RUSH magazine
During 2014 as a volunteer worker I created and developed a print and web based resource/magazine to assist organisations in the alcohol & other drug (AOD) sector to better engage with their target group and to raise community awareness amongst the mainstream community to important AOD issues. This idea or project was taken to The Salvation Army whereby we further developed the product and launched the RUSH magazine in July 2014. At the moment the magazine has a 5,000 hard copy print run and a large statewide distribution. The magazine will be published on a quarterly basis themed around important topics of interest in the AOD sector.The publication has received a reallocation of funding by the Commonwealth Department of Health. RUSH magazine has also dedicated a specific page each issue for consumer groups to have their say about issues of importance to them.
Man2Man Program Branding
I was employed as the Program Manager with the Tasmanian Council on AIDS, Hepatitis & Related Diseases (TasCAHRD) at the time of the successful rebranding of the Man2Man Program. The rebranding resulted in significant increased engagement of the target group with the program. This was especially the case with the traditionally hard to reach subgroup of non-gay identifying men. Major successes included the remote and rural areas which were traditionally hard to reach. Following the successes of the Man2Man Program, all other TasCAHRD programs underwent a rebranding exercise.
Man2Man Magazine
Whilst employed as Education Manager at TasCAHRD I was responsible for developing the popular men's health and lifestyle magazine entitled Man2Man. This publication was developed aiming at the target group of same sex attracted men but with a large mainstream distribution allowing mainstream community awareness to issues faced by the target group. The magazine was published quarterly and themed around topics of interest or importance. Under my management it accomplished a 5,000 copy print run, 12500 readership and over 275 distribution outlets around the state, interstate & overseas together with a large mailing list. The magazine received widespread recognition as well as won awards and gained international community partners. The magazine became one part of a suite of program products including the Man2Man Online website, blog page, social media sites, and community education programs. The Man2Man magazine is currently leading industry standard in it's field.
Man2Man Online Website
Whilst employed as Education Manager at TasCAHRD I was responsible for developing and managing the associated Man2Man Online website www.m2mtas.com which became the website for the Man2Man Program as well as the Man2Man magazine. The website became the central feature for the Program to which all components referred or linked to. Under my management the website received up to 4,000 unique web visits per month to the site from all over the country and overseas. Both local and international home pages were created to cater for this. The website also featured additional articles that did not feature in the hard copy magazine plus also allowed the program to discuss or feature more explicit topics not able to be featured in the magazine.
Man2ManTas Blog Page
Whilst employed as Education Manager at TasCAHRD I was responsible for developing and overseeing a social media strategy which included the print magazine, website, social media sites, blog page and community educational projects. An integral part of this was the development of a dedicated blog page (www.man2mantas.wordpress.com) for the program and magazine. This allowed important topics covered in the magazine to be further discussed on the blog page which facilitated much needed community conversations and discussions. The blog page also featured experts in the field to act as hosts for community members to ask questions relating to topics in their field of expertise.
Sauce Street Press Health Editor
I was the chief health editor responsible for developing the health column for the popular Sauce magazine which is the highest circulation, leading and longest-established Tasmanian street press targeting the youth market covering music, entertainment, arts, culture & lifestyle. The Sauce magazine has a 25,000 readership with 200+ outlets throughout the state as well as being available online. I was responsible for developing and overseeing content covering health issues of importance to the readership. This also involved approaching contributors and potential advertisers.
Men's Health
Brian has played a leading role in promoting men's health in Tasmania and was part of a small group who were instrumental in starting up the Men's Services Network of Tasmania in 2007 (now Men's Resources Tasmania). He also developed the Man2Man magazine which is Tasmania's only men's health and lifestyle magazine available to the public. Brian's passion for men's health continues with his work on the Men's Health Peer Education Program run by the Department of Veteran's Affairs.
Internet Counselling
Whilst employed as Education Manager with TasCAHRD I performed internet based counselling within chat sites frequented by the programs target group. This service enabled a safe and confidential way for clients to discuss personal issues with a professionally trained counsellor. The rebranding of the program as well as it's online outreach work resulted in increased numbers of men accessing sexual health services. I was also conference facilitator in the online counselling stream at both the 2008 & 2010 Australasian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) HIV Educators Conference.