A new era of commitment to deliver change to Australians with eating disorders. Advocacy projects can sometimes last months or years depending on the complexity of the issue and the decision makers involved.

There are 1 million Australians with an eating disorder and their treatment and support needs have been largely ignored to date. Yesterday, thanks to the Butterfly Foundation’s efforts, the Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt announced Australia’s first policy approach to eating disorders. The National Agenda for Eating Disorders, together with the Minister’s re-stated commitment to deliver a Medicare response for eating disorders, are the key commitments needed to begin health system reform.

Along with the announcement of necessary funding for health workforce training, the Minister also announced an additional $1.7 million for the expansion of Australia’s dedicated free national support line and online counselling service 1800 ED HOPE. Primary Communication is proud to continue to support this advocacy project as it harnesses the sector and government’s momentum to deliver the changes needed.https://lnkd.in/gpSsvde

Minister Hunt in an interview with ABC.

Sydney, Australia- 02 August 2017 – Primary Communication today announced it has joined Code Red, the first international PR network specialising in IT security technology.

Serving global security technology companies needing best-in-country services, Primary Communication is the only Australian public relations and marcomms firm to be accepted as a member of the Code Red Security Network.

The Code Red security network already has 18 specialist agencies working to provide cohesive, integrated campaigns to improve the knowledge and reputation of global security firms.

“We’re proud to welcome Primary Communication as the Australian and New Zealand partner, and as part of our overall strategy to offer global security communications support and opportunities for our clients in the security industry,” commented Code Red founder Dianne Canham.

“Businesses are investing in smart defences against data breaches and malware. They need the latest technology to tackle emerging threat vectors carried across mobile devices, the cloud and now the Internet of Things.”

Elaine Banoub, Account Director, Primary Communication said the Australian team is thrilled to be joining the Code Red Security Network. “IT security is a massive issue from the boardroom to the shopfront of every company and government group in Australia and New Zealand. Our technology clients do much more than provide systems, they are also contributing to the public dialogue.

“Working closely with the Code Red team, we can effectively tap into a much wider network of global services and roll out harmonised campaigns that are tailored to our unique local markets.”

The partnership with benefit from Primary Communication’s strong presence in ANZ along with Code Red’s existing international footprint of co-branded partners and affiliates across the globe.

Primary was proud to continue its support of the Hunter Institute of Mental Health with the launch of the Start Well – research report looking into the health and wellbeing of early career teachers.

Over 450 early career teachers in NSW provided insight into their experiences as a teacher, the challenges they face and the support mechanisms that help them thrive in their career as a teacher.

Hunter’s research provided a number of recommendations to invest further into mentoring and support for early career teachers.

Jenny Muir, Primary’s Chief Counsel said Primary has decades of experience in communication and advocacy in the education and mental health. The Start Well report is a key contribution to advancing both sectors understanding of the support required by early in career teachers.

“This report builds upon the decades of specialist research and program expertise Hunter has in mental health and well-being prevention programs within the education sector. The report is already being welcomed by ministers, stakeholders and of course teachers.”

The Hunter Institute of Mental Health report can be found here: http://www.himh.org.au/home/our-programs/child-youth-and-wellbeing-program/start-well

Almost half of the house fires in Australia start in the kitchen as a result of unattended cooking.

So to help prevent house fires this winter, Fire & Rescue NSW has released the Keep Looking When Cooking mini mag. Available in cafés, bars, community centres and other locations all over NSW, it features a great collection of mouth-watering recipes from firefighters that will give you the answer to that perennial question – “What’s for dinner tonight?”

Primary Communication is a proud supporter of the Keep Looking When Cooking campaign – our account team will play a crucial role in promoting this important initiative to families and community groups throughout the state. With winter now in full swing, there’s never been a better time to be aware of other potential house fire risks – during the cooler months, there’s also a 10% increase in fires starting in bedrooms/lounge rooms around NSW.

The Keep Looking When Cooking mini mag also has handy tips on how to stay fire safe. Fires can spread in minutes, but it only takes seconds to stop them!

KITCHEN FIRE SAFETY TIPS
• NEVER leave cooking unattended. If you leave the kitchen, turn off the stove or use a timer to remind you to check your cooking.
• DON’T put anything metallic in the microwave as metal can spark and cause it to catch on fire.
• KEEP matches and lighters out of reach of children as they are unaware of the dangers.
• STORE flammable items (aerosols, cleaning agents and cooking oil etc.) away from heat as they can explode.
• DON’T cook under the influence of alcohol or drugs as it impairs your judgement.
• KEEP loose clothing, fabrics, tea towels and curtains away from the stove as they can catch on fire.
• TURN pot handles inwards to avoid being knocked or grabbed by children.
• KEEP your oven and range hood clean. Excess grease and fat can ignite in a fire.
• DON’T use LPG cylinders for cooking or heating indoors.

IF A FIRE DOES OCCUR:
• NEVER put water on a fat or oil fire as it will immediately intensify and spread
• TURN off the stove and use the lid to smother the flame if you can
• GET OUT, STAY OUT AND CALL TRIPLE ZERO ‘000’.

You can also visit the Keep Looking When Cooking website to download the mini mag recipes, as well as additional recipes – and if you’d like to share your delicious recipes, post them to Fire & Rescue NSW Facebook page with the hashtag #KeepLookingWhenCooking

Cruise Line Industry Association (CLIA) Australasia announced today that Primary Communication will deliver its public relations and advocacy communication services.

Primary Communication will provide an integrated public relations framework to support CLIA Australasia’s role as the cruise industry trade association, and to raise awareness of the industry in the media, social media and across governments.

With over 25 million passengers globally expected to cruise in 2017, the sector is one of the fastest growing segments of the tourism industry. Primary will work to reinforce CLIA Australasia as the voice of the cruise industry in the Australasian market.

CLIA Managing Director, Joel Katz said: “CLIA is looking forward to working with Primary as our new PR and government relations partner. We’ve had a wonderful long-standing relationship with MG Media, but with their principal’s retirement we had to find a new agency. After a competitive pitch, we chose Primary to take us forward.”

“Primary has decades of experience working with a range of industry associations and peak groups to build awareness and influence. We are looking forward to bringing our expertise to the table with CLIA.”

CLIA Australasia is the latest industry association and peak groups to work with Primary Communication. Some of Primary’s industry association experience includes: ACPET (Australian Council for Private Education and Training), Consulting Surveyors of NSW, National Catholic Education Commission, Mental Health Council of Australia, Australian Liquid Petroleum Gas Association, FARE (Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education), Council of International Students Australia, Council of Australian University Librarians, Chiropractors Association of Australia and the Australian Information Security Association.

Primary Communication’s CEO, Chris Hall said: “We are excited to be working with CLIA Australasia on their PR and government advocacy program. With strong growth in both the domestic and international market, and over one million Australians and New Zealanders cruising annually, we are really looking forward to building CLIA’s reputation and influence within Australasia.

White Ribbon Australia announced a major new partnership with Primary Communication to deliver violence prevention campaigns and reduce the alarming levels of violence towards women in Australia.

“We welcome Primary Communication on board to work with us on continuing to focus White Ribbon’s voice, enhancing our advocacy and prevention work and supporting men’s engagement to take action to stop men’s violence against women.” said White Ribbon Australia CEO, Libby Davies.

Primary Communication will provide an integrated communication framework to raise awareness of White Ribbon and its extensive grassroots programs across workplaces, schools and communities.

The fact that in Australia, over a twelve month period, one woman is killed every week as a result of intimate partner violence, and one in three women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by someone they know must be changed. Primary will drive a whole of community campaign approach to build engagement with men, boys, government leaders and key community stakeholders.

“We are looking forward to working with White Ribbon to progress raising awareness of the devastating issues surrounding violence against women in Australia.” says Jenny Muir Chief Counsel “Building a future free from violence and abuse requires diligent and creative campaigns across the community. Primary is proud to join White Ribbon at such a crucial period in Australia’s approach to this issue.”

White Ribbon Australia is the latest addition to Primary Communication’s social issues portfolio which includes the Butterfly Foundation, ReachOut, Young and Well CRC, Mental Health Australia, Mental Health Commission NSW, Hunter Institute of Mental Health, and the Australian Human Rights Commission.

April is off to a great start, with our corporate team welcoming a new partnership with power management company Eaton after being appointed their PR consultancy in Australia and New Zealand.

With the future of Australia’s energy taking centre-stage with State and Territory Governments and the Federal Government alike, Eaton’s expertise and insight will provide guidance to industry and government’s during key decision making.

Eaton’s services focus on power distribution and power quality. Every day around the globe, Eaton and its people are making power operate more efficiently, effectively, safely and sustainably – from keeping whole cities powered, to giving hospitals the power infrastructure they need to improve critical patient care.

With more than 26 years’ experience working across the fields of technology and energy, Primary is uniquely placed to provide support for Eaton’s goals, partnering with their leadership team to achieve a variety of positive outcomes.

“We’re thrilled to be working so closely with Eaton,” says Elaine Banoub, Account Director at Primary. “With energy such a hot topic at the moment, we’ll be working closely together to educate the wider public on Eaton’s solutions.”

On behalf of everyone at Primary Communication, we would like to welcome Eaton to Primary – together we have great things planned for 2017 and beyond.

To learn more about Eaton’s services, visit www.eaton.com

Children are often unaware that a tiny flame can grow into a dangerous fire. So that’s why Fire & Rescue NSW is encouraging families in NSW to talk about fire safety – and what better way to help promote fire safety amongst young kids than with the Brigade Kids Champion Competition, which kicks off today!

The Brigade Kids Champion Competition is open to all kids from Kindergarten to Year 2 across the state to submit a poster which conveys one of three key fire safety messages, and what it means to them:

i. Practice your Escape Plan and have a Safe Meeting Place
ii. Get Down Low, and Go, Go, Go
iii. Call Triple Zero (000) in the case of a fire

Primary Communication is a proud supporter of the Brigade Kids Champion Competition and the account team will play an instrumental role in promoting this important state-wide competition to kids, schools and families in NSW.

All entrants will have the chance to win some great prizes, including an Xbox Minecraft Package for the overall winner and LEGO City Prize Packs for the category winners and runners up (one for each age group) and many more. There are also prize packs from Scholastic for the winning schools.

Qualified submissions will be shortlisted by an extraordinary panel of judges from the crew at Hi-5 to representatives at Lego, NSW Department of Education, Catholic Education Commission NSW, Association of Independent Schools of NSW, NSW Teachers Federation, Westmead Children’s Hospital- Burns Unit, Scholastic and Fire & Rescue NSW. Entries will be judged based on creativity, authenticity, effort and ability to reflect the fire safety messages.

Spread the message to the community and encourage your kids to be a Brigade Kids Champion. Competition runs from 13th March to 23rd April. For more information, visit www.brigadekids.com

Primary Communication has bolstered its leadership with the announcement of Chris Hall as Chief Executive Officer and the promotion of General Manager and current PRIA National President Jenny Muir to Chief Counsel.

Primary’s Chairman and Founder, Ms Annabelle Warren said, “Today I welcomed Chris to the helm of Primary Communication as the consultancy expands across three divisions; corporate, social policy and community engagement. Chris and Jenny will support our superb account directors delivering extraordinary long term campaigns and new business projects.

Chris returns to Primary after becoming the longest serving NSW Chief of Staff in the current Liberal Party era. Having worked at Primary until 2010, Chris took on the role of Government Relations Director at the NSW Minerals Council during the 2010 mining super tax debate. Following that, he joined Barry O’Farrell’s campaign team as Battleground Director for eight marginal seats (of which the Liberal Party won seven). Since then Chris has been a Chief of Staff to three different ministers across diverse portfolios.

Mr Hall said, “The experience I gained as a Chief of Staff across the portfolios of Sport, Fair Trading, Police, Emergency Services, Western Sydney, Trade, Tourism and Major Events over the past six years has set me up with a unique perspective to offer clients strategic and operational communication advice. Primary is already well known as a specialist advocacy service, and we will build the government relations and political strategy offering for a number of major clients.

“I am looking forward to working with the team on an already incredibly strong business model which delivers senior staff to drive outcomes for clients in manufacturing, engineering, energy, health, education, technology and government services.

Ms Warren also welcomed Jenny Muir’s promotion to replace her as Chief Counsel saying, “Jenny is our most senior team member and her experience in developing and delivering strategic communication campaigns is unparalleled. Jenny has been a key member of the Primary Communication team since 2007 and has been serving as the PRIA National President since her election in 2016.

“The new structure reflects our dynamic team to lead Primary Communication into the future and to continue to provide the high quality personalised service that our clients have come to know and expect,” Ms Warren concluded.