Canvass >>
Navigating complexity. Building influence.
Canvass Corporate Affairs works at the intersection of strategy, reputation + technology, helping clients engage effectively with government, industry + their communities.
Navigating Complexity
The operating environment has never been more complex. Regulatory change, political scrutiny, market trends + technological disruption are impacting every sector.Now, corporate affairs is not simply about communications. It's about seeing the big picture. Understanding market developments, discovering stakeholder perspectives + anticipating emerging issues.Canvass works at the intersection of strategy, reputation + technology. We help clients understand the forces shaping their environment, develop evidence-based responses + engage effectively with government, industry + their communities to achieve strategic aims.We bring a particular focus to the challenges + opportunities of technology + digital innovation, helping organisations to move with their markets, meet stakeholder expectations + shape policy frameworks.
| >> | >> |
|---|---|
| Strategic Planning | Industry Affairs |
| Stakeholder Consultation | Internal/External Communications |
| Member Research | Public Opinion Polling |
| Media Relations | Government Relations |
| Tech Transformation | Regulatory Affairs |
| Managing Reputation | Issues/Crisis Management |
Our Team
Alexis Roitman
Managing Director
B.Com, LL.B(Hons), LL.M, Grad. Dip. PsychAlexis Roitman is a strategic advisor to corporates, industry groups + NFP clients. Alexis works with clients to drive strategic evolution + seize market opportunities.She has international experience across a wide range of industry sectors. She held senior positions at a number of influential industry groups + with major international research + strategy firms Ipsos + Hill & Knowlton.Previously, Alexis was responsible for Corporate Affairs for the subsidiary of a listed multinational. She began her career as a lawyer with Ashurst.Dr. Phil Emerson
B.Sc.(Hons, Psych), PhD, QPMRPhil Emerson has worked across market research + academia throughout his 30 year career, focusing on quantitative research projects + methods.Specialising in mathematical modelling + multivariate analysis, Phil advises clients on new quantitative research systems + techniques to provide significant competitive advantage.His recent work has focused on truly engaging respondents by developing new online survey technology.John Hughes
BA (Hons, Psych), Grad.Dip.Mkting, QPMRJohn Hughes has extensive experience in market research and brand management, as well as in technology + systems.John manages research operations for a range of complex, multi-format projects, including qualitative + quantitative research for industry tracking studies, campaigns + polling.
Case Studies
Canvass helps organisations + industry sectors navigate change + manage risk.
We draw parallels from our work across many sectors, in times of change + transformation.
Managing Growth + Reputation
Scope
A national industry body for 600+ specialty drinks manufacturers was at a crossroads. The organization lacked the strategic direction to represent members’ needs with regulators + government during a time of extraordinary growth and profile for the industry.As a result, the sector was fragmented + suffering reputational damage from regulatory non-compliance, while the association was losing members and influence.
Methodology
Canvass was brought in on an interim management basis, taking the five year old organisation into a new phase of professionalism during a period of intense advocacy activity in state + federal elections.Canvass researched + developed a strategic plan, defining key member benefits + new revenue streams. In support of advocacy + member retention, Canvass created uniquely branded multimedia communications which profiled the culture + identity of the sector.
Driving Change
Canvass consolidated + relocated sector leadership, with a raft of professional management systems + processes.Over the course of a year, Canvass undertook revised media + advocacy programs which found their mark, delivering public profile, media attention + attracting new members.The advocacy also delivered ongoing state + federal government support + critical regulatory change. Targeted member communiqués drove member compliance with labeling laws, helping to repair reputational damage.Ultimately, growing membership and sponsorship placed the organisation on a sustainable financial footing + unified a previously fragmented industry.
Technological Transformation
Scope
Technological change, new forms of contracting and surging property markets were providing challenges for a new group of licensed property professionals.Internally, the group needed to understand its members and their needs at a time of significant transformation.Externally, the group needed the skills, sector intelligence + platforms to be able to advocate to government, regulators + the wider property sector. As the property markets surged, Canvass was brought in to manage transformation + ensure effective advocacy, giving the sector a voice + improving its reputation.
Methodology
Canvass began a program of consultation with external stakeholders + developed a member survey to understand the demographics + challenges facing these professionals.From there, Canvass retained photographers + graphic designers to refresh the brand + frame the identity of the sector, creating a platform for influence + evolution.Working with the results of the stakeholder + member research, Canvass then devised an advocacy plan, developing communications materials + platforms.
Driving Change
The identity, needs + contribution of the group were brought into focus.Canvass fed back survey findings to the group. Combined with the refreshed look + feel of the organisation, Canvass built alignment, purpose + collective pride.Canvass then took the policy issues to government, advocating for key policy changes to enable the sector to work more effectively. Canvass gave the sector a voice during the groundbreaking transition to a revolutionary new tech platform.With credible, evidence-based arguments, Canvass was successful in achieving policy wins + influencing technological and policy developments going forward.
Managing Change + Strengthening Governance
Scope
A representative body providing key services for 67,000 students had long lacked effective oversight + corporate governance.Without strategic direction, it was not engaging with or understanding the needs of its members. It was struggling to meet the challenges of enormous change + disruption in the sector.It faced a leadership vacuum + financial distress which was heightened by COVID-19 lockdowns.
Methodology
Canvass was brought in on an interim basis, managing a $31m annual budget with eight direct reports, 300 staff, volunteers + a significant property portfolio.As the COVID crisis deepened, Canvass conducted an Organisational Review to provide visibility on problems + priorities + devise urgent solutions.Canvass then worked closely with sector institutions + stakeholders on a range of critical ongoing issues, developing a plan to reengage with members + stakeholders in the ongoing COVID context + beyond.
Driving Change
Canvass steered the organisation through the challenges of COVID, ensuring its survival through member retention , stakeholder engagement + financial restructuring.The results of the Organisational Review provided much needed transparency + direction. It informed Canvass’ work in responding quickly to the COVID crisis, stemming financial losses + managing safety + staffing issues. It provided the transparent messaging to protect the safety + wellbeing of students + stakeholders during COVID.The Review also provided a clear strategic roadmap, aligning the organisation with the interests of members + key stakeholders to ensure a sustainable future.
The Digital Shift
Scope
The digital economy is heralding a time of rapid change for many sectors, including all levels of the education sector.To inform its strategic planning, educational publishers needed to understand how key education stakeholders were dealing with rapid technological change + their perspectives on the role of their industry group in the digital shift.
Methodology
Canvass identified 50 senior executives from a wide range of stakeholder groups across all levels of education nationally: primary, secondary, tertiary and VET stakeholders, as well as other peak bodies, MPs + senior state & federal bureaucrats.Canvass conducted high-level discussions with these executives, covering numerous substantive + reputational issues about the impact of the digital shift on the education sector, the roles + relationships throughout the sector + the implications of these for Canvass’ client.
Driving Change
Elite stakeholders welcomed the chance to speak candidly + confidentially about their needs + the issues + opportunities facing the education sector nationally as a result of digital developments.The research findings informed + energised effective engagement at the public affairs level + addressed urgent reputational threats.
Advocacy + Effectiveness
Scope
Canvass was asked to assist a large professional union by providing insight into its effectiveness as an advocate + its standing with a range of elite stakeholders.The research would feed into a broader advertising campaign to position the organisation more effectively.
Methodology
Canvass developed a research strategy + developed in depth interviews to enable stakeholders to give clear, insightful views on the client under a condition of anonymity.Canvass accessed + conducted qualitative public affairs research with a wide range of elite stakeholders, including leading current affairs journalists + broadcasters, state MPs, policy makers + heads of sector advocacy groups.
Driving Change
The findings provided a pathway for advocacy-setting + engagement strategy.Canvass worked with the research findings to revise union messaging + communications to feed into wider campaigns, both with members + public affairs stakeholders.Ultimately Canvass’ insights + change program facilitated greater membership satisfaction + improved stakeholder relationships.
Canvassing Stakeholder Opinion
Scope
A large listed company wanted to evaluate its relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including MPs, policymakers, regulators + business journalists.The research findings would provide an evidence base for evaluation of strategy + team performance, set future KPIs + inform strategy-setting into the future.
Methodology
Canvass research design utilised both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to capture the full range of stakeholder opinion.Canvass was able to secure and conduct confidential interviews with elite federal and state stakeholders by communicating the demonstrable public policy benefit of participation and positive outcomes for all participants.
Driving Change
Canvass presented the confidential findings of the research + facilitated a workshop with client teams to enable findings to be digested.The client adopted Canvass’ findings + strategic advice + refined its strategy. The federal government later announced its support for the client’s carefully tailored policy proposal.
Managing Political Risk
Scope
A primary industry peak body was facing a perfect storm of commercial + political challenges combined with a slew of natural disasters.These threatened not only the social licence of the industry, but the livelihood of thousands of business owners + their staff across regional New South Wales.Canvass was brought in to rebuild the industry’s brand, influence + advocacy capability over the long term.
Methodology
Working with the Board and CEO of the peak association, it became clear there was a lack of structured, science-based information about the sector, leading to confusion + misinformation.Working with in house experts + creative agencies on a tight budget, Canvass developed, wrote + produced core communications platforms, programs + infographics for the industry. Communications were structured such that over time, diverse campaign modules could easily be added.Over many years, Canvass was a trusted support + adviser, developing + drafting communiqués in response to regulatory initiatives, industry working groups + parliamentary inquiries.
Driving Change
The communications platforms unified the industry around a common set of science-based messages + economic indicators.Effective advocacy provided media, government + supply chain stakeholders with a firm understanding of the scope, scale + science of the sector + its role in abating climate change in the 21st century.Canvass represented the sector in parliamentary inquiries, industry working groups + party rooms.The advocacy served to: manage political risk; rebut misinformation campaigns; elicit + direct government assistanceUltimately, Canvass worked with our client to steer the industry effectively through its many challenges + opportunities.
Contact Us
Talk to us today.
hello [at] canvass.net.au