As 2020 draws to a close, MediaCast is celebrating our busiest and most successful year yet.
This year has undoubtably been an incredibly difficult one for public relations professions. The news agendas were constantly slammed with major global events that took priority in reporting and dominated consumer interests. From our devastating bushfires to the BLM protests, BREXIT, the presidential election and of course, the COVID-19 pandemic, there has perhaps never been a more historically significant year.
We did some maths
In fact, we were so curious about how these global events impacted the way that Aussies consume news that we conducted some research of our own! In 2020, media consumption jumped to a new high, with over a third (41%) of Aussies admitting they now consume more news since the COVID-19 pandemic began. TV news continues to be a trusted source of information, with one-in-two (49%) Aussies tuning in to get the facts, while a quarter (27%) of us still prefer consuming their daily news online.
Even though we’ve seen a massive increase in podcasts’ popularity this year, over half (52%) of us still tune into the radio when we’re in the car. One-in-six even have a favourite radio program, to which they are very loyal! Which makes sense, as radio also saw an increase with ABC’s listen app reporting a 51% total streams increase compared to 2019.
Our team worked diligently to use this increased level of media consumption and continued to secure significant coverage for our clients. We adapted our pitching style and creatively aligning our campaigns to fit the current news agenda. From smoke alarms to swimming pools, we ensured our stories remained relevant!
Overcoming challenges
This year our team faced challenges like never before. The pandemic certainly presented the largest problem, with clients facing financial uncertainty overnight, upcoming campaigns were on the chopping block. Despite working from home, we reassured and supported our clients through troubled water and continued to deliver exceptional coverage results, in the midst of the chaotic news agenda.
Cavill and Amy joined the team right before lockdown, which meant that a significant portion of the on the job learning that usually happens in the office had to happen remotely. Unsurprisingly, they adapted quickly and proved invaluable members of the team throughout the lockdown period, all the while learning the ropes of their new roles.
Despite the chaos around us, MediaCast has experienced our busiest year yet. Adapting to keep on top of a larger workload whilst also working remotely was no small feat, especially with the added pressure of the tricky media landscape. With our team delivering 70 campaigns across 2020, this year has certainly packed a punch.
Even with these challenges, the MediaCast team has grown stronger and closer through all the ups and downs and will be going into 2021 with an arsenal of new skills, knowledge and understanding of one another.
One of our biggest achievements this year is the huge number of new clients we have brought onboard across such a diverse range of industries, from tech to healthcare to beauty, as well as several international brands including the Cookware Company, Fantastic Services Group and Odoo.New clients this quarter include Visit Victoria, Feel the Magic and Arrotex.
On the telly
No word of a lie, our team have some pretty epic skills when it comes to securing TV and we had some fantastic segments on morning TV and TV news this quarter. Some of our highlights include Jake and Elle Harrison sharing their Christmas cooking hacks on Weekend Sunrise, James Thomas featuring on the Morning Show with his family for Feel the Magic, Graeme Walker from Ramsay Health Care speaking with 10 News First about rehabilitation, Irene Falcone sharing her entrepreneurial journey with ausbiz and Henry Kovacevic encouraging Aussies to send a Christmas card on Nine News.
In the paper
The MediaCast team also has a knack for securing articles in the nation’s largest print publications.Odoo spoke with the Sydney Morning Herald, our Ramsay Health Care spokespeople spoke with both The Courier Mail and the Cairns Post, and for GreenPan, Laura Trotta featured in The Daily Telegraph! We also secured a feature piece on Domain for Fantastic Services Group on Aussies most hated chores. 
As the holidays approach and we ring in the new year, we are incredibly grateful to have had such a wonderful year amidst the year-long anarchy and look forward to an exciting 2021!Cheers to Happy Holidays and a more normal New Year!Best wishes,The MediaCast team.