Hughes has worked with HomeStart throughout a period when the issues of housing affordability and housing availability have constantly made headlines.
Holding regular work-in-progress meetings with HomeStart’s in-house marketing team, Hughes is the first point of contact for enquiries from journalists and manages a rolling calendar of public relations opportunities that align with HomeStart’s strategic objectives.

Objectives

HomeStart’s public relations objectives are to:

• Raise awareness and trust in the HomeStart brand;
• Increase understanding of its unique home loan products, such as its Graduate Loan, Starter Loan and Shared Equity Option; and
• Increase awareness of HomeStart’s role in the housing sector at industry events, through media opportunities and via HomeStart’s own communication channels, including its website and social media.
   

Elements

Hughes provides comprehensive strategic communications support to HomeStart across our suite of service offerings. This includes:

• Developing and implementing an updated Communications Strategy to support HomeStart’s broader revised brand strategy, 
• Supporting HomeStart to develop key messages for the HomeStart Annual Report.
• Working closely with HomeStart to promote HomeStart’s achievements, through media conferences and media releases.
• Developing and pitching relevant stories to the media about HomeStart customers who realised their home ownership dreams through HomeStart.
• Drafting briefings and speech notes
• Providing issues management advice, where needed
• Developing digital media strategies
• Providing media training to the HomeStart CEO and Executive team. 
• Ongoing media management. 
• Working with HomeStart’s partners to promote HomeStart’s community sponsorships