Communications is about going with your gut. Our guest today, uses core values to create marketing campaigns that she knows will stand out. She understands when to use speed and when to be strategic and insight led. In this episode of GovComms, City Marketing Coordinator at the city of Ballarat, Lucy Ibrahim, joins contentgroup CEO, David Pembroke, to discuss the importance of delivering communications plans that connect with community members. Working in a city that shows genuine care and compassion for their community in the toughest of circumstances, Lucy talks about how to take those values and deliver effective communications solutions to big problems. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lucy has led her community by engaging with stakeholders and supplying the city of Ballarat with accurate and accessible resources. Today, we dive back to when Lucy delivered and launched a marketing campaign, Be Kind Ballarat, in less than 24 hours. The campaign was a kindness initiative launched in response to COVID-19, which she reflects on as one of the toughest and most rewarding campaigns she has worked on. Lucy Ibrahim has over 18 years’ experience covering brand strategy, marketing, events and tourism. Prior to working for the City of Ballarat, Lucy served as Head of Marketing at Visit Ballarat, and Managing Director of PLAY communications. Work produced under Lucy’s direction has been recognised at over 15 international and local awards. She has most recently been recognised for the 2020 Ad Campaign of the Year at the Mumbrella Travel Awards for her campaign Made of Ballarat. Lucy is passionate about insight-led creative, efficient execution and measurement to optimise outcomes. Discussed in this episode: Using core principles within government policies to develop clear communications plans Delivering an effective campaign in less than 24 hours Using communications to support residents and provide relief Responding and recovering from the fallout of COVID-19 The nature of work for a communications professional Using hard metrics to measure effectiveness within industry and media sentiment Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are coming into the golden age of communications. Perhaps the most important thing a government can do, is communicate effectively with their citizens. Communicators are the people in control. They make sure that information is available and importantly, accessible, to citizens. The technology has increased the visibility of communications system, but what are the challenges that come with these advances? What are the challenges facing government departments? Where does change comes from in the public sector? In this episode of GovComms, contentgroup Founder and CEO, David Pembroke, is joined by the Head of GovCom Group, Alun Probert. Before heading GovCom Group, Alun spent nine years as the Executive Director of Strategic Communications in the NSW Government, with the responsibility for advertising and digital policy including managing the NSW Governments and Premier’s website, overseeing approval of Government and all advertising campaigns and managing whole of Government media contracts. Alun’s global communication experience spans 25 years. In this conversation from the archive, Alun shares valuable insights on adopting new media and the opportunities within content marketing.    Discussed in this episode: -          Opportunities for content marketing in government - what does success look like? -          Understanding how people consume government media -          Aligning a communication plan to strategic objectives -          Setting ambitions and achieving measurable targets -          Clear communication - removing barriers that connect government to citizens -          The evolution of information and communications technology Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode of GovComms, contentgroup Founder and CEO, David Pembroke, sits down with business and technology innovator, Michelle Melbourne, to discuss how technology is impacting the communications. They talk using data to create a personalized experience for your audience, the importance of learning and where technology is headed.   This episode is a must listen for leaders in any sector, with valuable insights into how to harness and use technology in a manageable and workable way.   With 30 years’ experience in government technology, Michelle Melbourne, Co-Founder of Australian software maker Intelledox (now SmartIQTM, a product of Smart Communications), has a long history delivering better online process for citizens. Michelle evangelized the term Digital Transformation years before it was commonplace, and her company pioneered the use of AI to automate business processes. She has helped many large and complex customers to modernise their processes, and more importantly, to transform their team culture and behaviours to maximize the outcomes for citizens.   In 1998, Michelle started a highly successful technology, communications and logistics company - The Communication Link - working on behalf of corporate and government VIPs from around the world. This involved arranging official visits to Australia by Madeleine Albright for senior U.S Government officials and the management of various Sydney Olympic and Paralympic projects. She is currently a Board Member of Smart Communications, Governor of the ANU Foundation Board and an Entrepreneur In Residence for the Canberra Innovation Network. Discussed in this episode: -       Translating an inspiration into reality -       The importance of understanding technology -       How to apply personalized services to your customers -       Adopting new technology during COVID-19 -       The future public service as automation takes hold and AI matures -       The skills we need to enable digital transformation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the Archives:This week on #GovComms, we are going back to a very special episode. In 2015, contentgroup Founder and CEO David Pembroke, met with guests Inga Davis and Richa Arora to discuss rebuilding the University of Canberra website. This episode takes us through the whole journey. They tells us how they met their objectives and managed to bring more than 15,000 pages of content under one umbrella.Inga Davis gave this interview on the eve of her last week at University of Canberra. Having spent the last 10 years working her way through the ranks at UC; as a marketing manager, alumni manager, Director of Vice-Chancellor Stephen Parker's Office, Director of Advancement and finishing up as Director Advancement, Marketing and Communications.Working closely with the Vice-Chancellor, Inga has led projects integral to building the University's profile; including the university's 40th anniversary celebrations in 2008, the latest "breakthrough" re-brand, content marketing strategy and most recently an enterprise-wide upgrade of UC's 10,000 page website. A project with 15,000 staff and student users, 50 stakeholder representatives, 25 senior managers and 3 million annual visitors.Richa was the project manager for the redevelopment of University of Canberra's website and closely worked with marketing and content producers on the content strategy for the new website. Richa believes that the aesthetics of a website are important for a friendly user experience, but people visit a website when they need information. The up to date content targeted to its audience is the key to a functional and engaging website. Richa has worked in public and private sector leading user workshops, stakeholder engagements and managing change and communications. Richa is a specialist in business process analysis, process re-engineering, solution design and implementation and project management. Richa is currently a Deloitte Consulting Manager in Technology Advisory team at Deloitte.Discussed in this episode:-         Operating a website and using a distributed authorship model-         Using health checks to keep websites clean-         SMART website goals Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The internet has changed the way we consume content, has it also impacted the way we advertise? In this week’s episode of GovComms contentgroup Founder and CEO, David Pembroke, sits down with industry leader, Bob Hoffman, to discuss how traditional advertising remains the primary income for internet platforms such as Facebook. Bob Hoffman is the author of five bestselling books about advertising. He is one of the world’s most sought-after speaker on (this topic/subject) advertising and marketing. Indeed, one of his books, ‘Bad Men: How Advertising Went From A Minor Annoyance To A Major Menace’ exposed many of the dangerous data abuse practices that are leading to a re-evaluation of the role of the major platforms around the world. Discussed in this episode: ·       Transformation of media and advertising ·       Using creative methods to create strategic advertising campaigns ·       Eroding of local media platforms ·       Dominant major advertising platforms ·       Is antitrust on the backburner? ·       The future of traditional paid advertising   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fresh from the Archives Russell Grossman wears many hats; he is Director of Communications at the Office of Rail and Road, Head of Government Internal Communications Profession for the UK Government and Director at Engage For Success. In this episode from the archives, Russell Grossman and David Pembroke discuss the best practices in government communication. We hear about Russell’s experience as Director of Group Communications at the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, as well as International Chair of the IABC and Director of Engage for Success. Discussed in this episode: ·       Maximising communications budgets ·       Using a project management approach to reform communications ·       Creating long-term marketing strategies ·       Strong bold leadership and sharp project management ·       Adapting to digital platforms Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A communications professional with more than 15 years of experience working in busy and demanding media relations and communications environments, Farooq has a range of experience having worked both in the public and voluntary sector.  Having trained as a journalist, during his career in UK Government he has been media adviser to several UK Prime Ministers and senior ministers. Farooq has led teams and delivered high-profile communications campaigns for key government domestic policies including the major housing building programme, a review of the public broadcaster BBC and controversial reforms to teachers’ pay and pensions. He has also dealt with international issues such as the UK’s military operations in Afghanistan and was part of the UK Government Olympics Communications team for London in 2012. Farooq led the crisis communications response for UK Government following the tragic Grenfell Tower fire, where he led a team of 40 plus professionals to deliver an effective communications strategy.  Having recently relocated to Sydney, he brings this wealth of experience to his current role supporting Transport for NSW with its communications response to the current Coronavirus outbreak. Discussed in this episode: A human-centric approach to government communications Farooq's advice on crisis management The importance of planning The current state of government communications Developing evidence-based communications Building trust - being accurate and realistic Measurement and evaluation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fresh from the Archives Gina is a senior digital marketing professional with successful experience in product management, social media strategy and integrated marketing campaigns for the City of Bryan. In addition, Gina has also developed brand ambassador and employee ambassador programs online to reinforce branding goals, drive loyalty and amplify the message.  Working for the City of Bryan, she has put her non-government experience to work to boost economic development, city programs, and tourism across all online channels. In addition to marketing, she serves as the PIO for the City of Bryan and Bryan Texas Utilities. Discussed in this episode:  A grass-roots approach to content The essentials of content marketing  How content marketing served the City of Bryan Gina's advice for government communicators  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tony Bradford is the co-founder and Managing Director of the Centre for Corporate Health, an organisation that specialises in helping workplaces of all shapes and sizes to better manage mental health, psychological safety and workplace stress. Originally a country boy from the Riverina, he ran away from home and joined the Navy at the age of 17 and started his career as a navigation officer driving ships and patrol boats. Fascinated by what happens in workplaces and the dysfunction and stress that often results, he developed his passion for understanding and transforming workplace cultures especially through building leadership capability. Following his service in the Navy and a short stint with EY’s change management consultancy division in the late 90’s, Tony has spent the past 20 years consulting to organisations of all shapes and sizes and industries, including Government. Rachel Clements is the co-founder and Director of Psychological Services and Principal Organisational Psychologist at the Centre for Corporate Health For over 25 years Rachel has focused on building individual and organisational resilience, and minimising risk of workplace mental health.  She has worked across a range of industries and has carved a niche especially in professional services organisations such as law firms, banking, finance as well as government (at all levels). Rachel is often the go-to subject matter expert when it comes to workplace mental health and is a regular keynote presenter at national and international conferences. Rachel is frequently consulted by media organisations from around the world and is regular contributor to the Huffington Post Discussed in this episode: Characteristics of a mental health conscious organisation The biggest predictor of workplace wellbeing The impacts of isolation Preparing for the 'new normal' Why Australia leads the way in workplace wellbeing Why 'givers' do better than 'takers' during a crisis Tony and Rachel's advice for staying mentally well Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fresh from the Archives Carmel McGregor forged a highly successful and notable career in the Australian Public Service. She is a psychologist by training and is intrinsically interested in how people think and what makes them tick. Before her retirement in 2014 Carmel was the Deputy Secretary Defence People in the Department of Defence. Prior to joining the Department of Defence in 2012 Carmel held a position as the Deputy Australian Public Service Commissioner where she was a member of the Advisory Group on Reform of Australian Government Administration (Blueprint) and led a review of Pathways for APS Women in Defence. Before joining the Australian Public Service Commission, Carmel was Deputy Secretary Client and Corporate Services in the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). During her time with DIAC she led global client service reform and a major organisational and cultural change program. Discussed in this episode: The role of communications Communicating for success The revolution of listening Understanding why public servants need to be able explain their work to the public Carmel's advice for government communicators Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.