Our services
Science communication makeover
Media and presentation training
Media releases
Mentoring
Publicity
The Full Monty
Science communication makeover
We review your current science communication plans.
Are you finding and delivering the science stories that will advance your organisation’s public relations objectives? We speak with your management, media team, scientists and audiences; review your public output; and provide a comprehensive action plan to upgrade your science communication.
Prices start from $2,200 – depending on the complexity of your organisation.
Media and presentation training
We organise one or two day courses specifically designed for scientists.
Prices start from $740 +GST per person, per day.
Media releases
Not getting the media coverage your science deserves? We’ll take on the process of researching, writing, video news releases, approvals, media training, talking points, distribution in Australia and overseas, promotion and staging. You just do the interviews!
Prices start from $1,100 for a basic story requiring limited research and distribution and no press conference.
We place the emphasis on finding and developing the story. If the story’s not there, we won’t do the release.
We’re not fans of video news releases – they’re largely a public relations trick to keep media on track. We prefer to work with the media to tell your story.
Mentoring
We’re happy to share our knowledge of the science communication game. If you’re struggling with this component of your job, we’re happy to act as a sounding board and offer ideas and contacts. An hourly rate of $180 applies, or we can negotiate a monthly retainer.
Publicity
Have a Nobel Laureate or science luminary visiting Australia? We can put together public events or media programs to bring your message and your visitor to the people. Speakers at our conferences have appeared on The Panel, Denton, 7.30 Report, Business Sunday, The Today Show and leading radio programs. Working with interstate colleagues, we can deliver publicity programs anywhere in Australia.
The Full Monty
Our core business is developing and implementing comprehensive plans to help science and technology organisations communicate with stakeholders and the public. It usually involves some or all of the following steps:
1. Story discovery
What ideas do you want to disseminate? What stories of science, technology and innovation will give audiences a sense of your key message(s)? Most science organisations are laden with great science stories.
2. Research and writing
First, flesh out stories, source backgrounds, photos, graphics and videos to illustrate information. Next, choose the best delivery method: media, public meetings, special events, parliamentary briefings, etc.
3. Developing the talent
Identify people in your organisation who are adept speakers and train them to do it better and to wider audiences – public, media, politicians, etc. Media training is an important component for developing this talent. We offer five minute briefings to a two day course.
4. Quality control
Edit and review stories and support information. Reporting back to the scientist(s), we will pursue accuracy and will not publish stories until this component is satisfied. We believe scientific credibility is painstakingly built and shouldn’t be risked for publicity.
5. Event management
We arrange public talks, press conferences, parliamentary briefings, industry briefings, etc. Whatever is needed to get your message to target audiences.
6. Pitching the stories
The mysterious process by which stories find their way into the media: issuing media releases; building relationships with key journalists; servicing the demand for information generated stories. We can deliver stories to any media organisation in the world – for a price.
Recent releases have been sent to diverse groups including:
- Australian science journalists
- Australian education media
- Australian drive time radio programs
- South-east Queensland regional media
- US and UK biotechnology media
- Monitor and review
Through consistent monitoring and reviews we continue to follow and refine your exposure and results.
To encourage the highest standards of and integrity in media coverage, we ensure all materials, including original media releases and interviews, meet your and our satisfaction.
