GovComms: The Future of Government Communication

With our first ever GovComms Podcast guest from Iceland, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke speaks to Mike Klein, an internal and social communication consultant with an interest in developing the field of communication leadership through his #WeLeadComms initiative. Based in Iceland, Mike has worked in a broad range of editorial, communication planning and research roles. Having completed his MBA at London Business school, Mike has authored "From Lincoln to LinkedIn, the 55 Minute Guide to Social Communication," a manual for mobilizing peer-to-peer communication in communities and organisations. He also owns "Changing the Terms", which has been recognized as one of Europe's top PR and Communication Blogs by Communication Director Magazine. The pair begin by discussing the importance of understanding and expanding on your vocabulary.  Stressing that politics and businesses can, and will interpret vocabulary differently. Mike and David touch on the role of establishing clarity in a meeting from the outset. They also talk about presence and awareness as well as how if you execute with authority and humility, your ‘effectiveness can go through the roof.’ Mike explains #WeLeadComms and how communication leadership is  his focus for the #WeLeadComms Open Conference on September 23rd (Europe and the Americas), October 29 (West Coast) and October 30  (Australia & New Zealand). To learn more about #WeLeadComms check out their virtual open conference:: Australia and New Zealand: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/open-conference-on-the-future-of-communication-leadership-pacific-edition-tickets-170427431034 Europe and the Americas : https://www.eventbrite.nl/e/weleadcomms-open-conference-on-communication-leadership-tickets-158893056409?aff=scriptdoctor The pair end by discussing working remotely and how understanding the organisation you are working with is vital to the level of your effectiveness out of office. Discussed in this episode: Expanding your vocabulary How to establish clarity The #WeLeadComms initiative and what you can learn from it Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Todays release of the GovComms Podcast features a discussion with Katrina Macdermid, Director of KayJayEm services. Katrinas unique skillset has provided training and consulting for many agencies including the NSW Police Force, Sydney Metro & NSW Health who have all embraced Katrina's human approach to information technology (IT). Katrina is a contributing author to the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) 4 official publication and has written white papers explaining how to incorporate human-centered design into IT service management. The pair begin by discussing the development of her own innovative approach called human experience agreements. Katrina explains that when negotiating service level agreements with big providers, grabbing contracts from a year to three years before and simply updating them is no longer acceptable, and needs to change in order to prevent ‘watermelon reporting’. Katrina goes on to state the importance of the customer and employee experience in relation to IT and why service providers need to come along on the journey. Katrina explains how, through service integration and management, she bought service providers along for the journey to see how they could collectively contribute to an organisation’s outcome. David and Katrina go on to talk about creating personas through human-centered design. She advises communicators to be mindful of who you are communicating to, how they like to be communicated to and who is the decision-maker within their eco-system. The pair end by discussing the importance of IT and the role those within the field have played throughout COVID-19 to remobilise organisations. Discussed in this episode: The importance of IT within the field of communications How to implement and use human-centered design What human experience agreements can do for organisations   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the GovComms Podcast, contentgroup founder and CEO, David Pembroke, speaks to Brigid Glanville, Deputy chief of staff at NSW Government for the office of Hon Bronnie Taylor. Skilled in Crisis communications and Government relations, and close to over 20 years of experience within the communications industry, Brigid, prior to working in government worked for the ABC reporting on government, business and politics In this conversation, David and Brigid discuss her shift from reporting on politics to now working in government. Brigid talks about how although she loved her role at ABC, she wanted to develop her knowledge within the world of politics and make policies. She discusses how skills learnt from her career as a journalist have transferred to her role as chief of staff; such as taking complex content and breaking it down into plain English for the general public to understand, to thinking critically and fast in government. David and Brigid discuss how our perceptions of government are often incorrect. Such as time frames for passing policies as well as how many layers are involved in doing so. She explains for some, the transition of going from a solo journalist to working in a team environment may be tricky. To end, Brigid explains that one of the greatest benefits of going from journalism to government is the understanding of consistent and appropriate messaging in times of crisis. Discussed in this episode: The importance of trust in communications. How the skills of journalism can be applied to the world of politics Why it is so important to challenge and push yourself out of your comfort zone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the GovComms Podcast, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke speaks to Laurian Hubbard, a CIPR Fellow and award-winning Chartered PR Practitioner.  Based in Wales, Laurian is currently the Head of Engagement for Welsh Parliament, having previously held senior positions in 10 Downing Street and Cabinet Office. She is also the Founder and Co-President of Women in PR Cymru as well as, an International Board member of Global Women in PR, and a Chartered Assessor for the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. In this conversation, David and Laurian discuss the difference between parliament and government. Within this exchange, Laurian explains the importance of having a variety of teams with specific roles. From the events team to the outreach team, she stresses the importance of communication between these teams in order to get messages out to the public despite covid restrictions.   Laurian also explains how important it is to stay on top of where audiences are, whether this is TikTok, Facebook, or Instagram. She expresses the vitality of staying on top of technological developments.   Laurian stresses how important it is to actually care for people, whether this is your clients, audience or your team. She expresses the difficulty of shifting from working in person to working from home as a result of COVID-19. However, she does provide some tips and tricks that have enabled her to form and keep relationships with those you work with through a screen.   David and Laurian finish off their conversation looking at the work Laurian has been doing with Women in PR Cymru. Discussed in this episode: How lessons from your past can shape your path in the future. What we can do to encourage women in the communication field to take the next step in their careers. The importance of taking the time to reflect on and grow from your experiences. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the GovComms Podcast, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke speaks to Sean Larkins, the Global Director of Capability at WPP Government and Public Sector Practice. Located in London, Sean has led projects in Europe, the Middle East, and across Australasia where he has helped improve communications functions and strategies. In this conversation, David and Sean discuss the big changes and challenges that WPP has experienced as a result of the pandemic. The pair also discuss the leaders report released in 2017 that identified a number of structural difficulties within communication as well as a deficit of trust. Based on Seans discussion surround the leaders report, David questions whether those within government communication areas are exhausted and are they ready to go again when responding to COVID-19? Sean explains that there is a sense of exhaustion throughout the government communication realm and that those specifically in lower tiers of Governments such as city halls and town shires. Following on from this, Sean discusses capabilities and how there has been a shift to smaller channels such as social media, user-generated content and streaming services. Sean also emphasises the need to support citizens in making sense of their situation through a sense of facts and security. The podcast ends with David and Sean chatting about the new leaders report that was released in June through WPP Leaders report, free of charge. Discussed in this episode: How can we ensure we do not exhaust the communication efforts of those in Government? What communication teams can do to help build and grow their communication reach. How to get to grips with shifts in communication habits such as consumer skipping of ads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the GovComms Podcast, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke speaks to Communications Manager for the city of Tigard and one of the founders of ELGL, Kent Wyatt . Located in Portland Oregon, Kent Wyatt has been working in local governments for over 18 years with positions ranging from management analyst, legislative analyst and now, communications. In this conversation David and Kent discuss the importance of local governments and how their immediate impact is detrimental to the well-being of the community. The pair discuss the belief that individuals have a larger suspicion of governments in the US over that of other nations. Kent also explains that ‘new blood’ in communications is imperative to have in government sectors. There is a need to use these new talents as a means of reaching all aspects of the community especially in the age of COVID-19. Following on from this, Kent discusses how a ballot measure aimed at providing funding for parks and recreation forced a shift in his local governments tactics in reaching communities. Through technology and more engaging content such as interviews, YouTube, podcasts and Facebook lives. The podcast ends with David and Kent chatting about how Kent has adapted new communication abilities to meet rising content marketing demands.  As well as discussing the importance of trust between Governments and communicators. Discussed in this episode: How can relationships be built in communications? What can we learn from the pandemic through the lens of local governments? The importance of communities in government communications. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the GovComms Podcast, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke speaks to a highly experienced media adviser and communications professional, Tess Salmon. Tess is currently the General Manager of External Affairs and Communication at Western Sydney Airport. Before this she had roles as the Director of Media and Communication to Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and Media Manager for the NSW Police Force. In this conversation David and Tess discuss best practice communications during a crisis. Telling the story of how she responded on the spot to the Martin Place siege, where she was a media adviser at the time. Here she explains how it is important to stay calm and use your communications skills to instill confidence in other people. Tess also explains in detail how the day of the siege played out and how this moment has impacted her and given her lessons that she has taken into her career. Following on from this, Tess chats to David about her small business that she used to run, AUBE Communications, and what caused her to move from roles working in crisis communications to strategic communications instead. In this episode Tess also discusses her previous work as a journalist and how she utilises her skills in this field in her work today. David and Tess finish off their conversation looking at the work Tess is completing in the preparation for the new Western Sydney airport. How do you communicate the importance of this airport to such a wide audience? Discussed in this episode: What can everyday communicators learn from crisis communications? How can communicators learn from journalists? The importance of learning from every experience within your career. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the GovComms Podcast, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke speaks to strategic communication adviser, change manager and project manager Merrin Fabre. Merrin is currently leading the corporate communications team at the Victorian department of Families, Fairness and Housing. When not doing this, she is working with the IABC Victoria where she is currently their president. In this conversation David and Merrin discuss alignment and what you can do as a communicator to help others within an organisation get on ‘the same page’. What skills do you need in order to do this? How do you decide on the overarching view of where your organisation is going? Merrin also draws on her previous experience from working at the CSRIO and how she helped leaders, scientists and engineers within the organisation understand the importance of communication. Following on from this, Merrin explains that a communicators approach is not always the correct approach. That is why, when it comes to deciding on how to run your organisations communications, you must compromise your thinking and work with others from various sectors within your organisation to decide on the best approach that fits all. In this episode, Merrin also discusses how to utilise company values to drive culture and to drive change. How do you help leaders understand the importance of values in their decision making? David and Merrin finish off their conversation looking at how the pandemic has affected government staff in Victoria. How have they built resilience and continued to move forward? Discussed in this episode: How to align those within your organisation. The importance of collaboration in creating a ‘best fits’ communications approach. Why values are essential to driving change within your organisation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the GovComms Podcast, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke speaks to the President of PA Social, Italy’s National Association for ‘new communication’, Francesco Di Costanzo. Joining us from Florence, Italy, Francesco is an expert in government communications, having over 16 years’ experience in the sector, as well as authoring many books discussing ‘new communication’ within the Italian government. In this conversation Francesco discusses how government communicators in Italy have adapted and changed their roles to help quickly and effectively communicate emergency information during the COVID-19 pandemic. Francesco discusses the tools that these communicators have utilized to do this, as well as how they have worked with different social media channels to help relay information from the government to the citizens. Following on from this, Francesco draws on his experience and insights to share some of his top tips for social media managers who work within government departments around the world and how it is vital now more than ever that we know how to use social media to our advantage. In the episode, Francesco also discusses the work that he and the team at PA Social do and how them and their members work together to help improve digital communications for government. David and Francesco finish off their conversation looking into the future, reflecting on where they see PA Social going in the next few years. To get in contact with Francesco and the team at PA Social, visit their website or alternatively connect with Francesco on LinkedIn. Discussed in this episode: How COVID-19 shaped and changed government communications in Italy. Why Social Media is an essential tool to government in 2021. What is PA Social and what role do they play in Italian government communications. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the GovComms Podcast, contentgroup CEO David Pembroke speaks to the Founding Director of Social Marketing @ Griffith, Sharyn Rundle-Thiele. Joining us from Queensland, Sharyn is an expert in all things social marketing. Drawing from her background in commercial marketing, her current research focuses on applying marketing to benefit both people and the planet. In this conversation Sharyn discusses the true meaning of marketing and explains to us why it is one of the most misunderstood terms in the corporate world, and how we as communications professionals can learn to explain marketing to the world in the correct way. Sharyn also explains how effective good social marketing can be, using as an example a project that her and the team at Social Marketing @ Griffith worked on where they used social marketing to successfully reduce the death rate of Koala’s by dogs. Following on from this example, Sharyn shares with David and the audience some tips for creating a successful social marketing campaign, and how these steps can be incorporated into the work of all communications professionals. In the episode, Sharyn also shares with us how she feels digital technology has changed and evolved the communications professions. David and Sharyn finish off the episode focusing on the future of Social Marketing @ Griffith, and where Sharyn sees the organisation 12-18 months from now. To get in contact with Sharyn and the team at Social Marketing @ Griffith, visit their website where you can learn about all the courses that they offer on Social Marketing and find all their contact details. Discussed in this episode: Why is marketing such a misunderstood term? How social marketing can create behaviour change. Tips for creating a successful social marketing campaign. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.