JUDITH BUCHAN
Mosman Park,WA
Summary
Strategic-thinking communications professional with more than 15 years' experience in writing, editing and shaping copy to meet commercial objectives, enhance perception and drive change. Decisive and focused with expertise in stakeholder engagement, complex problem-solving and, as a former business journalist, the ability to distil technical information in a high-pressure environment. Maintains positive relationships with global, national and local media.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Account Director
PritchittBland Communications
04.2019 - Current
- PritchittBland Communications provides strategic public relations and communications advice for corporate, professional and financial services organisations
- This role incorporates media relations program development and implementation, reputation and issues management, thought-leadership development, and content creation
- It involves the management of strategic and tactical running of key client accounts of financial services organisation, including global asset management firm, invest, American Century Investments, Dutch investment manager, R, nobecoational accounting and business advisory firm, HLB Mann Judd, and Melbourne-based boutique fund manager, SG Hiscock & Company
- Employed as the sole business representative in Perth, reporting into two Sydney-based partners. This level of autonomy demands a high level of discipline and trust in the ability to manage multiple clients and projects simultaneously
- Facilitate and host regular financial services roundtable media events for clients in Sydney and Melbourne. These events are well attended by national business and financial media, including the Australian Financial Review, The Australian, Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, West Australian, Bloomberg, Reuters and the ABC
- Act as a trusted communications advisor across the client base and to all levels of seniority, including company chief executives and chief investment officers, portfolio managers, analysts and marketing directors
- Develop communications, including media announcements, contributed articles, white papers and other reports, speeches, internal/ staff and investor communications.
Director
Buchan Media
01.2016 - 03.2019
- Buchan Media is a privately owned and independent consultancy specialising in media and communications advice to businesses across Australia
- Responsible for managing the strategic and tactical operations of the business, including driving business development activity
- Clients include AustSafe Super, mining and exploration consultancy, SRK Consultancy, boutique West Australian data analytics consulting firm, 4CDA, and global trade and logistics firm, Trusted Trader International
- Developed and implemented media training program for company board, executive management and employees
- Designed and implemented issues management strategy in response to the Federal Government’s Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry
- Acted as a key communications advisor in a large M&A deal, including responsibility for preparation of holding statements, key messaging matrix, review of due diligence reports and drafting of board papers, and developing the media and external communications strategy.
Head of Corporate Affairs
Wilson Asset Management
06.2014 - 12.2014
- Wilson Asset Management is an independently owned investment manager based in Sydney, with seven Listed Investment Companies and $3.5 billion in Funds Under Management
- The remit involved the development and implementation of Wilson Asset Management's ongoing communications, marketing and investor relations initiatives to engage and attract investors, prospective investors, financial advisers, media and brokers
- Devise and implement a media and investor relations strategy specific to the launch of the Future Generation Investment Fund on the Australian Stock Exchange, including oversight of the launch event and post launch communications
- Maintain a clear understanding of technical investment and financial content in reflecting the strategic objectives of WAM’s Listed Investment Companies.
- Produced and distributed marketing brochures, newsletters and other investment-related updates
- Developed and implemented social media strategy to increase engagement and reach new audiences.
- Developed comprehensive media outreach plan to increase visibility of the organisation nationally.
Senior Account Manager
Honner
06.2013 - 07.2014
- Honner is one of Australia’s largest communications specialists within the financial and corporate sector
- Responsible for strategic and tactical media and communications activity across multiple client accounts, including banking and wealth management group, Investec. J.P Morgan Asset Management, Perpetual, and listed financial advisory and accounting services provider, Crowe Horwath
- Prepare speeches and other briefing materials for company announcements such as half-yearly and yearly results, takeovers bids and other M&A-based activity
- Maintain and grow excellent relationships with key members of the national and state-based mainstream and trade press, as well as broadcast outlets and online/ digital channels
- Produce consistently high-quality media and communications materials for external use, including media releases, thought leadership papers, industry reports and media briefings
- Mentored junior account management professionals to develop skills and capabilities
- Researched emerging industry trends and applications to enhance products and services.
Senior Communications Manager
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
09.2011 - 06.2013
- CAANZ is the leading industry association representing financial and accounting professionals
- This role involved developing communication strategies related to key portfolios of tax, superannuation, financial planning, financial reporting and sustainability
- Project manage and implement communications initiatives via external channels including media releases, e-newsletters, Charter magazine, social media and the organisation's website
- Drive proactive media strategies to gain coverage on key topics to directly support the organisation's leadership and advocacy strategy
- Identify and monitor industry trends and developments to be explored through thought leadership campaigns, including Tax Reform: Laying the Foundations and the 20 Issues Business Briefing Series.
Journalist
Fairfax Media
09.2009 - 09.2011
- Responsible for reporting on the legal profession for BRW magazine, as well as across the property, management/ leadership, investment and news sections of the publication
- Researched and interviewed subjects for the annual BRW Rich, Young Rich and Executive Rich flagship editions
- Worked with Financial Review Group producers and camera operators to write, present and edit content for broadcast on www.afr.com and www.brw.com.au
- Developed story ideas and conducted interviews with senior, influential figures from business and politics
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of current events and industry trends.
Journalist
Incisive Media
06.2008 - 09.2009
- Reported for market-leading B2B magazines, Accountancy Age and Financial Director
- Core remit to cover UK corporate tax, as well as corporate finance, audit and assurance, and business recovery
- Weekly presenting of Accountancy Age TV, including one-on-one live interviews and panel discussion with industry experts
- Drafted opinion columns and analysis of business and economic reports
- Wrote regular profile features, including executives from the English National Opera, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, and Grant Thornton.
Associate Editor and Journalist
Key Media
05.2006 - 06.2008
- Researched, reported and edited content for Mortgage Professional Australia, MPA Lender, and Australian Broker magazines, targeting finance executives and mortgage brokers
- Maintained a consistently high level of market expertise
- Developed and maintained contact base with key industry stakeholders
- Commissioned feature stories to freelance journalists and contributors.
Writer
Fairfax Books
05.2005 - 05.2006
- Researched and wrote for retail books including the Sydney Morning Herald/ The Age Good Food Guide, Hundreds of Medical Myths and Misconceptions, The Weather, Good Living and Epicure seasonal recipe books
- Utilised writing, editing, and proofreading skills to produce engaging and accurate content
- Authored Sydney Morning Herald/ The Age Wedding Planner
- Liased with senior management, including the managing editor and general manager, in ensuring production deadlines are adhered to.
Skills
- Verbal and written communications
- Public relations
- External communications
- Thought leadership
- Corporate communications
- Stakeholder engagement
- Strategy development
- Crisis communications
Affiliations
- Appointed committee member to the West Australian chapter of ICON (2017)
- Appointed to the New South Wales Committee of the Asia Pacific Professional Services Marketing Association (2012).
Timeline
Account Director
PritchittBland Communications
04.2019 - Current
Director
Buchan Media
01.2016 - 03.2019
Head of Corporate Affairs
Wilson Asset Management
06.2014 - 12.2014
Senior Account Manager
Honner
06.2013 - 07.2014
Senior Communications Manager
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
09.2011 - 06.2013
Journalist
Fairfax Media
09.2009 - 09.2011
Journalist
Incisive Media
06.2008 - 09.2009
Associate Editor and Journalist
Key Media
05.2006 - 06.2008
Writer
Fairfax Books
05.2005 - 05.2006
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