Ogilvy PR, CSIRO, Meltwater, AFR, Porter Novelli and more join CommsCon
The Mumbrella CommsCon agenda has been bolstered with an array of eleventh-hour additions including Ogilvy PR, CSIRO, The Australian Financial Review, AZK Media, and more.
‘Ogilvy Futures 8: Radical Transparency, Real Connection & Revolutionary Fragmentations’ is the first of the newly announced sessions.
(L-R): Richard Brett, Bridget Jung, Dan Young
Presented by the Ogilvy PR trio of Richard Brett (CEO), Bridget Jung (ECD) and Dan Young (group MD consumer PR, social and influence), this session will focus on how brands navigate ongoing cost-of-living pressures, the climate crisis, the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, global conflict, and a fraying of the world order.
Delegates will walk away with first-hand insights on the value of radical transparency, perspectives on new ways to deliver genuine connection, and what brands need to know about the revolutionary fragmentation of audiences.
(L-R): Dr John Gardiner, Zoe Samios, Rhys Ryan, Dr Vanessa Pirotta
Joining Ogilvy PR on the speaker lineup sees a panel discussion centred on Porter Novelli’s latest research that looks at the problems and solutions faced by the energy industry as widely debunked myths and conspiracy theories about renewable energy proliferate causing chaos.
Tackling disinformation and reclaiming the truth in a world of alternative facts, this panel will be moderated by Porter Novelli CEO Rhys Ryan. Panellists include AFR business reporter (and Mumbrella alumna) Zoe Samios, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s (CSIRO) social psychologist Dr. John Gardiner, and renowned leading wildlife scientist and author Dr. Vanessa Pirotta.
David Hickey
Mumbrella CommsCon’s presenting partner Meltwater will also take to the stage for a session exploring how artificial intelligence is transforming PR. From automating routine tasks to enhancing media intelligence and uncovering insights at speed from large sets of data across multiple sources, executive director David Hickey will be flying in from Singapore to reveal everything PR and communications professionals need to know in this space.
Delegates will learn how, by implementing AI-driven workflows, PR teams can respond to emerging narratives before they escalate, draft media briefs in minutes, and maximise media impact.
Azadeh Williams
The final presentation comes from the 2024 PR Professional of the Year winner, managing director and founder of AZK Media, Azadeh Williams.
‘The PR Paradox: Promoting Yourself as a PR Pro’ will unpack why self-promotion is an essential practice in the communications and PR sector, and how its workers — whether they’re freelance consultants, agency employees, corporate communications experts, etc. — can take full advantage of it to boost their credibility and standing in the industry.
Backed by case studies of PR experts who built their own personal brands, Williams will offer delegates a wealth of knowledge and tips covering self-promotion via content creation, social media and public speaking; strategies on developing a solid platform and image; and offer advice on how PR professionals can overcome the awkwardness of self-promotion.
CommsCon’s session roster is jampacked with significant brands and names in the PR industry.
IKEA’s head of communications Patricia Routledge is locked in for a discussion on agency-client success, alongside the Sydney Opera House’s director of strategic engagement and impact, Jess Gooch; Jackie Ouilter, PR and comms director at the McGrath Foundation; and Australian managing partner at Sefiani, part of Clarity Global Group, Mandy Galmes (who’s also the moderator for the session).
Meanwhile, SOCIETY’s founder and CEO Dena Vassallo will be speaking on agency villages and the challenges thrown at them; Alex Myers, CEO and founder of global communications agency, Manifest, is booked to present on why bad ideas can empower communications initiatives.
CommsCon is being held at Ilumina in Sydney on March 27, 2025.
Tickets for the conference are available now.
The event also leads into the CommsCon Awards – a celebration of PR and communications excellence. The Awards night will also take place at Ilumina.
The 2025 CommsCon Awards shortlist has already been revealed.
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