Over the past week, our newsfeeds reached 'peak Budget' and at times we were tempted (briefly!) to buy our phones in the veggie patch for a break! If you were feeling the same, here's a summary of what you missed... The ABC live blogged Treasurer Josh Frydenburg's first Budget, then Opposition Leader Bill Shorten's Budget reply two days later. There was a summary of Budget 'winners and losers' on news.com.au, but it was Julie Bishop's blue sequined dress ..... Read more »

The upcoming Federal Election could bring new challenges to organisations which have deployed public affairs/communications strategies to influence policy outcomes. Similar challenges will apply to public servants charged with implementing new policies that will require communication services to ensure effective implementation. Whoever wins the election, the policy platforms of both major parties will require broad based consultation across every business sector in the economy, as well as wi..... Read more »

Sometimes it’s good to choose the unknown, to say ‘yes’ to that opportunity even if you are unsure where it might take you. As I reflect on my first experience at the Global IABC Leadership Institute conference held in Long Beach, California, that’s exactly what’s going through my mind. Long Beach, California About 18 months ago I agreed to be part of the local IABC Canberra chapter board as Treasurer. As a career comms/marketing guy taking on the treasurer role seemed like a da..... Read more »

Happy New Year Canberra communications community, I hope everyone had a chance to recharge their batteries in whatever way works for them – because 2019 is shaping up to be a big year in communication. Whether you are in Government, have your own communication practice or lead a team of communicators there’s plenty in store. The highly-anticipated Federal Election (taking bets now on when it will be); the Brexit deadline coming to a head shortly and other important events in our region, ..... Read more »

In early December we celebrated 2018 with canapes and drinks at Kokomo's in the heart of Canberra.  More than 60 communicators attended to swap stories from the working year that was. Check out a few of the photos from the night below. Our special guest speaker was Amanda Whitley, founder of HerCanberra and 2016 ACT Woman of the Year. Amanda shared how she grew HerCanberra from an idea to a vibrant online community with 100,000 unique visitors per month by leveraging relationships and..... Read more »

Being on the IABC Canberra Board is a great opportunity to build your professional skills and networks, and help shape the communication profession in the nation’s capital.  We value new board members who have diverse skills to contribute and enjoy working collaboratively with peers. Our 2018 Board is made up of communication leaders from the public and private sector, who specialise in change communication, internal and leadership communications, marketing and dig..... Read more »

Renowned journalist, author and advocate, Tracey Spicer, shared communication advice lessons from her 30-year career at #Fusion18, the IABC Asia-Pacific conference. Tracey had the audience of 150 communications professionals enthralled with stories about her beginnings as a "bogan from Brisbane" and her career at Channel Ten, through to her advocacy work, and the recent release of her book The Good Girl Stripped Bare. Here is a summary of Tracey's talk at #Fusion18. Power of personal na..... Read more »

Have you thought about what you want to get out of Fusion 2018?  There are many ways to make the most of Fusion. Follow Amanda Dennett's advice for conference newbies. F is for find a buddy. Spending time at a conference is much more enjoyable when you can share the experience with someone else! In Singapore, I met some lovely people from IABC Wellington that I chatted with throughout the conference, including at the social dinner at a hawker market. We had lots of laughs and shared some ..... Read more »

This year we enticed Angela Sinickas ABC IABC Fellow out from the US to Canberra so you could hear about communication research and metrics over an IABC lunch. Now Redgrass is bringing some of the best speakers from Convergence Melbourne 2018 to talk about how to create awesome change. Whether you are a change or communications practitioner, this one day event will help you gain great insights into managing employee resistance (is there such a thing?), take you on a wild ride with cartooning fo..... Read more »

IABC Canberra Board Member Claire George on how showcasing your work benefits the communications profession. When I joined the IABC several years ago, there was one main thing I wanted to do… I wanted to hear from other communication professional like me, I wanted to understand what they were working on, their challenges and their successes. I knew that in order to progress in my own organisation, I needed to bring new ideas and innovations, but finding them had been a whole lot harder than..... Read more »