Red Havas has announced a second senior appointment to its newly-created public affairs service offering, with Jacqui Munro joining the team as senior account director.
The experienced political and strategic communications advisor, Munro (main photo) joins as 2IC to head of public affairs, Lawrence Muskitta, to build the public affairs practice that was launched in December.
Munro will deliver crisis and issues management, corporate social responsibility and public advocacy campaigns for Havas Village clients and other organisations and brands seeking to manage external change and take a leading role in shaping public debate.
Munro joins the Red Havas public affairs team from boutique public relations agency, Agenda C, bringing her experience working with clients across banking, economic policy and education.
She has also worked for former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and former Federal Member of Parliament and President of the Australian Medical Association, Dr Kerryn Phelps.
Furthermore, she has worked on national public advocacy projects – including as a media adviser for the successful 2017 Marriage Equality campaign – as well as being a regular contributor to ABC TV’s The Drum and ABC radio’s Spin Doctors programs.
Muskitta said Munro’s experience in public policy and media relations brought invaluable political perspectives and experience to the agency’s public affairs offering.
“Diversity of thought is critical to finding innovative solutions to the challenges our clients face,” he said.
“With Jacqui on board, we bridge the political divide, bringing creativity and new ideas to the public discussion.”
Munro welcomed the opportunity to leverage her expertise to help clients build and manage long-term stakeholder relationships, navigate institutions and government and constructively engage in policy discussion.
“Developing a new public affairs offering with Lawrence and Red Havas presents the best of both worlds: The excitement of a fresh venture with limitless possibilities backed in by the strength of a respected industry player and a huge amount of talent to draw on,” she said.
“Starting in an Australian federal election year also brings a range of unique opportunities that we can maximise with our clients as the team grows.”
