Our blog
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News
26.8.21
Back to basics: Simple communications in a confusing climate
As a fallout of the pandemic, we’ve watched on as local, state, and federal governments wrestle with the consequences of inconsistent messaging. Most recently, the vaccination ad campaign was met with backlash, while the government’s communication methods for the vaccine rollout have been criticised as confusing, complex and ever-changing. Not to mention the overcomplication of NSW Health […]
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News
25.5.21
Personal communications in the digital economy – is it possible?
It’s undeniable that COVID-19 has changed the way we approach public relations and government engagement – so how do we navigate these spaces in a digital-first world? Fifty Acres Founder + CEO Jo Scard weighs in with some expert tips. From business meetings to social events, the onset of the pandemic saw our entire lives […]
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News
26.3.21
Why purpose-driven brands need to show up in the spaces that matter
In light of the recent protests in Australia – physical and virtual – Jo Scard identifies why brands need to join the conversation and, more importantly, how. People have been taking to the streets to march and protest for social justice for centuries. Some protests have gained so much momentum that they have changed the […]
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News
25.3.21
Fifty Acres takes a stand against fossil fuels
Fifty Acres is proud to be a member of Comms Declare, an independent environmental group fighting for a climate-friendly future by harnessing the power of communications, marketing, media and advertising. Comms Declare has recently celebrated its first anniversary as an organisation with over 300 members, including 66 organisations. The volunteer-led group encourages businesses and individuals […]
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News
03.2.21
Eddie McGuire’s racism report response: How not to act in a crisis
In the wake of a damning report exposing systemic racism in the Collingwood Football Club, president Eddie McGuire is showing leaders exactly what not to do in times of reputational crisis. In an article published on SmartCompany, our PR agency Founder and CEO, Jo Scard, weighs in on McGuire’s response and offers up some effective […]
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News
11.1.21
Meet Fifty Acres – who we are and what we do
At Fifty Acres we like to describe ourselves as more than just an Australian based PR agency. The truth is – we do so much more than that. Instead, we introduce ourselves as a team of communications and engagement experts, with a passion to deliver public relations in a way that is seamless and impactful […]
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News
09.9.20
Why Public Relations is Important for your Business
When you run a business, reputation is everything. In our fast-paced world, where customers are faced with a barrage of options and an onslaught of media, it’s critical to help your business stand out from the crowd. Public relations (PR) is becoming an increasing important component of any marketing strategy. If you are having trouble […]
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News
04.9.20
2020 Masterclass resources
We’ve all been impacted in some way by COVID-19. It’s caused a massive global reset and a lot of uncertainty. We’ve seen a lot of people come together virtually to support one another during these difficult times. Only a crisis, actual or perceived, produces real change and the actions we take now will shape the […]
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News
05.6.20
2020 Masterclass series announced!
We’ve all been impacted in some way by Covid-19. It’s caused a massive global reset and a lot of uncertainty. We’ve seen a lot of people come together virtually to support one another during these difficult times. Only a crisis, actual or perceived, produces real change and the actions we take now will shape the […]
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News
18.12.19
Workshop and webinar series to kick your communications and engagement goals
We’re excited to announce our new workshop and webinar series for 2020’s first quarter! Join our Founder and CEO Jo Scard and Head of Engagement Andrew Blyberg to kick start your organisations goals in 2020. They’ll be helping not-for-profits and for-good businesses make sense of the media and government landscapes, covering the ins-and-outs of developing […]
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News
17.10.19
Five tips for not for profits to leverage the next budget cycle
Our CEO + Founder Jo Scard shares some advice on how to cut through with key decision makers. Federal budget time is a key opportunity for not for profits to lobby for funding or build support for a broader advocacy campaign. But it’s a competitive space. Everyone comes knocking on the halls of power in […]
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News
13.9.19
We’re going offline and participating in the global climate strikes
We’ve joined the Not Business As Usual alliance and are logging off to participate in the global climate strikes. Our staff, located in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Bali, Germany and Canada, are steping away from their desks on September 20 to support local strike events. We’re proud to be part of this global movement calling for […]
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News
29.8.19
Key fundraising lessons – How to get your vision and tactics aligned and maximise donor retention
Our founder and CEO Jo Scard shares her top three fundraising tips. Whether you’re raising $10,000 or $10 million, great writing, amazing design, and compelling collateral are key for successful major donor communications, and ultimately, donor retention. Here are some key fundraising lessons that will help. Get your vision aligned before you kick off your […]
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News
16.8.19
Fifty Acres appoints former Greens comms director Andrew Blyberg as head of engagement
Communications agency Fifty Acres has appointed Andrew Blyberg as head of engagement. Blyberg has previously spent five years with the Australian Greens party, firstly as senior media adviser for Senator Richard Di Natale, and later as his director of communications. Blyberg joins Fifty Acres from World Vision Australia where he spent time as campaigns and […]
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News
15.7.19
Balancing Act: Kicking Career Goals with an Invisible Disability
Our Senior Account Executive and Social Specialist, Julia Macerola recently spoke with Anna O’Dea about what it’s like to be a career woman with a chronic health condition. Julia discusses her invisible disability, ulcerative colitis, and how working in a flexible workplace accommodates her medical needs. Read the full interview below, originally published on the […]
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News
04.6.19
What do we do now?
With the last three years’ opinion polls predicting a Labor victory on 18 May, the result has left many dumbfounded. It comes down to two key factors. The first, published and internal party polling – from both Labor and the Coalition – indicated a Labor win. This in turn gave the Opposition the belief they […]
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News
13.5.19
ACCELERATOR partner announced!
Fifty Acres is pleased to announce our inaugural ACCELERATOR partner – congratulations to The Youth Junction Inc! We were impressed with their vision and are so excited to collaborate with them over the next year and a half to provide communications and government engagement insights and training, counsel, implementation to the value of $20,000. “We are absolutely […]
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News
06.5.19
Fifty Acres expands to the US
This story was originally posted on Mumbrella. Communications agency Fifty Acres has appointed Kari Browne to spearhead the company’s move into the United States. The agency’s North American launch comes after securing the account of Australian beekeeping startup Flow Hive, which came to prominence in 2016 after raising a record $16.9m in a crowdfunding campaign […]
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News
05.4.19
Post-election strategy workshops
The Federal Election will be held on 18 May—Australia is preparing to enter into a new political environment, and within weeks, a potential new Government and new cabinet. So, what will this mean for you? Jo Scard, Founder and CEO of Australia’s leading for-good communications and engagement agency Fifty Acres is here to help not-for-profits […]
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News
21.3.19
Leaders Can Learn From Christchurch
None of us would have escaped the public discussion about tolerance and leadership in the days after the Christchurch massacre. While I won’t analyse here why it happened, one of the things I think we can learn from the last few days is the incredible role that leadership plays in bringing communities together in times […]
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News
07.3.19
Beware The Exits and Refocus
You’d be forgiven if you thought the departure of a number of Coalition ministers meant a likely defeat at the May poll. We’ve heard angry words from Julie Bishop in the last few days, coupled with the exit of senior Liberal stalwart Christopher Pyne. It has a bad smell about it, doesn’t it? While the […]
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News
26.2.19
Fifty Acres ACCELERATOR
Our new ACCELERATOR program is designed to give you the knowledge and skills to accelerate your communications and engagement to the next level. At Fifty Acres, we do great work – for good. We care about the not-for-profit sector and make it our business to see you succeed. That’s why we’ve developed our new ACCELERATOR […]
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News
22.2.19
Preparing your NFP for the election
With the federal election only weeks away, there is a genuine opportunity for organisations and NFPs to have a real impact. In our latest webinar, Jo Scard talked about how NFPs and organisations can: Plan an effective, low budget campaign that will focus key media, community and government attention where you need it Augment a […]
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News
13.2.19
Jo is a 2019 PR Leader of the Year Finalist
We are so proud to announce that our Founder and CEO, Jo Scard is a finalist for Mumbrella’s PR Leader of the Year – again! In 2018, Jo was thrilled to win this category at the Mumbrella CommsCon Awards. The judge’s decision was unanimous, recognising Jo’s for-purpose focus and innovative approach to delivering PR and […]
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News
13.2.19
Tactics and Big Ideas for the Election
Well, not many sleeps now everybody. We seemed to have avoided a February/March election but the days are creeping up on us, with a news report I heard last night saying it was “only 100 days or less until we get to cast our votes”. Only 100, that seems like a small(ish) number doesn’t it. […]
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News
07.2.19
Will we see you at Mumbrella SAGE?
On 21 February in Sydney, our Founder and CEO Jo Scard, will be speaking at Mumbrella’s SAGE conference, an inspirational and practical forum focused on providing independent agencies with the tools they need to grow successful agency businesses. Jo will be there to talk to agencies and agency owners working across the broad marketing services […]
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News
29.1.19
Boardshorts, Thongs and Memes
Fifty Acres founder and managing director Jo Scard explains the method in the madness behind the prime minister’s Australia Day dress code talk. As most of the country heads back to work after the long weekend (for the record Fifty Acres worked Monday and has joined the http://www.changeitourselves.com.au/ movement) there has been a heck of a lot […]
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News
24.1.19
We’re changing the date ourselves
Through our work alongside many Indigenous organisations, we understand the importance of this change as a step towards national reconciliation. Our team feels strongly about moving Australia Day to a date that all Australians can celebrate which is why we will be changing the date ourselves. Fifty Acres supports our employee’s choices to #changethedate they celebrate […]
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News
15.1.19
The Election Is Coming
Well, we’ve all had a few quiet weeks, laid on the couch and watched the cricket, lazed by the pool/beach/BBQ or just generally done not much. Things are going to change soon people, sorry to say. The standard lazing period won’t extend to Australia Day this year. Because, they are already at it. Well, first things […]
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News
19.12.18
Free Engagement Workshops
In 2019 we might just need to strap ourselves in for an even bumpier ride. And here’s why. With an early federal election possibly just around the corner, organisations, not-for-profits and companies need to take action now to put their organisation in a strong position whatever the outcome. In this free workshop lead by Fifty […]
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News
18.12.18
We Need to Keep Our Eyes Open
Even though Christmas is almost upon us, not for profits still need to keep their eyes wide open and be prepared for the looming federal election, writes Jo, for Pro Bono Australia. When you get to a recap of the year in politics it’s usually an opportunity to muse and reflect and to say some wise […]
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News
07.11.18
Jo is speaking at Mumbrella SAGE
Fifty Acres founder and Mumbrella CommsCon PR Leader of the Year winner, Jo Scard, is one of a number of senior independent agency leaders confirmed to speak at Mumbrella SAGE (Secrets of Agency Excellence) on February 21 in Sydney next year. Jo will take the stage to discuss leadership and creating a great culture within […]
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News
06.11.18
Okay People, Buckle Up
With an early federal election possibly just around the corner, our founder and managing director Jo Scard says not-for-profits need to take action now to put their organisation in a strong position whatever the outcome. Hey look, just when we thought it was okay to start booking a holiday over Christmas we might just need […]
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