WonkComms 1 year on: two steps forward, one step back?
Nick Scott, Digital Manager, ODI
Two steps forward: the year in think tank communications
Sofie Jenkinson, Media and Digital Officer, IPPR
Natalie Cox, Communications Officer, Resolution Foundation
Matt Smith, Digital Communications Manager, Policy Exchange
Joe Miller, Vice President for Communications, The Century Foundation
Chair: Leonora Merry, Media & External Affairs Manager, Nuffield Trust
One step back: challengers to think tank communications
Nic Seton, Community Strategist, Greenpeace
Brie Rogers Lowery, UK Country Director, Change.org
Chair: Richard Darlington, Head of News, IPPR
Description
A year on, WonkComms is thriving - as a community but also as a profession. In the US, UK and globally, there have been some amazing and impactful policy communications packages released. A spirit of collaboration, mixed with a little friendly competition, is leading many think tanks to think again about how they communicate and how to do it better than anyone else.
But it isn’t time to rest on our laurels. The think tank world isn’t the only one making a success of new and innovative forms of communication to reach new audiences and make a difference. From the media to charities and campaigning organisations, there are many others who are shouting very loud and hard, making it difficult for think tanks to be heard.
This event reviewed the last year, and also looked forward to the challenges ahead. It started with a ’show and tell’ on key trends of the past year from WonkCommers who’ve been producing and delivering communications daily. This was followed by a open discussion on the best communications from outside our WonkComms world, including presentations from experts working in charities and on campaigns.