age of true impact purpose marketing. Currently, the two big challenges facing marketing outcomes when it comes to brand purpose are consumer confidence, and what sustainability and social cause challenges brands should take on.
With marketing efforts being driven to utilise purpose for profit, efforts from major brands continue to be a minefield of missteps, accusations of greenwashing (or hushing), and confusion about what to tackle. Learn about why purpose matters and who even cares, through a lens of our biggest global issues, upcoming purpose trends, and impacts on markets that are going to affect marketing.
Discover why the “purpose can make profit” argument is over, and what brands and businesses heading into sustainability and social causes need to do to move on from activating purpose in this way.
Through brand case study examples, a panel of market leaders (to be announced) will share their approach to purpose for real, tangible impact.
As millennials reluctantly hand over the cultural reins to Gen Z, what does this mean for the future of PR? Gen Z culture is having an increasing impact on society and mainstream media. What’s being shared on social channels, what’s driving conversations and engagement and what’s influencing media headlines, isn’t the same now as it was five years ago. Gen Z culture is based on micro trends and new social values. It’s fluid and it’s constantly changing. To drive fame and create human connections for brands, PR also needs to change and evolve to take advantage of this.
Join this session for key learnings on:
- How Gen Z is shaping the new media landscape
- What impact Gen Z is having on mainstream culture
- What this means for the future of consumer PR
- Tips and examples of how we can take advantage of this change
The significance and value to consumer brands of a shared cultural moment cannot be overstated. Leaning in on the significant learnings of the challenges faced many years ago during the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2018, Optus Sport were determined to never let it happen again.
The journey they then went on culminated and coincided with one of the biggest feelgood stories of 2023: as official host broadcasters of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand, Optus Sport produced an award-winning and groundbreaking broadcast that broke records and capitalised on the significant cultural moment that swept the country and changed the future of Sport in Australia.
In this multimedia session, discover how your brand can level-up and supercharge their comms strategies during these unique moments to be part of the conversation and play a pivotal role in shaping cultural discourse.
There is a new paradox at the heart of society; whilst rapid innovation offers the promise of a new era of prosperity, it risks exacerbating trust issues leading to further societal instability. As business leaders, we’re faced with growing threats and compounded effects – most notably, cyber risks and new technologies such as AI are pushing us out of our comfort zones when it comes to crisis and issues management.
The 2024 Australian Edelman Trust Barometer reports that we’re in the midst of a global referendum on innovation in society. The Covid vaccines have saved millions of lives – but we see many examples of backlash against vaccine mandates. The Biden administration passed significant legislation designed to incentivise the development of green infrastructure—but the Republican presidential frontrunner is campaigning against the EV transition. While in Australia, we are faced with our own challenges as business leaders rally to embrace innovation in a bid to secure the future prosperity of our economy – against a backdrop of geopolitical conflict, cyber risks and climate change.
This session will outline what business and communication leaders can do to navigate these threats while maintaining trust in the organisation.
Program
Join the industry for an unrivalled experience across 14 inspiring and enlightening sessions lead by more than 20 big-league PR and comms experts.
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If both professional and business growth are high up on your agenda, Mumbrella CommsCon is the perfect ticket for you. Grab a pass today and learn directly from the industry's biggest heavyweights.
BUY TICKETSEnter the awards
The Mumbrella CommsCon Awards are Australia and New Zealand’s biggest celebration of PR and communications excellence, judged by the biggest names in industry.
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Individual ticket
$819+GST
- 14 sessions
- 20+ speakers
- 2 streams of content
- Networking drinks
BUY TICKET
5 tickets for 4
$655+GST
- Get 5 tickets for the price of 4
- Save $164 per ticket
- 14 sessions
- 20+ speakers
- 2 streams of content
- Networking drinks
10 tickets for 7
$573+GST
- Get 10 tickets for the price of 7
- Save $246 per ticket
- 14 sessions
- 20+ speakers
- 2 streams of content
- Networking drinks
Who should attend?
CommsCon is catered to PR and communications professionals working in in-house roles or agency side. If you work in any of the following areas, this event is for you:
- Specialists, Advisors, Managers, Directors and Heads of Communications or PR
- Brand Communications
- Social Media
- Stakeholder, External, Media or Community Relations
- Corporate or Public Affairs
- Employee Communications
- Marketing Communications
- Publicists
- Accounts and Business Development
- Managing Director, CEO, Owners and Directors
Event details
Event Date: 27 March 2024
Venue: Four Seasons Hotel, Sydney
Times:
Conference: 8:25am - 5:00pm
Networking drinks: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Getting there:
199 George Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000
Click here for more information on getting there.