Official publication of Wells Haslem Mayhew

THE Official publication of Wells Haslem Mayhew I S S U E 9 Autumn 2017

DIVERSITY IN LEADERSHIP

A very important shift... A good move for the company, a great move for our clients

Welcome to the first edition of Wells Haslem’s magazine, The Shell for 2017 – our Autumn edition. Wells Haslem Mayhew: Leadership change All the members of the Wells Haslem team are working John Wells, Chairman on a range of new and exciting projects. A very important shift has taken place at Wells Haslem and is the subject of this edition. For a long time I have thought that the range and diversity of the work within the company required a subtle change in our leadership. While Ben has done a great job in helping guide the company to success over our initial five years, Alexandra has played no small part in its initial success. Therefore the three partners have agreed that Alexandra will become joint CEO with Ben. I will remain chairman and continue to work full time with the rest of the team. Alexandra’s elevation is a good move for the company, it’s a great move for our clients and demonstrates that we reward ability and commitment. Alexandra, along with Ben and I have helped grow the business to the point it is now, and even more importantly, has built strong and enduring client relationships. Along with Alexandra’s elevation to a management role, we will also make a slight change to the name to reflect her position as joint CEO. At a time when we are making adjustments to the leadership, we are also moving office…. From Neutral Bay to North Sydney. We have rented our own dedicated office in Walker the team at DOOLEYS Lidcombe Catholic Club prepare for Street and will take over our new digs towards the end of a very major redevelopment; the ATO on a range of April. projects; public company Ingenia Communities which is Just a short walk to North Sydney station, everyone will seeking to redevelop another caravan park site for older be able to catch the train to work. The new office has Australian seeking a community-style retirement. plenty of room for growth, and will get a new lick of paint Thank you all for your ongoing support and and some flash office furniture…courtesy of Ammo’s encouragement. design skills. I hope you enjoy reading edition eight of The Shell, we've Since our last edition where we touched on the US enjoyed putting it together for you. election, Donald Trump has been elected. One of our

IPREX partners, Cincinnati-based NICK VEHR has provided a great overview of Trump’s election win and its impact on the US. The past six months have been both hectic and exciting for Wells Haslem. We have worked closely with a range of clients including British American Tobacco (BATA) on trying to have e- John Wells cigarettes regulated, James Hardie on Asbestos Injuries Chairman related disease; the AICF which pays compensation to legitimate claims with Asbestos injuries, helping:

How do you solve a problem like fake news?

It’s on us

Fake news is nothing new but modern technology and social media mean now more than ever, the onus is on all of us to become smarter, more skeptical and more critical, argues Timothy Mantiri

Against the global backdrop of an the upheaval hitting the The term “fake news” and its ubiquitous use has even led to it political establishment, and in which the intersection of politics, being named Macquarie Dictionary’s word of the year. journalism and social media became even more integral to the What is fake news? political process, no other phrase in recent political discourse has The term came to the fore last year in the lead up to the US gained more prominence than “fake news”. Presidential election, originally as a way of describing web sites The term has been used widely by many in the media and that published genuine looking news stories shared on social commentarial to help explain Donald Trump’s shock victory in media, particularly Facebook. last year’s US presidential election as well as by President Trump Some of the most prominent examples included one which himself when describing certain news outlets. The most notable falsely claimed that Pope Francis had endorsed Donald Trump, occasion was a fiery exchange with CNN reporter Jim Acosta which picked up over a million Facebook engagements as well as during a press conference, where Trump refused the outlet a an article that alleged without basis that Hillary Clinton would be question by stating “you are fake news”. indicted just before the election. The term has even had a run closer to home with Treasurer Scott Mainstream news outlets at the time picked up on the Morrison earlier in the year describing reports of a push inside proliferation of these articles. A month before the election The the Coalition to kick start the same sex marriage debate as ‘fake Washington Post published the results of its own experiment news’ as well as late last year when Resources Minister Matt that monitored four users’ Facebook accounts from August 31 to Canavan accused the ABC of running “nothing but fake news” in September 22 of last year and found that five “indisputably fake” its reporting of the Adani coal mine in Queensland. and three “profoundly inaccurate” stories trended on the Unsurprisingly, One Nation senators Pauline Hanson and website, meaning that they were placed by Facebook’s news Malcolm Roberts have also embraced the phrase. algorithms front and centre in users’ newsfeeds.

pg. 3 | Fake news – it’s on us – Timothy Mantiri

Similarly, a few days before the election There is nothing new about lies This is a notion shared by President Buzzfeed unveiled the results of its own propagated by individuals, organisations Obama who in one his final appearances extensive analysis, which found that and governments in political discourse, as President, noted the threat of fake hyper-partisan Facebook pages most however advancements in news to a functioning democracy. In a likely to post inaccurate stories received communications technology, in news conference on a visit to Germany far more shares, likes, and comments particular the development of social the then President aired his unease at the than mainstream news pages. media, has enabled the increasing way that ‘so much active misinformation’ These reports into the proliferation of proliferation of fake news stories in the can be ‘packaged very well’ and deliberately misleading news articles on information ecosystem as well as its presented as fact on people’s social social media referred to these stories as distribution to an audience wider than media feeds; ‘If we are not serious about ‘fake news’ thereby assigning a ever before. Furthermore as an facts and what’s true and what’s not, if shorthand moniker to the new and increasing number of people admit to we can’t discriminate between serious disturbing phenomena. getting their news from social media, the arguments and propaganda, then we potential for fake news articles being have problems…we can lose so much of More recently, the term has been used consumed and crucially, believed, grows what we’ve gained in terms of the kind of by politicians around the globe as an inexorably. democratic freedoms.” attempt to discredit criticism from journalists and news media. Ironically, While instances were seen among What can be done? Looking to the tech this characterisation of the mainstream supporters of both sides of the recent US sector media as fake news was first used by one election battle, Donald Trump’s Since the shock electoral victories of of its greatest beneficiaries, President campaign was seen by many as a 2016 that rocked established notions of Trump himself, who in December last particular beneficiary of fake news politics; experts, the commentariat and year tweeted “Reports by @CNN that I reports. As a study by economists at politicians themselves have been will be working on The Apprentice during Stanford University and New York searching for an explanation for their my Presidency, even part time, are University published two months after causes. Much of the analysis has been ridiculous & untrue, FAKE NEWS!” From November’s US presidential election focused on the intersection of politics, that moment and on many occasions found; in the run-up to the vote, fake journalism and social media in this day since, President Trump has resorted to anti-Clinton stories were shared 30 and age, and how the new phenomena of the term to describe media outlets he million times on Facebook, while those tech-enabled fake news has had an regards as dishonest and deceitful. favouring her were shared only eight impact on political discourse and the million times. However, it is worth noting A real and dangerous problem functioning of democracy. While that recent reports have signaled that thorough social science research has yet While President Trump and other fake news has begun to skew more left to emerge, many have looked to reforms politicians have begun to trivialise the with President Trump in power indicating for the tech sector and social media term by using it to attack reputable the problem isn’t unique to one side of platforms that facilitate the spread of media outlets whom they deem politics. Regardless of one’s thoughts on fake news as the best way to address this unfavourable, the phenomena fake news a candidate’s stated policies, few would issue. – originally coined to describe the disagree that an electoral result which Huge improvements in deliberate construction of fabrications may have been heavily swayed on telecommunications technology, the and lies in the form of news articles deliberate misinformation does anything proliferation of internet tech companies intended to mislead the public, usually but undermine our democracy. with a monetary or political benefit and the development of social media Before social media, a filter on flagrant motive – signifies a new and dangerous over the last decade has transformed the misinformation was provided by dimension in political discourse when way people have consumed news. Now established media outlets who acted as coupled with contemporary means of that anyone with a smartphone can be a gatekeepers to the news. However, in an communication and trends in news reporter, blogger and photographer with age of budget cuts in traditional media, consumption. the ability to transmit to the whole world and a business model that encourages at almost no cost, there is a hyper- clickbait and race-to-the-bottom abundance of news and no one can journalism, standards have slipped control how the information flows. across the board creating a situation Information in the ecosystem has in where citizens, political discourse and many cases become more signal than democracies suffer. noise.

The social media and tech platforms that As Jeffery Herbst noted in the Wall Street The question lies in the way consumer facilitate this flow of information have Journal when writing on the limits of tastes can be changed so that citizens begun to realise their obligation to limit depending on tech companies to provide more often than not demand high- the spread of misinformation a solution to the fake news problem, quality news that may be more costlier masquerading as fact. After the “These companies have achieved when they are swamped with low-quality contentious 2016 US election, Facebook commercial success beyond anything news that is free, and often more entertaining. This is one area where the faced strong criticism for not better seen in human history because they excel government and specifically the policing the torrent of fake news articles at giving consumers exactly what they education system can play a role in that were circulated on its platform. CEO want.” limiting the damage of fake news by Mark Zuckerberg had long insisted that Increasing regulation for fake news on placing emphasis in the class room on Facebook was not a media publisher, but social media sites such as Facebook also critical thinking, literacy and the crafting rather a technology company, and users poses complications in regards to free of evidence-based arguments. were primarily responsible for the speech and as satire. Satirical news sites Social-studies and journalism programs content that was spread over the such as The Onion and Australia’s own in secondary schools and universities platform. However by late 2016, the Betoota Advocate are clearly fake news, could be adapted to improve media problem was too great to ignore and with headlines such as ‘Malcolm Turnbull literacy and help students become Facebook announced a raft of measures tells those relying on penalty rates that responsible citizens in the modern digital to tackle the spread of misinformation. “they should’ve listened in school”’ and age. Prompting citizens to become Zuckerberg was careful in stating that ‘New “Bad Boy” Bill Shorten fronts media intentional news consumers in this way "we don't want to be arbiters of truth," with Bailey Nelsons on the back of his may prove to be a long term but worthwhile approach. before laying out a series of protocols neck’, would Facebook under new fake that were being developed. These news guidelines respond by purging The integrity of information about included disrupting the economics of them off their site? Similarly would current events and persons of public interest is part of the critical fake news websites by blocking ad sales editorial pieces from personal blogs be infrastructure of liberal democracy. In to disputed sites, and bringing in a third- deemed as fake news too? party verification process to label certain 1817 founding father Thomas Jefferson Ultimately, it’s on us articles as false or disputed. wrote; ‘An enlightened citizenry is To borrow an analogy from the academic indispensable for the proper functioning

field of economics, reforming the way of a republic. Self-government is not traditional and social media platforms possible unless the citizens are educated approach the dilemma of fake news sufficiently to enable them to exercise represent ‘supply-side’ reforms, that is, oversight. It is therefore imperative that the nation see to it that a suitable the aim of the reforms is to ensure that education be provided for all its citizens.’ only genuine news is supplied to consumers by reducing the number of While the meaning of ‘enlightened citizenry’ has been transformed due to fake news stories in the information the abundance and ease of access to ecosystem. information that modern technology has However, given some of the limitations provided since Jefferson’s day, so has the of those supply side reforms, it is clear constitution of a ‘suitable education’. that the reforms to the ‘demand side’ of Modern education must now adapt to the fake news problem will also have a equip citizens with the skills to not only These strategies are certainly a welcome large role to play in providing a solution. be able to read and comprehend approach from the tech sector in trying Much in the same way that markets for information, but also to discern what is to deal with this issue, however there are goods and services work, when there is real from fake in the modern information limits to how effective these approaches higher demand for a good or service, ecosystem if the threat to civics, citizenry on their own will be. suppliers will strive to meet the demand and democracy that fake news poses is to be thwarted. While tech companies such as Facebook to capitalise on increased sales. If Ultimately we are all responsible for the and Google have begun to understand consumers indicate demand for higher information we consume and share. Fake their obligation to regulate information quality news, the workings of the market will ensure that quality journalism is news has existed for as long as people that guises as news, they are unlikely to have told stories, but with the internet consistently delivered. undertake severe action that undermines dramatically democratising the nature of their business models that rely on information transmission, now more increased activity and the outflow of than ever, the onus is on all of us to traffic to external websites. become smarter, more skeptical and more critical.

The best laid plans of mice and men – the importance of crisis simulations

Many organisations boast a crisis management plan, writes Benjamin Haslem, but make the critical error of failing to

test it until the proverbial hits the fan

Some of the world’s largest organisations, managed by highly- Just as an airline pilot spends many hours each year in the talented individuals, often fail to respond adequately to crises, simulator, so should a business or organisation regularly (one resulting in lasting reputational damage with long-term to two times each year) undertake a crisis management impacts on bottom lines. simulation exercise. One of the major reasons for such failures can be a simple lack US pilot Kim Green has written about the similarities between of preparedness, and most importantly, practice. flying a plane and running a major company. Few professionals understand this more than aircraft pilots. “When it’s just you and your craft at 5,000 feet, what matters

They are trained to learn, and follow, strict checklists when most is experience, especially when the weather turns faced with an emergency and anticipate what lies ahead. inclement or the engine goes quiet,” Green writes.

Airline pilots practice emergency situations repeatedly, their “You can be a whiz at aerodynamics and know your equipment like an engineer, but it’s how you react when everything goes trainers throwing a myriad of life-threatening scenarios at them in the aircraft simulator so when faced with a real wrong that shows what kind of pilot you really are. emergency they can deal with it in an almost routine fashion. “Business leaders face down everything from PR headaches to

The same applies to any CEO and his or her executive team. If financial crises, and sometimes even threats to health and you want to survive a crisis, not only do you need a carefully- human life within their organizations. crafted crisis management plan (your checklist) you need to “You can bring your a-game to the boardroom and know your practise, practise, practise. industry inside and out, but if you’ve never handled a

You can bring your a- major emergency, it’s hard to know how The ideal crisis simulation involves two game to the boardroom well you’ll fare when your first one hits. teams sitting in separate rooms. and know your industry “That’s why pilots are trained in crisis The first (the CMT) consists of the people inside and out, but if management. We’re taught to think who would be called upon to deal with a through a range of potential mishaps, real-life crisis. For example: the CEO, COO, you’ve never handled a memorize checklists, and plot courses of communications manager, HR manager, major emergency, it’s action in advance. ICT specialist and a lawyer. hard to know how well “Executives can do the same. You can The second (the Inject Team) rolls out the you’ll fare when your never foresee every crisis, but if you plan simulation, which consists of the facilitator first one hits. for the worst, you’ll be ready for action- and deputy (think of them as the movie and you won’t be stuck winging it.” directors) and role players, who will act as US Pilot, Kim A crisis simulation allows a company’s employees, family members, journalists, Green executive team to put its crisis regulators, social media users and other management plan into action without key stakeholders. anyone getting hurt. The CMT will be presented with an event If designed and implemented properly, a or scenario – say an explosion at a factory. crisis simulation will: The ‘factory manager’ will follow the company’s crisis plan and telephone the • Leave your team feeling COO with news of the calamity and the confident it can deal with a real- simulation is off and running. life crisis, • Uncover any deficiencies in your The CMT will need to carry out actions as crisis management plan that if in real life. Prepare and disseminate should be remedied; media statements; develop or adapt key • Equip members of your Crisis messages; communicate with employees, Management Team (CMT) with a families of the deceased and injured, better understanding of their regulators, politicians and then manage responsibilities and allow them to social media speculation and/or attacks. practise the collection, analysis Eventually, the CEO or nominated and distribution of information in company spokesperson will front a mock a timely manner; press conference where role players will • Test communication flows; and ask the tough questions. • Provide a competitive advantage The Inject Team will follow a master for your company or events list or running sheet, which sets out organisation. what will occur and when. Denis Smith, Professor of Management at Role players will read from scripts; news the University of Liverpool, argues many ‘articles’ will be produced and presented organizations fail to see the benefits that to the CMT, forcing them to consider simulating crisis events and the real-time whether they should react to the content, testing of crisis plans can have upon the emails will pour in from various way they manage on a day-to-day basis. stakeholders, responses will need to be “To be effective, the whole process of prioritised. contingency planning should challenge, Updates will come in from the scene of the and ultimately shape, the way in which accident, key stakeholders (trade unions, organizations deal with the day-to-day local governments, media commentators) processes that allow crises to be will weigh in, forcing the CMT into making incubated,” Prof Smith says. decisions – say something or ignore. “Simulations can, therefore, also serve as a useful audit mechanism for organizations as well as a validation tool for contingency plans and organizational crisis teams.”

pg. 7 | Crisis Simulation - Benjamin Haslem

All of these inputs are driven from the You can have the best-laid crisis Inject Room with the aim to make the crisis management plan but if your organisation team know, think, say or do something. never implements the plan until an actual The Inject Team will react to the CMT’s event you are courting disaster. responses and adjust its inputs Experiencing the high-pressure accordingly. But it should also try and atmosphere of a full-scale crisis is very anticipate what the CMT will do and be a rare, so it is not surprising that even the step in front. most experienced executives lack the skills The scenario must be realistic and engage required to manage a crisis. all of the CMT. If what you present is too An organisation can possess a highly- farfetched participants will not engage. experienced communications manager A good crisis simulation must present the well-versed in crisis communications, but CMT with challenges that are both that counts for little when it is the CEO or operational and reputational. It must illicit other senior executives who must make responses that both fix the problem and crucial decisions during a crisis – often with communicate about it. scant information and very little time. There must be a reason for each input, an To increase the likelihood that an objective attached to it and they need to organisation can come through a crisis pose a challenge to the CMT. relatively unscathed it is recommended the personnel who would manage such an There are various reasons for each input: event regularly undertake crisis  Some should force a decision to management simulation exercises. be taken; The legendary Prussian Field Marshal,  Some should create a dilemma – Helmuth von Moltke, argued that military there’s more than one answer strategy is a system of options, since only but we need a decision and we the beginning of the military operation can need it now; be planned.  Some will put the team’s He said the main task of military leaders is information gathering skills under the extensive preparation for all possible pressure; outcomes. Two of his famous dictums  Others will shift the centre of the remain useful for business continuity and focus of the crisis – where it was crisis managers today: “No battle plan all about injuries, now it’s about survives contact with the enemy” and allegations from unions that their “war is a matter of expedients.” safety concerns were ignored Crisis simulations prepare you for (when in fact none was ever managing the unexpected; to make raised). decisions under pressure with the best At the conclusion of the simulation, time information available and to regain the needs to be set aside for participants to initiative. discuss their experiences and share what they have learned. It is important to act on what was learned and make changes to your crisis management plan, if required.

pg. 8| PR on screen– Isabelle Walker

PR on screen Perception vs reality?

Hollywood’s idea of crisis management is a script for disaster, argues Isabelle Walker

What’s the first rule of public relations and crisis management? Their only concern was for the bottom line and seemed to Always tell the truth. Tell the truth and tell it fast. disregard the tragic fact a young woman had died. Of course, not all crises look or sound the same. Good PR means Watching this, I felt a pang of anger. Crisis teams are called in for understanding the nuances associated with your client and their all manner of reasons. Sometimes it’s simply image shape-up crisis, and dealing with the media, public and if necessary the after a small social media stuff up. Sometimes someone has been government, accordingly. But for the most part, getting on the injured or killed as a direct result of negligence or human error, front foot with the story is your best bet. and people are out for blood. When dealing with cases resembling the latter, the people and emotions are real. You Then why are PR professionals, portrayed the way they are on must navigate the situation to stem any further hurt or impact of the television or in movies? the tragedy. You give your client the ability to talk honestly and Why is it the “crisis management team”, “image consultants” openly about what happened, not shift blame and twist the truth and “spin doctors” are sometimes sinister people hell-bent on to absolve guilt. distorting reality for personal or financial gain? Of course, you’d hope most people watching these portrayals of This was abundantly apparent in the final episodes of Orange Is public relations specialists would know it’s hyperbolic, if not the New Black season four. The American prison drama dealt offensively inaccurate, but some might not. with the death of an inmate, and the crisis management team The fact of the matter is, the truth of telling the truth is painfully charged with communicating the tragedy to the public sought to simple – in this day and age, you just can’t afford not to. And your distort the situation by any means possible to let the private crisis will be made a great deal worse when it’s found out that company that owns the prison escape accountability. you’ve lied. The team was ready to throw any person – be it the dead inmate While most crises may not be stuff of Hollywood movies, or the corrections officer responsible for the death – ‘under the communicating honestly to the public can make or break an bus’ in order to remain exculpable. These characters appeared organisation, and mould your relationship with the average to be cynical, uncaring, selfish and calculating. punter for years to come.

Western Australia decides

In March 2017 West Australians headed to the polls. While the Barnett Government could point to many successes, its biggest obstacle could have been voters who think it’s time for a change, argued Ron Edwards

In many ways WA Liberal Leader, Colin Barnett became the Barnett also reached agreement with teachers, nurses and the “accidental Premier” in September 2008 when Labor's Alan Police Union. Carpenter called an early poll. A key flaw in the Liberal hegemony emerged with the departure Barnett was hallway out the door when the Liberal Party called of Troy Buswell from WA politics and Christian Porter to Federal him back to replace the controversy-prone Opposition Leader politics.

Troy Buswell. These were the two most likely successors to Colin Barnett and Carpenter then ran the most inept campaign since Liberal Prime following the truism of State Government that most

Minister Billy McMahon against Gough Whitlam in 1972 and Governments are lucky if they bat with any depth beyond four or Barnett was elected Premier. five ministers.

The early years of his Government were marked by significant progress. The departure of these two talented Ministers weakened the Barnett also built strong ties with the business community, succession in the WA Liberals. especially the resources sector and at the height of the Labor However, all of this was off in the future when Colin Barnett was Party dominance in politics across the nation was the only re-elected at the 2013 election. The WA economy was flush with conservative leader to attend COAG Meetings. money from the mining boom and the Federal Labor His Partnership Forum with the not-for-profit-sector was Government was hugely unpopular. ground-breaking as a social partnership and delivered $650 The Liberal two-party-preferred vote came in at 57.29%, a record million including increasing salaries to staff to achieve parity with for a state election in WA. other sectors.

The one Labor policy that struck a chord Perth has always suffered from a sluggish A big challenge with voters was the Metronet project, retail sector and the Barnett Government which put a great emphasis upon has been very positive in relaxing retail for Labor is to extending public transport. trading hours and slowly killing off the gather any The Liberals responded by promising a protectionist English-style closed shop rail link to Ellenbrook in the north east mentality. antagonism metropolitan region. The decline in the resources sector has towards the However the Barnett Government failed seen an increase in demand from parents to deliver on this promise choosing for their children to attend public schools Government into instead to focus upon Elizabeth Quay, an and the Government investment in artificial inlet in the Swan River – a poor education and the initiative of votes for its man’s Circular Quay. This was seen by Independent Public Schools has proven many as the Barnett Government popular and successful. candidates buttering up the property speculators However, due to a lack of foresight and and toffs and turning their backs on to planning the Government failed to everyday commuters suffering the daily provide sufficient places for children in traffic congestion on Perth’s roads. inner-city public schools and is now Nevertheless, the newly-returned scrambling to rescue the situation. Barnett Government achieved some Labor has responded by proposing a high important successes in infrastructure and rise opportunity school in the CBD to developments in education such as the attract high performing students. This independent public schools initiative. has been well received in the business The Government completed the Fiona community of the CBD. Another element Stanley Hospital in the southern suburbs in the reduction in activity in the but this was contrasted with the resources industry has reduced cost disastrous build of the Perth Children’s pressures in other industries where Hospital. Setbacks occurred with panels during the boom wage pressures were falling off, asbestos in building materials extreme. and lead in the water supply. Going in to this month’s election, Labor The Government and construction Leader Mark McGowan has pitched his company John Holland have been locked approach around a strategy of not in disputes and the project was never frightening voters by being consistent on going to be ready before this election. policy and presentation. Elizabeth Quay itself proved to be a He is working on an assumption that after public relations disaster. The water park, eight years voters believe it is time for a consisting of fountains for children to change. He is reinforced by high levels of play in, is great in concept however due unemployment. Adding to the to pressure from within the Premier’s Governments woes are the failures of the Office the opening was rushed to Perth Children’s Hospital construction coincide with the summer of 2016. and a general lack of direction in the Liberal campaign. This meant the plumbing system was not properly trialled and the water supply Behind the scenes the Liberal campaign failed, becoming contaminated when the has suffered from excessive interference pumps broke down. Its popular success in the daily running from within the was to prove its public relations failure. Premier’s Office creating tensions in So ironically the aspect designed to Government ranks. To some extent this appeal to the broader public did not has been driven by a view of the Premier deliver. Further, the retail outlets at the that delegating to others may not Quay are perceived by the public as being produce the outcomes he wants. rarely open for business.

Pg. 11 | WA Decides – Ron Edwards

A clear sign of the dire internal polling of The Liberal campaign has been steady the Government was the Liberal Party and predictable focussing on their preference deal with One Nation, which deserved record as builders of means that in exchange for Liberal infrastructure and reformers in preferences in the Upper House One education housing and health. Labor is Nation will preference the Liberals in key focussing on its strength of jobs, Lower House seats. The Nationals have education health and a refusal to sell of retaliated by directing their preferences Western Power. Both parties have in two key Upper House seats, the Mining committed to stronger policies on crime and Pastoral Region and South West and law and order. Region, to the Greens. The National Party, which has gained a Significantly the Government has been lot of ground in the last two elections relatively scandal free which is an stands to lose ground as it is attacked on important factor given the toxic electoral different fronts by One Nation, the reaction to WA Inc of the Burke era. Liberals and Labor. Their best voice in There have been no matters related to cutting through, Deputy Prime Minister Ron Edwards was the Labor corruption to derail the Government. Barnaby Joyce is staying away from WA Member for the Federal seat of A big challenge for Labor is to gather any because of his opposition to Grylls policy Stirling from 1983 -1993. He is Wells antagonism towards the Government on mining royalties. Haslem’s Western Australia into votes for its candidates. A number of The nature of the electoral pendulum is affiliate. voters I have spoken to have expressed such that on the night of 11th March if the their discontent with the state of affairs swing is on we can expect to see a and at some point say something along tranche of seats fall early to Labor but as the lines of “ I think I will vote for that the count goes on it may well come down woman (Pauline Hanson) so she can to preferences in the extra seats needed straighten them out”. In this context the by Labor to form Government. The Upper Liberal preference deal may prove crucial House is expected to be somewhat like in some key seats. the Senate, a mix of smaller parties with The McGowan team has campaigned One Nation, the Greens and the Shooters hard on jobs and opposition to the partial Fishers and Farmers vying for seats. privatisation of Western Power being The new Government will inherit a debt pushed as the centrepiece of the of around $40 billion, new infrastructure Government’s future budgetary strategy. and improving resource prices in iron ore, Ironically the Liberal Party has gone into oil and gas and a strong gold price along the preference deal with One Nation with a thriving agriculture sector in the whose centrepiece is opposition to the grains and pastoral sectors and a strong privatisation of Western Power. fisheries sector. Given these factors it Set against the power blackouts in South may seem to some strange as to why the Australia there is no compelling appetite Barnett Government is in trouble. It may for privatisation. come down to it being time for a change Of further concern to the Government is as it was with Kevin Rudd taking over their failure to gain any ground in fixing from John Howard. the WA share of the GST. The Turnbull Government in spite of having a strong Federal Ministerial representation from WA – Julie Bishop, Christian Porter, Mathias Cormann, Michaelia Cash and Michael Keenan – has been unable to achieve any change in what is considered in the community to be an unfair distribution.

pg. 17 | Rapid Relief Team – Benjamin Haslem

pg. 12 | Australian Biotechnologies – Kathy Lindsay

Old bones give new life

More needs to be done to promote awareness of the importance of tissue donation, writes Kathy Lindsay

While many Australians are aware of the need for organ Bone and tendons can be retrieved up to 24 hours after death. donation, such as hearts and kidneys, there is less awareness of In Australia we have an opt-in system for tissue and organ the need for donation of other tissue, such as bone and tendons. donation. Further, the family will be asked for their consent on Between 2013 and 2016 the number of bone and tissue behalf of the deceased donor and this is sometimes too difficult transplant recipients almost doubled from 3,691 to 7,468 a decision to make during a time of mourning. people. Meanwhile, the number of people donating tissue Consent rates for tissue donation decline in cases where the increased by only 414 people to a total of 4,291 people. Quite a family are unaware of the possibility, unaware of their loved discrepancy. ones wishes, and not fully informed about the conditions, The majority of bone and tissue donors are living donors, process and life-enhancing outcomes of bone and tissue including people having hip replacements who donate their old donation. bone rather than have it discarded as hospital waste. The donated bone is the femoral head, which is the ball of bone on Finally, in all states other than South Australia, tissue and organ top of the femur. Once cleaned and processed, it can be used for donation consent is no longer achieved through ticking the box life-enhancing operations for treating conditions caused by on your driver’s licence. Nowadays, consent is through Medicare genetics, disease or injury. Recipients include children with or directly through the Organ and Tissue Authority. deformed spines, athletes with fractures and cancer victims Wells Haslem has provided strategic advice, government facing bone degeneration. relations support and media relations services to tissue And then there is deceased bone donation. Most people who die processing company Australian Biotechnologies and Australian in hospital could donate their tissue, not just those who die in an Tissue Donation Network, which runs a femoral head donation intensive care unit or the emergency department. program.

Engagement communication to restore trust in government

Governments rely on the consent and trust of the people to get things done but they need to focus on informing, advocating, persuading and engaging citizens, writes Rob Masters

Communication is one of the key levers of government, These key points are important to the global situation of today alongside legislation, regulation and taxation. where the authority of government is being eroded and But a recently released global leaders’ report shows that particularly because of a lack of trust. Only 40% of citizens communication in government is: worldwide trust their government. There is a sense that citizens are beginning to doubt whether government actually can make • Rarely understood fully by politicians and policymakers a difference in their lives, despite what the U.S. President Donald • Frequently regarded as a tactical, shared service, Trump may tweet. rather than a strategic function of policy delivery Research by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) concludes that a lack of trust is • Under-skilled in areas such as social media, data compromising the willingness of citizens and business to respond analysis, audience segmentation and citizen to public policies and contribute to a sustainable economic engag ement recovery. • Seldom used to its full potential Unsurprising then, the falling levels of trust in government is cited by government leaders in the report as the key issue facing government communicators.

pg. 14 | Government engagement – Rob Masters

They believe a lack of trust is: This is again illustrated by U.S. President Trump in his use of tweets. He sees it as • Limiting cut-through of an important channel for his messages to government messages his supporters so that he can bypass • Inhibiting two-way dialogue newspapers, TV and radio and then condemn them as generators of ‘fake • Contributing to detachment news’ when they report on what he says. and disengagement from However, he complements this with his government meetings with the ‘faithful’ to again get • Inhibiting the success of policies his message out. that depend on behavioural This process sets up the pathway to the responses from the public. ‘participatory model’ of communication. To overcome this situation, there is The important distinct is that the emerging emphasis on purposefully communication process must move creating dialogue with citizens. Despite beyond governments telling people what many government leaders being against they are doing and how, but to ‘why’ they a public consultation process as being a are doing it. Again, the Trump model is an legitimate function of government illustration of this – his ‘why’ is to ‘make communication, their communication America great again’. Another example is people believe it is the only way forward in Victoria where the government’s law to overcome the ‘trust’ situation and to and order clamp down on youth crime is gain ‘buy in’ to governments achieving to make ‘the community feel safe again’. their policy objectives. Explaining the ‘why’ course of action can help minimise resistance from people Governments rely on the consent and and allows them to engage with the issue trust of the people to get things done. To and, in the engagement process, it achieve this, government encourages them to explore or resolve communication must be focussed on issues. The individual feels ‘connected’ to informing, advocating, persuading and the issue, as well as with their fellow engaging citizens. “The ability to 'push participants and gives them a sense of out' information is necessary, albeit ‘ownership’ in its resolution. It also deeply insufficient,” says the report. “The makes a significant contribution to the willingness and ability to speak with restoration of ‘trust’ for governments to citizens must be coupled with a help them solve many of the issues facing willingness to listen to them, incorporate them and to achieving policy objectives. their needs and preferences into the policy process, and engage local patterns However, within the ‘ownership’ of influence and trusted sources of process, governments must never information." concede their ‘right’ to making the final decision on an issue… the same as Trump Although there is no single way to engage does with his ‘Executive Orders’. with the public because of the many Unfortunately, the Trump model of communication channels available today, engagement, does not address the ‘trust’ social media must be included in any engagement process. issue.

Robert Masters is Director of Wells Haslem’s Melbourne affiliate, RMK + Associates pg. 15 | School for Life – Alexandra Mayhew

Education: the root of all that’s good

The Sydney -based School for Life Foundation believes education is at the root of equality, economic prosperity, elimination of poverty and the eradication of corruption, writes Alexandra Mayhew

The problem with promoting gender equality as a women’s issue of the economic growth in OECD countries over the past 50 is that those to whom the message needs to reach the most, men years, of which over half is due to girls having access to higher and boys, are left out of the conversation, portrayed as the levels of education and achieving greater equality in the number problem, or at worst, become defensive and see feminism as of years spent in education between men and women. something that happens elsewhere (within female groups, often Increased educational attainment accounts for about 50 per cent depicted as bra-burners). of the economic growth in OECD countries over the past 50 They believe gender equality is a woman’s fight, not theirs. years, of which over half is due to girls having access to higher Imagine if that was the approach to civil rights. Perhaps it once levels of education and achieving greater equality in the number was, but in this day and age that view is considered archaic. And of years spent in education between men and women. that’s because it is. We are one community, and that’s how we School for Life foundation is a not-for-profit organisation

must problem solve, as a group. working in rural Uganda. Set up by Australian Annabelle That is why UN Women’s #HeForShe campaign, headed by the Chauncy, the foundation empowers communities to help inspiring Emma Watson, should be cornerstone of how we themselves and create their own opportunities. approach equality. To do that, they build schools to provide communities with a And the place to start? Education. Education beyond the gender quality education, including primary and secondary schooling, argument. Education full-stop. vocational training and other services – such as employment and Increased educational attainment accounts for about 50 per cent healthcare solutions.

School for Life’s approach is a hand-up More on School for Life not a hand-out. Annabelle hopes to have School for Life enrolment is now at 560 her school completely financially self- students from pre-primary through to sufficient in the future, and that’s Primary 7 across 2 campuses. something we can all get behind. Perhaps This year’s new students (160!) were we can learn from Uganda too, for fitted into their school uniforms, they example the fact its Parliament has experienced their first lesson, ate three higher female representation than ours. healthy and nutritious meals, were Notwithstanding of course that domestic taught how to wash their hands with violence and sexual assault remain soap, and had a health-check with our prevalent issues in Uganda, but surely full-time school nurse. Get involved more women in positions of political The first day of school is the first step for  Corporate team power is something Australians should these children on their path to freedom. leadership builds in respect and aspire to see here. Freedom from poverty, from disease and Uganda - taking teams of At the root of it all, that is, equality, from war. up to 10 corporates to economic prosperity, elimination of Uganda to build teachers' If School for Life didn’t exist, these poverty, eradication of corruption within accommodation facilities children wouldn’t have access to a quality the political and justice systems, lies to ensure we can continue school. Instead of starting their first day education. As School for Life would say, to attract and retain at school, they would be heading to work education changes everything. quality teachers and in any way they can – most commonly provide them with a safe working in the fields, herding animals or place to live. This is digging for food. focused on leadership and This video, which has been put together team building to give by an Australian volunteer Liam, captures corporates a unique, life the day in all its glory. changing experience. School for Life Foundation believes every  Climbing Mount child in the world should have access to Kilimanjaro with 20 quality education. They also provide their people - 8th June students with healthcare, three meals a  Official opening of our day, and clean running water. The Secondary School, Mbazzi employ more than 90% Ugandan from 18th - 21st June. teachers and staff, and offer vocational training such as tailoring, carpentry,  City to Surf 9th August building and agriculture to generate new  School for Life Ball every income streams to the wider school May community.

Comparing Australia with Uganda – education = health Uganda Australia

Life expectancy at birth (females/males) 58.8/ 55.7 84.3/ 79.9

Education: Primary gross enrolment ratio (f/m per 100 pop.) 110.9/ 108.9 106.2/ 106.9

Education: Secondary gross enrolment ratio (f/m per 100 pop.) 25.7/ 29.5 133.7/ 141.2

Education: Tertiary gross enrolment ratio (f/m per 100 pop.) 3.9/ 5.0 101.7/ 72.5

Seats held by women in national parliaments (%) 35.0 26.7

Individuals using the Internet (%) 17.7 84.6

Population using improved drinking water sources 95.5/ 75.8 100.0/ 100.0

http://data.un.org/CountryProfile.aspx?crName=Uganda IPREX highlights Wells Haslem is a member of IPREX, a US$350m network of communication agencies, with 115 offices worldwide

CREATIVE VENUE PR WINS POWERAXLE CEO WINS GOLD STAR IRIS PR WINS PRESTIGIOUS EFFIE AWARD AWARD FOR PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE ACQ5 AWARDS Amsterdam-based Creative Venue PR has won Spain’s Instituto para la Excelencia Profesional has Dubai-based Iris Public Relations has won the an Effie Award, the most prestigious presented Mayte González-Gil, CEO of Madrid-based ACQ5 Global Awards 2016 in the category Full international advertising prize, for Dutch food Poweraxle, with the Gold Star Award for her work in Service PR Agency, Middle East North Africa. brand HAK’s ‘bonen erbij’ (‘just add beans’) the communication industry. Gold Stars are endorsed The 11th Annual ACQ5 Global Awards honoured campaign. The campaign, which won the silver by the Government of Madrid and the Spanish leading firms, deal teams and professionals award, was developed in collaboration with Ministry of Industry, Energy & Tourism, and awarded whose activities set an industry standard. ACQ5 advertising agency Etcetera and media agency for professional innovation that promotes economic (Acquisition Finance Magazine) is a leading Initiative and aims to inspire consumers to add and social development, focusing especially on corporate magazine news site. Award winners beans to their daily meal. Creative Venue PR is Continuous Professional Development and Total are chosen by readers. responsible for media relations, blogger Quality Management. relations and content marketing.

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AKCG WINS BRAND VALUE AND REPUTATION: C- SDI'S JUDY WHITTLESEY NAMED CHAIR BEST IN SHOW SUITE AND CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS OF US FRAC BOARD Philadelphia-based Anne Klein Cincinnati-based Vehr Communications released Raleigh, North Carolina-based, Communications Group (AKCG) took home the latest in its Global Insights from Global French/West/Vaughan (FWV), one of the largest “Best in Show” honours at the 48th annual Leaders series examining the role of the CEO independently-owned public relations, Pepperpot and Achievement Awards, during a crisis. The article provides insights from advertising and digital marketing agencies in the sponsored by the Philadelphia chapter of the senior managers drawn from IPREX member US, has acquired Fetching Communications, a Public Relations Society of America, for work companies and includes our very own CEO, leading pet and veterinary PR and marketing firm with its client, Ralston Centre. The campaign Benjamin Haslem. Other contributions are drawn based in Tampa, Florida. Fetching will launched a robust public service initiative, from member companies in Spain; the USA; complement FWV’s expertise in the equine and driven by primary research, to enable older Canada; China and Finland; The article can be consumer lifestyle categories and be rebranded adults to thrive in their communities. accessed HERE. FWV Fetchi.

The View from Middle America: Stay calm, our democracy is resilient

America has survived political tumult before. Its democracy is engineered to survive sudden and sharp turns, writes Cincinnati- based NICK VEHR. But he can only imagine how the rest of the world is viewing the Trump presidency.

These are interesting and, for many, very uncertain times in Please, join with many in America and remain calm. Supporters America. We understand that it must be the same for others in a of Mr. Trump and his opponents, and especially world in which America shares such an important leadership those who are not certain, have faith in our American role. democracy. I am reminded of Sir Winston Churchill who said: We are deluged every day with news about our new President. “Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in Mr. Trump has made no secret of his disdain for “politicians” and this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is American mainstream media from the beginning of his perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democracy is the unorthodox campaign through the first months of his equally worst form of Government except for all those other forms that unorthodox presidency. have been tried from time to time …” I often wonder what interested citizens in other countries must think about America and our new President. Here, seemingly The American will is strong. Our democracy is resilient. It is not each day, we read and watch much that is extreme and now nor ever will be focused only inward. If President Trump’s challenging. I suspect that only the most provocative of this news “America First” presidential premise (which is plenty challenging (sometimes real and other times fake) finds its ways into foreign to many in its own right) evolves into an “America Only” one, it markets. It makes me cringe at the impression it must form. will fail.

pg. 20 | The View from Middle America – Nick Vehr

We all know the world is even more interconnected and interdependent today than it was when Mr. Churchill spoke his words. There can be no real retreat from this reality. I, for one, do not see this changing regardless of what the latest occupant of the White House says or believes. We must always remember that many in America embrace our new President while many do not. This is not new in American politics. It is also the nature of our democracy that sharp and painful edges are more often than not smoothed by processes, checks and balances. Nick Vehr is the CEO of Vehr At one point in recent months, but before Communications in Cincinnati, OH the election last November, I recall an (USA). His firm is a member, along interview with then-Vice President Joe with Wells Haslem Mayhew, of IPREX, Biden (who had served in the United States Senate since 1973 before becoming Vice a $350 million global network of more President). He was asked if he had ever than 70 communication agencies with experienced an America so divided. 1,800 employees and 115 offices in Mr. Biden chuckled and said “Are you more 30 countries. Nick Vehr is kidding me?” He then reminded the currently IPREX President of The reporter of the 1960s and bloody protests Americas representing nearly 40 over voting rights for African Americans and the assassinations of President agencies in North, Central and South Kennedy, Senator Kennedy and Martin America. Luther King. He spoke of the 1970s and the resignation of President Nixon and more bloody and violent protests over American involvement in Viet Nam. Time will tell us of Mr. Trump’s real impact on America and the world. Our democracy is engineered to survive sudden and sharp turns, whether to the right or left. Regardless, it is all fascinating, if often a bit horrifying, to watch up close and on a daily basis. I can only imagine how it must appear to friends around the world.

Wells Haslem Mayhew Team

Benjamin Haslem Kate Mayhew John Wells Co-CEO Alexandra Mayhew Special Counsel Kathy Lindsay Timothy Mantiri Chairman Co-CEO Kate draws on over Account Director Isabelle Walker Account Executive Account Manager a decade of For the past 25 Benjamin has over Alexandra has over Kathy has a decade’s Tim holds a experience Years John was a 20 years’ extensive Isabelle completed experience in the Bachelor of working in founding partner experience in the communications a Bachelor of Arts public relations Political, Economic journalism and and senior media. experience (Government and industry and a and Social Sciences communications to consultant in one Ben worked at working in Asia. International communications from the University provide high-level of Australia’s Jackson Wells for Relations) at the degree from She was previously of Sydney and is strategic advice leading public nine years, where University of Charles Sturt head of internal currently and support. relations he managed and Sydney. Her University. communications, completing a Kate started her companies, worked on passion for US Asia-Pacific, at Master’s Degree in career with UNICEF Jackson Wells. complex projects Alexandra politics prompted Lehman Brothers, Strategic Public Australia. In this Prior to that John’s and became a previously: was an her to take Tokyo and was a Relations. role she raised career embraced Director and CEO. Account Manager numerous courses member of Prior to joining awareness of journalism at the at Jackson Wells; at the university’s Ben possesses an corporate Wells Haslem, Tim UNICEF’s work most senior levels headed up innovative United acute transition team worked as a across all forms of in Australia and marketing and States Studies understanding of during Nomura researcher for media including overseas. He has media at a sports Centre – where mainstream media, Holding’s leading print, online, extensive publishing Wells Haslem’s having spent the acquisition of the conference, television and experience in company; and Michael Baume best part of a global banking exhibition and radio. Kate media worked within a was a Board decade working for giant. training organiser, managed UNICEF’s management in consumer public Member. Here she The Australian She also worked in Informa Australia. celebrity both television and relations was invited to join newspaper in business ambassador radio, has provided consultancy, a round table He has extensive Sydney, Canberra development for program and was policy advice to representing some discussion about campaigning and Melbourne. PwC Indonesia's responsible for Federal political of the world’s US-Australian experience Ben has lectured energy and mining accompanying leaders and offers largest FMCG affairs with the US through his students from the business and as celebrities and public affairs brands. Assistant Secretary involvement in City University of executive director media on consulting. of State for the several election Hong Kong on Alexandra is of the Australian- international field passionate about Asia Pacific. campaigns for public relations Thai Chamber of Liberal candidates trips to promote the NFP sector and Isabelle works and government Commerce. at both the NSW UNICEF’s has been involved across a range of affairs. Kathy previously State and Federal humanitarian in various Boards Wells Haslem Immediately worked as an level. At the last work. including with the clients providing before joining adviser in Victoria NSW state election United Nations, intelligent Jackson Wells, Ben and NSW state he was responsible Sydney Peace direction and was The Australian governments. for organising the Foundation, and support. newspaper’s High social enterprise campaign strategy Isabelle attended Court and tech start-up and media tactics the IPREX Global correspondent and OnNow. for a Liberal regularly acted as Leadership candidate in a Chief-of-Staff at Conference in Paris marginal seat. in February 2017. the Sydney Bureau. From 1999-2002, he was based in the Parliamentary press gallery in Canberra.

pg. 22 | Team

Wells Haslem Mayhew cont. Affiliates and Counsel

Ron Edwards Kerry Sibraa AO Western Australia Special Counsel Chris Bowen Affiliate Ron is one of WA’s Michael Kerry’s career has most respected Baume AO Chris is an investor embraced the government Special Counsel relations and highest levels of Robert Masters John Kananghinis relations (Emeritus) corporate Australian political Director Director specialists, marketing life and the cutting Michael is a former RMK + Associates John has close to enjoying an professional with edge of business diplomat, front- is a strategic 30 years’ excellent working extensive financial development. He bench federal communication experience in relationship with services knowledge was an ALP politician, and stakeholder strategic all sides of politics. gained from over Senator for NSW communication consultant, engagement From 1983-1993, 25 years’ for 19 years, planning and journalist, public experience working consultancy. he was Federal MP including President implementation company director, across different Since its inception, for the Perth of the Australian both as a stockbroker, TV sectors of the its approach to electorate of Senate from 1987 consultant and as a panellist and financial services strategic Stirling. Prior to until retiring from senior executive commentator, industry – communication leaving parliament, Parliament in 1994 within highly author and public predominantly programs, Ron was Deputy to become successful multi- speaker. superannuation; Australia’s High community Speaker. national He is Deputy investments and Commissioner to consultation and In 2006 he was companies. Chairman of the wealth Zimbabwe and six stakeholder awarded a PhD in John has been American management and other southern engagement Education from the Managing Director Australian advice. African nations. processes have University of WA, of a leading Association Ltd, a Working with earned it a which investigated He is a former Australasian member of the reputation of being factors that diverse stakeholder director of communication Sydney Symphony groups including at the leading edge promote social Zimbabwe consultancy and Orchestra Council of communication inclusion. shareholders, Platinum Mines and a former management for has almost two investors, financial and World IT. Ron is a keen AFL board-member of over 30 years. decades of senior intermediaries and From 2003 to 2010 corporate fan and in 1994 the United States the media, Chris’ Rob’s services and he served the experience helped established Studies Centre at focus on delivering clients cover the Government of the through his roles The Graham (Polly) Sydney University. results has energy sector (oil, Farmer Republic of as General He is a contributor consistently been gas, coal), Foundation. He has Mozambique as Manager of to the Spectator demonstrated by electricity, been a Board their Honorary Marketing & Magazine and a the ability to build forestry, member since its Consul-General in Communications former regular and protect government inception. Australia. for BMW Australia columnist in the corporate (federal, state, and Sales & Ron, who has Australian reputations, In 1996, he was local) water, Marketing Director extensive Financial Review. establish and awarded an Order finance, for Scania experience in the maintain strong of Australia. automotive, health Australia. fisheries and stakeholder and health mining sectors, relations externally research, John studied law at assists Wells and internally, pharmaceutical, Victoria University, Haslem clients manage education, Wellington and is communicate with communications in transport (road also holds a the WA State both normal and rail), Diploma in Government and operational periods information Business Federal MPs and as well as crisis technology, Communications Senators based in situations, plus help primary industry, from Massey WA. to turbo-charge the environment and University in New growth of retail. Zealand. businesses.

L-R: Isabelle Walker at the IPREX Global Leadership Conference in Paris; Alexandra Mayhew at the IPREX Director’s Conference in Brussels

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