John Allin & Associates is a media and communication business that assists businesses, schools, universities, manufacturing and the service industries to develop and implement strategies and tactical plans that build positive profiles, promote corporate goodwill,  identify opportunities to enhance reputation, raise awareness and manage perceptions. JAA has a special interest in the education, health and corporate sectors and enjoys close relationships with media groups within Australia and overseas.

Media liaison       John Allin & Associates engages with journalists daily. They identify journalistic gateways for people and organisations that may have stories for specific media. Editorial space and electronic air time is hard to get.  PR spin does not cut the mustard. There has to be a genuine story to be told. Media releases must be carefully written and approaches to news editors have to be timely. JAA can assess the possibilities for international media exposure as well as handling the domestic scene.

Freelance writing       Stories that are crisply written, compelling and easy to read are essential in today’s world where people are time poor but need information quickly. John Allin & Associates research, interview people and produce articles quickly and reliably. Businesses that need these services range from real estate agents and solicitors’ firms through to schools, banks and hospitals and the global corporates – in fact any  organisation that has an in-house magazine, a news corner on their web site or a need to submit an article for a newspaper or magazine.

Communication       Internal and external communication plans - components that underpin staff morale and positive business relationships - are sometimes overlooked in the furious pace of modern business practice. What messages should an organisation be emitting? What are the clients and customers hearing? What about the partners and stakeholders? Is the Government in the loop?   Are staff members being informed? Do they feel part of the process? John Allin & Associates understands the importance of modern communication and brings fresh thinking to sharpen these elements of corporate life.

Media training       An interview with a journalist is not necessarily a straightforward experience – especially when the subject is under pressure. Openness, honesty and a willingness to answer questions will, more often than not, result in not just a happier meeting with the Fourth Estate but also a story that leaves a positive perception in the minds of the reader or viewer. John Allin draws on his 30 years as a journalist, news executive and emergency services crisis management expert to coach industry leaders in the art of handling  media interviews.

Perception management       The success (or not) of an organisation depends to a great extent on how it is viewed by the public. In many cases there can be a direct link between perception and bottom line. Identifying the positives within a business and then using them to take the business to a more visible level is a strategic task and takes time and skill.  Businesses may not necessarily have the people on board to make sure that everything is being factored in to ensure the best possible perception.

Crisis and issues management       When an unexpected incident befalls an organisation or even a person, the impact can be devastating.  We have all seen the consequences of crises - be they extortion threats on confectionary companies, malicious tampering with foodstuffs in supermarkets or tragedies within a school community. Action needs to be taken quickly to preserve the reputation of the institution. Ideally this means referring to an already-established plan but it will always involve swift and effective messaging. John Allin has first hand issues management experience within the police and emergency services, education and corporate sectors and is able to tailor plans – proactive or reactive - to suit specific needs.

Education       Schools and universities operate in an increasingly competitive environment. Schools in particular need to be visible to be viable. Some schools have marketing engine rooms fuelled by big budgets that make it difficult for smaller schools to compete.  John Allin & Associates specialises in crafting strategic plans for the primary, secondary and tertiary sector to help raise profiles, boost enrolments, enhance reputations and create awareness. John Allin has experience in all three sectors and understands the opportunities that are constantly beckoning and is acutely aware of the traps, pitfalls that need to be borne in mind.

Health       Health and nutrition, especially among children, are high on community and government agendas. John Allin has worked with university health researchers to strategically highlight their outcomes and achievements. At the other end of the spectrum he initiated a five-point plan to re-position exercise and nutrition programs at Tucker Road Primary School in Bentleigh, Victoria. Outcomes were many, including other schools following the example set by Tucker Road and an invitation for John to address the two-day Healthy Balance – Victorians Respond to Obesity forum at Melbourne Town Hall. John Allin & Associates was asked by Energized Kids, a new mobile gym for primary schools, to develop and implement a communication and awareness strategy.  Within weeks the Energized Kids instructors were interviewed on the ABC, on national commercial television and had stories published in the mainstream and secondary media.  The Energized kids web hits peaked at 13,677 from a start of 112 as a result of John Allin & Associates’ strategic profiling of Energized Kids.