Govcomms: The Future Of Government Communication

In the first of a two-part series, digital maestro and director of CSIRO's Data61 team Liz Jakubowski and our CEO David Pembroke discuss how to be an effective and innovative leader. From affecting change by influencing the right people at the right ​time to empowering diverse teams so that they believe in themselves and their message, the conversation is a refreshing one. 

Queensland government social media manager Elliott Franks spills the beans on the inner workings of state government social media strategy. From the significant number of social media channels he and his small team run to how they use multiple platforms to appeal to small and passionate communities, the online expert offers up many interesting insights applicable across all levels of government and the public sector.

John Allsopp discusses the future of online communications, and what public sector communicators can do to keep up. For nearly 20 years John has developed software, built websites, applications, written articles, tutorials and more. He speaks with David Pembroke about advances in technology, artificial intelligence, and what will come next.

How can you turn a disparaging comment on "Real Housewives" into a marketing tool for your city? Shannah Hayley explains how "It's a little Plano in here" became a meme of civic pride for one local government. Shannah is the director of marketing and community engagement for the city of Plano, Texas. David Pembroke spoke to her at Content Marketing World about content communication.

Professor The Hon Stephen Martin has had a distinguished career in the Australian Parliament, academia and the private sector. Amongst many roles he is the outgoing chief executive of the Committee for the Economic Development of Australia. Professor Martin was on the advisory board on WPP's report on the state of communications in governments worldwide.

Leanne Joyce is an experienced corporate and public sector communicator, working as a consultant in government policy, media management, stakeholder relations, and executive management. In this episode of the InTransition podcast she discusses ministerial communications, and finding the stories in public sector organisations.

Martyn Wallace is the Chief Digital Officer of the Scottish Local Government Digital Office. His task is to change the way local councils engage with citizens in Scotland through the use of technology. Martyn speaks with David Pembroke in this episode of InTransition.

Sean Larkins from WPP continues his discussion of "The Leaders' Report" - the first global research focused on government communications. He found that government bodies that invest in communication skills and training achieve better outcomes. This is part 2 of a double episode of InTransition.

WPP's Government and Public Sector Practice has recently published "The Leaders' Report" - the first global research focused on government communications. Sean Larkins explains how a decline of trust in government is one of 5 key challenges for government communicators, revealed in this study conducted in 40 countries. For the first time we have a sense of what government and public sector communications leaders around the world are thinking. Sean led this research project and spoke with David Pembroke for this two-part InTransition podcast.

In this podcast we learn how social media is being used to connect citizens with decision makers, to advocate better outcomes for mental health. Frank Quinlan is the Chief Executive Officer of Mental Health Australia, the peak body representing mental health organisations in Australia. Frank is responsible for implementing Mental Health Australia's vision of mentally healthy people, mentally healthy communities.

Ari Sharp is the Senior Media Manager at the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In this podcast Ari describes how he overcomes the hurdles of content creation in a niche subject area.

It's our 100th episode of InTransition, and our very first guest returns for a special chat. Alex Aiken is the Executive Director of Government Communications for the UK government. He has been responsible for creating the Government Communication Service and developing many of the UK's very successful cross-government campaigns.

Sonya Sandham is so passionate about the power of storytelling in the public sector that she's doing a PhD at the University of Canberra, to explore the evidence base for embedding oral storytelling in organisational communication practices.

Ruth Dewsbury describes how the Department of the Environment is using content communication to not only inform the Australian public, but to help achieve the department's goals through grass roots involvement. 

Amelia Loye from Engage2 explains how open data and "data from community" are important ways to help design services and policy. Amelia specialises in consultation and engagement for government, and has been helping manage engagement for the NZ and Australian open government national action plan.  

Gillian Field has considerable experience in the Australian federal government, managing internal and corporate communications at the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Defence and Centrelink. Before her career in communications Gillian was a journalist. She is now at contentgroup consulting for government clients, and joined David Pembroke for this podcast.

Our podcast guest is Trish Lavery, from the Department of the Environment in the Australian Government. Trish is the Assistant Director in the Design and Analytics area of the Innovation and Behavioural Insights Team. Her role includes website analytics, A/B split testing of websites, and looking at the effectiveness of digital social media interactions.

Virginia Haussegger AM is an award-winning journalist with over 25 years' experience in news media. She's held senior reporter and presenter roles at Channel 9, the Seven Network, and the ABC, and has experience in corporate and strategic communications. Virginia spoke to David Pembroke about the need for simple clear language, and understanding how your audience will receive your message.

Allan Yates worked as a senior national journalist before moving into media relations, strategy and communications. He has worked with a number of state and federal government departments and institutions including the Australian Institute of Sport, the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and the Australian War Memorial. David Pembroke talked with Allan about the transition from journalism to a comms role.

Gregory Andrews is Australia's Threatened Species Commissioner. His job is to raise awareness of and support Australia's fight against extinction, and leads implementation of Australia's first Threatened Species Strategy. In this podcast Gregory explains how content communication using social media is getting results.