ICON Melbourne Forum

Thursday, 10 May 2018



The ICON Melbourne Forum provides an exclusive opportunity to connect with industry leaders and network with like-minded industry professionals.

The must attend experience comprises six high calibre plenary sessions including a keynote from Joanne Gray, Managing Editor of the Australian Financial Review, two engaging breakouts followed by the gala cocktail party, generously hosted by the Peter Rowland Group.

This intimate, hands on learning and exploration will equip you with new skills, ideas and connections and help take your career to the next level.


8:45 am Registration   

9:20 am Welcome   

9:30 am
Plenary 1

Disruption and the Future of the Media

Joanne Gray, Managing Editor of the Australian Financial Review


A recognised leader in the media industry, Joanne has worked with the globally recognised and highly regarded news publications including the Australian Financial Review, Bloomberg News and Euromoney. Through her current role and as the previous editor of BOSS and Leadership at the Australian Financial Review, Joanne has built extensive networks across corporate Australia, professional services, in government, academia and among the startup and innovation community, to drive audience engagement across digital, print and social media platforms.

Join Joanne as she discusses:

  • How the Australian Financial Review has tackled digital disruption and continues to set the agenda
  • Engaging with and building relationships with the media
  • The impact of social media within the industry


10:30 am
Plenary 2
Design Thinking: What is the problem we are trying to solve?

A design mindset is not problem-focused, it's solution focused and action oriented towards creating a preferred future. This session will unpack design thinking and explore how it can help solve complex problems and find desirable solutions for clients. Join our expert panel discussion to gain valuable insight as to how design thinking can help lead any business or profession to achieve extraordinary results.
  • Neil Cook - Head of Legal Operations, Woolworths
  • Libby Jarvis - Head of Legal Project Management, Australia & Asia, Herbert Smith Freehills
  • Juliana Proserpio - Co-Founder & Global Design Director, Echos – Innovation Lab


11:30 am
Plenary 3
Building Partnerships to Create New Audiences

Jennifer Watt, General Manager – Commercial, Melbourne Cricket Club

Jennifer has over 19 years’ experience in the sports industry in a variety of roles, covering a range of management, commercial, marketing and communications disciplines. In her 14 years at the Melbourne Football Club Jennifer successfully drove a range of initiatives including the Club’s pioneering efforts in women’s football and AFLW team, iconic events such as the Pink Lady games, the Big Freeze at the G initiatives and Anzac Eve activations, record membership results and the Club’s major rebranding exercise in 2015.

Jennifer was awarded the AFL’s prestigious Graeme Samuel Scholarship in 2016 for her achievements and as a result, was seconded to the AFL to work on a major positioning and customer experience project for Etihad Stadium during 2016/17.

Recently appointed to General Manager, Commercial Operations and Partnerships at the Melbourne Cricket Club, Jennifer will share her experiences in building partnerships to create new audiences, and provide valuable insight as to how we can be more strategic in attracting and engaging clients, with a view for them to become fans of our firm and services.


12:30 pm
Lunch


1:15 pm
Plenary 4

Scenario Planning session: Providing structure in uncertainty

Sander van Amelsvoort, Director of Policy and Research at Committee for Melbourne


Sander will facilitate a scenario planning session which will explore the future of our city against the backdrop of a rapidly changing environment, and what it means for all of us. 

This session will challenge our assumptions, stretch our frames of reference, and provide you with a structured approach when thinking about the longer term operating environment of your business, clients and competitors.
2:15 pm
Breakout 5

Your Network is your Networth

Francesca Meldrum, Co-Founder and CEO of ‘Ideas Fight Club’

Francesca Meldrum is the Co-Founder and CEO of ‘Ideas Fight Club’, an event-series-turned-dinner-party group that’s rebuilding networking for the new world of work. A woman of many hats, Francesca also leads ‘Major Sales Pursuits’ at ASX50 listed Computershare, consults to high growth start-ups – and champions fiercely for #dangerousideas and #womenintech. She can generally be ‘found’ one-catalytic-question-away from freaking out a group of execs out about the future – or, enjoying a Melbourne coffee.

Now more than ever, networking is one of the most important things you can do for your current career success, your future career prospects and ultimately your networth. In this dynamic speed networking session, Francesca will share a fresh, new approach to networking – demonstrating how removing barriers and anchoring your conversation around authentic topics and ideas can be a networking game-changer.

About #IDEASFIGHTCLUB:

#IDEASFIGHTCLUB is a meeting of minds unlike any other.

Industry agnostic - solution centric - future focused.

You: interested in the intersections 'between' ideas, industries, macro trends and people.

Us: ready to provide an event infrastructure conducive to left of field thinking, and conversations.

Together: #co-creating the kind of high value connection generating event we are all after, from the ground up.

2:15 pm
Breakout 6
Making Data Meaningful

Otto Ottinger, Managing Director, Datalabs


John "Otto" Ottinger is a data visualiser, specialising in the visual design of complex data systems. Co-founder of Datalabs, a visualisation agency, Otto works in the intersection of UX/UI design, analytics systems, and storytelling. At Datalabs, he focuses on the creation of real-time, interactive dashboards and data tools, as well as innovative visual reports. He previously held positions at National Geographic, in Washington, DC, and at Telstra.

In his presentation, Otto will share data visualisation techniques to simplify data, weave it into a story, and present it in an engaging visual story. This presentation will take attendees through relevant case studies that will illuminate the methodologies and processes Otto uses as a data visualiser. In addition, attendees will learn tips and tricks to make them better report designers.


3:00 pm
Afternoon Tea
3:15 pm
Plenary 7

Avoid #youtoo: Managing a brand and personal profiles in a diverse and dynamic culture

Societal norms are changing. More rapidly now than ever. #itstopswithme #whiteribbon government campaigns and #loveislove, #timeisnow and #metoo movements are live examples that the community in which we move, tweet, post, position and pitch have changing expectations.

When you are responsible for a business, brand or individuals' profiles how can we make the best decisions and give the best advice to ensure that our message is inclusive and doesn't miss the mark? Should marketers and business developers advise our stakeholders to step up and take the high ground or stay safe on the plains of indifference and avoidance? If we advise on stepping up and speaking out, how do we navigate the potholes of moral hazard? This panel session, will share their experience and insight on managing a wide range of scenarios - from advising on aligning with causes and policies, managing PR hiccups through to deciding how to craft inclusive communications that hit the right note.

Joining our panel, includes:

  • Stefan Grun, Executive Manager, Marketing and Communications – VicHealth
  • Leilani Abels, Founder & MD - Thrive PR
  • Christine Finnegan, Chief Commercial Officer, St Kilda Football Club

Stefan joined VicHealth in 2014 motivated by linking his more than 20 years’ experience in the sporting industry– including nine years as an Australian Football League field umpire – with helping Victorians becoming more physically active, playing sport and making healthy food choices. Their most recent launch is VicHealth’s #ThisGirlCanVIC campaign in April 2018 in partnership with Sport England.

Leilani is founder and MD of Thrive. She started the company at 25 and has built it to be one of the most successful independent PR agencies in Australia with established offices in Melbourne and Sydney and most recently Brisbane and Auckland. She has represented some of the world’s biggest brands and has devised strategic communications plans that have delivered great success to emerging companies. With an enviable network of influencers and in-depth local knowledge, her expertise lies in media communication and strategic planning.

Christine began her career in Federal politics working in the media office of the Deputy Prime Minister for over 7 years. Christine relocated to Melbourne in 1997 and commenced her career in sport working at Tennis Australia. Christine was appointed Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer of the St Kilda Football Club in July 2014. Prior to joining St Kilda, Christine was General Manager, Commercial & Marketing at the Melbourne Rebels, AFL Players Association and Melbourne Storm. Christine also worked at Newks Group Marketing agency, the ACT Brumbies and Commonwealth Games.

Christine has extensive leadership experience and mentors a number of young women in sport.  She is a passionate advocate for gender equality in sport and actively champions women in this landscape.  Christine was a member of the inaugural AFL Women in Leadership Program and the inaugural AFL Executive Leadership Program.

4:15 pm
Plenary 8
Rebuilding a Brand

Mohan Du, Founder & Managing Director, Capital Alliance
Emma Yee, Chief Executive Officer, Peter Rowland


Have you taken an honest account of what your brand really stands for? What is your market image? Do you know what people think of your business? What does your brand exactly stand for?

Join Peter Rowland Group, Capital Partner, Mohan Du, and Emma Yee, recently appointed Chief Executive Officer, the youngest and first ever female, as they discuss acquisition, transitioning, and re-building of the Peter Rowland brand. A frank discussion of the steps taken to help change how customers feel about your brand and how they perceive your business.


5:15 pm
Wrap-Up and Close

6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Cocktail Party
ACMI Bar & CafĂ©, Federation Square, Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000

ASK A QUESTION

Send us an email to: info@iconapac.com