SAS Group

🚀 Big News at SAS Group! 🚀

We are very excited to announce a change of leadership at the SAS Group.

After 10 years of driving success as our Media and Communications Director, Malcolm Cole is stepping into the role as Managing Director as of July 1.

We think Mal is one of the sharpest public affairs operators in the industry, and he has been an integral part of the SAS Group journey to Queensland’s largest and one of Australia’s most experienced public advisory firms.

We also thank with deepest gratitude Peter Costantini OAM, our outgoing Managing Director, for his remarkable leadership and dedication as he led the firm from inception in 2009. Peter will continue to support the SAS Group in an advisory role to clients and staff.

This is a huge milestone for the SAS Group as we simultaneously celebrate 15 years of business advising and supporting some of Australia’s greatest organisations.

🎉 Join us in welcoming Mal to his new role as we look forward to a future of new opportunities and continued success under Mal’s guidance! 🎉

“I’d rather lose by 10 points going for the win than lose by one point and look back and say ‘we should have gone for the win’.”
The above quote is from former Republican adviser, Steve Schmidt, to Senator John McCain in the lead up to the 2008 US Presidential election, advising that he should pick Sarah Palin as his running mate.

-written by Senior Consultant Mitch Collier

When being bold is your only path to power – SAS Group “I’d rather lose by 10 points going for the win than lose by one point and look back and say ‘we should have gone for the win’.”

"With temperatures climbing across Australia and another cyclone on the way, is it any wonder energy consumption is skyrocketing, putting the electricity grid under pressure?," writes Hon Larry Anthony AO, Chairman.

Click here to read more: https://sasgroup.net.au/2024/01/summer-is-sizzling-lets-talk-nuclear/

When two great clients come together

When the planets align, great things can happen. Our client, the Queensland Cricketers' Club, was keen to invite representatives from the Small Steps 4 Hannah to the club’s annual Ladies Day Lunch to talk about their mission to HALT the cycle of domestic violence. Luckily we were able to help. Bringing these two together to raise $7000 for the Foundation was simple and, quite honestly, a lot of fun, as Senior Consultant Paddy Hintz can attest. It was a further sign of kismet when the club’s preferred guest speaker, B105’s Abby Coleman, also turned out to be an ambassador for Small Steps. Money raised at the lunch is a small step but every little bit helps this important cause. You too can help SS4H by joining us at their Gala Ball on July 29. Tickets are available here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/small-steps-4-hannah-inaugural-gala-ball-tickets-606129859727?aff=erelexpmlt

Pictured, from left:
Queensland Cricketers’ Club’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Samantha McNeil, event host, Channel Nine newsreader and presenter, Melissa Downs guest speakers Sue Clarke, founder of Small Steps for Hannah, and B105’s Abby Coleman.

A bitter/sweet day in the Queensland Parliament today.

After campaigning for two years alongside the Small Steps 4 Hannah Foundation, it was an honour for us to be present to hear the Premier announce new laws to criminalise coercive control, as well as community education and additional resourcing for front line police.

Heartbreaking that there were so many people there who have become advocates because their daughters or sisters were killed in domestic violence situations.

It’s a small step, but a very important one, and we are proud to be part of the journey.

We love it when a plan comes together! In November last year, we launched the "Let's Get Moving" campaign with our client, the Council of Mayors - South East Queensland. The goal was to regain momentum for the SEQ City Deal, to ensure the region is ready to host the Olympics in 10 years from now.

It worked. Today, after months of intense negotiation, the Prime Minister, Premier and Lord Mayor signed the three-way SEQ City Deal which will deliver the roads, transport and liveability needed to support Australia's fast-growing region - not just for two weeks in 2032 but for decades to come.

At the SAS Group we treasure our reputation as trusted advisors operating with honesty and integrity. Indeed, nothing is more important to us.

That’s why today we have the SAS Group Integrity Charter. As controversy swirls around some areas of the lobbying industry, we make a clear statement that we believe very strongly in openness and transparency.

https://sasgroup.net.au/en/news/597-sas-group-integrity-charter

The SAS Group team - Bernie Ripoll, Shayne Sutton and Nino Lalic - out in force last night in Sydney with the Leader of the Opposition and the Federal Labor Caucus.

Boxing Day media conference with our client the National Retail Association. Happy shopping everyone!

It might seem like a long time to go, but the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane will be on us in a hurry. The SAS Group is pleased to be working with the Council of Mayors South East Queensland (COMSEQ) on their Let's Get Moving! campaign, which is highlighting the need for better connected transport infrastructure - not for the Games but in time for the Games. COMSEQ is also lobbying both State and Federal Governments to support a range of other initiatives that will protect and enhance the lifestyle we enjoy in South East Qld.

We are honoured to help the Small Steps 4 Hannah Foundation do great things for a great cause.

Did you see their article in Saturday's Courier Mail?

The lack of visibility in stakeholder engagement strategies can make it seem like an overwhelming and complex exercise, but in reality, it’s rather straightforward.

Senior Consultant Winston shares with you 6 insights he gained from a recent project to help boost your stakeholder engagement strategy.

https://bit.ly/3jt6K9t

Money cannot buy happiness is a truism ruefully acknowledged by any recently fallen-from-grace NRL player.

It also applies to high-value, independent acknowledgement of the worth of your business, the value of its purpose and the recognition of your team.

https://bit.ly/3DwhXOH

Clients often seek our expertise because they have a ‘problem with the government’. During consultations, it’s common for a frustrated CEO to tell us a Minister just isn’t listening...

If only the Minister would listen! - SAS Group Whether you are targeting politicians, policy makers or the wider public, we'll ensure your communications drive the results you need.

When we ask politicians to make a policy decision, we also need to help make it successful for them. Create a situation where everyone wins and we get better outcomes.

https://sasgroup.net.au/en/news/534-helping-politicians-to-help-you

Helping politicians to help you - SAS Group Whether you are targeting politicians, policy makers or the wider public, we'll ensure your communications drive the results you need.

Join the Rural Press Club of Queensland when it hosts a special breakfast at Hort Connections featuring Dr Nancy Schellhorn, co-founder and CEO of RapidAIM digital pest surveillance and management system for agriculture. Hear about her journey in launching the company and developing world-first Internet of Things technology to grow profitability and biodiversity.

Book now via the RPC website - https://www.ruralpressclub.com.au/events

McCullough Robertson Colliers Sunsuper

This week we were privileged to receive a visit from Australia’s new Attorney-General, Senator the Hon. Michaelia Cash... Senator Michaelia Cash

Small Steps 4 Hannah We love working with you to create a safer community for everyone...

The SAS Group has been with Small Steps 4 Hannah from the beginning 💕.
The SAS Group is one of Australia's foremost strategic communications consultancies, offering a comprehensive approach to public affairs, government and business relations.
We are very grateful to Malcolm Cole and the team at SAS for their continued support.

For all your communication needs head to the SAS group page or website for more information.

Crisis communications support is part of the wide range of services we offer at the SAS Group and it introduces us to some outstanding Australian companies punching above their weight in international business... https://sasgroup.net.au/en/news/529-the-benefits-of-playing-the-long-game-against-moriarty-and-montecito

Earlier this week 15 European footballing giants tried and failed to form a rebel league called the 'European Super League'. It will go down as one of the all-time great media and communications disasters.

Here is why: https://www.sasgroup.net.au/en/news/528-the-european-super-league-a-media-and-communications-disaster

The extra-long weekend at Easter is an ideal opportunity for an organisation to reset its narrative.

https://sasgroup.net.au/en/news/527-resetting-your-public-narrative

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a Ministry Reshuffle.

As expected, there has been a moving of the deck chairs amongst current Ministers, while new portfolios have been added that focus squarely on providing greater assistance to women...

Federal Ministry Reshuffle - SAS Group Whether you are targeting politicians, policy makers or the wider public, we'll ensure your communications drive the results you need.

Meet a team member - Paddy Hintz, Senior Consultant

How long have you been at the SAS Group?
Two years this week. Happy Anniversary to me! – I think I started March 25, 2019.

What’s your thumbnail CV?
Former metropolitan journalist and editor who broke nationally relevant stories despite being one of the good guys – and who finally found her calling. No dietary requirements.

What does a “normal” day look like for you?
What I love about my job is that there is no normal day. I do a lot of day-to-day media and communications support for some clients, and often this involves crafting carefully worded crisis communications statements or reaching out to journalists on client’s behalf. I really love the strategic stuff, though, and encourage clients whenever possible to think about what they should be doing to ensure they have a solid enough public base so that any defensive position lands well. I also encourage people to think of their wider stakeholder group and how to treat this as an audience to help achieve business aims.

What do you like most about your job?
Helping people. I love that wonderful sound of relief when a piece of advice is gratefully received.

In the aftermath of General Motors Holden’s shock departure last year, the Australian Government and Federal Parliament are now taking welcome action to better protect local new car dealers. The SAS Group has been helping dealers to have their voices heard... https://sasgroup.net.au/en/news/522-new-car-dealers-drive-change-after-holden-s-shock-demise
Australian Automotive Dealer Association

New car dealers drive change after Holden’s shock demise - SAS Group Whether you are targeting politicians, policy makers or the wider public, we'll ensure your communications drive the results you need.

When you listen to conversations about Climate Change, the common language used is ‘believe the science’. There’s plenty of it and for most of us that’s good enough. We expect legislators to determine public policy based on this science... https://sasgroup.net.au/en/news/521-the-challenge-for-legislators

Recent reforms in aged care, mental health and disability services have placed great pressure on Australia's for-purpose social sector.

Created to care for and embrace the most vulnerable in our society, non-government, non-profit organisations are now themselves experiencing challenges for which they are neither prepared nor resourced. Reform may have been necessary, but we know achieving long-term change is not just a matter of flicking a policy switch...

Here for those who are there for others - SAS Group Whether you are targeting politicians, policy makers or the wider public, we'll ensure your communications drive the results you need.