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GovComms: The Future of Government Communication

GovComms: The Future of Government Communication

By: contentgroup
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Summary

Through conversation with industry greats, experts and innovators from around the world, GovComms delivers the latest insights and best practice in government communication. We provide the resources to help you, the government and public sector, communicate policies, services and regulations with impact. A podcast by contentgroup, leaders in government communication.


Watch our episodes in video on contentgroup's YouTube channel.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Episodes
  • EP#191: Storytelling for trust in the AI era

    EP#191: Storytelling for trust in the AI era
    May 1 2026
    Government comms has shifted from crafting messages to shaping meaning in a fast-moving digital world. Host David Pembroke is joined by Brenda Duran, director of external affairs at LA County’s Justice Care and Opportunities Department, to reflect on what has changed since they last spoke in 2019. They discuss the COVID-19-driven digital acceleration, the rise of direct-to-public communication, and how misinformation has become a high-volume, targeted threat. Brenda also shares practical approaches to faster approvals, building trusted messenger networks, and creating content that earns attention, before looking ahead to why storytelling and public trust matter even more in an AI-shaped environment.KEY POINTS:COVID-19 accelerated digital government for good Government teams had to pivot quickly to virtual briefings, real-time updates and direct-to-public channels, permanently changing how service information is delivered.Treat misinformation as a trust and security problem Countering false narratives now requires proactive “pre-bunking”, real-time monitoring and partnerships with trusted community messengers, not just reactive corrections.Fix approval bottlenecks by redesigning decision rights Define preauthorised “lanes” for routine updates, rapid approvals and high-risk crisis content so teams can move at the speed of public need.Act like a publisher, not a noticeboard Build weekly content plans, create evergreen explainers, use subject matter experts on camera, and turn government data into meaningful stories people can use.In an AI-driven world, storytelling becomes the differentiator As content volume increases, trust becomes scarcer—public sector communicators add value by creating narratives that restore context, clarity and humanity.Links mentioned in the podcast:AMEC Barcelona Principles: Measurement principles for communication (outputs, outtakes, outcomes) https://amecorg.com/barcelona-principles-3-0/AMEC (International Association for the Measurement and Evaluation of Communication): Organisation behind the Barcelona Principles and comms measurement resources https://amecorg.com/Latinas in Public Relations: Shaping Communications, Communities, and Culture (edited by Melissa Vela-Williamson): Book mentioned (Brenda Duran contributed) https://www.routledge.com/Latinas-in-Public-Relations-Shaping-Communications-Communities-and-Culture/Vela-Williamson/p/book/9781032547805If you enjoyed this podcast then please:Follow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow and rate on SpotifyWatch our videos on the GovComms YouTube pageConnect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram!The GovComms Institute podcast is produced by contentgroup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr
  • EP#190: Act to Decide — Why Governments Need to Act on AI Now

    EP#190: Act to Decide — Why Governments Need to Act on AI Now
    Apr 2 2026

    Governments cannot afford to keep talking about AI as a future challenge when citizens are already expecting better, faster, and more human-centred services.


    In this episode of GovComms, David Pembroke speaks with Pete Williams (Chief Edge Officer at Deloitte) about why the real risk is not moving too fast, but moving too slowly.


    Together, they explore how AI can help government shift from clunky documents and static websites to conversational, accessible and practical service delivery. From internal capability and leadership to chatbots and global examples, this episode is a clear-eyed look at what government needs to do next and why the right time to act is now.


    #GovComms #AI #government #communication #Deloitte

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    44 mins
  • EP#189: The “So What” Problem — Turning Numbers into Insight (and Action)

    EP#189: The “So What” Problem — Turning Numbers into Insight (and Action)
    Feb 13 2026

    Governments are full of data, but it’s insight that drives real change.


    In this episode of GovComms, David Pembroke joins Garrett Tyler-Parker, Director of Analysis and Insights at Tourism Research Australia.

    Together, they break down how good research transforms spreadsheets into strategy.


    Garrett shares why formative research should shape a campaign from the start, how human stories give meaning to dashboards, and what’s changing fast as mobility data and AI enter the mix.


    Find out how to make evidence easier to understand, harder to ignore, and far more useful for the people who need to act on it.


    Key Points

    • Insight beats information: government (and tourism) are awash with data, but the real job is turning the ‘what’ into the ‘so what’
    • Start research early: use formative research to shape the campaign, rather than using it to evaluate after
    • Blend big data with human context: numbers show patterns, but storytelling makes evidence more memorable

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    59 mins
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