On the Couch with Cannings

The Millionaires' Factory is a newly released book that lifts the lid on Macquarie Bank, one of Australia's greatest success stories. The book covers the extraordinary story of the bank, from its origins in 1969 to its presence as a global giant in over 30 markets. Co-author and senior banking journalist at The Australian, Joyce Moullakis, joins Cannings' On the Coach to discuss the writing process and key insights from interviews with Macquarie's CEOs and senior management both past and present.

Earlier this month, global communications agency Ogilvy launched its Sustainability Practice in Australia, bringing together experts from Ogilvy PR, Ogilvy Consulting, and our own Cannings CEO, Luis Garcia. To mark the launch, Ogilvy released its inaugural 2022 ESG Believability Report, exploring the perceived importance of ESG issues, the appetite for tougher legislation, and challenges faced by corporate leaders in communicating their ESG ambitions and progress.  In this episode of ‘On the Couch', we chat with two experts from the newly launched ESG practice, Nino Tesoriero, Chief Counsel, Ogilvy PR, and Miriam (Mim) Wells, Head of Strategy and Creative, Ogilvy PR, about the report's findings and practical tips for companies on their ESG journey.

What's the difference between what people say and what they really think? Earlier this year, our parent company, @WPP, released Chapter Six of its Secrets and Lies report to explore this question. Interestingly, the report found that with an increasing amount of news being consumed online, companies are struggling to authentically cut through fake news. In our latest episode of "On the Couch", Cannings Director @William Roberts sat down with WPP's President for Australia and New Zealand, @Rose Herceg, to chat through some of the report's key findings and how companies can build trust with their stakeholders.  

The arrival of the internet and advancements in technology have undoubtedly transformed the way we gather, distribute and consume news, while audiences, who were once passive, now play a bigger and more influential role than ever before.  It's a competitive world out there for media – so how do publications attract readership? Cannings Senior Consultant Simone Ziaziaris sat down with Associate Editor at The Australian, Eric Johnston, to find out for our latest episode of “On the Couch”.

With the 2022 financial year behind us, ASX-listed companies are preparing their results and thinking about what investors may be most focused on. But have they considered another important stakeholder – the media? Cannings Director Amy Piek sat down with Tom Richardson, Markets Reporters at the Australian Financial Review, for our latest On the Couch podcast episode to discuss what the media will be focusing on this reporting season.

Simon Banks is the Managing Director of government relations agency, Hawker Britton. He is a former Labor adviser and one of Australia's most highly respected government relations, campaigning and strategic communications professionals. Simon joins On The Couch with Cannings to discuss Labor's path to election victory and what we can expect next. 

With the reporting season approaching and uncertainty creeping back into the market due to the latest lockdowns, what are investors expecting from companies? In this episode of On the Couch, Cannings Director Susie Reinhardt speaks to Conor O'Prey, Senior Analyst at Canaccord Genuity, and Alex Clarke, Co-Portfolio Manager at Ellerston Capital, about investors' main focus this season and their advice for companies preparing results materials and guidance statements.

In September last year, the AFR's Michael Smith received a late night knock on the door by Chinese secret police, forcing him to flee his home and take consular protection for five days, until he and the ABC's Bill Birtles were safely evacuated home by Australian authorities. Michael joins Cannings On the Couch to discuss this experience and the ensuing diplomatic storm, but also how he ended up in China, what life was like there during the pandemic, and where things are likely to end up in the increasingly fraught relationship between China and Australia.  

"I always say there are two things shareholders want: shareholders want a company to make money for them, and they want companies to make it the right way" - Vas Kolisnekoff, Head of ANZ Research for ISS On our latest podcast, Cannings CEO, Renee Bertuch, and Director, Susie Reinhardt, are joined On the Couch by Vas Kolisnekoff, Head of ANZ Research at Institutional Shareholder Services group (ISS), to discuss what proxy firms and investors will be focused on at this year's AGM season.

Cannings Directors Susie Reinhardt and Craig Horlin discuss the key learnings and lessons from this year's reporting season, as well as what companies should be considering in preparation for AGMs / result reporting in the coming months.

Cannings' Senior Director Luis Garcia talks to David Faktor, Director of Public Affairs, Media & Communications at St. Vincent's Health Australia about how one of Australia's most prestigious and well known hospitals navigated through the COVID-19 disaster. 

In episode four of On The Couch, Cannings Directors Amy Piek and Susie Reinhardt speak to Matt Nicholas from Credit Suisse and Paul Biddle at Celeste Funds on what investors and analysts are expecting from reporting season next month and provide some tips for companies as they prepare to announce their results.

In this latest installment of our podcast series On the Couch, Senior Director Luis M Garcia speaks with Peter Ryan, Senior Business Correspondent at ABC News, and one of Australia's most experienced business journalists. Peter discusses how COVID 19 has impacted news gathering - and the media sector. He also provides some useful tips on how to perfect that interview or presentation from home.  

Join our Investor Relations experts, Jen Parker, Craig Horlin, and Susie Reinhardt as they analyse and breakdown the new ASX Continuous Disclosure obligations, revealing what these changes mean for company directors and officers of listed organisations. 

Gerry Harvey, Alan Joyce, Matt Comyn - you name it, every business leader has handled the pandemic differently. Some have managed the pressure well; others, not so much.   In this inaugural On the Couch pod, Senior Director Luis Garcia, along with Cannings' Director Jen Parker and Media Advisor Scott Rochfort, provide expert opinion and insights into the major crises and issues of the day.