Business Details
16 Years
experience
Strategic Public Relations Experts in Regional Victoria
Established in 2010, Fishbowl PR is a regional public relations and communications consultancy headquartered in Beechworth, Victoria. Founded by Birgit Schonafinger, a seasoned communications professional with over two decades of experience in journalism, local government, and community engagement, the business specialises in crafting strategic communication frameworks for not-for-profits, government agencies, and regional organisations. Our approach prioritises stakeholder consultation, evidence-based strategy development, and measurable outcomes through services including media relations, community engagement planning, social impact measurement, and crisis communications.With a deep understanding of regional Victoria's unique challenges and opportunities, we have delivered impactful campaigns across Albury, Wodonga, Shepparton, Wangaratta, and beyond. Our work with Wodonga Council's 2050 Community Vision, Monash University's microgrid project, and numerous local government and healthcare clients demonstrates our commitment to fostering meaningful connections between organisations and their communities. Recognised for our expertise in deliberative engagement processes and strategic storytelling, we empower clients to navigate complex communication landscapes with confidence.
Services
Communication Strategy
Community Engagement
Media Relations
Insight Audit
Social Impact Measurement
Training Programs
Crisis Communications
Stakeholder Consultation
Details
- Year established: 2010
Highlights and features
- We offer 14+ years of regional public relations expertise since 2010
- Our team implements evidence-based deliberative engagement frameworks
- We provide tailored media training for effective stakeholder communication
- Our strategies combine journalism expertise with local government insights
- We guarantee measurable outcomes through social impact measurement
Associations and certifications
- IABC
What people say
Added significant value
Stress out of PR strategy
Results better than expected
Delivered measurable outcomes
Exceptional stakeholder understanding
Services
Communication Strategy
Developing comprehensive communication frameworks tailored to organisational objectives. Our strategies integrate stakeholder consultation, media engagement, and measurable outcomes. We specialise in creating actionable plans that align with regional market dynamics and community expectations.
Community Engagement
Designing and implementing engagement programs that foster meaningful stakeholder participation. Using deliberative processes and evidence-based methodologies, we help organisations understand community needs while building trust through transparent dialogue and collaborative decision-making.
Media Relations
Building strategic relationships between organisations and media outlets. Our services include media training, press release development, and crisis communication management. We help clients craft compelling narratives that resonate with target audiences through traditional and digital channels.
Insight Audit
Conducting comprehensive evaluations of organisational communication effectiveness. Through direct stakeholder interviews and data analysis, we identify communication gaps and opportunities, providing actionable recommendations to enhance engagement strategies and improve stakeholder relationships.
Training Programs
Delivering customised training in communication strategy, media engagement, and stakeholder management. Our programs build organisational capacity through practical workshops on topics including media training, theory of change frameworks, and social impact measurement techniques.
People
Birgit Schonafinger
Founder & Director
With 25+ years in journalism, local government PR, and strategic communication, Birgit established Fishbowl PR in 2010. She specialises in regional stakeholder engagement and holds a Master's in Organisational Communication. A certified member of IABC, she serves on the Asia Pacific board.
Questions
What regions does Fishbowl PR service?
We primarily operate in north-east Victoria including Albury, Wodonga, Shepparton, and Wangaratta, with project experience across regional Australia.
What industries do you specialise in?
Our expertise spans government agencies, healthcare providers, not-for-profits, and regional businesses requiring strategic communication solutions.
How do you measure communication effectiveness?
We use Insight Audits, social impact measurement frameworks, and stakeholder feedback analysis to evaluate and improve communication strategies.
Can you assist with crisis communications?
Yes, we provide crisis communication planning and media management services to help organisations navigate challenging situations effectively.
Do you offer training programs?
We deliver customised training in media relations, communication strategy, and stakeholder engagement for organisational teams.
What sets you apart from other PR firms?
Our unique combination of journalism experience, local government insight, and regional market expertise delivers practical, results-driven communication solutions.
Videos
Reviews (1)
Tarnya Bruinier
Jan 19, 2020
Report
I recently won a prize where I got to work with Birgit from Fishbowl PR. From the moment we started working together Birgit shared my passion and got me thinking about elements of my business I had not considered. We worked together to narrow down my business goals and how specific parts of marketing would assist my business to grow. I found this most helpful as a small business, as often I was unaware of what options were out there.
Birgit was friendly, easy to communicate with and timely. We worked on creating key messages for my business to ensure all my communications were consistent and on
Birgit was friendly, easy to communicate with and timely. We worked on creating key messages for my business to ensure all my communications were consistent and on
