(Canada, 17th May 2023)— The Future Communicators Foundation (FCF) is pleased to welcome Joanne Painter to The PR Trust Board of Trustees. Joanne Painter is a recognised leader in Australian public relations with over 30 years of experience in communications. She is Co-founder and Group Managing Director of Icon Agency, one of Australia’s leading integrated agencies, offering best-in-class PR, digital and creative services across four Australian locations in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, and Brisbane.
“I look forward to working with The PR Trust on its Future Communicators Foundation scholarships,” said Joanne Painter, co-founder of Icon Agency. “I welcome the FCF’s focus on advancing diversity in the industry while focusing attention on important issues around sustainability, social justice, and climate,” she said.
As part of Icon’s commitment to the Future Communicators Foundation, the firm will sponsor two annual academic scholarships at AU$ 2500 each over 4 years. One scholarship will be offered to a First Nations Australian student, while the second scholarship will be open to post-graduate students in the communications and digital media fields. Full details will be announced later this year.
“Having spent many years sitting on university advisory boards, I see first-hand the importance of strengthening links between industry and academia,” said Joanne. “Our decision to join the Future Communicators Foundation Scholarship program is an extension of our social responsibility program, and my own experience advising and mentoring students over the past decade.” Since its founding 21 years ago, Icon Agency has put social values at the heart of its business and culture. This stems from the founders’ strong belief that every business, large or small, has a moral obligation to contribute to human progress and the protection of the planet.
“Being all about people, and having a clear purpose to do right in the world, is something we take very seriously,” says Painter. “Whether it’s sponsoring gender equality research, or donating our time to university boards, we’re big believers in getting involved and giving back to our industry.”
“We are very pleased to add Joanne Painter to our Board of Trustees,” said Richard Tsang, Chairman of The Future Communicators Foundation Board of Trustees. “Joanne provides a welcome addition to the Board, extending our outreach initiatives and scholarships to the Australian continent,” he added.
“I have known Joanne for a number of years and am impressed by the mentorship, leadership, and support she provides to up-and-coming communications professionals,” said Allard W. van Veen, Founder of The PR Trust and Future Communicators Foundation. “Joanne will add a valuable perspective from the Australasian region as we expand our global initiatives,” he said.
Joanne is a recognised sector leader in Australia, serving on several industry boards, including the National Board of the Public Relations Institute of Australia. Joanne specialises in behaviour change communications, purpose-led marketing and digital transformation, and has a keen interest in mentoring young public relations professionals. In 2022, the prestigious PR Asia Awards recognised her excellent leadership by naming her PR Agency Head of the Year. Under her guidance, Icon Agency has garnered numerous awards including Best Large PR Agency at the 2021 and 2022 Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) Golden Target Awards; ABA100 Winner for Business Excellence in The Australian Business Awards 2022; PR Agency of the Year at the Campaign Asia ANZ Awards; and 2022 Australasian PR Consultancy of the Year at the annual PRovoke SABRE Awards.
The Future Communicators Foundation provides scholarships, learning opportunities, and outreach programs that foster communication skills around sustainability, climate science, and social justice, with a focus on developing countries and underserved communities. The FCF recently awarded the SPRG FCF Scholarship at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and two Canadian national scholarships around climate, sustainability, and communications. The FCF’s education outreach around climate benefits local agencies who are in need of top-tier talent attuned to today’s challenges.
About the FCF
The Future Communicators Foundation (FCF) provides aspiring young professionals with scholarships, learning opportunities, and outreach programs that foster communication skills around climate science, social justice, and sustainability. The FCF is an initiative of The PR Trust, a 501(c)(6) non-profit organisation that provides knowledge and networking opportunities, student scholarships and awards programs that elevate and empower aspiring professionals and young leaders in communications. Learn more at: http://futurecomms.org | http://theprtrust.org
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