Keith's
background in communications spans broadcasting, journalism and public
relations. His media career began over 40 years ago in Papua New Guinea where
he worked as a journalist and managed government radio stations in the
political hotspots of Rabaul and Bougainville.
In addition to
his position as chairman of Jackson Wells, he is also Adjunct Professor of
Journalism and Communication at the University of Queensland.
During the 1970s
Keith undertook a range of communications development roles in PNG Indonesia,
the Maldives Republic, India, the Philippines, and Fiji.
In Australia, he
founded and managed radio stations 2ARM-FM Armidale and 2SER-FM Sydney and was
inaugural president of the Community Broadcasting Foundation. In 1983, he stood
unsuccessfully for the Labor Party in the Federal seat of Mackellar.
After the 1983
election, Keith lectured in mass communication at the International Training
Institute (Department of Foreign Affairs), where he was later appointed Deputy
Principal. In 1985 he returned to the ABC as General Manager of Corporate Relations,
responsible for government, media and community relations. In 1988, he joined
public relations firm Mojo Corporate as Principal Consultant before resigning
to establish his own practice in 1991.
Keith's academic
qualifications include a BA in economics and political science and a graduate
diploma in management. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management
and was the first Australian board member of the Issue Management Council
(USA). His professional interests are in issues management, corporate strategy
and organisational communication.
He was awarded
the PNG Independence Medal in 1976 to recognise his contribution to
broadcasting and became a Member of the Order of Australia in 2004 for services
to management and training in media, communication and public relations and
services to non-commercial broadcasting. He has written widely on management
and communications, including 'Manage By
The Moment' on commission from UNESCO, published in English and Indonesian
editions.
In his private
life, Keith is President of the Montevideo Maru Memorial Trust and he publishes
the cutting edge PNG Attitude
website, which provides a critical view of Australia-Papua New Guinea
relations.