Kellie Northwood will switch to a part-time position with the trans-Tasman printing group and spend two days a week as national manager of Two Sides Australia, an initiative that aims to debunk myths about print’s environmental credentials and push a more positive image of sustainability.
She told ProPrint that it was her goal to get the whole industry behind Two Sides.
The first step will be to spread awareness among printing companies. There are currently just six printers in its membership, all of which are large, multi-site operations.
The smallest member is Bright Print Group, which has sites in Sydney and Newcastle, while major players Blue Star, PMP and Northwood’s employer, Geon, are also on the list.
“That list should include the smaller guys with digital all the way up to offset and web. This is an awareness program, and it needs the whole industry covered. The measure of success will be the whole industry standing behind it,” she said.
Fees are pegged against revenue, and start at just $250 per year for companies turning over up to $2 million, then $500 for firms in the $2 million to $5 million bracket.
But she stressed this fee was not just a charitable donation to the cause: members get access to the professional Myths & Facts booklet originally produced by the global Two Sides organisation, as well as advice and support.
“Yes there is sentimentality, but it is also a tough industry; we can say $250 isn’t much, but $250 is $250, so it has to deliver something, whether that is marketing collateral or access to me as a sustainability manager.”
Bill Healey, chief executive of the Printing Industries Association of Australia, welcomed Northwood’s appointment.
“The fact is print and paper are attractive, environmentally friendly, practical and sustainable communications mediums and we need to communicate that to our customers. Kellie is the perfect candidate for such messaging,” he said.
Interim national marketing manager Les Perrett steps down from the position after fours month working pro bono for Two Sides Australia.
John Walker, chairman of the Two Sides steering group and managing director of Sappi Australia, said: “[Perrett’s] work over the past few months reinforces the high esteem with which he is held in the industry.
“Two Sides’ future success will have significant foundations in the work he and key Printing Industries staff have performed over recent months.”
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