Event wrap-up: Telum Talks To: ACM's Saffron Howden

On Wednesday, 10^th September 2025, Telum Media hosted a discussion with Saffron Howden, National Affairs Correspondent at ACM, as part of its Telum Talks To series in Australia. Held at the Fleet Gallery & Warrane Theatre at the Museum of Sydney, the session was moderated by Telum’s John Bergin.

PR and communications professionals from various sectors attended the event, gaining exclusive insights from Saffron before engaging in a Q&A session. Attendees also had the opportunity to network with Saffron and fellow industry peers before the event concluded.

During the discussion, Saffron spoke about her career journey, including her work in media literacy and her PhD research into disinformation and helping Australians navigate it. She also shared a glimpse into her day-to-day role at ACM and what her position entails.

Saffron then went on to break down how ACM operates - from how its mastheads coordinate shared stories, to its audience profile and news consumption habits, to the ways ACM publications differ from metropolitan outlets. She highlighted that print continues to play a significant role in regional areas.

Saffron also shared how communications professionals can best pitch to ACM journalists. She emphasised the importance of rapport between PRs and journalists, describing it as a "team effort", supported by strong case studies, credible data, engaging visuals, and realistic promises. She also highlighted the value of exclusives, while noting the need to balance traditional press releases with sharp and punchy pitches.

In the Q&A session, she addressed writing for clarity and accessibility, the nuances of pitching exclusives across multiple mastheads, the differences between regional and metropolitan coverage, lessons on leadership and mentoring young journalists, and the evolving role of AI in grassroots reporting.

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