GovComms: The Future of Government Communication

In this episode of the GovComms Podcast, host David Pembroke interviews Tim Gavel, a veteran sports broadcaster who has transitioned into the role of Media Director at Sport Integrity Australia, an Australian Government agency aimed at promoting safe and fair sports.Tim shares insights from his extensive career in media and broadcasting, detailing his journey from a disc jockey in Western Queensland to a highly respected commentator in Canberra. The discussion highlights his relentless work ethic and the skills he developed over decades, which he now applies to his current role in the public service.Tim provides an in-depth look at the multifaceted issues managed by Sport Integrity Australia, including anti-doping, sexual abuse, integrity in sports betting, and racial abuse. He discusses the dynamic leadership of David Sharpe, the CEO of Sport Integrity Australia, and the challenges of building a robust framework for the organisation on the go. Tim elaborates on his daily routine, which involves early morning media analysis and maintaining strong relationships with journalists to ensure transparency and accurate reporting.The conversation also touches on the importance of collaboration with key stakeholders, such as the Minister’s office and national sports organisations. Discussed in this episode:Tim’s strategy for handling media inquiries and building trust with journalists.The role of the National Integrity Framework in Australian sports.The evolution of Sport Integrity Australia’s communication strategies.Innovative educational initiatives for athletes using virtual reality.

In this episode of GovComms, we are joined by Strath Gordon, Head of Public Affairs and Communications at the Australian Olympic Committee.With the 2024 Paris Olympics starting in July, Strath shares insights into the planning involved in preparing for the Olympic games, including the introduction of 460 Australian athletes to the public and the coordination required to manage media coverage for the event. He emphasises the importance of storytelling in sports communication, and discusses the AOC’s plans for effective on-ground media communication in Paris to ensure all athletes receive appropriate coverage and support.Reflecting on the Tokyo Olympics, Strath highlights the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, from the postponement of the games to maintaining constant communication with athletes to keep their spirits high. He touches on the lessons learned during this period, such as the critical role of effective communication and the necessity of leveraging technology to stay connected with stakeholders.Strath outlines how the AOC adapts to the rise of streaming services and digital media by providing content that enhances the viewing experience across various platforms. Additionally, the conversation highlights the AOC's community engagement efforts, such as the Olympics Unleashed Program, which aims to inspire young Australians by connecting them with Olympians.

In this episode of GovComms, we continue our conversation with Bevan Hannan, General Manager of the Communications Division at Services Australia.Bevan delves into the complexities of government communication, drawing on his extensive experience to explore how crises like the Bali bombings have shaped public narratives and the role of media in managing these narratives.Bevan reflects on the human aspects of communications and shares lessons learned from coordinating the government's response and supporting affected families. He explains how he strategically used media to maintain control over the public discourse and ensure sensitive handling of the aftermath.The conversation also ventures into the future of communication in public service, particularly the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Bevan discusses the potential for AI to enhance service delivery and improve the accessibility and efficiency of government communications.The episode takes a reflective turn as he addresses the Robodebt scandal, considering its impact on public trust and the essential role of integrity in government communications.Follow GovComms Podcast on LinkedIn

In this episode of the GovComms Podcast, we are joined by Bevan Hannan, General Manager of the Communications Division at Services Australia.Bevan shares insights into the nuances of crisis communication during the COVID-19 pandemic, and outlines the strategies and technologies employed by Services Australia to manage public information needs effectively.Bevan also discusses the challenges and strategies of maintaining team dynamics in a remote and hybrid work settings, and emphasises the importance of a supportive and collaborative culture. He highlights how his team adapted to ensure productivity and engagement despite the distance.Furthermore, Bevan explores the significant role of government spokespeople in delivering complex information to the public. He stresses the importance of trusted, non-political figures in building public trust and ensuring clear communication from the government.Discussed in this episode:Impact of mentorship and networking in Bevan's early career development.Bevan's lessons from transitioning from sports journalism to the public service.Balancing between in-person and remote work for team effectiveness.Evolution of government communication practices pre and post-COVID.Follow GovComms Podcast on LinkedIn

In this episode of GovComms, we are joined once again by Stephanie Speck, who is now the Head of Communications for the Green Climate Fund, for a conversation focusing on effective climate change communication.With extensive experience in public sector communication globally, Stephanie shares insights into empowering climate-impacted communities to tell their authentic stories through "Story Sovereignty." This approach humanises climate change and grounds narratives in real-life experiences.Stephanie also delves into the strategic evolution of the Green Climate Fund's communication, moving from output-focused tactics to strategies that prioritise reputation, return on investment, and relationship building, aiming to enhance global impact and drive effective climate action.The conversation explores the challenge of misinformation in climate discourse, with Stephanie highlighting strategies to counter false narratives and the emphasising the importance of accurate communication in building trust and consensus on climate issues.Follow GovComms Podcast on LinkedIn

This time on GovComms we are joined by Andrea Garcia, a communication professional with over 15 years’ experience working for various organisations.Andrea shares her stories working in UNICEF, Weber Shandwick and the New York State Court System in the United States and the Canberra Light Rail project, Museum of Australian Democracy (MOAD), and the Canberra Institute of Technology in Canberra, Australia.Discussed in this episode:Andrea's work across various sectors, including government, non-profit, and private sectors.The importance and strategies of stakeholder engagement and community consultationThe role of integrated marketing communications in effectively disseminating information and engaging with diverse audiences.The transition from working in high-profile, private sector roles to more community-focused, public sector positions.Follow GovComms Podcast on LinkedIn

In this episode of GovComms Podcast, we are joined by Ruth Dewsbury, a communication strategist with more than 20 years’ experience in government communications in the Australian federal government. Her most recent role was as a Senior Director of Communications at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.Along with host David Pembroke, Ruth reflects on the significant changes in the communication landscape, particularly the shift from traditional methods like typewriters and carbon paper to the digital revolution, which introduced new communication channels and tools, and the impact of the 24-hour news cycle.“Things have changed massively in the whole communications land... Especially with the digital revolution.” – Ruth DewsburyRuth emphasises the need for clear communication objectives by ‘going back to the basics’, and clear outcomes to effectively determine target audiences, messages, and channels.“While there have been massive changes, a lot hasn't changed like the general approach to communications, strategic communications in its entirety hasn't changed, and in some ways, I think there's a real need to get back to basics." – Ruth DewsburyRuth also talks about the unique challenges of communicating about climate change, including dealing with disinformation, engaging diverse audiences, and the importance of addressing climate anxiety, especially among young people.“Disinformation has just gone wild, and different groups in the community are responding in different ways. There's huge climate anxiety with young people, in particular, something like 67% of young people think." – Ruth DewsburyTune in to gain insights into gathering authentic stories to make government communications more relatable and effective, and more.Show notes:Ruth Dewsbury | LinkedInFollow GovComms Podcast on LinkedIn

GovComms Podcast is back with brand new episodes.Our first episode of the season welcomes back Alex Aiken, the Executive Director for Government Communications in the UK, who was our very first guest when the podcast debuted in 2015 as the 'InTransition Podcast'. The landscape of government communication has evolved since then, and this episode dives into the latest developments.Host David Pembroke and Alex Aiken explore the collaborative efforts between the UK Government Communication Service (GCS) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Alex sheds light on the OECD's role in auditing and evaluating the UK's government communication practices, sharing insights into the process.“One of the things that the OECD asked us to do was submit UK Government Communications to a what they call a country scan. What they really mean is an audit of UK Government Communications and the report we published next month early in February. Now that takes a degree of courage.” – Alex AikenThe episode also delves into the UK Government's communication response to the war in Ukraine.“When it was inevitable that the Russians were set to invade then we set up what we call the Government Information Cell. This was to bring together all the specialists that you need to deliver modern high volume communications into one place so we could have a fast, coordinated, and effective UK Government Communications response.” – Alex AikenIn a world where disinformation is rampant and synthetic media is an emerging threat, Alex emphasises the importance of compelling storytelling.“I think that the absolutely central point is unless you can tell your story brilliantly, you will fall victim to disinformation. On the 24th of February 2022, I listened to Boris Johnson thinking through the challenges we faced... 'Putin must fail.' That is our policy. Putin must fail." And that in a sense is a story that we told then and a story we're telling now"​ – Alex AikenFurthermore, Alex discusses the potential of artificial intelligence, and how the UK government seeks to use it as a ‘force for good’.“The London Summit recently had a whole range of countries around the world looking at the threats but also the opportunities. As the Government Communication Service, we are seeking to bring together all the plans, the strategies, the knowledge that we have and create a large language model where we can plug all that in" – Alex AikenTune in to gain insights into the UK Government’s strategic communication frameworks, such as OASIS and PITCH, and much more.Discussed in this episode:The evolving role of government communication.Impact of technology and the challenge of mis- and disinformation.OECD's involvement in government communication.UK Government’s strategic frameworks: OASIS and PITCH.The importance of international collaboration.Show notes:Guide to campaign planning: OASIS | Government Communication ServiceLaunch of PITCH: a strategic communication tool | Government Communication ServiceFollow GovComms Podcast on LinkedIn