The unprecedented and challenging times we are all now facing have changed the world in a remarkably short period. The COVID-19 crisis has drastically altered the way business is conducted and has sadly already had a devastating impact on so many Australians through the loss of their livelihoods. At a personal level, we are also focused perhaps more than ever on the health and well-being of our families.
At The Communications Council, we are doing all we can to maintain our operations as effectively as possible in the current circumstances. We are fully committed to serving our members as best we can at this critical time by providing you with regular updates on our key activities and by providing you with some of the resources you may find useful until normal times return – hopefully, a few months from now.
While the situation is constantly evolving, it’s important we stay positive, calm and professional.
Creativity is needed now more than ever, and we must remain confident in our industry’s ability to work together to keep commerce and culture alive.
Along with The Comms Council Board and on behalf of myself and my team, I hope you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy.
Tony Hale
Here is an update on our events, courses and resources:
EVENTS
AWARD Awards
We have decided to postpone judging of the 2020 AWARD Awards. While we have the technical ability to continue the judging process, we just didn’t feel it was the right thing to do. At this time, our hard-working volunteer judges should be devoting more time to their own priorities. You can read a copy of our AWARD Awards judging media release.
AWARD 40th Celebration and AWARD Creative Festival
Both events have been postponed until we are able to reschedule later in the year. We’re committed to holding these events once it’s feasible to do so and will provide updates when appropriate.
Effie Awards
The 2020 Effies Awards are proceeding on schedule with the on-time deadline closing on April 16. Round 1 judging will be conducted online between June 9-12. Round 2 judging on July 21 is still being organised in its traditional face-to-face format. However, we will keep a close watch as to whether this can be managed safely and contingency plans will be developed. The Effie Awards Gala Dinner is scheduled for September 3. More information about the Effies can be found on effies.com.au
COURSES
AWARD School
AWARD School will continue as scheduled with the first lecture being posted on the AWARD School Facebook Workplace platform on Monday 23 March. The first online tutorial is scheduled for Thursday 26 March. We’ve been delighted that AWARD School lecturers, tutors and students have enthusiastically embraced the fact that AWARD School is proceeding on schedule by moving to online delivery, in common with the majority of educational institutions throughout Australia during this crisis.
AdSchool
We are committed to delivering all scheduled 2020 AdSchool courses and are currently developing contingency plans for these courses via online platforms to ensure all participants, lecturers and guest speakers can be confident of their personal safety and wellbeing. Further details will be announced shortly. In the meantime, enrolments for all AdSchool courses remain open.
Please note that we will re-instate face-to-face AWARD School and AdSchool course activities as soon as feasible.
IPA Business & Agency Leadership
This course has been postponed. It will be rescheduled once we have confidence that a residential course is safe for all delegates.
Other Courses and Events
We will post regular updates on the status of all other TCC courses and events on this website.
RESOURCES
We’re committed to acting as a conduit for information and insight about the state of our industry for our members.
We have recently created a new COVID-19 Updates section on this website through which we will provide members with much of the helpful financial, business and personal information and tools you may need while this crisis continues.
We would welcome any suggestions from our members as to additional content you may wish to be included in this section – please feel free to contact us at any time.
