Working with people & brands who make the world a better place
aboutus
The Comms Department (or TCD to our friends) work with many of the world's biggest entertainment, lifestyle and consumer brands.
We are strategic public relations experts managing everything from publicity, social media, corporate communications, media training, brand partnerships and crisis management.
Established in 2012, TCD's all-senior team deliver exceptional PR campaigns for the people and brands who make the world a better place.
Our clients often come to us when they’re going through a period of transformation. They then stay with us as we keep their business current, vibrant, protected and profitable.
Whether you're looking for long-term strategic support or a shorter campaign, we make it our business to know your business and become your Comms Department.
If that sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.
What We Do
Whether via television, radio, podcast, newspapers, magazines, online, social media, or activations we put your story in front of the right people.
We are strategic, thorough, and accountable and deliver tangible results.
Whether your company is going through times of change or simply looking to best prepare for or leverage growth, you need a solid communications strategy.
We ensure the correct story is being told, from the mouth of the board or CEO, down.
Anyone speaking with the media needs to know what to do.
The media need a good story; you want to get your information heard.
We hear you clearly; now, let’s make sure everyone else does.
What is communicated during a crisis may determine your company's future. Timing is crucial, and a solid PR strategy executed by experts will shape what happens to your business and your brand's reputation.
Amplify your brand with the perfect ambassador who’s aligned with your organisation’s values and who truly influences your audience. We have the talent to partner with your brand and we manage the process end-to-end, ensuring the fit is right and every deliverable is met.
While we’re strategic in our approach, what we’re especially renowned for is our execution.
We’re detailed and thorough and we only take on projects that we love and we know we can deliver on.
Meet The Team
BEC BROWN
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Bec founded The Comms Department in 2012 and since then has created hundreds of successful B2C and B2B public relations, social media, corporate communications and crisis management campaigns.
Trusted by clients and media alike, Bec is a valued corporate and crisis communications advisor to the Executive teams across all of TCD's clients and an invaluable source for media.
Prior to beginning the agency, her previous communications experience included half a decade as Senior Publicity and Promotions Manager for the world's largest record company, Universal Music, and an Account Executive role at a Sydney PR agency working on campaigns for finance, travel, FMCG, pharmaceutical and lifestyle brands.
And for six years before this, working as a stage performer and session musician in Australia and Europe has given Bec rare-to-find insight and understanding on how to best work with creative talent and other entertainment industry stakeholders.
Bec's professional experience is also backed by study - a Certificate in Social Psychology, a Bachelor of Music, and a Graduate Diploma in Media and Communications (partial). Bec’s ongoing obsession with neuroscience and better understanding how and why humans think, behave and interact has her continuing postgraduate study with a Graduate Diploma in Mental Health and Neuroscience.
In 2020, Penguin Random House published Bec's first book, You've Got This and she’s currently working on her second.
MICHAEL HICKSON
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Michael joined the Comms Department in 2019, bringing more than 14 years of expertise in TV Publicity, Consumer PR and Corporate Comms.
Since joining TCD, Michael has delivered outstanding results across many high-profile clients, including Amazon Prime Video, ARN, NBCUniversal, Hayu, Live Nation and The Wiggles. Highlights include campaigns to introduce an expanded Wiggles line-up, launching Live Nation's Happy Place, and securing more than ten cover features for Amazon Prime Video.
Originally from the UK, Michael studied Theatre Acting at Bretton Hall, which was part of Leeds University.
After graduating and working as a singer, Michael turned his hand to PR and joined the BBC's drama publicity team. This led to working in-house and at agencies for clients including BBC, Carnival Films, Comedy Central, NBC Universal, Celebrity Big Brother, MTV, TV icons Teletubbies, consumer clients Virgin Active, Zumba Fitness, Churchill and many more.
Prior to joining TCD, Michael also worked at SBS as Corporate Communications Manager across a broad range of programs and channel launches.
Our Work
These client case studies give a glimpse into the kind of results that TCD deliver.
Our Clients
What Our Friends Say
You've Got This
The Essential Career Handbook For Creative Women
Combining 20+ years of creative experience and working with clients like the The Wiggles, Katy Perry, KIIS FM and Pure Gold Networks, iHeartRadio, Amazon Prime Video, Hayu, Universal Music, Sony, Music, and Live Nation, PR professional and founder of The Comms Department, Bec Brown brings you You've Got This – the ultimate career hack for anyone wanting to build their dream career in any creative industry.
You've Got This gets candid about the realities of today's working world and guarantees a more rewarding path to success – to score your dream job or start a business doing something you love while earning a great income and enjoying the journey along the way.
The working world can be competitive and fast-paced and the unfortunate reality is that many clever graduates and smart professionals are struggling with feeling anxious or frustrated and re-assessing their values and motivations. But thankfully, there's a way to take charge. Offering smart, honest, 100% proven tips, valuable anecdotes and easy-to-action advice, You've Got This arms you with everything needed to reach your creative and earning potential and find career fulfilment, minus the burnout.
Published by Penguin Random House and available as a book, ebook, or audiobook.
YOU'VE GOT THIS is your go-to-guide on mastering:
How to stand out from the crowd and build an exceptional reputation in a positive and authentic way.
Defining your own measure of success and personal brand to ensure you end up on the right career path.
How to build valuable relationships – from networking, working well with your boss, and dealing with office politics.
How to be cool in a crisis with tips on overcoming challenges, dealing with setbacks or change, and dismissing the fear of failure.
How your voice can be your biggest ally – because how you say something is just as important as what you say, learn how to master your pitch, pace, tone and volume.
Learn whether you're an introvert or extrovert and how to use this to your advantage.
Managing your work-life balance so that work remains fun and you never burn out.
The dos and don'ts of meetings, work events, and social media.
Plus tips on starting your own successful business and other life lessons to apply to your professional life.
Packed with memorable words of wisdom in easy-to-read bite-sized pieces and beautiful illustrations by design-expert Inga Campbell, You've Got This is a refreshing and practical guide that ensures you not only end up on the right track to success, but that you are able to stay on that track for years to come.
Part author proceeds from every book sold will be donated to two charities that support women: Fitted for Work and Life Changing Experiences' SISTER2Sister.
Leigh Campbell
Mamamia Executive Editor and You Beauty podcast host
"If you're looking for a wishy-washy career book full of pointless inspirational quotes then sadly this isn't the book for you. You've Got This is packed with practical advice that's straightforward, easy to action and importantly, works. I found myself nodding along to every step, tip and trick, it's an invaluable business mentor in a (not boring) book."
Sally Obermeder
TV host, author and co-founder of SWIISH
"Whip-smart. Honest. Genuine. Practical. Encouraging. Yes, that's an accurate description of Bec, but it's also how I'd describe her advice in this book. Bec's poured all her hard-earned knowledge and experience to create this invaluable go get 'em guide filled with advice, tips and recommendations. Plus, every page has Bec's signature warmth and you can just hear her chanting 'You've got this!' through every single page."
Amanda Keller
TV & radio host
"A brilliant how-to that will help you negotiate a successful career in any creative industry with skill, heart and smarts. This book holds the collective wisdom of one of the greats of media and PR. I wish this advice had been around at the beginning of my career."
Shelly Horton
9Honey journalist and owner of ShellShocked Media
"This is the book I wish I had when I started in journalism and then again when I started my own business. It will help you at any stage of your career. It's practical and broken up into bite sized pieces of wisdom. I'll be gifting You've Got This to all of the girls that I mentor."
Ash London
TV & radio host
"This is more than just a how-to guide. On these pages is priceless encouragement for those who want to succeed in the media industry without sacrificing the most important thing – themselves! Here's to a future where kindness and authenticity are at the forefront of what we do and how we do it!"
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