PRIA WA electes new state council and leadership

The Western Australian division of the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) has elected a new president, vice president and state council.

Senior communications strategist Clementine Crowther (pictured right) has been elected to the role of president. She will be supported by communications specialist Sandra Brkic (pictured left) as vice president.

Crowther is a founding partner of boutique public relations and brand strategy firm Loam Partners. She started the business in 2019 after twelve years in agency, including time at Sling & Stone, WPP’s The Origin Agency and WE Communications.

Brkic is an account director at Hunter Communications, an innovative and independent Perth-based public relations agency. Her experience also includes time at Sling & Stone, as well as Crown Resorts, PPR and Bite in the UK.

Communications strategist of 16 years, Doriena Parsons and retired PRIA member, Susanne Johnston join Crowther and Brkic on the newly formed state council.

Crowther said: “The work being produced in WA is impressive on both a state and national scale. The new council hopes to celebrate this thinking as well as create an engaged, local community where ideas, lessons, values and ethics are openly discussed.

“We are a profession charged with influencing the public agenda and with that comes great responsibility. At a time of so much uncertainty, it’s important that we are united in our trade and well represented by our industry body. We need to support and learn from each other, particularly in the current climate.”

“For us, 2021 is about connection. We want to build on the long and wonderful history of PRIA in WA, while also keeping our eyes firmly on the opportunities of tomorrow. We will be doing everything we can to enable conversations that excite and inspire WA’s current and future members, and build upon the national growth of our industry body.”

Leigh McClusky, PRIA’s national president, said: “It’s exciting to see a new council elected with a mandate for growth, fostering stronger connections between our WA members. Congratulations to Clementine and the team, we’re excited to have a vibrant and active WA council,” said McClusky.

Upon appointment Crowther also became a non-executive director of PRIA representing Western Australia on the national board.