Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
References
Timeline
Generic

CHRIS FORD

Summary

Highly experienced and energised communications professional, known to;

  • Provide expert counsel to senior management
  • Design and execute compelling communications strategies to support and drive corporate strategy
  • Identify opportunities to elevate brand through industry events, PR and media, social media and digital channels
  • Develop high performing teams
  • Manage risk
  • Foster enduring positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders

Overview

14
14
years of professional experience

Work History

General Manager, Media and Communications

Compare the Market
12.2021 - Current
  • Responsible for 23 team members with four of those as direct reports
  • Management of the Media and Communications team, inclusive of corporate affairs, government relations, and internal communications
  • Delivery of domestic PR program, including management of spokespeople, story bank, outreach and reporting
  • Delivery of international PR activity, including North America, to drive backlinks for SEO strategy
  • Serve as senior business spokesperson for all live and pre-recorded interviews across national TV, print/online and radio
  • Management of EDM and Social Media channels, to deliver timely and compelling customer communications
  • Management of Compare the Market ‘Expert' portfolio, with celebrity talent used to provide cut-through in congested verticals with targeted key messages
  • Serve as member of the organisation's Executive Committee (ExCo), providing regular reporting and updates to Board

Director

Ford Media
03.2015 - Current
  • Establishment of a news delivery and content generation platform for domestic and international media
  • Manage and oversee a network of contractors across London, Australia and New Zealand to deliver projects and content for news distribution
  • Work with major events and tourism bodies to generate positive media coverage of their event to a global audience

Head of Communications and Digital

Rugby Australia
01.2015 - 12.2021
  • Responsible for 10 team members, three of those as direct reports
  • Management of Communications and Digital team at Rugby Australia, inclusive of corporate affairs, government relations, internal and external communications as well as digital content
  • Design and execution of communications strategy as well as day-to-day media management of Rugby Australia's administration and its national teams
  • Design and execution of RugbyAU's content marketing strategy and digital infrastructure
  • Manage, maintain and grow stakeholder relationships with our media partners in broadcast, written and digital as well as Government agencies
  • Planning and execution of all strategic and crisis communications as well as the creation of all media releases and media alerts with a focus on brand promotion and risk mitigation
  • Management of internal communications portal, employee engagement and media operations at major domestic events as well as management of domestic media accreditation process
  • Management of digital media channels for the Wallabies and Australian Rugby Union (social, website, EDM) including content creation (video, graphic and social) as well as proactive PR activations
  • Manage, maintain and grow relationships with our commercial partners across digital, with the creation of targeted content and data-driven media campaigns
  • Establishment of RugbyAU's online digital asset library, built from scratch following consultation with internal web developers
  • Trusted advisor to Wallabies Head Coach and Rugby Australia Chief Executive as well as the broader national player base, executive team and board members
  • Travel for all interstate and overseas to manage media opportunities and PR events as well as developing key messages for the players, coaches and business executives

Visual Journalist

Fox Sports
11.2010 - 12.2014

Education

Bachelor of Journalism -

The University of Queensland

Skills

  • 12 years experience
  • Accomplished leader and culture builder
  • Trusted adviser to senior executives
  • High energy and engaging public voice

Accomplishments

Key Achievements in current role;

  • $10+ million in Advertising Value Equivalency (AVE) in my first year as General Manager, smashing the previous benchmark and 30 point uplift in Share of Voice vs direct competitors
  • Delivery of five integrated national marketing campaigns including ATL, TTL and BTL activity for key business verticals, recording significant business growth despite economic downturn
  • Awarded Employee of the Year, for far exceeding business goals and a positive cultural impact

References

  • Andrew Holt – Chief Marketing Officer, Compare the Market
  • Michael Earsman – Communications Lead, United Fighting Championship (UFC) APAC
  • Michael Cheika – Former World Rugby Coach of the Year

Timeline

General Manager, Media and Communications

Compare the Market
12.2021 - Current

Director

Ford Media
03.2015 - Current

Head of Communications and Digital

Rugby Australia
01.2015 - 12.2021

Visual Journalist

Fox Sports
11.2010 - 12.2014

Bachelor of Journalism -

The University of Queensland

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