2020 Influential Businesswoman Awards

16 Acquisition International - 2020 Worldwide Finance Awards espoke Communications was first launched by Amber Daines in 2007 as a freelancer, with a single client and one thousand dollars in the bank. She was determined to deliver customised communication solutions for organisations to help them succinctly convey their message and successfully manage the 24/7 media cycle. Today, Amber has earned her reputation as one of Australia’s most agile communications professionals, known for her ability to devise and implement successful strategies for boosting all forms of PR and Communications. Meanwhile, Bespoke has become the leading consultancy service in Sydney in public affairs, crisis communications, media training and presentation skills. Amber works with CEOs and Executives spanning all industries, from creatives to finance, to deliver C-Suite media training and presentation skills. Alongside working with notable organisations such as AMP, Deloitte, Westfield and more, Amber is also a bestselling author, industry commentator, keynote speaker and podcaster. When Amber began her career as a TV and print journalist in the late 1990s, social media was non-existent and daily news moved a lot slower. After working for major news outlets such as the Financial Times (UK) and Derivatives Week (Hong Kong) and Sky News (Australia), Amber spent several years working in corporate communications, PR agencies and non-profit arts entities. At the age of thirty-one, with minimal previous entrepreneurial experience and her own funding, Amber struck out on her own to set up Bespoke Communications. Utilising the traits of a former journalist, such as working well under pressure, combined with knowledge of how to be successful securing new clients in PR and Communications, Amber was able to fortuitously handle the learning curve of setting up on her own. She hasn’t stopped learning since then. Her decade in business has helped her learn to say no to clients who do not value her expert advice, even if it may seem a financially profitable project. This resolve has enabled Amber to work pro bono, normally with clients in the education or research space, and for causes she believes in. Whether she be working with individuals or businesses, Amber is keen showcase these talents and offer PR strategies to give their brand visibility and longevity. For Amber, these opportunities to give back has been more rewarding than just earning money. Over the past fifteen years, this has included mentoring younger women within media, PR and new business ventures who are seeking advice on how to take the next step in their careers, as well as sitting on several boards. In a career that spans 23 years, Founder and Chief Communicator of Bespoke Communications, Amber Daines, has witnessed a great deal of evolution within media and communications. Beginning her career in newspaper and TV journalism, Amber has learnt the art of balancing a fast-paced and often unforgiving career with raising a family. Today, running her own consultancy and providing deep expertise to leaders in corporate, government and entrepreneurial worlds, Amber has established herself as the award-winning business communications expert of Australia. Best Business Communications Specialist 2020 (Australia): Amber Daines & Excellence Award in Media Training – Australasia B Although roles in media are much more accessible for women than they were when Amber began her career as one of the few women in business desk work, and workplaces safer as a result of the #MeToo movement, there is still a bias against women over forty, particularly in TV journalism. Amber believes the time has come for this to change, as media plays a vital role in representing diversity. Amber herself has felt challenged but has no regrets about her career and business experiences in media and communications, having balanced her career with raising two sons in the last 12 years, equating to almost half of her working life. While she has an excellent support system in the form of her husband and thrives on being able to show her sons that a mother can be present whilst maintaining a demanding career, there have been times when maintaining any sort of balance has been overwhelming. Indeed, when she had her first child, paid maternity leave in Australia was not as easily accessible as it is now, and paternity leave is also a relatively new concept. The months after the birth of her first son were frantic, and she worked through most of it as her agency was only a year old at the time. The key lessons Amber learnt from that experience she now shares with other women such as striving for financially independence, networking wisely, never living anyone else’s dreams. As social media and technology continues to transform the way businesses communicate and present themselves to the world, Amber’s services such as online media training are increasingly in demand. With personal aims to go back to study one day and revamp her popular podcast The Politics of Everything, Amber’s sights for her own future and the future of her ever-growing business are grounded in doing excellent and purpose-filled work. Contact: Amber Daines Company: Bespoke Communications Web Address: www.amberdaines.com Bespoke Communications