Alex Austin - Communications Specialist,

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Work Background

Self-EmployedFreelance Interior Stylist

Nov. 2018Sydney, Australia* Assisted as Interior Stylist across publications - Inside Out, Australian House & Garden, Belle, Real Living - for editorial features and product pages; * Completed Temple & Webster internship; * Created social media and marketing content for artisan brand, Atley.co, Pottery Barn Australia, Bed Threads and West Elm; * Worked as Prop Stylist for women's fashion brand, Sussan, Spring campaign 2019.

Communications Consultation (self-employed)Freelance Communications Consultant

Jan. 2018

Sydney Children's Hospitals NetworkPublic Relations (Fixed term contract)

Jul. 2017 - Dec. 2017RandwickThe fixed term Maternity Leave contract role was responsible for handling communications projects and the day-to-day media enquiries at Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick. Key responsibilities included: - Coordination of print, online and broadcast media enquiries by responding in a timely manner. - Responding to issues raised by the New South Wales Department of Health alongside actively seeking ways to promote important health and safety messages through media and other avenues for both Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick and the Network. - Coordinating and providing assistance for launches and awareness strategies for important health issues. - Development of content for internal and external publications including newsletters, web pages, factsheets, posters and brochures. - Website and intranet content management. - Development of communications campaigns targeted at both internal and external stakeholders. - Management of staff and patient events and entertainment projects, and providing assistance to the Public Relations team and other hospital departments as required. - Stakeholder management. - Providing after hours on call service for the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network on a rostered basis.

GPT GroupNational Manager - Communications (Fixed term contract)

Feb. 2015 - Jul. 2015Sydney Area, AustraliaThe fixed term Maternity Leave contract role was responsible for managing and delivering the Asset Management communications strategy and providing specialist communications support to the Asset Management team. Working closely with the Head of Asset Management, the role aimed to ensure GPT’s Asset Management team was recognised and well regarded within the Australian REIT sector and more broadly, amongst its top ASX listed peers. Key responsibilities included: - Preparation of the weekly internal Asset Management updates, speaking notes, external presentations, and internal briefing notes for customer events for the Head of Asset Management. - Management of external speaking/editorial opportunities and development of Thought Leadership program to profile the Head of Asset Management. - Management of 2015 communications strategy and reviewed communications protocols for Asset Management. - Management of 2015 customer event program. - Researching future potential media and sponsorship opportunities and produced media communications for Asset Management. - Co-ordination of due diligence and information for major Group events and activities. - Managed media for assets in line with media policy which included monitoring incidents and crisis management. - Monitoring all external stakeholder communications and assisted asset teams in responding to feedback in social media. - Contributing to internal communications strategies and tools. - Assisting in the preparation of award submissions, Asset Management capability statements and Group investor relations and corporate affairs activities including annual report, annual and mid-year results.

Knight Frank AustraliaAssociate Director, Public Relations & Communications

Mar. 2013 - Dec. 2014Sydney Area, Australia- Worked closely with Senior Management to deliver marketing and communications strategies to meet business requirements both nationally and in New Zealand. - Managed national public relations activities and local PR Managers to ensure the national strategy was successfully rolled out. Achieved a 52 per cent increase in media coverage in the last six months in the role. - Managed corporate communications material, national client newsletters and industry award nominations. - Managed the development and execution of the annual Signature Event and worked closely with the CRM to deliver client events throughout the year. - Managed internal communications nationally including the quarterly staff newsletter publication, news stories for the staff intranet and assisting with senior management internal announcements. - Launched and delivered 'thought leadership' initiatives to help raise the profile of Senior Directors and business lines. - Stakeholder management to strengthen relationships internally with Senior Management and externally with journalists across Australia. - Educated and trained key internal stakeholders on maximising their presence on social media, conducting media interviews and speaking at events.

AC AgencyFreelance PR Consultant

Sep. 2012 - Mar. 2013Rushcutters BayFreelance role to develop and activate communication strategies for clients’ Twinings, White King, Kmart, Harris Farm Markets, Miele, Republica Coffee and Fit n Fast.

Inspire FoundationActing Communications Manager

Feb. 2012 - Jul. 2012Sydney, Australia- Managed the design and final editing of the ‘Counting the Cost: Economic Impact of Young Men's Mental Health on the Australian Economy' Report for the ministerial launch by the Hon. Mark Butler, Minister for Mental Health and distribution to government officials, Australian business thought leaders and the media. - Successfully managed and delivered a comprehensive media relations campaign for the ‘Counting the Cost’ Report to raise awareness for the first time on the cost and impact of young men with mental health on the nation’s economy. The media campaign generated over 110 online pieces of coverage, 14 interviews with the Inspire spokesperson with key media such as Sky Business, and six metro/national print pieces including an in-depth feature with the Australian Financial Review. - Efficiently managed multiple stakeholders (PR agency, spokespeople, Minister’s Office, corporate partner Ernst & Young, Young & Well CRC, Inspire staff) involved in the development and launch of the ‘Counting the Cost’ Report including management of the interview schedules, approval processes, briefings and ongoing project status updates.

Brand New SolutionsFreelance PR Consultant

Dec. 2011 - Jan. 2012Sydney, AustraliaProvided additional support to drive media relations activity for natural health clients such Nativa and Comvita during peak period for Brand New Solutions.

Hausmann CommunicationsSenior Account Manager

Jun. 2010 - Nov. 2011- Prepared and implemented strategic communication programs; provided day-to-day strategic advice to clients; managed junior staff working on clients and campaigns; and provided ongoing assessment and final campaign evaluation for consumer travel, entertainment, alcohol and lifestyle clients: Virgin Australia, Electrolux, Pernod Ricard, Treasury Wine Estates, Merlin Entertainments Group, Procter & Gamble. - Briefed high profile talent and managed interview schedules for Virgin founder and business entrepreneur, Sir Richard Branson; supermodel Elle Macpherson; celebrity chef, Luke Mangan; Quay restaurant’s Peter Gilmore; world renowned chef, Tetsuya; Virgin Australia CEO, John Borghetti; TV personality and model, Erin McNaught; in order to drive media coverage and ensure effective delivery of key messages. - Project managed large scale events, such as the P&G House which officially introduced the P&G household care product range into the Australian market, through to smaller more intimate events such as reinvigorating the New Zealand wine brand Matua Valley at a lifestyle luncheon, bringing to life the online entertaining tool, Electrolux Dinner Explorer with Quay restaurant’s Peter Gilmore, and announcing the Virgin Blue and Luke Mangan partnership to the media through a lunch hosted at glass restaurant. - Led team to secure key media to all events and ensure attendance KPI’s were met and exceeded. For example, over 70 key lifestyle media attended the P&G House launch event. - Worked closely with client to help manage the re-branding of leading Australian airline Virgin Australia, and successfully project managed five events in total. Tight interview schedules with key spokespeople were achieved for each announcement to ensure the Return on Investment (ROI) exceeded for the client. - Secured News Ltd Sunday Mag cover piece nationally to announce the Cool Harvest wine range and ambassador, Naomi Watts, to the Australian market.

Red Agency - Euro RSCGAccount Manager

Nov. 2007 - Apr. 2010- Prepared and implemented strategic programs for a range of global and blue chip clients such as British Airways, Google, Volvo, Fairfax Media, Vodafone Foundation, Ancestry.com.au, and Tourism Australia. - Participated in new business strategic planning, research and proposal preparation and involved in presentations. - Ongoing development of a full range of written materials. - Project and event managed Fairfax Media’s monthly Creative Connection corporate luncheons hosted by Fairfax Media CEO, David Kirk. Highlights included securing high profile guest speakers (such as MCA’s Elizabeth Ann McGregor, The Chaser’s Dominic Knight, and Myer CEO Bernie Brookes) and ensuring ongoing exclusive attendance by Australia’s media industry leaders. - Worked closely with Tourism Australia to roll out its No Leave, No Life cultural change domestic tourism campaign during the financial downturn and successfully achieved media cut through which assisted in driving domestic travel figures. - Led and provided strategic direction on the issues rich Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Art’s Energy Efficient Homes program. - Strategically secured media share of voice on Valentine’s Day for singles website RSVP by setting a Guinness World Record for the highest number of singles speed dating simultaneously. - Provided on ground support in Australia for global airline, British Airways, including issues management to manage the opening of Heathrow’s Terminal 5; conducted media training and briefings for British Airways spokespeople; and developed and implemented a corporate communications strategy to introduce new British Airways General Manager to Australian media. - Talent and media management at large scale events such as Nickelodeon’s Kids Choice Awards 2009 and Boating Industry Association NSW‘s Sydney International Boat Show 2009.