The 2025 Women in Media National Conference is set to host a panel session titled 'Crisis Comms: Surviving the Storm', focusing on the intricacies of managing public relations disasters. Scheduled for Friday, 15 August 2025, the event will take place at ICC Sydney.

The session will delve into various PR challenges, including executive misconduct, product failures, tone-deaf campaigns, and 'non-apologies'. The panel aims to provide insights into handling such crises and the strategies required to navigate them effectively.

The panel will feature Sue Cato AM, Sally Cray, and Adam Ferrier, each bringing a wealth of experience from different facets of the communications industry. Sue Cato AM, a Partner at Cato & Clive, has over 30 years of experience in strategic communications and special situations management. Her expertise is expected to provide valuable perspectives on managing high-stakes communication scenarios.

Chief Communications Officer at the Reserve Bank of Australia, Sally Cray, will also join the panel. Cray leads the RBA's new Communications Department, bringing her experience in managing communications for one of Australia's key financial institutions to the discussion.

Founder and Chief Thinker at Thinkerbell, Adam Ferrier, completes the panel. Ferrier's background in behavioural science and creative strategy is anticipated to offer unique insights into the psychological aspects of crisis communications.

The session will be moderated by Professor Monica Attard OAM, Co-Director of the UTS Centre for Media Transition. Attard's role as moderator will guide the discussion, ensuring that the panel addresses the impact of public scrutiny and the challenge of rebuilding trust during a crisis.