As the new year moves into its third month it’s time to recognise two more outstanding PR and Media Comms people for the month of February 2024. This is when we start seeing a flood of emails coming in after the excitement of CES calms down.
Remember, these are the people who ensure we get review devices on time while answering the tough questions. It’s important to note that while these operators help facilitate news and reviews, they have no say in our stories.
So with that .. Image Matrix Tech is pleased to announce that Bronte Spielvogel from CampaignLab is the winner of BEST AGENCY OPERATOR FEBRUARY 2024.
Bronte Spielvogel, Account Manager CampaignLab
Bronte is an account manager at one of the best agencies in the business. Clients Bronte works with include Hertz/Thrifty, Fujifilm Australia, Zagg and OPPO.
Once again – Bronte ‘gets it’. This is an important recurring theme in these awards.
Too many PR and Media operators get caught up with review policies that do not really serve the needs of the media. We have vastly different requirements when it comes to access to products, spokespeople and assets. I’m pleased to report that Bronte and the CampaignLab team not only understand this, they set a standard hard to match.
First of all, Bronte is a joy to work with when it comes to product announcements. Often the timeline for gear is stretched, or broken up but other events that intervene. I’ve done this many times with Fujifilm cameras. I do not like rushing my reviews of cameras. It takes time for nature to deliver that great shot or for people to become available.
I’ve also gained greater knowledge and expertise when it comes to Fujifilm products (I used to develop Fujifilm in one of the word’s best labs back in the day) especially their cameras and lenses. Last week I was able to show my Sky News audience the hottest camera on the planet at the moment, the X100VI.
Fujifilm’s X100VI made an appearance with Djuro Sen Sky News Weekend Edition
One of the best interactions I’ve had with Bronte is during a shooting phase with Hertz and its EV rentals campaign. I was able to get access to Polestar 2 vehicles in Tasmania, Queensland, NSW and South Australia. But in Adelaide I had a problem. The EV didn’t have a enough range to make it to my destination, Whyalla. So, ten minutes after I called Bronte about my problem, a replacement ICE vehicle was ready to roll. Now that’s trouble shooting.
There are so many more great examples I could write about but that would take all day to read. Essentially, Bronte has been a fantastic operator, not just last month but over the last few years I’ve known her. The gang at CampaignLab know how to have a good time too. A lot of their functions are about fun and the message. Why not do both I say?
Here’s something you might not know about Bronte, she recently became a marriage celebrant. So if you’re looking to tie the knot, then drop Bronte a line at marriedbybronte.com.au.
Congratulations Bronte for being named our agency winner – February 2024.
BEST IN-HOUSE
The in-house PR/Comms job is a pressure position and one that can make or break a story.
So I’m extremely pumped to announce Steve Carey, General Manager Media, Telstra Corporate Affairs is BEST IN-HOUSE FEBRUARY 2024.
Despite being a Hawthorn supporter, Steve is a legend. He’s also one of the best in-house operators I’ve ever worked with, or against. Again, Steve knows the game and knows what I need for my audience and readers.
Last month Steve supplied crucial b-roll I was able to use to tell a very important, Temporary Disaster Roaming story on Sky News Weekend Edition.
Temporary Disaster Roaming was an important story that needed video b-roll support
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes the value that Steve brings to the media game in Australia. Let’s face it, it’s hard to make people like telcos. But Steve has the ability to bring communication stories to life.
So whether we’re in Barcelona for Mobile World Congress, or at Telstra’s Blue Tick Lab which is in a secret location, we always get a good yarn with pictures to match.
One of the most important aspects to Steve’s job is background briefing. Wireless communications is a technically challenging subject. But Steve makes sure that we all have a good understanding of the tech and the strategy behind it. He does this far better than everyone else.
Steve also handles a crisis extremely well. When things go wrong, we can always rely on Steve to aim up with a Telstra heavy. He straddles the corporate and consumer worlds with ease and most of all … he’s a top bloke.. for a Hawks supporter.
Congratulations Steve, you thoroughly deserve this month’s award.
WHY IS IMAGE MATRIX TECH DOING THIS?
The process of creating great review videos can’t happen without the help of competent, energetic, sharp media relations comms people. They send out the info, supply the product and help answer our technical questions so we can better inform the public.
PR/Comms people are often easy targets. We want to change that.
So that’s why on the first day of every month, Image Matrix Tech will be acknowledging the best comms people and agencies we deal with for our tech coverage from the previous month.
Yes, there are bad ones but they’ll never get a mention in these awards.
It’s all about being positive.