Region Canberra staff celebrated a significant milestone for the company at the brand launch party. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
The ACT’s fastest growing local news organisation marked the latest chapter in its growth this week with the official launch of Region Canberra.
Region‘s advisory board, staff, clients and supporters gathered for the event at the Canberra Southern Cross Yacht Club at Yarralumla on Wednesday (14 May).
The name change from Riotact to Region Canberra aligns with the group’s growing presence in other regions, including the Illawarra and Riverina.
Region Canberra editor Claire Fenwick, ACT Legislative Assembly media advisor Kaarin Dynon and MLA Rachel Stephen-Smith. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Goodwin general manager marketing and communications Elna Jennings and Region sales director Kirsty Tomas. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Mojo Up directors Jean-Pierre Simonis and Daniel Buchanan with Fiber digital marketing manager Veeraj Patel. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Fiber's digital marketing manager Veeraj Patel, digital marketing assistant Shreya Sharma and managing director Kevin Bhadra. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Asset Construction Hire general manager Hunter Cocks and Jigsaw Australia's community engagement lead Canberra Liam Zammit. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Village Building Co's head of marketing and communications Ashleigh Bujaroski and public relations coordinator Rosanna Curtotti. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Geocon marketing and communications executive Anastasia Campbell and The Mark Agency senior account planner Sarah Newbery. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
ACT Greens' communications and engagement advisor Jordan Maloney and media advisors Harry Sinclair and Julia Marais-van Vuuren. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Les Bistronomes Talia Cullis and Chris Margherita. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
one x creative services manager Corinne Steel, Region social media & content coordinator Morgan McGoogan, one x director of marketing and Region content director Kim Treasure. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
HMMG CEO Lauren Miller, ClubsACT operations manager Kate Palmer, Canberra Racing Club CEO Darren Pearce and MV Law partner Massimo Di Maio. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
G6 Concepts director Blake Harlock-Fletcher, Zango's account manager Lana Hurley and developer Diana McKinlay. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Aurora Designs directors Joel Symmans and Renzo Demartini with Region sales director Kirsty Tomas. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Aspen Medical co-owner Amelda Keys and Snedden Hall and Gallop managing director Richard Faulks. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Hands Across Canberra CEO Genevieve Jacobs and Asset Construction Hire Darrell Leemhuis. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
DDCS Lawyers partners Emily Tighe and Theresa Dowling with Nicholls Anzani Family Lawyers partners Ana Anzani and Tim Nicholls. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
The Meem Collective director Ben Johnston, ACT Greens Deputy Leader Jo Clay and Canberra Business Chamber CEO Greg Harford. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Truefitt & Hill executive consultant Khushwant Dhanoa and Lifeline Canberra general manager engagement & strategy Sally McLean. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
WMD Group Kate Walker and Hartley Lifecare senior manager Tania Goodacre. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Region Canberra editor Claire Fenwicke. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Region CEO Tim White. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Region CEO Tim White said the rebrand was a significant milestone for the company.
“Regional news is an incredibly important part of our community and our democracy,” he said. “It binds us together, informs us and keeps authorities accountable. It literally builds community.
“But running a media business is hard. When we kicked off nine years ago, we had three staff, and no clients. Today, we employ 42 staff and have dozens of contributors. We have more than 250 clients and partners. Our group monthly audience is now over one million users. In the past 12 months alone, we have published more than 5400 articles.
“In 2016, we were solely Canberra-based. Today we are in Canberra, the Illawarra, the Riverina, the South Coast and Southern Tablelands, as well as Far North Queensland. We now also have our first national vertical, publishing in the public sector and defence space with PS News, and a Chinese platform translating our content into Mandarin.
“We are here tonight to celebrate our new brand in the ACT as we change from Riotact to Region Canberra.
“It is much more than a simple name change. It’s about starting to bring all our brands together under the common Region brand, and what that means for us as a business, our clients and business partners as well as our audience.
“This is the start of the next phase of our growth journey as we look to replicate and grow our model into other parts of Australia. Our content will always be free – never behind a paywall. We believe quality, trusted, local news should be accessible to everyone.”
Aspen Medical's co-founder Amelda Keys and executive chairman Glenn Keys and Snedden Hall & Gallop's managing director Richard Faulks. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Region advisory board member Glenys Beauchamp and Hands Across Canberra CEO Genevieve Jacobs. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Mark Sheppard Bathrooms and Renovations director Mark Sheppard and ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Present With Impact managing director Cam Sullings with Zango's account manager Lana Hurley, general manager Karen Ligdopoulos and developer Diana McKinlay. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Ieuan Wilson and Cohen Handler buyers agent Alexander Anlezark. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Region account executive Alicia Webb and William Cole Funerals director Bill Cole. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Mark Sheppard Bathrooms and Renovations Mark and Fran Sheppard. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Region senior journalist Karyn Starmer, DDCS Lawyers partner Julie Dobinson, Region advisory board member Glenys Beauchamp and Region sales director Kirsty Tomas. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Region journalist Claire Sams and ACT Government media advisor Hannah Head. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Stromlo Running Festival director Mel Bingley and Lifeline Canberra general manager engagement & strategy Sally McLean. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
MV Law partner Archie Tsirimokos and Raine & Horne Commercial Canberra managing director Mark Nicholls. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Clarity Home Loans founder Mark Edlund and Nick Prosser. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Raine & Horne Commercial Canberra general manager Hayley Nicholls and managing director Mark Nicholls. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
LC Migration office assistant Darwin Prawiro and director Liz Chen. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Truefitt & Hill executive consultant Khushwant Dhanoa and Lifeline Canberra general manager engagement & strategy Sally McLean. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Region CEO Tim White, Farrah's Liquor Collective owner Matt Farrah, Region journalist James Coleman and Allinsure managing director Peter Chamberlain. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Region‘s Canberra editor Claire Fenwicke hosted the event, reflecting that while the name may have changed, the heart of the company remained true.
“It’s been about four years since I joined the Region family, and I know that can sound like such a cliché, describing a business as a family, but that is how I feel about Region. I still remember coming in for a job interview and hearing laughter coming from the all-staff meeting, and feeling so buoyed by the sense of community in the office.”
Claire thanked the Region Canberra team and its supporters.
“Without our journalists we wouldn’t be able to bring you local news and community stories, and without our commercial team and business partners we wouldn’t be able to make that news free,” she said.
“And to our readers, if we didn’t have eyeballs on our website, we couldn’t exist, so you’re an integral part of what we do as well.”
