Acumen Advisory is a unique issues, crisis and reputation management group founded by Rodrigo Pintos-Lopez and Nick Johnston.Acumen provides integrated strategies across all aspects of a crisis and crisis avoidance. Our team has spent decades in high-pressure environments including media, the law, business, politics and sport across Australia and overseas.We have proven complementary skills for making good decisions at speed. We have the judgement and experience to help you balance the sometimes conflicting priorities of legal and reputational risk.I also make regular media appearances on ABC News Breakfast, ABC Radio and 3AW.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Led the media and communications for Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto and the Liberal and National Parties- Led the strategy for the Opposition on media and communications, parliamentary tactics including Question Time, State Budget and worked closely with MPs and Liberal Party on campaigns including Warrandyte by-electionKEY ACHIEVEMENTS- Built and executed the media and communications strategy for the Victorian Liberals and Nationals- Significantly raised the profile of the Opposition Leader and Shadow Ministers at a state and national level with mainstream media coverage on Sunrise, Today Show, ABC News Breakfast, 7.30 and Sky News- Developed and executed communications plan for the 2023 Victorian Budget which exposed Victoria’s parlous debt and financial position - `Victoria is broke’- Managed communications strategy in response the cancellation of the Commonwealth Games which led to a parliamentary inquiry and investigation by Victoria’s Auditor-General- Wrote a number of opeds for the Opposition Leader, Shadow Treasurer and other Shadow Ministers for major newspapers across key policy areas including the economy, energy, housing, infrastructure, major projects, health and transport- Increased social media following across Linkedin, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook and developed engaging and compelling video content including live streaming of media conferences across social media platforms- Played a key role in the development and execution of key campaigns on cost of living and the successful Warrandyte by-election which saw a 10 per cent swing to the Liberal Party- Achieved a significant turnaround in opinion polls in first 12 months with Coalition primary vote surpassing Labor for the first time in three years

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS Lead the media and communications team for Victoria's peak business and industry body.Manage a team of five covering media relations, website, social media, video and corporate communications.Work closely with the Chief Executive and executive team as well as the policy, marketing, membership and events teams. Oversee daily communications of the organisation as well as communications strategy and manage relationships with key stakeholders across media, business, and state, federal and local government.Played a key role in developing and executing the marketing and communications plan for the Chamber’s 2022 State Election Platform ‘Powering Victoria’s Future’. Developed and launched the Victorian Chamber’s podcast Business Voice.Oversaw significant growth of the Victorian Chamber’s mainstream media coverage and social media platforms.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS Lead the advocacy and policy team for the PCA’s Victorian Division and manage three direct reports.Manage the Commercial Office and Geelong Committees covering key issues across the sector. Oversee media and communications for the Victorian Division and assist in hosting PCA events including public speaking duties and media. Work closely with key stakeholders including the State Government, City of Melbourne, PCA members, Victorian Division Council and other Industry Groups. Write oped columns and other communications for the Executive Director covering major industry issues including key areas of Government policy.Work closely with the PCA Victorian Events team to develop content and speakers for industry events and help deliver these, including MC and hosting duties.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIESManaged media and public relations for the NBL with responsibility for media strategy and providing high level strategic advice to the NBL’s Owner Larry Kestelman and executive team.Worked with key stakeholders including clubs, players, media, corporate partners, government and broadcasters to build the profile of basketball in Australia.MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTSDeveloped communications strategy and expanded coverage of the sport across traditional mainstream platforms including online, print, television and radio with a 305% increase in earned media between 2017-20.Generated high profile coverage across sports and non-sports media and enhanced the reputation of the NBL and Australian basketball both locally and at a global level. Led a number of major announcements including Andrew Bogut signing, first NBA-NBL games in 2017/18, 2017-18 NBL Season Launches, the establishment of South East Melbourne Phoenix, 3x3 Pro Hustle, 10th team in Tasmania, first Australian Open game, Australia v USA games at Marvel Stadium, the signings of LaMelo Ball and RJ Hampton and NBL1.Developed stronger relationships with national media including broadcasters and played a major role in the development of new content and expanded the profile of the NBL globally.Worked closely with clubs and players to build the profile of players across the league in Australia and New Zealand.Successfully crisis managed Philippines “Basketbrawl” incident involving the Australian Boomers in 2018 and managed the NBL’s communications in response to COVID-19. Developed strong relationships with key partners including the NBA, international media and broadcasters, government and corporate and community partners.Played a key role in the development of the NBL’s inaugural Indigenous Round and was a member of the taskforce to develop the NBL’s Reconciliation Action Plan.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES • As part of the leadership team I managed public relations and communications including digital media for one of Australia's biggest sports. I also managed six staff. • Managed partnerships with key stakeholders across media, corporate and government and managed staff and budgets across communications and digital teams • Provided strategic advice to CEO James Warburton and leadership team including speechwriting and issues management • Worked closely with the teams, owners and drivers to build the profile of Supercars across Australia and internationally MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS • Expanded coverage across mainstream media including all News Corp mastheads across Australia and broadcast • Developed the 2020 digital plan for the business including the development of Supercars App and new web platforms with increased focus on content • Managed a number of major announcements and launches including the naming rights partnership with Virgin Australia, the first female driver in the series Simona De Silvestro and first Supercars race in Malaysia in 2015.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES • Managed corporate affairs and communications for GWS’ first three years in the AFL. • Worked closely with the club board, management, coaches, players, media, broadcasters, corporate and community partners and government to build the profile of the club in Western Sydney and Canberra MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS • Generated extensive media coverage across Australia and built reputation as the most open and accessible club in the AFL • Established club’s media, communications and digital strategy and team, including four direct reports • Managed a number of major announcements including opening of Skoda Stadium, StarTrack Oval Canberra and co-major partnerships with Skoda, Virgin Australia and SpotJobs.com • Built GIANTS Media and oversaw massive audience growth across digital and social media platforms, including the most watched video – The Rock - on Telstra-AFL network in 2014 • The GIANTS became the first AFL club to launch on Chinese social media (Weibo) and broadcast a match in Mandarin. Recognised by winning a 2014 Australian Multicultural Marketing Award. • Established the Auburn GIANTS, the first Muslim women’s AFL team in Western Sydney which led to a ground breaking agreement with GWS and Harvey Norman. • Set up GWS Ambassadors program including the recruitment of number one ticket holder Melissa Doyle and Australian cricketer Mitch Starc. • Helped develop the club’s marketing campaigns for `Stand Tall’ and `Expect Big Things’ in collaboration with agencies M&C Saatchi and AFL Media

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES • Managed public affairs for the AFL with responsibilities for media relations, issues management and speech writing and strategy • Provided high level strategic advice to AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou and other senior executives and AFL Commission Chairman Mike Fitzpatrick and AFL Victoria • Worked closely with key stakeholders including clubs, media, broadcasters, corporate and community partners. MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS • Worked on a number of major AFL announcements including 2012-16 Broadcast Rights Agreement, Free Agency, Israel Folau signing and AFL Fixture releases. • Managed a number of major issues including `St Kilda schoolgirl’ affair, Ricky Nixon, Brendan Fevola, Jason Akermanis, gaming in sport and negotiations with AFLPA on Collective Bargaining Agreement. • Wrote a number of keynote speeches, including Andrew Demetriou address to National Press Club in May 2011, AFL Grand Final and AFL Season Launch addresses • Travelled to China to manage media and promote the first ever AFL match between Melbourne and Brisbane in Shanghai in October 201. Played a role in securing broadcast agreement with Australia Network and International Channel Shanghai to broadcast AFL matches live into China • Played a key role in establishing AFL Media and creating content across its news and digital channels including the Grand Final documentary series The Final Story broadcast on Nine Network • Played a pro-active role in promoting key AFL initiatives including visit by Andrew McLeod to United Nations in January 2011 and `Business of AFL’ media-PR campaign • Delivered significant media outcomes for Olivia Newton-John fundraiser match at the MCG in May 2011 which helped raise more than $500,000 for charity

Senior reporter Nine News. Covered a number of major assignments around Australia and overseas including Beaconsfield mine rescue in 2006 and 2009 Victorian Bushfires. Appointed Melbourne Commonwealth Games Reporter in 2004 and broke a number of major stories in the lead-up to the event in 2006. Travelled on assignment to London in 2005, gaining world exclusive interview with Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone on the Australian Grand Prix. Led coverage of 2006 Victorian Election and broke a number of major stories as City Affairs Reporter between 2006-9. Also had regular chief of staff and production roles, playing a key strategic role in planning and operation of daily news coverage.

General news and sport reporter ABC TV 1995-6. Victorian State Political Reporter between 1997-2000, breaking a number of major stories and leading coverage of 1999 election. Worked as senior reporter and producer TV News and Radio Current Affairs from 2000-03 and was highly commended in Melbourne Press Club Quill Awards in 2001. Produced Stateline Victorian and NT editions in 2001-02 and also worked as chief of staff and producer for flagship 7pm TV News bulletin.

Cadet Journalist 1989 covering news, sport and finance. Worked in federal press gallery in Canberra 1991-93 covering 1993 federal election. Appointed Chief Industrial Reporter based in Melbourne from 1993-95 with responsibility for national workplace affairs including national wage cases, federal budgets, Federal Accord and implementation of workplace reforms.