Margaret Lawson
Managing Director and Media Trainer

Margaret Lawson has more than 15 years' PR experience in media relations and corporate communications across the private, public and university sectors.

She has led teams responsible for complex communication projects including acquisitions and mergers, and played a management role in the $1.2 billion sale of Ergon Energy Retail in 2007. Prior to the sale, Margaret was responsible for Ergon Energy’s national retail communications team.

Margaret has a long-standing passion for aerospace and aviation, and applied this to lead the media and publicity for the launch of Australia's FedSat satellite in 2002 in Japan. At Cole Lawson, she established the firm's aviation practice, which offers organisations in the aviation, aerospace and transport industries specialised counsel with media relations, marketing, crisis management and corporate communications. In 2011, Margaret completed a Master of Science and Technology (Aviation) degree at the University of New South Wales.

Margaret has also held media relations and marketing communication positions with the Queensland University of Technology and worked as a political adviser. She is the creator of the successful Expert Guide media web site and, as a consultant, has worked with prominent national and global clients in transportation, energy, engineering, healthcare, publishing, property and civil liberties.

As a journalist, Margaret has worked on newspapers in Australia and the United States, and has written for publications including The Courier-Mail, The Charlotte Observer, Australasian Science and Australian Journalism Review.

Margaret’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Business (Communication) and a Graduate Diploma of Arts (Journalism). She is a member of the Public Relations Institute of Australia, and has received eight commendations from the PRIA for crisis communication, nonprofit communications, and public affairs campaigns. Margaret is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management.

Key skills:

• Communication research and planning
• Issues and crisis management
• Media relations and publicity
• Media training
• Aviation public relations

Suzanne Taylor
General Manager

Strategic integrated communications expert across corporate, consumer, digital and social, content marketing, issues, crises, and reputation, corporate responsibility and public affairs in multiple sectors for national, regional and global campaigns and clients. Recognised for developing and implementing commercial, creative and multi-channel strategies to change audience knowledge, attitudes and behaviour by rejuvenating storytelling and driving digital transformation. A strategic thinker and problem solver with a thirst for innovative business and communications solutions, natural curiosity, strong analytical skills and judgment and a sharp eye for detail.

Kate Cullen
Account Manager

Kate has worked with global clients in establishing their brands in Australia and New Zealand. A passionate storyteller, she uses her understanding of the media landscape to create compelling news angles for her clients and provide great news value to the media. In her prior role, Kate worked with a range of clients including Lime e-scooters, Kids Helpline, RBWH Foundation, Netball Queensland and Brisbane Open House.