Across the Tasman, Australia’s two larges print industry associations have agreed to merge.
The Print and Visual Communications Association (PVCA) and The Real Media Collective (TRMC) serve the paper, print, mail, packaging and publishing sectors. Merging creates the largest association across the industry.
Peter Clark, president of the PVCA, says, “Our industry needs united leadership and a strengthened Association, the merging of the two leading industry associations into a ‘super body’ is a very important step in achieving just that.
“These discussions have been in place for several months, with both Boards working through a rigorous due diligence process. I firmly believe it is the best news for the industry and will leave all members, PVCA and TRMC, in a better position as we finalise the merger details and commence an enriched service delivery of programs and outcomes for our industry.”
Kellie Northwood, current TRMC chief executive officer, will take up the executive role at the PVCA and lead the existing TRMC Team with all coming across into the merged body. The organisations have negotiated an equal representation of board officers.
Member support is critical
Matt Aitken, chairman of TRMC, says, “Our members are critical to this process, we have worked through a very strong solution for TRMC and the broader industry across the terms of this merger, however these will need now be put to our members who will ultimately vote to proceed. TRMC has always been an inclusive association, and this process will be no different. That said, I support the merge and encourage all TRMC members to support it and be part of a consolidated, strengthened and more impactful association moving forward.”
Kellie Northwood, chief executive officer at TRMC and incoming chief executive officer for the PVCA, says, “The announcement is an exciting one for the industry, providing opportunity to strengthen our industry across advocacy into government, development of a consistent national approach to training and talent acquisition, building of a co-operative auditing solution, a united industry promotion, gender and youth inclusivity programs and more. I say to all our combined members, thank you for your ongoing support and I look forward to working harder than ever for you. To those who are not members, take this momentous occasion as a ‘call to arms’, let’s come together and build the strongest industry we’ve ever been.”
Branding
Charles Watson, current general manager for industrial relations, policy and governance at TRMC, will lead the legal and constitutional compliance matters with authorities to ensure a successful transition. Watson has worked for three years with TRMC and has 11 years’ experience working with former Printing Industries Association of Australia.
The merger will initially carry the PVCA name and look to renaming and rebranding projects in the new financial year. Northwood says, “Our commitment is a ‘members first’ approach to the branding and re-positioning process, our members will be engaged and they will determine who we are, our key objectives and our purpose. A positioning project will be launched at PacPrint this year which will see our members join together for the first time.”
