COMPLIMENTARY WEBINAR
2026: The Good, the Bad and the Cringeworthy
Council communication lessons from leaders in the public spotlight
Thursday, 9th December
2:00pm AEDT
From politicians putting their foot in it to big brands making spectacular public mistakes, 2026 has delivered plenty of moments that made us gasp, cringe or shake our heads.
Behind the headlines are powerful lessons for everyone who communicates on behalf of a council.
What happens when leaders say the wrong thing? Why do some apologies make a bad situation disastrous? And how can one poorly judged message undo years of trust-building?
Join a lively end-of-year webinar where we’ll revisit some of 2026's most memorable public communication moments and what councils can take away.
We'll consider what went wrong, what worked surprisingly well and what you and your leaders can learn from the successes and stumbles of others.
From managing controversy and responding to criticism to navigating public expectations, protecting credibility and tackling the AI age, we'll turn real-world examples into practical takeaways for your Council.
You’ll head into 2027 with fresh ideas and we’ll probably share a few laughs along the way.
Dr Neryl East
Local Government Communication Specialist
After an extensive media career, Neryl spent 15 years in senior local government communication roles.
As well as partnering with councils around Australia to elevate their communication skills, she now coaches and advises government leaders at the highest level on communicating high-stakes messages with clarity and connection.
Neryl has a PhD in Journalism and is the author of five books including an Amazon best-seller on media and reputation. She is a Certified Speaking Professional and Past National President of Professional Speakers Australia.
