The Department of Industry, Science and Resources   

Showcasing the world’s biggest radio telescope  

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources called on Ogilvy PR to help manage a complex global announcement to mark the start of construction of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) – hailed as one of the biggest scientific projects of this century. The event was an intergovernmental global effort with synchronised activities in South Africa.  

The SKA will allow scientists to look back to very early in the history of the universe when the first stars and galaxies were formed, to investigate dark energy and why the universe is expanding, and to potentially search for extra-terrestrial life. 

Our team worked closely with the Department, the CSIRO, sector bodies and the Science Minister’s Office for more than a year to make the launch event a success. Our work involved developing a full communications strategy, stakeholder engagement, government relations, issues management and global media engagement for the construction announcement for the SKA.  

We also played a key role in managing media and spokespeople at the event which was held in the middle of the desert in Western Australia at the Murchison Radio-Astronomy Observatory, with no mobile phone coverage. 

The event involving the Federal Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic MP was a huge success and secured more than 4,500 pieces of global and national coverage, including BBC World News and all major Australian TV and print outlets.  

The Department praised our efforts for exceeding media coverage expectations and for the extra value we gave as strategic consultants and specialists in science and environment communications.