Back to life - and the Aus that was!
Well it has been a long, long break. Here is a micro-summary of the last few months.
Things ground to a halt as a result of an awesome opportunity to jump the Tasman last September and work on the communications strategy for the Australian Greens’ election campaign. Hard work but really glad I went. Big ups to all those people who made me so welcome. Thank you.
Particular highlights were breaking in to the media ‘cone of silence’ around the Greens in the Rudd v Howard stories. We did this by taking a somewhat in-your-face approach to being closed out of the leaders’ debates. Not something we have had to worry about in MMP New Zealand. Anyhow the decision to run our own leaders’ debate in the same venue with a public audience did get us in to the main stories. Thanks to Bob Brown for believing in the possibilities on that one.
Streaming events proved that even the best technology can fail - thanks goodness for YouTube! And some good lessons were learnt in co-opting facebook ads - talk about quick feedback on creatives!
There was an awesome team to work with, and in particular I have to take my hat off to Mia (you’re awesome!) - you made me so welcome. Also in Canberra, of course, Roland, Bill and Kerrie T. What a great team and a great place. And my hosts. How did you put up with me so long? Thank you so much Jack and Deb.
Max, Lesa, Jon and the rest of the NSW crew - thanks for your persistence, creativity and passion. The Vic Greens with whom I got to spend some good times! On ya! Chris D (who really does look like Beethoven!), Alison, Dinesh, Ian, … and Lily.
The West Aus team also rocked. Alison X (see you in Parliament soon I hope), Rachel and Rachel, and Tim. Shame the SouthPark viral didn’t get out earlier. It was great. (Where is it?)
To the teams in the other states, it was hard yakker but you really all did such an awesome job. The SA and QLD teams really pulled some rabbits out of the hat!
Of course the campaign wouldn’t have been the same without the efforts of the ad agency; hats off to Ben, Rod, Stuart, Sam and the rest of the team at Cyclone. Being able to take up residence in your offices was a breakthrough. Hard work on all of us but we got through it.
And last, but definitely not least, the Senators and the Lead Candidates. Kerry, thanks for dragging me in to this. Sorry you’re looking for a new job but the world is your organic, fair-traded oyster. Sarah and Scott, look forward to seeing you up at the capital. Larissa and Richard, next time maybe - there is always a next time.