Gaining professional experience abroad has been a long-held ambition of mine.
At PLMR, we are concerned with how to communicate clients’ stories and issues effectively and with genuine impact. The value of our profession crosses borders, with organisations around the world needing to navigate their own political and media landscapes to reach to audiences that matter.
The similarities and differences in communications between the UK and other markets have always fascinated me – particularly within Australia.
As a country with historic and modern links to the UK, we share many of the same cultural and institutional characteristics. I wanted to put my knowledge to the test while also gaining new skills to transfer back to my work at PLMR.
I was therefore delighted to have been selected to take part in a career-defining secondment with one of Australia’s leading communications agencies, H/Advisors APA.
The Australian experience
As an agency, H/Advisors APA shares many similarities with PLMR. As an integrated communications agency, the team deliver campaigns and advice for clients across a range of regulated and complex environments in Australia to deliver real impact.
Over two weeks, I was made to feel incredibly welcome as we worked together on fascinating briefs and issues.
I got to work right away.
In my first week, I was exposed to the variety of organisations and clients that make up their roster. Many operated in industries and navigated issues which were novel to me as a consultant – but it was the similarities between the UK and Australia that enabled me to get to grips with these challenges and deliver for the team and their clients.
This included delivering media training for a leader of a highly regulated organisation in anticipation of a major event. PLMR similarly delivers media training for organisations navigating complex environments and, while these skills proved transferable, the distinct characteristics of the Australian political landscape made the experience an enjoyable challenge.
I was also given the opportunity to prepare speeches for senior leaders of a trade association in anticipation of a significant moment in their corporate calendar. Again, I was able to call on previous experience with clients in the UK to ensure these leaders were equipped with key messages for their audience, while getting to grips with the unique economic challenges and opportunities facing Australia.
During my time in Australia, I was delighted to spend time with clients which PLMR and H/Advisors both share. We explored the differences between our two markets and how we can take learnings from each country’s approach to communications to amplify our impact.
As with PLMR, it is the people that make H/Advisors APA. The team is comprised of capable and experienced consultants who are committed to working together to achieve results for their clients. This was a compelling environment and one where I saw communications leaders delivering results every single day.
Yet this wasn’t just an experience abroad – it was an opportunity to push and expand my capabilities to a new level. My skills were tested, my knowledge expanded, and I gained many new friends along the way.
A commitment to excel
Since joining PLMR in 2019 as an Account Executive, I have had the privilege of embarking on a career with this value in action. I have worked with leading UK companies to deliver nationally significant campaigns and worked on challenging and rewarding briefs while working with incredible colleagues.
Now an Account Director, my six-year-long journey at PLMR has been made possible by a true commitment from the company and my colleagues to supporting team members to excel.
From providing industry-leading training opportunities to unique professional experiences, PLMR is committed to empowering consultants to progress in their careers. This includes through the Global Communications Alliance, a group of independent communications agencies across the globe, by which numerous PLMR colleagues have similarly experienced enriching secondments abroad.
My secondment to H/Advisors APA is the latest example of this commitment in action.