Hardman Communications values every client, which means every account is headed by someone who is highly skilled, very experienced, and passionate about the industries we work with.
Our account management team is led by experienced communications professionals, each with an average of more than 15 years working in PR, communications and journalism.
We believe in the highest quality communications and public relations support for our industries, so we’re committed to ongoing professional development and to nurturing new talent in this field.
Meet our team:
Sue Hardman
Director
Sue@hc.net.au
Sue has spent over 20 years working in internal, corporate and marketing communications and brand management for a range of multinational brands with responsibilities spanning Australia, South East Asia, Europe and North America. She established Hardman Communications as an independent public relations consultancy to serve specialist B2B markets in 2002. Her aim was to create an agency that delivered business-focused communications services that were able to cut through established thinking and be effective in new ways.
Sue is passionate about integrated communications strategies that engage media and other key stakeholders to increase brand value and improve total business outcomes.
She has an MBA from the University of Wisconsin, USA a Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing Management from the Macquarie Graduate School of Management, and a Bachelor of Arts (Major in applied Communication studies) from the University of Western Sydney.
Sue is a member of the Public Relations Institute of Australia and the PRIA’s Registered Consultancies Group.
Samantha Lenton
Account Director
Samantha@hc.net.au
Samantha’s public relations experience spans industries as diverse as information technology, fast-moving consumer goods and agriculture, construction and mining. Previous clients include IBM, Australia Post and Birds Eye.
Sam has managed campaigns on a local, national and international level, most notably serving as the Asia Pacific hub for the global public relations activities of business intelligence software company, Brio Software. In this role she was responsible for approving and managing all communications activities across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong.
Sam has worked with Hardman Communications since mid-2008 and has developed extensive knowledge of the Australian agriculture and construction industries.
As an Account Director, Sam creates and oversees the implementation of strategic communications plans, writes and edits a number of customer magazines and newsletters and manages media relations on behalf of Hardman Communications’ clients.
Kendi Burness-Cowan
Account Director
Kendi@hc.net.au
Kendi has close to 20 years’ experience across the communications spectrum. She started her career as a regional newspaper journalist and spent six years in daily news in regional NSW and Victoria. Since then, she has worked for a major metropolitan publisher and as a media and communications adviser in the government and non-profit sectors, including a number of years with a peak state advocacy organisation.
Kendi’s two great passions are strategy and writing, and she loves to combine them to create exciting, innovative, and above all, successful programs for clients. Her writing experience extends across all formats, from news articles and reports to speech writing, advertising and social media.
Kendi has extensive experience working with designers and photographers to develop integrated programs.
She has been a part of the Hardman Communications team since 2004.
Sharyn Casey
Account Director
Sharyn@hc.net.au
Sharyn’s extensive media management experience comes from working across a range of sectors, from state government to the not-for-profit sectors. A foundation member of the Hardman Communications team, Sharyn returned to the team in 2011 after completing a two year contract with an international volunteer-based organisation. As the National Manager for Marketing and Communications, this role was focussed on boosting brand awareness via targeted marketing initiatives and strategic public relations. Of note, Sharyn managed the organisation’s most successful media campaign in its history, reaching 14 million Australians via national press, radio and television coverage.
Sharyn’s experience extends to working as editor for a number of magazines targeted at professionals working in the building, construction and engineering sectors. She has also edited national magazines in the healthcare sector and developed educational resources for national healthcare providers.
Sophia Kevans
Media Strategist
Sophia@hc.net.au
Sophia has a background in journalism and a wealth of experience in strategic media relations counsel and campaign development and implementation.
Sophia’s strength is in developing media relations programs that drive sales and deliver effective and measurable results for clients.
With fifteen years’ experience across multiple industries, Sophia has worked as a journalist, editor, media relations manager and marketing manager for national and multinational companies.
Sophia has extensive contacts across specialist and mainstream media.
Alison Jackson
Creative Coordinator
Alison@hc.net.au
Alison is Hardman Communications’ artwork and photography specialist. With extensive experience and far-reaching contacts, Alison manages the creative briefing process for brochures, ads, websites and publications, ensuring the project is properly scoped and efficiently handled.
She maintains our photography database and works with photographers to ensure they capture the shots needed for any given project.
Alison is up to date on new trends in print and marketing collateral and has a detailed understanding of pre-press and creative processes. She offers quality advice on projects, from determining the ideal paper stock to collaborating with internal and external suppliers to develop the best concept.
As well as overseeing creative projects, Alison also manages media bookings and placements. As account coordinator, she is a key member of the team who is across every account and known to every client.
Alison’s greatest skill is her ability to solve any problem, either directly or because she knows exactly who to refer it to.
Megan Sam
Account Coordinator
Megan@hc.net.au
Megan comes to Hardman in 2012 from the Institution of Engineers Australia, based in Canberra. She works across a range of projects and clients within the agency.
Previously, Megan interned with several public and private organisations including Parker and Partners Public Affairs (part of the Ogilvy Worldwide group) and the Australian Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, where she worked across a number of successful integrated communication and marketing campaigns.
During her time with Engineers Australia, Megan project managed many marketing initiatives and major events. After being selected to manage and lead the promotional ‘Year of the Regional Engineering Team’ for Engineers Australia, Megan developed a strong passion for the people and the industries that define regional Australia.
Megan completed her Bachelor of Public Relations at the University of Canberra in 2010, achieving the highest grade point average in her graduating class. She earned the Vice Chancellor’s Academic Commendation Award and the Public Relations Institute of Australia ACT Division Prize for best student in state, as well as gaining membership to the Golden Key International Honour Society.
Mark Faulds
Account Coordinator
Mark@hc.net.au
As an Account Coordinator, Mark supports a vast array of projects for Hardman Communications’ clients.
Before coming to Hardman Communications, Mark built his experience in public relations as the main PR point of contact for the Starlight Children’s Foundation. The role contributed to raising awareness and vital funds to help this national charity brighten the lives of seriously ill children.
Mark received his Bachelor of Arts (Communications – Commercial Radio) from Charles Sturt University in 2010 and has previous public relations experience from roles with the Cancer Council of NSW and the Taronga Conservation Society Australia.
With his past studies in engineering and a passion for big boys’ toys, Mark is thrilled to be working on some of Australia’s biggest and most innovative agribusiness, construction and infrastructure brands at Hardman Communications.
Lynn Linn
Accountant
Lynn@hc.net.au
Lynn completed her MBA degree with a major in Professional Accounting at UTS in 2006.
Over most of the past decade, Lynn has worked for a range of ASX listed and other companies in financial and management accounting areas. Her experience covers industries as diverse as retail, hospitality, healthcare and childcare. Lynn has been responsible from tasks ranging from fundamental bookkeeping to accountancy requirements.
She is currently studying a CPA program to keep up to date with accounting standards, regulatory and legislative information.
Lynn manages Hardman Communications’ invoicing processes.