Interactive and practical 2-morning x 3.5 hours workshops on communications and working with the media, with a specific focus on:

• creating media interest in behaviour change campaigns
• translating policy and research into meaningful media coverage that progresses advocacy priorities.

The workshops will cover strategies for engaging with the media to generate helpful media coverage to achieve policy/advocacy or behaviour change objectives. Participants will gain insight into their point of difference in a cluttered media and campaign environment, and a sense of how to communicate that to the public through a positive media presence.

Through sessions with an experienced journalist and a seasoned media advocate, the workshop provide insider insights on topics such as what makes a good media story. It will also provide practical exercises and training on pitching media stories, speaking to journalists and appearing in the media, including delivering key messages and dealing with difficult questions.

Learning outcomes

• Create effective media strategies and coverage to help achieve your objectives
• Create media releases journalists will read and pitch newsworthy media stories
• Develop effective key messages, quotes and media releases
• Nail key messages and deal with tough questions.

Discover tricks of the trade from an experienced journalist and media advocate.

The two mornings are intended to be interactive, and participants are required to have audio as a minimum.

These two-morning workshops are offered over two weeks and online over Zoom. 

Slide handouts are available after the session. (This workshop will not be recorded)

The dates:

• Wednesday, 15th May 2024 - 10 AM - 1.30 PM (AEST)
• Wednesday, 22nd May 2024 - 10 AM - 1.30 PM (AEST)

Times by States: (Please be aware of the time differences for each state and time differences for each session)

• VIC, NSW, ACT, QLD & TAS 10:00AM- 1.30PM
• SA & NT 9.30AM - 1.00PM
• WA 8:00AM - 11.30AM 

What are people saying about this training?

Who should attend this short course?

These workshops will benefit communications, marketing, policy and research professionals seeking to understand an evolving media landscape and develop effective communications strategies and tactics to amplify important issues. 

About the Facilitators:

Edwina Pearse is a communications, public affairs, media and social marketing specialist - with a career spanning two decades across Cancer Council Victoria, Quit and the Australian Medical Association. Edwina’s passion for strategic thinking and creating successful public health, brand and advocacy campaigns has made a significant impact on shaping how the Australian public understand and talk about issues including plain packaging of tobacco products, graphic health warnings on cigarettes, the importance of cancer support, and more recently the need to prioritise primary care during COVID-19.

In her spare time you can find her drinking coffee, nose deep in a new book or chasing a mischievous spoodle and attempting not to swear in front of her kids and husband.

Sarah Jackson is an experienced legal and policy adviser with specialised skills in regulatory policy analysis, and strategic advice and advocacy. She has in-depth knowledge of health policy and regulatory issues, having worked for more than 10 years as a senior lawyer and policy adviser to Cancer Council Victoria and health policy alliances. She has also worked as a Government lawyer and policy adviser in the UK and Australia.

When she’s not working, Sarah loves travel and other adventures with her family, running and long wanders with her beloved bordoodle Betty, and lazing by herself with a book.