Women in Print starts new chapter

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Women in Print, which says it is arguably the industry’s strongest diversity and inclusion programme, has, after 15 years, relaunched itself to take on the year, and the future ahead.

 
Susan Heaney, NPA Chairperson.
Susan Heaney: chair of the relaunched Women in Print

A refreshed brand, website, calendar, and team are leading the way, with Women in Print also announcing a new partnership with The Real Media Collective.

A new look, new management, and new focus – community, knowledge, network, and support – are driving all that WiP offers, from events to mentoring, blogs to fact sheets, training and alliances.

Recently registering as an independent entity, the board includes all patrons: Susan Heaney, managing director, Heaney's Performers in Print; Sandy Aspinall from Creative Juice Recruitment; Natalie Taylor from IVE; Kirsten Taylor from Taylor'd Print in Victoria; Marisa Symrneos from SA operation Graphic Print Group; Lisa Blachut from Advance Press in Perth; and industry partners Kellie Northwood of The Real Media Collective and Sarah Moore from Visual Communications.

Susan Heaney, the original founder of Women in Print and no stranger to leadership across the industry – she sits on the Media Super board and is a former president of what was Printing Industries Association of Australia – is the newly appointed chair, supported by Sandy Aspinall as deputy chair.

Heaney said, “My journey with Women in Print has been a terrific one, providing a great opportunity for many women in differing ways. The independent entity and new focus is one I have been championing for some time now and I am thrilled to see this come to life. I want to thank Sarah, Kellie and all the patrons for their tireless work over the recent months to build this offering for the industry and I look forward to the year ahead."

Visual Connections, the industry’s supplier association, has held interim management of the initiative since 2018, prior to that WiP was sponsored by Heidelberg. Sarah Moore, business development manager for Visual Connections, commented “We have been delighted to provide support to Women in Print with administration, sponsorship coordination, and event organisation because we and our members, genuinely believe in the value of these events and opportunities.

“We always knew, however, that this was a temporary arrangement until the patrons found a new home where Women in Print could be passionately developed and supported into the future. With that opportunity now in place, it is time for Women in Print to move to its new home.

“We will remain a dedicated partner and look forward to working with the collective and contributing to the Women in Print Board, to ensure the organisation continues to grow and evolve into the future,” Moore said.

The Real Media Collective, with Northwood at the helm, has overseen the re-launch and positioning that now introduces international alliances, a mentor programme, additional events, resource libraries, and blogs from industry stakeholders. “As a woman working within the industry for twenty years, the opportunity to work with the Women in Print team is one I have relished. The Collective is thrilled to be involved and grow the offering for women across the industry and also sister industries such as women working in print traffic roles in agencies, or print production roles with retailers,” Northwood said.

New focus: Women in Print
New focus: Women in Print

“Everything we already love about Women in Print – the breakfasts and major industry event panels – will remain. These are the foundation of all that we are. However, we want to build from these with more regular communication, financial literacy materials to inform and empower, increased networking opportunities through the Mentor Me programme, and share our knowledge through It’s a Blog, where women from the industry can share their ideas, experiences and learnings.

“This is a great opportunity for Women in Print to evolve to the next level. We encourage anyone who hasn’t been involved to register and join the community, it’s going to be an exciting first year,” Northwood said.

With the first Print & Prosecco event being a Zoom Panel with the patrons coming up in August, they have hit the road running. To register with the Women in Print community go to the organisation's website or follow the social channels – LinkedIn and Instagram – @womeninprintaus.

Women in Print is a not-for-profit industry collaboration of women across the print media sector. The independent industry representative body offers opportunities for women to benefit from community, knowledge, network and support programmes. Aligned with like-minded industry associations, locally and internationally, Women in Print provides mentoring, events, resources and support to women in print media across Australia.

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