Services

Corporate communications

Forward Communications has the track history in developing and executing communication strategies for complex and dynamic businesses and organisations. We specialise in internal and external communications including strategy, brand awareness, change management and positioning. Whether it be to handle overflow work, or to manage an entire project, Forward Communications acts seamlessly as an extension of your team to deliver excellent results. We deliver like an in-house team, but without the extra work, costs and hassle that comes with managing an in-house team.

Internal communications

Forward Communications develops and executes strategies for companies to engage, inspire and inform employees, while reinforcing overarching corporate goals. Internal Communications is a vital function within the corporate structure to implement change, facilitate improvement and focus on the organisation’s goals. Employees are most companies’ greatest asset – they’re the ones who discuss their workplace and micro-influence public perception. We love that internal communication channels open opportunities to share stories from the ground-up, rather than traditional top-down approaches.

Media training

If the idea of being interviewed by a journalist terrifies you or one of your key spokespeople, you’re not alone. We offer tailored media training to prepare spokespeople to engage with media confidently. Think of it like “building a muscle”. Once you know how, you will feel at ease. We’ll teach you about the seven core news values and how you can tap into them to increase your chances of coming up with “quotable quotes”. We’ll also help you fine-tune key messages so that you’re clear, succinct and interesting. When engaging with media, it’s important to stand for something.

Public relations

Put simply, Public Relations involves communicating who you are, what you do, why you do it and how you make a difference. Forward-thinking businesses know that communicating – and doing so frequently and effectively – is a very important aspect to the success of their business. PR tactics used can include special events, newsletters, annual reports, sponsorships, speaking opportunities, news conferences, publicity, media relations, social media, investor relations, community relations, and other activities designed to influence opinion. Advertising, marketing and public relations must work together to ensure the successful rollout of your message, product, or service into the marketplace.

Change management communications

Forward Communications particularly enjoys flexing internal communication muscle to create a single-source of truth to drive positive change.

Does your organisation have an agile support team in-the-ready to bolster resources during organisational transformation?

Change is the new constant in today's business world and it opens endless possibilities for connective and transparent communication. Get in touch for created or curated content for fact sheets, FAQs, e-newsletters, Yammer, intranet sites, videos or posters.

Copywriting + content creation

Forward Communications specialises in producing copy that enhances the reputation of your business or organisation. Our key objective is to communicate your messages to your audiences in the most effective, targeted and persuasive way possible. We can help with any word-related project including case studies, media releases, editorial/advertorial, news articles, company updates, audio/video scripts, brochure/web copy, annual reports, company reports, capability statements, slide decks, communication plans, product names/label copy, e-newsletters, publications, bios, Q&As, audio/video transcripts, posters.

Crisis management

Companies are always at risk of a crisis. Despite this, a recent UK-based study by Crisp found only 26 per cent of businesses had an up-to-date crisis management plan. Does your organisation have a plan in place if something goes wrong? The first 48 hours following a crisis is crucial. If something happened at midnight, who would respond? What’s the cascade of communication? Delaying putting forward a spokesperson makes matters worse. The spokesperson must be carefully chosen. Messaging needs to be clear, concise and accurate. Key stakeholders need to be looped in at the right time - a crisis can escalate if this step is missed. Spokespeople should be decisive and a source of truth. It’s always best to have a plan in place before a crisis strikes. Book a crisis management workshop with Forward Communications so your organisation is prepared for the unexpected.

Branding

Is your brand experiencing an identity crisis? You might need one of Forward Communications’ customised Brand Shrines. The Forward Communications Brand Shrine is just as much a decision-making tool as it a guideline for what your brand stands for. While some clients become so proud of their customised Brand Shrines, they share them publicly, this document is designed for internal use. It clarifies company values, positioning and key messages. The main purpose of the Brand Shrine is to define your company’s brand. Through this exercise, we establish the essence of what the client is about and based on this, we develop all other material (media releases, newsletters, videos, social media content, etc). It provides a tangible representation of some of the “intangible” aspects that come when establishing/reinventing a brand or a project.

* Forward Communications Brand Shrine ©

Publicity + earned media

PR is not dead. In fact, it’s more alive more than ever. Journalists are influencers. Media have their own online communities. It's not a case of PR Vs social media either. The two work in tandem. Sharing earned media coverage via social media, websites, pitch decks, e-newsletters or one-on-one emails enhances the impact of original TV piece going to air. Media coverage provides third-party endorsement and therefore establishes credibility. We develop media target lists from our live media database of 39,000 journalists and hand-pick reporters to pitch your story to. A piece of media coverage has the power to close a major deal, change a mind or influence a buying decision. In fact, publicity is reportedly seven times more effective than advertising. Before getting caught up in high advertising spends, playing the “likes game” amidst ever-changing algorithms, uncover what makes your organisation newsworthy.

Graphic Design

It costs the same amount of money to print bad design as it does to print good design. Consistent branding helps your business look credible and ensures the brand message you’re communicating to the world remains the same across all platforms.

Editorial photo shoots

From new head shots that reflect your brand values to styled outdoor or studio campaigns, we have the creative team to elevate your company’s visual brand to new heights. Shoots with Forward Comms “A Team” include hair and make-up, wardrobe styling, creative direction and post-production touch-ups.

Publications

Whether it’s an e-newsletter, a sequenced EDM, a brochure, an annual report, a full-colour magazine or a coffee table book, Forward Communications can provide the words, pictures and design to bring your publication to life.

Brand style guide

A brand style guide is a document that defines and describes the various branding elements of your business – your logo, colour palette, and fonts. A style guide helps keep consistent the look and feel of your brand across the board – from a physical office or shopfront to your website, social media channels, email newsletter and other collateral like business cards, letterheads, and even your email signature.

Videography

We collaborate with a number of videographers around the country to bring your moving story to life. Together, we develop concepts, storyboards and scripts to ensure your video hits the right messages, meets the requirements of your chosen platform and connects with your audience.