As WA prepares to reopen, what can we expect from Omicron?
Remember the days where Australia’s COVID-19 cases hovered between the 1,000 to 2,000 mark? You should because that was a few weeks ago. How long ago that now seems. At the time of writing, Australia had just reached a record, nearing 100,000 positive COVID-19 test results recorded nationally in 24 hours. But even that figure is merely an estimate, with thousands being turned away as testing clinics reach capacity each day within just a few hours of opening. By the time you’re reading this, it’s not an exaggeration to assume that figure has probably doubled. In fact, we have gone from almost nothing six
Meeting the press – how to get the most from the media
There are few more stressful experiences than standing before a packed media scrum. Karen Brown Cannings Purple's National Director explains why prior preparation is the key to a successful media engagement. Think – breathe. Think – breathe. Think – breathe. Listen to the question. Listen carefully. Speak slowly. Speak clearly. Speak in complete sentences. Don’t say anything stupid! Cameras rolling…… Hot lights glowing, assertive journalists firing questions. The stakes are high. Your answers are on the record and will be the subject of intense and immediate scrutiny. You have a limited time to deliver critical information or a clear message and your efforts will be judged by your
Brand activism: The positives and pitfalls of taking a stance
Meaningful brand activism is no longer a nice-to-have, it is a must-have. The Year That Shall Not Be Named set this in stone as some brands were celebrated for making a difference while others floundered. One of the most pivotal events was the tragic death of George Floyd, a cataclysmic event that prompted weeks of protests and civil unrest across the United States. It started a long overdue conversation about police brutality and racial injustice around the world, including in Australia. It sparked discussions around dinner tables, on the floor of parliament, and in office lunchrooms. 2020 marked the end of staying silent. No comment
High Court rules media companies responsible for comments on their Facebook pages
The High Court has dismissed an appeal by some of Australia's biggest media outlets - including the Sydney Morning Herald and the Australian, concluding that they are legally responsible as 'publishers' for third parties' comments on their facebook pages. This comes after a four-year battle between media outlets and Dylan Voller, a Northern Territory youth detainee whose experience in the Don Dale youth detention centre led to a 2016 royal commission. The case may involve some of Australia's biggest media organisations, but the consequences reach far beyond Australia's newsrooms. If you're the admin of your local community Facebook page; the local netball
Key takeaways from the latest Notifiable Data Breach Scheme stats
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) recently released its Notifiable Data Breaches Report for the period from January to June 2021. The Notifiable Data Breaches (NDB) scheme was established in February 2018 to improve consumer protection and drive better security standards for protecting personal information. Just 446 data breaches were notified to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) under notifiable data breach (NDB) laws between January and June, a 16% decrease compared to the previous reporting period. With a reduced number of malicious data attacks and data breaches compared to the previous 6-month reporting period, the numbers are looking positive. Health sector
Cyber criminals have targeted the property sector – but are gearing up for the rest of us
A new scam has triggered alarm bells for the property industry, but all businesses should heed the warning, writes Fran Lawrence. The property sector is the latest to come under fire from organised cyber criminals, with a new warning that real estate agents could be at heightened risk. The Australian Cyber Security Centre has urged the industry to be on guard after detecting a growing trend of cyber criminals trying to compromise corporate emails — what is known a business email compromise (BEC) scam. Under the scam, criminals impersonate parties in a property transaction — such as a real estate agent, conveyancer or party to
Why a cyber attack crisis requires a different comms response
Most crises centre around a distinct or discrete event. An accident. A fatality. A failure of critical infrastructure. And although the details of the issue may not be immediately apparent, there is usually clarity around what has happened, or at least, the immediate impact of what has happened. In most cases then, managing a crisis, particularly the communications aspect, centres on what has happened, what is known, what happens next. It is stressful, and it can put severe pressure on teams, but usually the interest and engagement about the issue tends to die down after a day or two. There’s reputation rebuilding, and
Can you build brand equity from a crisis? Qantas did
In the deep and chilling midst of a crisis, we believe it is possible to still demonstrate to stakeholders your purpose and your values, and ultimately strengthen the equity of your brand. Qantas Flight 32 4 November 2010. Heading for Sydney, a Qantas Airbus A380 took off from Singapore’s Changi Airport with 469 passengers and crew on board. Just a few minutes after take-off, one of the aircraft’s Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines started blasting heavy, red-hot chunks of the engine through the wing, severely damaging critical control systems. Fortunately, two hours later, the aircraft made a successful emergency landing at Changi. Qantas CEO, Alan Joyce personally took control of the airline’s reputation in the aftermath. Dozens
Why media intelligence is important, and how to make it work for you
For business, Media Intelligence can be an invaluable tool, especially when used the right way. Unlike the common perception, Media Intelligence is more than just a regurgitation of every time you or your brand is mentioned. In fact, there are five very important ways following your news can improve your business and client outcomes.
Press freedom in Australia and defamation cases on the rise
Often the media is referred to as the harshest of critics. Over recent weeks we’ve seen the powerful pull of the media and its influence over public perception regarding royalty, celebrities and even our politicians. Having a free media means journalists have a fundamental right to publish content freely without censorship, control or restrictions. Concerns for this freedom have grown within the last decade as the number of defamation cases against media outlets has risen at an increasingly alarming rate. The international media watchdog, Reporters Without Borders, has downgraded Australia’s global ranking for press freedom from 12th best in the world in 2002 to 26th. Their 2020 World Press Freedom Index highlighted the challenge journalists face. “In 2019, Australian journalists became more aware than ever
Make an impact: Presentation training with Ray Jordan
For many, the idea of stepping on to a stage or standing before a group of peers to make a presentation is nearly worse than death. Some might even believe it really is worse than death! And to heighten anxiety and frustration, seeing someone else standing there, seemingly relaxed and delivering with certainty and clarity to a completely captivated audience, just makes your own shortcomings so much more real. Where are their nerves? How is this person so calm, while I am struggling the get even the simplest sentence out? A duck in a pond Delivering a presentation or speech is a little like
Google vs Australia
Google is threatening to shut down its search engine in Australia over a proposed media law. Google said last month that it may stop delivering search results in Australia after the government introduced a new media bill that requires digital platforms to pay publishers to link their content in news feeds or search results. Essentially, Australia wants internet giants like Facebook and Google, to pay to display and link to news generated by Australian journalists. If Google does exit from Australia, it would deny more than 25 million people access to the world's most popular search engine, which handles almost 95% of the country's daily
Purple Conversations: Annette Ellis
In between her very busy schedule, heading our organisation and its teams, Cannings Purple’s Managing Director, Annette Ellis takes a break to tell us who she is when she's not working. In our ‘Purple Conversations’ series, you’ll find out about the Cannings Purple team – what led them to their careers; what they do in their spare time and even what their favourite apps are. Meet Annette With more than 25 years experience in corporate communications, reputation management, crisis communications, change management and stakeholder relations, Annette is an accomplished corporate editor, speechwriter and a highly regarded coach in executive presentation skills. Annette gained her
Safer Internet Day: Together for a better internet
Safer Internet Day is designed to encourage people to start the conversation around protecting ourselves, our families and our colleagues on the web, and this year's message is 'together for a better internet'. Protect your internet 'home' In my house, every day is safer internet day, but I can understand why this dry topic might not be everyone’s first priority. Presumably though, you would say you do everything you can to protect your home (and thus your family): door and window locks, alarms, garden fences, teaching your kids to close the front door, shutting your garage etc. Using the internet safely is just
How trends in engagement are changing for 2021
As we eagerly leave 2020 behind and cautiously step into 2021, Senior Consultant, Sarah-Jane Dabarera, reflects on the themes in community relations for the year ahead. Culture and heritage 2020 has set the scene for an increased focus on culture and heritage in 2021. The Black Lives Matter movement, Australian deaths in custody and the destruction of sacred sites at Juukan Gorge have resulted in increased focus and scrutiny on genuine engagement with Traditional Owners. The recently released amendments to the Aboriginal Heritage Act, issued by the WA Government, will require renewed effort in making agreements and strengthening relationships with Traditional Owners. Black
2021 Conversations That Matter
As we embark on 2021, the world finds itself at a major turning point – politically, economically, technologically and socially. What’s next? It’s never easy to predict, and especially so this year! For businesses and communication experts, the best way forward is to reflect and learn from the year that was – the lockdown; the economic and social impacts; the devastating bushfires; the disruption of everyday life. The events of 2020 transformed how we communicate. We asked some of Perth’s best communication experts to look back on 2020 and give us their predictions for 2021. A purpose-driven focus With lots of social justice issues
How Your Business Can Manage Online Trolls
Your business will always have detractors and promoters. Detractors will find any excuse to bring you down and take attention away from serving your community, clients or customers. Promoters are people who will publicly back your organisation. A troll will always be a detractor and there are several ways to deal with them, but first, let’s define a troll – and no, we’re not talking about the thing that lives under a bridge. What is an online troll? Trolling is creating conflict on the internet by starting disputes or upsetting people by posting inflammatory or off-topic messages in an online community. In essence,
Preparing for a Christmas like no other: Getting your brand’s messaging right
After what has been a very challenging year, a Christmas break couldn’t come soon enough. However, just because the holidays are near, it doesn’t mean you should be winding down your PR and communication activities. We asked some of Perth’s best communication experts what brands should keep in mind when communicating during this Christmas period. Being mindful for a Christmas like no other Christmas is a time to celebrate, uplift and inspire, but it will mean different things to different people this year. Ensuring your brand or business considers its audiences and messaging will, therefore, be vital. Cannings Purple’s Head of Digital, Glenn Langridge
Five steps to make community engagement less scary
Let’s face it, engaging your community can be daunting. Our Stakeholder Engagement specialist, Sarah-Jane Dabarera shares five steps you can take to help shake-off the fear and embrace the process of community consultation. 1. Talk to your community If you’re concerned about how your community might respond, it could seem counterintuitive to just get out there and talk to them, but this is the best place to start. Starting a conversation with a few individuals first may assist your understanding of community concerns and issues. Early conversations with a sample stakeholder group can improve your research and build the case for more detailed
Safety play: Why mines must stay across emerging technology
Technology is playing an increasing role in risk management and minesite safety, and the onus is on business leaders to keep up.
Cyber attacks: the things you can be doing to protect your business
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is right to say that a sophisticated, state-sponsored cyber attack on Australian government agencies and businesses is “not a surprise” and part of “the world that we live in.”
Aged care sector learnings have to extend beyond the pandemic
A panel of experts assembled by Cannings Purple says the aged care sector has navigated COVID-19 as well as could be expected - but there is still significant work to do on the way out of the pandemic.
Making in-house support work post COVID-19
The big story of the past three months has been about disruption — it’s a story that every business, big or small, has shared.
COVID-19: managing the morale of your staff through the pandemic
You may not be able to stop by someone's desk or take them out for a coffee but there are little things we can all do each day to minimise negative feelings and make our co-workers feel more comfortable.
COVID-19: the WA Government’s $1 billion response
Impacted households, small businesses and community groups will all be eligible for assistance under the latest State Government assistance measures.
COVID-19: breaking down the new wage subsidy
The Federal Government says the new subsidy is more generous than that offered in New Zealand and more inclusive than its UK counterpart.
A checklist for leaders to communicate through COVID-19
Leaders must act swiftly, decisively and compassionately if businesses are to keep continuity through and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19: the challenge for schools and the latest economic stimulus measures
In an ever-evolving situation, our schools face some tough questions around how they communicate and when they do it.
COVID-19: getting your tech right in a lockdown
In the past couple of weeks, an incredible number of Australian businesses have responded to the COVID-19 crisis by enabling employees to work either from home or other remote locations. We’ve implemented this at Cannings Purple and many of our clients and referrers are also now working away from the office. But having a desire to work remotely is one thing and doing it effectively is quite another. There are communications challenges that need to be navigated and cyber security questions that need to be answered. There is also the very important issue of what technology you are going to use and
Staying cyber-secure while keeping your social distance
We don't know how long the COVID-19 crisis will last - but there are important cyber security steps we should take while working away from our usual environments.