Smart in Public

It takes a special leader to lead an agency and do it with heart and soul. In this episode the Katies are joined by Amanda (Mandy) Galmes, Managing Director and Managing Partner ANZ for Sefiani Agency, part of the Clarity Group. Mandy dives into all things agency talent, hiring, helping clients tell their stories - particularly around the growing field of responsible business - and the challenges with doing exec comms in this current climate. Episode timestamps:00:54 - Mandy's Journey into Public Relations04:30 - The Importance of People in Agency Work08:04 - Transitioning to Sefiani Agency12:12 - Sefiani's Approach to Strategic Communications13:09 - Agency Leadership and Client Relationships15:21 - Nurturing Young Talent in the Agency21:02 - The Evolving Landscape of Communications Education32:02 - Responsible Business and Media Challenges35:41 - Navigating Media Interviews and AuthenticityConnect with us on: Instagram TikTok Web Have a topic or a guest idea? Email us at hello@smartinpublicpod.com

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 Journey02:52  - The Challenges of Modern Journalism05:32 - A Day in the Life of a Technology Journalist08:03 - Navigating PR Relationships and Pitches10:47 - The Importance of Storytelling in Journalism13:35 - The Role of Fundraising Announcements16:06 - Cultural Differences in Journalism: US vs Australia18:42 - The Impact of Celebrity Access on Stories21:29 - The Importance of Genuine Communication23:51 - Reflections on Memorable Interviews26:48 - Advice for PR Professionals Pitching to Australia29:01 - Handling Tough Interviews and Executive Preparedness31:41 - The Personal Impact of Fatherhood on WorkConnect with us on: Instagram TikTok Web Have a topic or a guest idea? Email us at hello@smartinpublicpod.com

This week the Katies dive into the complexities of building and managing global communications teams. Doing this well means more than just finding the right people overseas – it’s about understanding the market’s storytelling nuances, cultural differences, identifying key publications and journalists, and building trust within your international team members to let them localize with impact.Episode Time Stamps:00:00 - Introduction to Global Communications Teams04:45 - Identifying the Right Time to Hire10:28 - Hiring the Right People for the Market16:05 - Managing Teams Across Time Zones21:46 - Building Trust and Cultural Understanding27:28 - Best Practices for HQ and Regional Teams35:54 - Navigating Global Messaging and Localization42:08 - Personal Stories and Lessons LearnedConnect with us on: Instagram TikTok Web Have a topic or a guest idea? Email us at hello@smartinpublicpod.com

The partnership between comms and execs is critical for success – and can also be complicated. In this episode, the Katies are joined by Pip Marlow, Non Executive Director, former CEO of Salesforce Australia & New Zealand, Suncorp Executive and Managing Director of Microsoft Australia, to discuss the importance of the comms/executive relationship, how to build a strong working relationship between comms and the c-suite, whether comms people make good board members, and inevitably we will discuss the latest and greatest in skincare!Connect with us on: Instagram TikTok Web Have a topic or a guest idea? Email us at hello@smartinpublicpod.com

This week the Katies explore the mystical world of paid, owned, and earned content strategies. You'll hear insights around which strategy to leverage and when, what the benefits are for each, and how to strategically educate stakeholders around preferred strategies when presenting your plans.Connect with us on: Instagram TikTok Web Have a topic or a guest idea? Email us at hello@smartinpublicpod.com

The Katies welcome long-time friend and colleague Ashish Patel, former SVP of Communications at Salesforce, to the podcast to discuss how to strategically make career changes that evolve with the changing needs of the PR market.Connect with us on: Instagram TikTok Web Have a topic or a guest idea? Email us at hello@smartinpublicpod.com

In our first Hot Take episode, the Katies discuss comms wins and blunders from the US Presidential Debate and the controversy surrounding Elle Macpherson's cancer treatment. Connect with us on: Instagram TikTok Web Have a topic or a guest idea? Email us at hello@smartinpublicpod.com

The Katies dive into the world of managing high-functioning PR teams. Topics include how to build a team centered around trust and creativity, managing-up to leadership, and the art of establishing strong executive relationships.Connect with us on: Instagram TikTok Web Have a topic or a guest idea? Email us at hello@smartinpublicpod.com

In this very first episode of Smart in Public, Katie and Katie introduce themselves to the podcasting universe and discuss some of the notable signals, trends and shifts happening across the PR landscape.Connect with us on: Instagram TikTok Web Have a topic or a guest idea? Email us at hello@smartinpublicpod.com