Our History & Culture

Social Change Media was conceived by Sean Kidney in 1987 as an agency that would provide expert communications support to public interest organisations.

The People Who Started SCM

SCM opened for business in April 1988 at 37 Cavendish Street Stanmore. Sean had met Ric Sissons, the founder of Pluto Press Australia, while developing ideas for the venture. They began a dialogue on the communication failures of the Left. Soon after Ric decided to join the venture, and make Pluto Press the publishing arm.

When SCM first started Ric and Sean set up a group of associates who met regularly to advise SCM on future directions and to help with major projects.

These people were:

• Stephanie Dowrick
• Rick Mohr
• Clare Petre
• Donna Rawlins
• Les Robinson
• Jane Singleton
• Brian Slapp.

Over time most of these associates had less direct involvement in the organisation as they pursued their own professional careers. The notable exception is Les, who is now a consultant for SCM.

Growth Through the 1990's

Over the next few years business grew substantially. In December 1990, SCM moved to 6A Nelson Street, Annandale, then, in September 2000, to 248 Johnston Street Annandale.

In 1994 the Melbourne office was opened in Fitzroy by Peter Moss. Peter had started with SCM in Sydney in 1992.

Ric Sissons left the company in April 1997 to set up a specialist political campaigns agency.

Meanwhile SCM continued to grow, increasing staff in Melbourne to support industry super clients and Gill Reeves opening a Canberra office in 2000.

SCM Staff Buyout following Administration

In March 2003, Social Change Australia, the parent company of both Social Change Media and Pluto Press, was placed into voluntary administration, the result of an ultimately unserviceable debt incurred by SCM Melbourne and Pluto Press that continued to mount from mainly flat book sales following the introduction of the GST.

During this time though SCM Sydney continued to trade successfully and in May 2003, there was a staff buy-out of SCM.

Emma Kennedy and Mark McGrath are the principals of SCM, with former CEO Sean Kidney still active as an SCM consultant. Les Robinson also remains as a consultant.

SCM Alumni

© 2004 Social Change Media ACN 104 663 498
Last Modified: Tuesday, 15-Nov-2005 19:27:44 EST