Very Public Affairs Pod

Corporate public affairs 2023: a year in review

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 17:00:00 +1100

In this episode of Very Public Affairs Cameron Chu, Analyst at the Centre, interviews Centre Director Wayne Burns on the big stories and reputational crises that defined the corporate landscape this year.

The state of corporate public affairs in Japan with John Short and Andrew Wheatley

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 15:00:00 +1000

In this episode of the Centre’s Very Public Affairs Podcast, Analyst Cameron Chu interviews John Short, Leader, Communications & Corporate Responsibility at LIXIL, and Andrew Wheatley, Vice President Communications & Public Affairs, Asia Pacific at the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. Together, they discuss the latest in the state of corporate public affairs in Japan.

The cybersecurity reputation challenge with Dr Bruce Baer Arnold

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 12:00:00 +1000

In this episode of Very Public Affairs, Luke Botting, Research Assistant at the Centre, interviews Professor Bruce Baer Arnold, who teaches privacy, health, intellectual property, and consumer protection law at the University of Canberra. They discuss how organisations can improve their cybersecurity, the state of cyber legislation in Australia, and ethical issues surrounding data retention, consumer protection, and AI.

Understanding the geopolitical state of affairs in the Indo-Pacific with Dr Michael Green

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 22:00:00 +1000

In this episode of the Centre’s Very Public Affairs Podcast, Analyst Cameron Chu interviews Dr Michael Green, CEO of the University of Sydney’s United States Studies Centre and a former adviser at the US National Security Council, who discusses his analysis of the state of geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific, and offers practical insights for corporate public affairs practitioners.

What government relations management functions do when there is change of government: insights from two seasoned corporate heads of government and policy

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 12:00:00 +1100

Government relations teams are often to the fore in corporations when there is a change of government. In this episode Centre Executive Director Wayne Burns talks with George Karagiannakis who spent 18 years as the Executive Manager of government relations at IAG and Daniel Parsons the current Director of public affairs at Bupa on their approach to engaging a new government.

Conspiracy-theory proofing Australia's elections - talking global best practice with the Australian Electoral Commission

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 13:00:00 +1100

In this episode of Very Public Affairs, Centre Executive Director Wayne Burns talks with Tom Rogers, Australia's Electoral Commissioner. They discuss the AEC’s strategic operation to tackle 'misinformation' and 'disinformation' in the lead-up to the May 2022 Federal Election, applauded globally as best practice.

In the era for social responsibility, corporate brands need a higher purpose with Melanie McMillan

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 09:00:00 +1100

In this episode of Very Public Affairs, The Centre’s Executive Director Wayne Burns talks with the Centre’s Senior Associate and reputation brand doctor, Melanie McMillan about stewarding the corporate brand in an era where this is so much focus on ESG, and how this manifests itself in corporate strategy.

Stewarding an international stakeholder brand in a regional or national market with Antonia Sanda and Guy Matthews

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 13:00:00 +1000

In this episode of the Very Public Affairs Podcast, Antonia Sanda, Director, Communications APAC at Deel, and Guy Matthews, Managing Director, Head of Corporate Public Affairs at Citi, are in conversation with the Centre's Executive Director Wayne Burns to discuss the challenges within the corporate public affairs function of international companies in a regional or national market, dealing with global and local issues while away from the mothership and working within an international corporate affairs framework.

Public integrity and transparency in Australia with Geoffrey Watson SC

Thu, 21 Apr 2022 16:00:00 +1000

In this episode of the Very Public Affairs podcast, Analyst Cameron Chu is joined by Geoffrey Watson SC, Director at the Centre for Public Integrity. Geoffrey discusses issues pertaining to public integrity and transparency in Australia, as well as the reasons and public support for a National Integrity Commission.

Very Public Affairs: Top Five Predictions for 2022

Tue, 05 Apr 2022 11:00:00 +1000

In the first episode of Very Public Affairs for 2022, Executive Director Wayne Burns discusses the Centre's top five predictions for the year ahead in the corporate public affairs function, including conversation around the function being an important source of geopolitical analysis as well as how artificial intelligence will impact the function. Click to listen.

Leadership Communications with Alistair Marshall

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 16:00:00 +1100

In this episode of the Very Public Affairs podcast, Centre Executive Director Wayne Burns is joined by Alistair Marshall, Head of Internal Communications at Coles. Alistair discusses the elements of effective internal and leadership communications.

In Conversation: Corporate communications, misinformation, and kindness in 2021

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 16:00:00 +1100

In this final episode of In Conversation for 2021, Executive Director of the Centre, Wayne Burns is joined by Julia Quinn, Group Executive at Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and Margaret Stuart, Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Nestle Oceania. They discuss the key trends that have developed in corporate communications over the two years into the pandemic: the heightened awareness of the value of the corporate communications function, the increasing manifestation of misinformation, the continuing gender gap in the C-suite, and the rising need for kindness in the workplace. Click to listen.

Woke Corporations, ESG & the "Business of Business" with Wayne Burns

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 15:00:00 +1000

The Centre's Analyst Cameron Chu is joined by the Centre's Executive Director Wayne Burns to discuss what defines a Woke Corporation, how it relates to the "business of business", and its connection to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards. Listen now.

In Conversation: The "Woke" Corporation & Corporate Communications

Wed, 25 Aug 2021 11:00:00 +1000

On this episode of In Conversation, Executive Director of the Centre, Wayne Burns is joined by Clare Hesketh, Acting Manager of Media Relations at SA Water, and Darren Pearce, Chief Communications Officer at Tennis Australia. They discuss corporate communications and strategies around the hybrid model of work, the rise of "woke" corporations, businesses providing incentives for their employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and the increasing misinformation available on social media. In just 30 minutes you will be across these major corporate public affairs topics. Listen now!

Disruptive Technologies & Hybrid Work Models with Mark Pesce

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 17:00:00 +1000

This edition of Very Public Affairs Podcast focuses on the impact that technology is having on businesses across the world, particularly the role of disruptive technologies, hybrid work models, blockchain, AI, and cybersecurity. The podcast also investigates how these are affecting the practice of corporate public affairs. The Centre's Georgio Platias is joined by Mark Pesce, a futurist, technologist, broadcaster, and educator. Mark is the host of The Next Billion Seconds Podcast, and was formerly a presenter and judge on the ABC's New Inventors. Listen now.

Leading Teams Globally, Remotely, During COVID-19 & Working from Home with BHP's Tony Cudmore and LIXIL's John Short

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 15:00:00 +1000

This episode of Very Public Affairs interrogates the challenges of managing corporate public affairs teams, issues, and crises remotely. Executive Director Wayne Burns is joined by Tony Cudmore, Group Sustainability & Public Policy Officer at BHP, and John Short, Leader, Communications & Corporate Responsibility at LIXL who in their current roles have always led and managed their teams across geographies, time zones, and locations. They share their insights, which can inform how more corporate public affairs leaders manage teams working remotely, with more days spent working from home. Listen now.

In Conversation: Corporate Activism, Reputation, Trust & Climate Targets

Thu, 06 May 2021 14:00:00 +1000

On this episode of In Conversation, Llew Gartrell, Senior Manager Government Relations at Stockland, and Melanie McMillan, Senior Associate at the Centre for Corporate Affairs, join the Centre's Executive Director Wayne Burns to discuss the top news stories from March and April 2021.

Listen to this episode as Llew, Melanie, and Wayne discuss the corporate response to Georiga's new voting law, corporate activism, reputation measurement, building stakeholder trust, and corporate climate targets. In just 30 minutes you will be across these major corporate public affairs topics.

Politics, Leadership, and Public Policy with Peter van Onselen

Tue, 30 Mar 2021 16:00:00 +1100

In this episode of the Very Public Affairs Podcast, academic, journalist, and commentator, Peter van Onselen, sits down with the Centre's research assistant, Georgio Platias, to talk about the big challenges and opportunities facing Australia in the next year. Peter also analyses what 'good' leadership is, as well as what is missing from our current Parliament, and the big issues plaguing our elected representatives. Listen now.

In Conversation: Pandemic communication, corporate messaging & social media, and working during a lockdown

Wed, 17 Mar 2021 11:00:00 +1100

In this episode of In Conversation, Executive Director of the Centre, Wayne Burns is joined by Alison Melville, Associate Director, Corporate Affairs Australia-New Zealand at Bristol-Myers Squibb. Alison discusses corporate communication during a pandemic, the role of ‘good’ science communications, curating effective messaging on social media, and what working during lockdowns was like.

Listen to this episode to be across some of the most important corporate public affairs topics relating to COVID-19 and corporate communication.

In Conversation: State of government relations, social media & evidence-based discourse, and corporate reputation

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 06:00:00 +1100

On this episode of In Conversation, Lachlan Rees, Manager Government, Industry & Public Policy Group Corporate Affairs, Suncorp joins the Centre's Executive Director Wayne Burns to discuss the top news stories and developments in early 2021.

Listen to this episode as Lachlan and Wayne discuss how government relations has adapted due to COVID, the effects social media is having on democracy, re-installing evidence-based discourse into civil society, and the state of corporate reputations after 2020. In just 30 minutes you will be across these major corporate public affairs topics.

Predictions for 2021

Thu, 04 Feb 2021 05:00:00 +1100

In this episode, Centre Analyst Tristan Aliferis interviews the Centre's Executive Director Wayne Burns, on the five predictions he has made for the corporate public affairs function in 2021, along with a review on his 2020 predictions.

Reflecting on 2020, and what challenges await practitioners in 2021?

Thu, 10 Dec 2020 06:00:00 +1100

In the last episode of Very Public Affairs for 2020, Centre Analyst Tristan Aliferis interviews Executive Director Wayne Burns to discuss how corporations have fared this year, how the public's level of trust has changed, how will corporate leadership continue to change in 2021, and what should be on our radar for next year.

In Conversation: Big tech, science communications, and corporate values during COVID

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 06:00:00 +1100

On In Conversation, we discuss the recent moves in the United States to regulate big tech, the importance of science communications and what lessons can be learned, and how can the corporate public affairs function adapt to working from home.

Joining us for this episode are two experienced practitioners: Bronwyn Perry, External Affairs Manager, Corporate Affairs at Medibank, and Kee Li, Engagement Manager, Regional Programs at Sydney Water.

In Conversation: Corporate responsibility, women in leadership and public interest journalism

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +1100

In the Centre's first episode of In Conversation, Executive Director Wayne Burns is joined by Cathy Bolt, Media and External Affairs Manager Corporate Affairs at Wesfarmers and Peter Habib, Executive Manager, Enterprise Services Communciations Marketing & Corporate Affairs at Commonwealth Bank of Australia. Peter and Cathy discuss and analyse the current state of Milton Friedman's doctrine on the social responsibility of business, the falling number of women CEOs in Australia, and the federal government's support of AAP.

Preserving organisational trust in 2020 with Professor Nicole Gillespie

Tue, 14 Jul 2020 05:00:00 +1000

In this episode of Very Public Affairs, the Centre's Executive Director Wayne Burns is joined by Professor Nicole Gillesipe, KPMG Chair in Organizational Trust and Professor of Management at the University of Queensland Business School to discuss how organisational design affects trust, and how organisations can preserve trust during times of disruption.

Social licence to operate in 2020 with Wayne Burns

Thu, 05 Mar 2020 01:00:00 +1100

Centre Analyst Tristan Aliferis speaks to the Centre's Executive Director Wayne Burns about what it means for an organisation to have a social licence to operate: how it is has changed over time, how it's measured and lost, and the relation social licence has to corporate responsibility.

Misinformation and morality with Daniel Effron

Wed, 05 Feb 2020 01:00:00 +1100

The Centre's Executive Director Wayne Burns speaks to Dr Daniel Effron, Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour at London Business School, about how encountering fake news headlines make them less unethical to share.

Best practice corporate affairs planning, strategy and reporting: In conversation with Brett Zarb

Mon, 30 Sep 2019 05:00:00 +1000

Centre Analyst Joe Bourke speaks to Brett Zarb, Head of Media and Communications at Suncorp, about how to achieve best practice planning, strategy and reporting in corporate affairs.

Big new things in internal communications with Tarnya Dunning and Alistair Marshall

Thu, 22 Aug 2019 04:00:00 +1000

Centre Analyst Joe Bourke speaks to Tarnya Dunning, General Manager of Employee Communications at Telstra, and Alistair Marshall, Head of Internal Communications at Coles, about the benefits of having a best practice employee communications strategy for corporations.

Issues management in the age of social media with Peter Metcalfe and Karina Keisler

Tue, 23 Jul 2019 05:00:00 +1000

Centre Analyst Joe Bourke speaks to Peter Metcalfe, General Manager Government & International Relations - Woodside, and Karina Keisler, Executive General Manager Public Affairs - Cricket Australia about how to execute a successful issues management plan in the age of social media.

Preparing for a federal election with Wayne Burns

Mon, 13 May 2019 05:00:00 +1000

Joe Bourke speaks to the Centre's Executive Director Wayne Burns about how best to prepare your company for a federal election: what to do, what not to do, and the importance of getting it right.

Measuring corporate responsibility investment's impact with Kylie Macfarlane

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 05:00:00 +1000

Following on from an interview with Allegra Spender from the Australian Business and Community Network, Centre Director Wayne Burns speaks with Commonwealth Bank's Head of Corporate Responsibility to speak about the importance of social impact from a business perspective, and the importance of being able to measure its success.

Measuring social impact with ABCN CEO Allegra Spender

Mon, 15 Apr 2019 05:00:00 +1000

The Centre's Executive Director Wayne Burns sits down with the CEO of the Australian Business and Community Network Allegra Spender to talk about measuring and reporting on social impact, and her experience leading the ABCN.

Succeeding in corporate public affairs with Pamela Catty SFCCPA and Matthew Percival SFCCPA

Mon, 01 Apr 2019 06:00:00 +1100

The Centre's Joe Bourke speaks to Pamela Catty SFCCPA and Matthew Percival SFCCPA about their careers in corporate public affairs.

Both practitioners were formally inducted as Senior Fellows of the Centre for Corporate Public Affairs at the Centre's 2019 Annual Head of Function and Senior Practitioner Roundtable, and they talk about the characteristics of successful leaders, the biggest challenges facing corporate public affairs practitioners today, and the advice they would give their younger selves.

Is civil public discourse dead and buried? Peter Van Onselen explains

Mon, 18 Mar 2019 00:00:00 +1100

Joe Bourke from the Centre speaks with Peter Van Onselen, Political Editor at Network Ten and Contributing Editor at the Australian newspaper about politics, public discourse, and what's next for the role of social media in democracies.

Getting to know China with Mike Smith

Tue, 26 Feb 2019 00:00:00 +1100

The Centre's Executive Director Wayne Burns speaks to the Australian Financial Review's China Correspondent Mike Smith about why senior business leaders need to understand China. They talk about the ways to go about better understanding China, the benefits of doing so, and the near to mid-term outlook on China-Australia business relations.

The Centre Book Show: Start With Why and Powerful

Mon, 11 Feb 2019 07:00:00 +1100

In this episode, Joe Bourke from the Centre speaks to two senior practitioners about books they've reviewed for the Centre's Corporate Public Affairs newsletter. Sally Mackenzie from the Customer Owned Banking Association reviews 'Start With Why' by Simon Sinek, and Llew Gartrell from Stockland reviews 'Powerful' by Patty McCord.

The Centre's Public Affairs Predictions for 2019

Tue, 29 Jan 2019 16:00:00 +1100

Wayne Burns runs through his predictions for where the function is headed in 2019, and looks back on how the Centre's predictions for 2018 ended up.

Cups full of woe: what we can learn from this year’s VW and Starbucks reputation crises

Mon, 10 Dec 2018 15:00:00 +1100

The Centre's Executive Director Wayne Burns is interviewed by Joe Bourke about two case studies in issues and crisis management: the VW emissions scandal and the Starbucks racism incident. Wayne discusses the lessons corporate affairs practitioners can learn from these cases, and about how practitioners can ensure an issue doesn't turn into a full blown crisis.

What's driving left of centre activism and how it targets corporations and industry

Wed, 07 Nov 2018 11:00:00 +1100

In this week's Very Public Affairs podcast, the Centre's Executive Director Wayne Burns speaks to Mark Connelly, Director of Digital Growth and Fundraising at GetUp!, an activist advocacy entity that campaigns on issues and causes that often have industries and corporations in the firing line. Listen to find out more about why and and how GetUp! does what it does.

Media relations: trends, developments and where it is heading

Mon, 22 Oct 2018 15:00:00 +1100

In this week's episode, Joe Bourke from the Centre for Corporate Public Affairs speaks with Andrew McGinnes, Executive Manager Corporate Affairs at Qantas and Clayton Ford, General Manager Corporate Affairs at 7-Eleven Australia.They're asked about the big challenges in the media relations discipline, where they see it heading in the future, and their top tips for practitioners coming into media relations.

Ups and downs: making the move from politics to corporate public affairs

Mon, 08 Oct 2018 15:00:00 +1100

This week, the Centre's Executive Director Wayne Burns speaks to Bay Warburton. Bay, formerly Chief of Staff to NSW Premier Mike Baird, now Head of Stakeholder Relations at Mirvac, talks to Wayne about the differences between public and private sector, and gives his tips on how to successfully move between the two.

The corporate apology: how to make one, and when is it too late?

Wed, 22 Aug 2018 14:00:00 +1000

The Centre's Joe Bourke speaks with Executive Director Wayne Burns about corporate apologies: the occasions on which corporations or public entities say sorry to their stakeholders or the public. When and how should an apology be made?

Leadership in the function: In conversation with Centre Director Wayne Burns

Wed, 20 Jun 2018 14:00:00 +1000

The Centre's Joe Bourke speaks with Wayne Burns about the importance of leadership in the function, and how to go about becoming a leader in corporate public affairs.

The Grattan Institute's John Daley speaks with the Centre

Sun, 06 May 2018 14:00:00 +1000

The Centre speaks to John Daley, Chief Executive of the Grattan Institute, on building back public trust, the need for evidence based public policy, and all the issues facing one of the Asia Pacific's largest public policy think tanks.

Expert Insights from the Centre's 2018 Heads of Function Roundtable

Wed, 18 Apr 2018 14:00:00 +1000

Centre Director Wayne Burns wraps up the 2018 Heads of Function and Senior Practitioners Roundtable, covering the key takeaways from the Centre for Corporate Public Affairs first event of 2018. Plus, hear from Luisa Megale and Karyn Munsie on what it takes to be a successful corporate public affairs practitioner.

Expert Insights from the Centre for Corporate Public Affairs 2017 Institute

Fri, 23 Jun 2017 14:00:00 +1000

The Centre’s Daniel Arias speaks with Dieter Lehmann, Director Corporate Affairs at Bupa, and Peter Metcalfe, General Manager Government Relations at Woodside Energy. Dieter and Peter both appeared as guest speakers at the Centre’s 2017 Corporate Public Affairs Institute which was held at Melbourne Business School. Dieter ruminates on internal communications in corporations today, while Peter considers the evolution of the function, good practice issues management and issues management systems.

Top Five predictions for corporate public affairs for 2017

Mon, 09 Jan 2017 16:00:00 +1100

Managing issues, in the public affairs arena, requires a thorough understanding of the latest trends. In this episode, Wayne Burns, the Director of the Centre, presents the top five predictions for corporate public affairs for the coming 12 months in 2017. These include the proliferation of evidence-based communication to influence stakeholders and deal with fake news, infographic mania, the rise of in-house audio-visual production as well as the increase of women at the head of the public affairs function in different organisations.

Global headwinds in the practice of corporate public affairs

Mon, 12 Sep 2016 14:00:00 +1000

Growing scrutiny of the CEO and more socio-politicaly savvy corporate public affairs executives are putting the issues management life cycles on double-speed. This is the outlook for public affairs in Fortune 100 corporations, according to Doug Pinkham, President of the Washington-based Public Affairs Council. He joins Very Public Affairs host Wayne Burns.

The Corporate Narrative: Why narratives have so much appeal in the world of business and public opinion

Mon, 01 Aug 2016 14:00:00 +1000

Crafting and stewarding a corporate narrative has become a primary focus in many corporations, and is the well from which corporate public affairs teams are drawing messages and content to engage stakeholders and steward reputation. In this episode, the Centre's Wayne Burns examines the elements of a good corporate narrative, and seeks the views from senior executives from Twitter and Shell about their approaches to managing a corporate narrative and delivering it through corporate storytelling.