Communication and Public Relations Australia (CPRA) has announced Alastair Campbell as the keynote speaker for the CPRA Conference 2026.Taking place on Wednesday, 18 November at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Alastair will deliver the conference keynote titled "The Communicator Now”, exploring communicationsleadership amid shifting trust, accelerating technology, and increasingly complex public discourse.Alastair previously served as former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair's adviser and chief spokesman for a decade. Since leaving frontline politics, he has written more than 20 books spanning political diaries, fiction, and analysis of leadership and performance, and is co-host of The Rest Is Politics.Alastair will join delegates live in the room, with dedicated time for audience questions.Louise Harland-Cox, CEO of CPRA, said the announcement reflected the ambition of this year's conference programme."Alastair Campbell is one of the most recognised communicators of his generation. He's been in the room when the stakes were highest, and he's spent years reflecting on what that experience teaches us. We're delighted to welcome him to Melbourne and to give our delegates the chance to hear from him directly."(Source: telummedia)

The Communication and Public Relations Australia (CPRA) has unveiled details for the 2024 Golden Target Awards, Australia's longest-running and prestigious programme recognizing excellence in the communications and PR industry. This year's edition boasts exciting new features designed to celebrate a wider range of achievements.Elevated Recognition: Previously focusing on national and state awards, the 2024 program streamlines the competition into a single national programme. Agencies, teams, and individuals will now compete for top honors across five categories: Campaign, Agency, Education, Team, and Individual. This revamped structure ensures a more leveled playing field and allows for broader recognition across the country.Deeper Dive into Impact: Reflecting the growing importance of long-term communication strategies, the CPRA introduces a new "Sustained Campaign" category. This addition acknowledges ongoing campaigns that have demonstrated consistent effectiveness over an extended period. Additionally, recognizing the unique challenges faced by non-profit and pro bono projects, the CPRA has separated these categories, allowing for dedicated recognition of their impact.Strengthened Leadership: Leading the judging panel is the highly respected industry icon Jackie Crossman. Joining her this year as Deputy Judge is Amanda Little, a seasoned communications professional. This combined expertise ensures a rigorous and insightful judging process.Key Dates: Aspiring participants should mark their calendars. Early-bird entries close on Friday, July 19th, 2024. The shortlist of finalists will be announced on September 25th, followed by the much-awaited National Awards Night on October 30th at the esteemed ICC Sydney venue.The revamped Golden Target Awards offer a compelling platform for communications and PR professionals to showcase their exceptional work and gain national recognition for their contributions to the industry.