THE TEAM
FLEUR BROWN - CEO
Fleur Brown has a depth of experience across a range of communications fields including: Media Relations, Public Affairs, Journalism, Advertising, Corporate Marketing and Issues Management.
Fleur has worked for agencies and large private and public sector corporations within Australia, the United States and New Zealand. Her corporate experience includes six years as Public Affairs Director for the City of Sydney where she was responsible for the City's Publicity and Marketing, as well as managing Tourism in the lead up to the 2000 Olympic Games.
Following her role with the City, Fleur moved to the Seven Network, where she managed the company's corporate communications - a national role reporting directly to CEO, and serving regularly as the company's spokesperson.
Fleur has worked as an Advertising Account Executive and copywriter, and as a public relations consultant - managing Blue Chip corporate clients within both Australia and New Zealand. She has also worked in marketing and public relations for the financial sector, and is an experienced media trainer and lecturer in Public Relations. Fleur has a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications.
AMANDA MCGREGOR - ACCOUNT DIRECTOR + NEW MEDIA MANAGER
Prior to joining Launch, Amanda had a 12 year career in the music and entertainment industry, working across management, communications, marketing, new media, artist, event and project management. She began project managing within - Crowded House, Split Enz, Neil Finn and Tim Finn's' management team in Sydney in 1993, working on their domestic and international album releases and tours. Amanda has also worked with One Louder Entertainment where she managed all aspects of artists- careers, touring extensively throughout Asia, North America, UK and Europe.
Amanda joined Launch in January 2007 and has been responsible for high level strategy, policy and media campaigns and for developing and driving the digital arm of Launch's business. Amanda's unique skill set and innovative approach has delivered excellent results for campaigns across many sectors. These include technology (ACS), cause marketing (Bravehearts, Fresh Party - which involved bringing together leading music groups and sponsors as well as Australia's leading fashion house IMG Fashion), social media marketing (for seeding an Australian social networking site), e-commerce (Habbo, global launch of online start-up), consumer/entertainment/lifestyle (Bondi Blonde, Magic Millions) and Health (NGO: Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation).
Passionate about digital communications and the future of Australia's Digital Economy, Amanda has created strategic partnerships for key campaigns to expand the communications framework to engage media, Government and the community. Prominent examples include the Bravehearts -White Balloon Day- partnership with Google Australia to promote safety and security issues and the -Respect My Space- awareness campaign with MySpace Australia.
EMILY VENARDOS - ACCOUNT DIRECTOR
Emily Venardos is an account director who develops and implements media strategies for a range of corporate and consumer clients. Her client experience includes corporate and talent publicity for Austereo's Triple M Network, the Multi Channel Network, leading Technology Industry body the Australian Computer Society and media and music group destra Corporation and Brown Forman (Jack Daniels and Finlandia Vodka). Her recent projects also included promotional support for Paris Hilton's Australian tour for Bondi Blonde as well as Tara Reid's Australian tour for Magic Millions.
Prior to joining LAUNCH, Emily worked at international PR agency Burson-Marsteller, consulting for blue chip technology clients such as Hewlett Packard. With a strong focus on developing media strategy and events, Emily utilises her creative talents &communication skills to create newsworthy angles.
Emily has a Bachelor of Arts (Media & Communications) from the University of New South Wales.
SALLY ROBERTSON - ACCOUNT DIRECTOR
Sally is an account director who oversees publicity and corporate strategy for financial and marketing clients.
Sally's background is in journalism, where she was most recently the media writer for leading advertising, marketing and media trade title, B&T magazine. In this role Sally has developed a deep network of media and marketing writer contacts. She has also written for publications as diverse as The Central Western Daily, My Child magazine, Clean Food Organic, The Australian Cosmetic Surgery Magazine and Bella Beauty. Her freelance work has also seen her set up an internal blog for creative ad agency Euro RSCG as well as in wine marketing for Thistle Hill Vineyard.
Sally has a Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications) from The University of Sydney. She also studied journalism and public relations in an exchange program at The University of Stirling in Scotland, where she had her own radio show, The Ocker Hours. She also has a certificate in the foundations of advertising, from The Advertising Federation of Australia's AdSchool.
CAMILLE ALARCON - CONSULTANT
Camille Alarcon has been a journalist for almost nine years. She has most recently worked as deputy editor for media and marketing website Mumbrella.com.au. Prior to that role she worked in the UK for two years as a senior news reporter at Centaur Media’s Marketing Week magazine and website. Camille has been writing about the media, marketing and advertising sectors for over six and a half years, starting at B&T magazine as the media writer in 2002. In 2006, she was promoted to the role of news editor where she led a staff of four news journalists.
Camille has a BA Communications (Journalism), Charles Sturt University, Bathurst. In her final year of study she worked as a cadet journalist for National Radio News, the national radio news service that broadcast to over 65 community radio stations across the country.
In other previous experience, she has worked as a program producer for Macquarie Radio Network’s talk back station 2GB, and as a journalist for independent publisher Retail Media’s Retail Pharmacy magazine.
KEVIN BURKE - ACCOUNT MANAGER
Kevin Burke assists with client strategy, program implementation and media relations across Launch’s consumer, corporate and not-for-profit clients. Prior to joining Launch, Kevin spent more than five years with Hill & Knowlton PR in Australia and the U.S., consulting across a number of high-profile consumer brands, including adidas, eBay, Ford Motor Company and Canon. He also worked for BMW and Coca-Cola. Kevin began his career as a researcher with NBC during its coverage of the 2000 and 2002 Olympic Games.
Originally from the U.S., Kevin holds a Bachelors degree in Journalism from the Ohio State University, where he also received a minor in International Relations.
ANNABELLE PAGE - CONSULTANT
Annabelle Page assists with client strategy, program implementation and media relations across Launch’s consumer, corporate and not-for-profit clients. Prior to joining Launch Group, Annabelle worked in events, with roles including assisting with media and talent management for the 2009 Inside Film Awards. Her previous work at Mark Communications saw her cover clients in the lifestyle, entertainment and fashion sectors including Jenny Craig, the IMAX Theatre, Lili, Lorna Jane, Hollywood Fashion Tape, and Surf Life Saving NSW.
Annabelle has a Bachelor of Arts (Communication - Public Relations and Organisational Communication) from Charles Sturt University.
CLEMENTINE STUART-RUSSELL - CONSULTANT
Clementine Stuart-Russell is a digital media specialist who assists in the development, implementation, and execution of new media strategies across a range of clients. A qualified web designer and digital major, Clementine helps drive the Launch Group’s digital products and social media campaigns. During the past two years, Clementine has worked with clients in the entertainment, lifestyle, digital, youth, real estate and confectionary sectors. Prior to joining Launch Group, Clementine worked with the Online Investment newsletter, The Intelligent Investor where she assisted in co-ordinating National conferences and online media exposure for the internet based business. She has also worked with the Rugby Union Players Association (RUPA ) to launch the RUPA foundation and assisted in the media exposure of Darrell Lea chocolate’s 80th Birthday party.
BETH POWELL - TRAINING
Beth has worked in the private sector, for government and non-government organisations, and as a trainer and educator in the fields of marketing, sponsorship and public relations. Her career experience includes a role as Director of Major Events for the City of Sydney, responsible for the New Years Eve Celebrations and the City's participation in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Press Secretary for Sydney Lord Mayor, Media Manager for Greenpeace Australia, Executive Director NSW Olympic Council and, Corporate Communications Manager within the resources sector. Within these roles Beth has been responsible for marketing, sponsorship, fundraising, and grant writing and grant giving. Beth is a lecturer at APM Training Institute.