This week the Katies welcome one of Australia's leading technology reporters and editors David Swan. David's currently the Technology Editor for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, and was previously Technology Editor for The Australian newspaper. In 2024 he was awarded Australia's best technology journalist at The Lizzies, Australia's national IT Journalism awards. In this episode, we explore the relationship between comms people and media - including when we get it right and when we get it wrong. We also discuss some of the differences between US and Australia in terms of execs and media, David’s style of writing and journalism and his hot take on some of the recent CEO interviews that have made headlines.

Episode Overview w/ Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to David Swan and His Career Journey
02:52 - The Challenges of Modern Journalism
05:32 - A Day in the Life of a Technology Journalist
08:03 - Navigating PR Relationships and Pitches
10:47 - The Importance of Storytelling in Journalism
13:35 - The Role of Fundraising Announcements
16:06 - Cultural Differences in Journalism: US vs Australia
18:42 - The Impact of Celebrity Access on Stories
21:29 - The Importance of Genuine Communication
23:51 - Reflections on Memorable Interviews
26:48 - Advice for PR Professionals Pitching to Australia
29:01 - Handling Tough Interviews and Executive Preparedness
31:41 - The Personal Impact of Fatherhood on Work

Connect with us on:

Have a topic or a guest idea? Email us at hello@smartinpublicpod.com

8 - Interview with David Swan, Technology Editor for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald