He has worked in all aspects of public relations including media, crisis and issues management, internal communications, strategy and campaign development, engagement and consultation, social media – and all elements of implementation.

David brings strong public sector experience, having led strategic communications and campaigns within government, and delivered above and below the line campaigns. As a trusted advisor who couples strategic thinking with an ability to ‘get things done,’ David thrives working on sensitive and time critical projects.

As Director of Strategic Communications and Major Events at the Department of Education and Training, David managed the development and implementation of two key campaigns aimed at revitalising Victoria’s TAFE sector. This included the launch of the umbrella TAFE Victoria campaign – an overarching campaign for Victoria’s TAFEs, and the launch of the highly successful Free TAFE initiative.

David has strong experience in crisis and issues communication. Recently, he worked with the Department of Premier and Cabinet with a team to co-ordinate communication for COVID-19. With Fenton Communications, David helped set the strategy for communications after the 2009 Victorian Bushfires, and led whole-of-government communications following the floods in 2010 and 2011.

He is currently also completing a PhD in health social marketing, in which he is focusing his research on social marketing measures to improve the health of young Australians.

David has a Master of Arts (Professional Communication), a post-graduate diploma in Public Relations, completed on exchange at the University of Florida and is a member of the Public Relations Institute of Australia.