The 2024 Women in Media Conference Under a Lens
Women in Media National Conference 2024
The Women in Media National Conference has established itself as the must-attend event featuring high-calibre speakers, honest discussion, and fresh ideas that push the boundaries of the industry.
Join women from across the media landscape to excel, learn, contribute, and connect. Be inspired by talks and ideas, hone skills in practical workshops, and network with a national community of women committed to gender equality. Whether you work in journalism, advertising, communications, technology, digital, screen, publishing or streaming, this event is for you.
#WIMConference2024
Photo Gallery
2024 Speakers
Program
Friday 9th August
Time
Session
Speakers
8:00 AM
Registration opens
9:00 AM
Conference open and welcome
Women in Media co-chairs
9:15 AM
Media and Men’s Violence Against Women
PANEL
How does our industry influence the national crisis of men’s violence against women – from news coverage and advertising, to social platforms and fictional storytelling on screen, stage and page? Explore this time-critical question with an acclaimed screen creator and survivor, policy maker, and primary prevention specialist who advises news media on responsible reporting on domestic and family violence.
Amanda Rishworth, Federal Minister for Social Services
Leah Purcell AM, screenwriter, director, actress
Moo Baulch, Chair Our Watch
Moderator: Sarah Ferguson Host, ABC 7.30
10:00 AM
Rachel Griffiths AM in conversation
with Liz Hayes
DISCUSSION
Rachel Griffiths AM joining Australian TV-interview legend Liz Hayes for an in-depth conversation about her career and life in the screen industry. What is sure to be a captivating event, Hayes will bring her award-winning interview skills to the conversation, delving into Griffiths’ fascinating career as an actress, director and producer, as well as the role she has played highlighting women’s issues over the years.
Rachel Griffiths AM, Director, producer, and Oscar-nominated and multi-award-winning actress
Liz Hayes, Australian reporter, journalist and television presenter
10:35 AM
Women in Media: Industry Insights
Petra Buchanan, Strategic Advisor Women in Media
10:50 AM
Life Online: Risks and Rewards
PANEL
It’s a dangerous virtual world out there but also one full of opportunity. How do we safely navigate online visibility and the benefits this brings amid evolving and increasing dangers of doing so? These risks are often specific to women and increase with layers of intersectionality. Unpick this tension and explore how it can be positively managed with a young content creator, First Nations journalist, and regulator.
Julie Inman Grant, eSafety Commissioner
Lucinda Price (aka Froomes), Digital Content Creator
Mawunyo Gbogbo, Music and Pop Culture Reporter, ABC
Moderator: Danielle Cronin, Women in Media Director and Commissioning Editor at ABC News Digital
11:20 AM
Morning tea break
11:45 AM
Justice Michael Lee in conversation
with Ita Buttrose AC OBE
The Hon. Justice Michael Lee, Australian jurist and former barrister
Ita Buttrose AC OBE, Women in Media Patron
DISCUSSION
Federal Court judge, the Hon. Justice Michael Lee held the unenviable task of untangling the "omnishambles" behind one of Australia’s most famous gender-political defamation trials. In a media landscape where truth and audience trust are increasingly challenged, Justice Lee joins Women in Media Patron Ita Buttrose AC OBE for an exclusive interview exploring our industry, society, and the rule of law.
12:15 PM
Lunch
1:15 PM
Business of Media
PANEL
They’re at the top of their game and running some of the most influential businesses in the country. Not long ago, these positions were almost exclusively held by men. Given how influential the media is on culture and society, and how many of us this industry employs, it is critical women hold these leadership positions too. So where to next? What’s their strategy for growth and sustainability, selling to consumers in a cost of living crisis, keeping up with evolving technologies, and creating positive workplace cultures? Join women at the top of their game for a behind the scenes discussion about the Business of Media.
Belinda Rowe, ARN Media
Beverley McGarvey, President Network 10 and Head of Streaming
& Regional Lead Paramount ANZ
Natalie Harvey, CEO Mamamia
Moderator: Bridget Fair, CEO Free TV & Director,
Women in Media director
1:50 PM
Pivots and Portfolios: Modern media careers
PANEL
Research shows you will change careers at least once in your life, and if you are anything like the average person, you will do it three to seven times over 45 working years. The younger you are, the higher the number of career pivots you are predicted to have. Add to this job insecurity, the gig economy and revenue-sharing platforms enabling people to set up their own small businesses, and we also have increasing numbers of 'portfolio careers', especially within media, where people are curating their own paid activities and revenue streams. Join a cross-generational panel and explore how to best prepare for a life of so much job diversity and so many careers.
Anisha Khopkar, Co-director McAuliffe & Khopkar
Jane Caro AM, columnist and author
Zara Siedler, Co-founder The Daily Aus
Moderator: Megan Brownlow, Houston Consulting
2:20 PM
Women in Media Announcement
Kym Middleton, Women in Media General Manager
2:25 PM
Afternoon Tea
3:00 PM
WORKSHOPS
How to create a podcast that lands an audience
You have a cracking idea or your company knows that podcasting is a sticky way to engage an audience. Now what? Learn how to harness the power of podcasting from conception to production and, the oft-forgotten piece of the puzzle, distribution. How do you develop a format, pitch your idea, and get your audio baby in the market and into the ears of listeners? Plus, we reveal some exclusive data from Australia’s podcast insights survey PodPoll on who’s listening and to what.
(Delegates to select 1 of 3 concurrent sessions)
Presented by Kellie Riordan, Deadset Studios
AI for Small Business and Freelancers
This no jargon workshop will equip you with AI tools you can start using right away to automate tasks and increase productivity – from deploying bots for efficient lead generation to harnessing powerful ways to do in-depth client and market research, you’ll learn how to leverage AI to enhance efficiency and drive growth. You will walk away with the practical know-how to wield artificial intelligence to your benefit. Because AI won't take your job, but someone who knows how to use it just might.
Presented by Dr Nici Sweaney, AI Her Way
Communicate like a leader: How to inspire and influence
This workshop will equip you with the skills to communicate with the confidence and clarity of an inspiring and persuasive leader. You will learn to identify who you are and what you stand for – your personal brand – and how you communicate – are you clearly nailing your message. From here you will be given tools on how to approach conversations and inspire and influence your audience toward your goal.
Presented by Suzie Rogers, Forté Communications
4:30 PM
Reflecting the Real Australia in Storytelling
presented by SBS
PANEL
As an industry we talk a lot about connecting with the diverse and multicultural country we see each day when we walk outside our doors. But often our screens and news stories struggle to reflect the true diversity of Australian audiences. In this practical, solutions focused panel hear from three leaders in the space about what they are doing to help drive a more diverse media and connect with audiences.
Bernadine Lim, Senior Commissioning Editor of Factual SBS
Karina Holden, film producer of Love on the Spectrum (US), Employable Me and Blue
Rosemary Blight, Producer Goalpost Pictures
Moderator: Janice Petersen, Presenter SBS World News
5:05 PM
How to Say No
PANEL
One syllable. Two letters. Yet so hard to say. From wanting to 'lean in' and climb the career ladder, to avoiding disappointing your work buddy or boss, to ensuring clients return again and again... there are so many reasons to say yes. Yes to more responsibilities, yes to more hours, yes to skipping that health appointment, special event and even sleep. We’ve all been there. But a working life where we never say no is unsustainable. With burnout disproportionately affecting women and our lives being more than our jobs, this session looks at positive ways to put up some protective parameters and say that difficult word: no.
Ghada Ali, Producer ABC
Kiranpreet Kaur Dhillon, Managing Director 42North Consulting
Shuktika Bose, Clinical Psychologist
Moderator: Dee Madigan, Executive Creative Director & Founding Partner Campaign Edge
5:40 PM - 6:30 PM
Drinks & Networking
Event concludes
(Please note, conference program is subject to change. Refer to this page for the most up-to-date version).
Key takeaways
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Network with media professionals from across the country
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One-day event with panel discussions and workshops
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Conversations on career moves, industry trends and visionary insights
Who should attend?
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Business leaders
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Early to mid-career professionals
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Entrepreneurs and freelancers
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Students
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Diversity and equality advocates
Topics
Technology that's changing our world, and influencing how we work
From AI to social influence, and the ethics in between.
Change-makers breaking barriers
Embracing diverse voices for greater inclusion.
Myth busting and storytelling
From advertising to content development.
Future of media
From platforms and changing distribution models, to reaching audiences.
Sponsors
Major Media Partner
Presenting Partner
Supporting Partners
Pay-it-Forward
Donate to support women who can’t otherwise attend the National Conference.
Our goal is to fund SEVEN women (nationwide)
Your contribution can have a massive impact, sending these talented women that would otherwise not be able to attend the National Conference.