• New course starts up at Flinders University
• BPR lands radio megastars
• Another record quarter for AML3D
• Number of mining jobs hits a high
• Beep and Mort to go global
• Spacetalk subscribers more than triple
• IWG Australian Hybrid Workers Results
• New partnership aims to tackle insider risk

New course starts up at Flinders University.

Flinders University have announced a new course aimed at teaching graduate and postgrad students how to create a startup.

The university says that the new Graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurial Growth will give students insights into commercialising ideas, solving social and community-based challenges and creating jobs.

Flinders University Pro Vice-Chancellor Curriculum Impact Professor Chris Brebner said that that the new course will allow students to join a community where they can launch, commercialise or explore an innovative idea in any field.

“When you are immersed in an innovation precinct at Tonsley, with the support of academics, industry and government, you experience the power of collaboration, which is vital for startup success,” he said.

During the course, students will hear from guest speakers and mentors in the startup industry, as well as taking part in workshops.

The course will be offered this year at Tonsley Innovation District.

– Charlie Gilchrist

Kyle & Jackie O. Photo: KIIS 1065.

BPR lands radio megastars

Local PR and strategic communications agency BPR has secured The Kyle & Jackie O Show as its client temporarily while ARN and KIIS 1065 look for an in-house publicist.

BPR director Belinda Boscon said she was thrilled her agency had taken on the role.

“For a boutique agency based in Adelaide to be working on Australia’s highest rating and most successful radio program is a huge compliment and the team is really humbled to be given the opportunity,” Boscon said.

“We kicked things off on the first day back with some big news for the show. It was great to achieve the immediate national coverage.”

Alongside the win, BPR also works with other national and local businesses and not-for-profit organisations, including Adelaide radio station Mix102.3, natural pain relief product Hey Sis!, Credit Union SA, Heart Support Australia, KickStart for Kids, the Hurley Hotel Group.

– David Simmons

Another record quarter for AML3D

Adelaide technology firm AML3D also announced it had delivered more than $12 million of orders in the 2023 calendar year, driven by its new ‘Scale Up’ strategy.

The business said the latest period, which ended 31 December 2023, was its “second consecutive quarter of record quarterly cash receipts”, and that its new strategic tilt scored it deals with the US Department of Defence.

In the last quarter, $2.46 million in new contracts were signed, “resulting in a negligible operating cash outflow for the quarter of $47,000”.

“AML3D’s US sales pipeline remains robust as existing defence and Global Tier 1 corporate relationships in Australia continue to expand, giving the company confidence of delivering a record revenue performance in FY2024,” AML3D said.

The company added its focus for the remainder of the financial year would be on its ‘Scale Up’ strategy, alongside contract manufacturing for existing US and Australian customers.

“The company’s Australian contract manufacturing facility is operating at a high utilisation rate to deliver the existing prototyping and alloy testing orders but retains some additional capacity,” AML3D said.

“The momentum in the company’s US sales pipeline is continuing to build, as is demand for AML3D’s advanced manufacturing systems and contract manufacturing capabilities across other global Defence, Marine and Aerospace markets.

“AML3D is confident it will convert this growing sales pipeline and demand into a substantial number of additional confirmed orders during FY2024.”

– David Simmons

Number of mining jobs hits a high

New figures from the state government show a record number of jobs being advertised in the mining sector from October to December.

According to the newly released SA Mining and Energy Hiring Intentions Report, 918 jobs were advertised in South Australia’s energy resource sector late last year. This is the highest level since the Resources and Energy Skills Alliance (RESA) began producing the Report in 2013.

Regional areas benefitted strongly from the trend, with 40 per cent of advertised jobs located in the regions.

Energy and Mining minister Tom Koutsantonis said that the results are evidence that the energy and mining sectors are key to the state’s economy.

“These figures clearly demonstrate that South Australia’s resources are highly sought-after globally as they continue to play a critical role in decarbonising our economy and supporting the world’s transition to clean energy,” he said.

“Our state is delivering the raw materials and value-added products needed to drive the energy transition globally, including copper, steel and hydrogen.”

RESA CEO Jodie Badcock said that demand is strong in trades and operations providing industry-specific skills.

“With 235 companies advertising in the sector in [the second quarter of the 2023-2024 financial year], in roles that support mineral resources and infrastructure projects, industry demand is diverse both by type of employment and geographical location.”

– Charlie Gilchrist

Beep and Mort to go global

The ABC’s television series Beep and Mort is going global with sales to Canada, the United Kingdom, the Middle East and North Africa.

The South Australian company Windmill Pictures, operating alongside Windmill Theatre CO, produces original live-action feature films and television targeting young people and families.

The series premiered in Australia on ABC Kids in October 2022, exploring themes around friendship and self-discovery.

Since the series made its international debut at MIPJunior in 2023, Season 1 of the series premiered in the UK on Sky Kids earlier this year, and both seasons will be available to Canadian audiences through WildBrain Television in early 2024.

Lucy Murphy, Director of Sky Kids, said, “Our audience has fallen in love with Beep, Mort and their beautiful friendship, and we know that they’ll love these new adventures too.”

Beep and Mort will also be available in English and Arabic throughout the Middle East and North Africa, launching in 2024 on the beIN NEO channel.

“We’re very pleased to see kids and families around the world open their hearts to this special program”, said Karen Quinn, Manager of Content Sales at ABC Commercial.

 – Estee Loke

Spacetalk subscribers more than triple

Adelaide-based tech company Spacetalk has seen its subscriber base grow by 272 per cent over the last 12 months to more than 26,000 customers.

The company also saw annual recurring revenue grow by 7 per cent in the December quarter, with total group revenue growth driven by the demand for its subscription services.

Spacetalk makes and sells wearable devices targeted at children. The watches help parents track their children’s location and connect them via video, talk or text.

“The positive metrics reflect the focused delivery of outcomes we detailed in our strategy,” CEO and managing director Simon Crowther said.

“Our objective is to build a unique ecosystem of interconnected products that deliver safety and security for families.

“I am excited about the potential to grow Spacetalk and we are confident that we are on track to deliver our long-term objectives.”

– David Simmons

IWG Australian Hybrid Workers Survey results

More than three-quarters of respondents said they are happier as they successfully balance work and life through hybrid working options.

Financial well-being was a key metric, with 70 respondents crediting hybrid working with saving money and helping them navigate cost-of-living pressures.

Of the respondents, 72 per cent reported increased productivity and 76 per cent said hybrid working reduced stress levels.

Beyond professional benefits, respondents enjoyed more quality time with family and friends (54%), picked up a new hobby (24%), had better holidays (23%), started a family (15%), and bought property (14%).

The primary challenge for respondents was the daily commute, with 71 per cent of respondents saying long commutes negatively impacted their productivity and finances. Over half of the participants said they’d resign if they were forced back into commuting, and 82 per cent preferred hybrid practices over the traditional 9 to 5 routine.

– Sharni McPhail

New partnership aims to tackle insider risk

The Australian Risk Centre of Excellence (AIR CoE) – an initiative of the Australian Cyber Collaboration Centre (Aus3C) – has announced a new collaboration with specialist Advisory and Restructuring firm McGrathNicol.

The new partnership will see McGrathNicol play a key role in shaping the future direction of AirCoE, including providing support in the creation of education programs focused on insider risk practices.

Insider risk is a threat to a company that comes from within, such as from employees, former employees, contractors and business associates.

Aus3C CEO Matt Salier said “Aus3C is in a unique position as an independent body to leverage our members, our position in the cyber security ecosystem, and our existing service offerings to establish and support the AIR CoE”.

McGrathNicol will also contribute to research and development projects aimed at driving innovation and global best practices in insider risk management.

AIR CoE says that they hope the initiative will foster knowledge-sharing between government, industry leaders and academic experts.

Matt Fehon, who is a partner at McGrathNicol Advisory, said that issues of cyber security threats are often only discovered when it’s too late.

“Insider risk is more than just a cyber issue. For many years, our team has investigated insiders who have caused significant damage through fraud, corruption and cyber attacks,” he said.

The partnership comes after the federal government released its 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy.

–Charlie Gilchrist