Weekly Activity
Complete the following activity in your online journal –
create a new journal entry page and title it “Week 2 Activity”.
Targeting
When we talk about targeting a communications campaign we are seeking a description of ‘who’ the target audience/market is and ‘how’ best to communicate with them. Demographic information can be useful in describing population groups. The following terms have been used to describe just some of the common population groups. Can you….
– Describe 5 of the “groups”.
– Suggest some of the communications channels most suited to reaching each group.
– Suggest a hero/celebrity icon for this group.
Generation Y Generation X Generation Z
Baby Boomers The Frugals Empty Nesters
Nerds Geeks Yuppies
DINK FIFO NETTELS
KIPPERS Singles Bogans
Battler Hippie Punk
Hipster Goth Emo
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Week 2 Activity
Journal Entry Week 2
Understand the customer and the brand to unearth
a key insight for the communication/solution.
(Heaton, 25 June 2014).
Part A: Chose and describe 5 target groups:
Preamble
The “targeting” in this activity is to create a “description of ‘who’ the target audience-market is” (ECU BB PRN2124 off-campus, S2, 2015, lecture and activities notes, Week 2). Heaton (24 June 2014) quoted at the outset of this task, explains the importance of understanding the “customer” (aka the “who” – the customer is one more name for market, audience, or target groups, or stakeholder, or segment). A general context investigation appeared to be a good place to begin.
To identify ‘who’ and the associated ‘how’ begins with “research and analysis”, to situate the ‘who’, the target (ECU PRN 2124 off-campus, S2, 2015, lectures and activities notes, Module 2). To try and understand the five “who” is where the IMC SWOT analysis begins. So, it seems necessary to first at least briefly consider several matters:
- whether there is a purely economic basis to this exercise
- what the form of any other basis to this exercise is
Furthermore, in the current ‘economic’ situation, there is world-wide volatility in many markets. If one considers only the economic basis of this marketing exercise it seems possible many previously flourishing mass markets are on a downward (economic) trajectory, and many previously well-established ‘who’ and ‘how’ are in dramatic states of change.
This attempt to analyse the “strengths” and “weaknesses” (ECU PRN2124 off-campus, S2, 2015, lectures and activities notes, Module 2) of the current market situation seems extremely complicated. There are unusual circumstances, marketing “threats” such as the huge public distrust of the mass media.
This current and novel, global culturally-interlinked society demonstrates the early beginnings of a post-conflict global environment – the actual SWOT “opportunities”: commodities needed during, or to do with, times of world peace will succeed. So statistics from modern-era periods of peace, (perhaps in Australia from 1945 to when decision-making began about whether to enter the Vietnam War), would be extremely useful in the research for this task.
Masterman and Woods (2006, p. 17) say separate target groups into various categories. Australians today are chosen as there seems to be no set task context. In the lecture and activities notes, (ECU BB PRN2124 off-campus, S2, 2015, Module 2), the task outline says that “demographic information” may… describe “population groups”, or “differing stakeholder groups with varied needs, preferences and characteristics” (Masterman & Woods, 2006, p. 18). Australia is a great example of population diversity: the 2012 Census shows Australians’ “top five countries of birth — Australia, England, New Zealand, China, India”.
Beginning the “situation analysis” (ECU PRN2124 off-campus, S2, 2015 lecture and activities notes). Levy (June 21, 2013) used this Census data to describe “just how multicultural a nation ‘we’ now are”. This article shows “almost one in four Australians was born overseas”.
The last Australian (2012) Government Census showed the “population as 21,507,717, so, relative to the world population Australians are relatively few: the Census shows there are males: 10,634,013, females: 10,873,704. So, while there are less Australians, they are diverse. This further complicates the process of describing the ‘who’ and the ‘how’
Five “who” groups, with snapshots:
This part of the Week 2 activity is also a IMC “key element” (ECU BB PRN2124 off-campus, S2, 2015, Week 1). That is to identify “targets” and “objectives”.
Masterman & Woods (2006) describe how some groups of individuals “are affected or could be affected by an event’s existence” (p. 18) and explain target groups may possibly be “interrelated” in a variety of ways (p. 19). In the five chosen groups interrelationships are shown as possible.
- Baby Boomer: can be defined as 20 years of hard-workers, or “generation of people born between 1944 and 1964” (Sheridan, 2015). Can include battlers, yuppies, singles, hippies (personal experience, 1970-2015).
- Yuppies: a semi-acronym for various combinations of similar meanings such as any “young, upwardly-mobile/urban professionals”, of any gender, possibly currently under 40 (Evans & Graetz, 21 September, 2007).
- Singles: May be any person above 16 years of age who regularly lives alone. May include baby boomers, yuppies, hippies, battlers, and vice versa (personal experience, 2008 – 2012).
- Battler: Moore (?) describes battlers’ as those at the bottom end of Australia’s increasing “inequality” and says “there are three kinds of people in this country: the rich, the middle class and the battlers”. He says battlers may be any person who “works hard to make a decent living in difficult circumstances… and refuses to admit defeat”. Leigh, (2013), states the inequality that entrenches the battler social level is now, in Australia “returning to the heights of the 1920s”. He says battlers’ children are “kids born into poverty.
- Hippie: Many hippies feel a deep, personal connection to nature, and many are vegetarians. This category can also include singles, battlers, and vice versa (personal experience, 1972 – 1975).
Part B: Knowledge of the target audience
While census data was a major source (Masterman & Woods, 2006, p. 17), the overall amount of information is too great to confidently, quickly isolate clear specifics about each of the five chosen “targets” or audiences (ECU BB PRN2124 off-campus, S2, 2015, Week 2). Even so, the actions carried out do “map against set tasks” (Masterman & Woods, 2006, p. 18). This is, as learned in Week 1, is one IMC “key element”.
In this process I have searched for, “selected” (p. 18), analysed, and presented some early information on each target audience. As Masterman and Woods (2006, p. 17) say, this information helps divide target groups into further and various categories and possible primary and secondary targets, and in this task it is possible to see how their direction applies. For example, a considerable number of ‘long-term’ hippies today now fall into the baby boomer, and/or pensioner category, while new, hippies, including younger members, may elect to join.
As results are from my personal analysis “used” in this exercise, the information chosen and presented is unavoidably subject to my personal bias, as described by Masterman & Woods, (2006, p. 17). For example, the 2012 Australian Census states Australians’ Median age as 37 in 2012. Personally I found this a most surprising figure.
This particular information was extremely useful to me, as previously I (68 years old, Baby Boomer) believed the Australian population more aged. How to apply this specific data is actually quite confusing (to me), as I continue to read regularly, in the mass media, about various distorting and disastrous (economics-based) effects Australia’s ‘ageing’ population is bringing upon the country.
Part C:
– needs
The needs of these groups appear diverse, but as the 2012 Australian Census notes there “may” be differences between different social groupings as versus age. So to gain a clearer picture perhaps age, gender, location might provide more stable data. For example, Australian Yuppies’ existence (as a separate group) is disputed by Evans & Graetz (21 September, 2007). Their research on yuppies’ “social distinctiveness and political importance” shows “no substantial differences between yuppies… and non-yuppies”. So perhaps yuppies’ needs are generally similar to, or the same as other young to middle-aged Australians.
Part D:
– behaviors
Yuppies: Evans & Graetz (21 September, 2007) say research demonstrates yuppies are generally liberal, not conservative.
Singles: Search results revealed a strange emphasis on dating sites, and singles bars. As a single for the past 20-odd years I have never felt the requirement for either of those services. Along with lots of other-singles friends, I have a keen interest in many areas of life, and in other behaviours. For example, in walking, swimming, learning, dogs, horses, Nature, and visits to theatre, movies, sports, art galleries….. etc.
Battlers: Given the nature of this category it seems reasonable to assume this category has little disposable income. In addition, Australia’s current government seems dedicated to reducing social support. Given that, and the overall current ‘economic’ situation it seems reasonable to assume many, many more people will be in this category very soon, and with no forseeable change to their poverty.
Hippie: Often hippies live in the bush, sometime in communes, and can include people that are categorized in various other ways: such as ferals, conscientious objectors, Vietnam Vets, and flower and love children. Some hippie communities, like Nimbin, NSW successfully practice innovative, sustainable lifestyles and have flourished for decades.
Part E:
Other key areas for information gathering at this stage are:
Market trends
The market is constantly adjusting. This is because of inevitable changes in target markets. For example:
While Singles, Hippies and Battlers are increasing in number they are affected in some ways by the wages-reduction, eradication of unions, job-market uncertainty, economic ‘downturn’ and global turmoil.
- Many, such as single parents and battlers, have to rely upon social security and ‘handouts’.
- Again, this results in little disposable income and also little inclination to save.
- They often must spend all of their money on essentials
- Therefore essential purchases, such as food
- cheaper clothing and footwear is more available today
- Travel is a major goal for many
The (first) Yuppies are not so young anymore, so this group’s age base is widening and thus inevitably this market is experiencing changes. This is the group which would currently aim to purchase their first home, and move on from there.
- now there are dramatic changes in Australian’s owning-their-own-home-level, due to the negative economic changes, especially in the wage and jobs markets
Baby Boomers’ numbers are lessening because they are now approaching advanced age (and thus reduce through death). Although in the past this group has been big consumers they are cautious about debt and now many concentrate on essential purchases.
- gifts for younger family members
- holidays and travel
- education
Competitors’ offerings
Effectiveness of existing marketing communications
While Hippies often concentrate and there are effective existing market communications. It is apparent these marketers understand their target markets within the hippie community.
Research for some “communication channels most suited to reaching each group” (ECU BB PRN2124 off-campus, S2, 2015, Week 2).
and
When considering “‘how’ best to communicate with” these five “’who’”, or each of these “target audience/market”, segments (ECU BB PRN2124 off-campus, S2, 2015, Week 2), or “stakeholders”, as audiences are described by Masterman & Woods (2006, p. 18), the internet is ubiquitous today. That said:
– Baby Boomers were raised on one-to-cone personal communication
– Battlers may be unable to pay for online equipment or services
As these types of set tasks require further, multi-dimension descriptions,
perhaps tables would be the best. This readable form can quickly convey information snapshots and clear comparisons
As so many changes are occurring now, the 2016 census results will be extremely interesting. That census will probably have a profound effect on current research results like this.
Although I am not traditionally religious, the recent paper generated by the current Catholic Pope seems to provide a strong, and positive foundation for this task. As a baby-boomer, my positive character tells me there are huge economic bright-spot during volatile times like this, or SWOT “opportunities”. (Horrifically, during the period just prior to my birth, the opportunity was any article needed in, or to do with, times of war). However, this means the task would not be based upon economics.
Reference
The Sydney Morning Herald,
Australian Government (2012). National Census.
ECU BB PRN2124 off-campus, S2, 2015, Week 1
ECU BB PRN2124 off-campus, S2, 2015, Week 2
Evans, A. and Graetz, B. (21 September, 2007). The politics of Australian
yuppies. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00323268908402093
Heaton, A. (June 25, 2014). Three examples of integrated campaigns.
Hippy.com. (2015). Website.
http://hippy.com/modules.php?name=Review&rop=showcontent&id=140
Leigh, A. (2013). Battlers and Billionaires: The story of inequality in Australia.
ABC Radio National. http://www.blackbooks.com/books/battlers-and-billionaires
Levy, M. (21 June, 2013). Snapshot of a nation: what the census reveals about
- The Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/national/snapshot-of-a-nation-what-the-census-reveals-about-us-2012062120po5.html
Masterman, G. and Wood, E. H. (2006). Innovative Marketing Communication,
Strategies for the Events Industry. Oxford: Elsevier Butterworth Heinemann.
Moore, B. ( ). What’s Their Story? A history of Australian words. Oxford: Oxford
University Press.
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/linguafrance/aussie-battlers-whats-their-story/2990150
Sheridan, L. (2015). Librarian. Email advice. ECU Library Services.
Appendix
1:
” Check our in-depth and interactive census data graphics here<http://www.smh.com.au/national/population> * Population 21,507,717. Male 10,634,013. Female 10,873,704. * Median age 37 * Families 5.68 million. Average children per family 1.9. * All private dwellings 9.11m. Average people per household 2.6. * Median weekly household income $1234. * Median monthly mortgage repayment $1800. Median weekly rent $285. * Average motor vehicles per dwelling 1.7. * Registered marriage 7,647,042 or 49.2%. * 33,714 same-sex couples. 4.6 million heterosexual couples. * De facto marriage 1,476,369 or 9.5%. * Not married 6,413,399 or 41.3%. * Top five countries of birth — Australia, England, New Zealand, China, India. Just how multicultural a nation we are has been reinforced today in new census data that shows that almost one in four Australians was born o http://www.smh.com.au/national/snapshot-of-a-nation-what-the-census-reveals-about-us-20120621-20po5.html
Facebook: http://ec.tynt.com/b/rf?id=aBfWCmwwCr37XTadbiUzgI&u=sydneymorningherald
Message By Email (Lutie Sheridan) (26/08/2015 03.35 PM)
For example you can define Baby Boomers as People born between 1944 and 1964, and then do a generational report on ABS.
You will have to come up with a suitable definition for your other categories.
You will need a precise socio-economic definition of your terms before you will find suitable material.
You will need to define “hippies” etc. more precisely .
Regards,
Lutie
1 For the weekly activity this week, you are welcome to use good old Google search for descriptions of demographic groups. No need to scour journal articles if they prove difficult to source for this topic. A very general description based on your knowledge of each group and basic internet search is perfectly okay. What I’m looking for is that you show understanding of how important it is to be able to break down stakeholder groups and how they may each require a different message and medium.
2 I want you to treat this Unit as a more practical unit, where you place yourself in the position of an event coordinator working in a consultancy. This is not intended as a Unit where lots of academic research is required.
3 Any additional reading you need to do is listed in your Unit Outline. Those additional texts and scholarly journals will be all you will need to develop and full understanding of the Unit.
4 Every concept is clearly explained in the textbook and in the lectures so ensure you read/listen and understand those. You need to focus differently and I think you will find your learning in this Unit will come easier.
Regards
- June 2015
Age pensioners have always gone on cruises. But since the budget, we have seen stories emerge of age pensioners changing their behaviour in response to the proposed rebalancing of the age pension asset tests.
Sydney housewife Noelene has bought a holiday cruise to Alaska. Seemingly contradicting sensible living strategies for many older people, financial advisers are now proposing part-pensioners upsize and buy a more expensive house.
It’s surprising behaviour, especially in light of new research from CePARusing government data that demonstrates many age pensioners actually live very frugally. Many pensioners live below even the “modest” retirement standard proposed by ASFA ($23,469 for a single and $33,766 for a couple, who own their own home). Indeed, many pensioners are cautious and keep a cushion of assets, whether because of concern about risk, to pay for age care when frail, or to leave a bequest to children or grandchildren.
What’s changed
Why would age pensioners choose to spend big now? Well, it’s a rational response by part-pensioners to the proposed budget asset tests. If the anecdotal behaviour is writ large, a lot of the potential revenue gains (estimated at A$2.4 billion over 5 years) from the asset test changes may disappear.
The politics of Australian yuppies
Brian Graetz and Aileen Evans
a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sociology , La Trobe University , Melbourne b Research student in the Department of Sociology , La Trobe University , Melbourne
Politics
Volume 24, Issue 2, 1989, pages 100- 115
Published online: 21 Sep 2007
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00323268908402093
Although many popular claims are made about the social distinctiveness and political importance of yuppies (young, urban or upwardly‐mobile professionals), there is little firm evidence to support such claims
al attributes and political orientations. The results show that there are no substantial differences between yuppies on the one hand, and non‐yuppies (young, rural persons or young urban non‐professionals) and people aged 40 and over on the other. Moreover, yuppies tend to be liberal rather than conservative on most issues, economic ones included. These results suggest
Baby boomers
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/baby-boomer
A person born in the years following the Second World War, when there was a temporary marked increase in the birth rate:
http://humanresources.about.com/od/glossaryb/g/boomers.htm
Definition:
Baby Boomers is the name given to the generation of Americans who were born in a baby boom following World War II. The Boomers were born between 1944 and 1964. The oldest wave of the Baby Boomers is currently considering retirement options and looking at ways to make their elder years meaningful.
The youngest group of Baby Boomers are managing the Millennials and Generation-Xgroups of employees – and in some cases, being managed by them.
http://internships.about.com/od/internships101/qt/Characteristics-Of-The-Baby-Boomer.htm
Those who remember the assassination of President Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy, and Martin Luther King and who served in the Vietnam War grew up in a much different world than those born during the later years of this generation. Not only was the war over or coming to an end as they were coming of age, the music and events experienced were also much different and affected them in a number of different ways. Those born later were not subject to the military draft and tended to use more illegal drugs during their teenage and young adult years.
Baby Boomers are extremely hard working and strongly committed to their personal and professional goals. Their motivation stems from gaining positive recognition on doing a good job and they are not hesitant to put their all into any project they seek to accomplish. Baby Boomers grew up during turbulent times and they often question authority and buck the system due to their need to make their mark and work diligently to achieve their goals.
Baby Boomers are extremely career focused and while many of them are currently retiring, this exit from the workforce will create a vast hole in the number of people currently employed. Since most Baby Boomers have had to work their way up the ranks, they believe in seniority and earning your place on the job. They believe in the system and often have a hard time with the attitudes of younger workers and with the rise of telecommuting as a
http://internships.about.com/od/internships101/qt/Characteristics-Of-The-Baby-Boomer.htm
6.
http://perpetualpeaceproject.org/resources/
From: Hannah Arendt Center <arendt@bard.edu>
Date: Sunday, August 30, 2015
Subject: Hannah Arendt Center – Amor Mundi 8/30/15
|
“Every time consumers buy a food product that sounds Italian but is not, they are effectively being misled,” says Italian Trade Commissioner to Canada, Pasquale Bova. “Italian-sounding imitations are not the same as certified Made in Italy products, because they are not subject to the same strict standards of production which determine the characteristics that make original Made in Italy products world-renowned.”
The worldwide market for Italian-sounding products is estimated at over $82 billion CAD, more than double the size of the Italian agri-food export market. Canada, the U.S. and Mexico are some of the largest consumers of Italian-sounding products, with Canada alone buying $3.6 billion every year.
Singles in Australia
http://app.singlesinaustralia.com.au/help/about.cfm
Singles In Australia About Us
Last updated on Wednesday 26th August, 2015
Welcome to Singles In Australia – the online dating site where genuine singles meet and form relationships.
Sick of being single? Fed up of waking up alone on a Sunday morning? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Here at Singles In Australia we have thousands of members just like you, who are looking for fun, friendship, romance and that special long term relationship.
on as you do, you can add your photo and create your own personal profile page. It costs nothing to send a wink so you can start contacting the people that you fancy straight away, and search by location to find other singles in your area. As a member you can also use more advanced search options to find other singles by interest, age, postcode, or whether they have children or smoke
9.
Baby boomers some 2014 population profile
“TALKIN’ ‘BOUT OUR GENERATIONS: Where are Australia’s Baby Boomers, Generation X & Y and iGeneration?
Dividing the population into generations, and examining the different social and economic experiences they have, can help us understand the changes that have occurred and continue to occur in Australian society. As generations age and move through different stages of the life cycle they impact upon our economy, demography and geography.
Using the most recent estimated resident population data for different regions around the country, this article explores the current geographical distribution of three 20-year age cohorts, which roughly align with three generations: people born between 1946 and 1966 (the Baby Boomers); people born between 1966 and 1986 (Generation X & Y); and people born between 1986 and 2006 (the iGeneration).
In defining these generations, a number of factors have been taken into account. These include birth rates, significant world events and shared life experiences. Each generation covers a 20-year age group to allow more meaningful comparisons across generations. It should be noted that there is no widespread agreement about the names and definitions of these generations. Furthermore, the names adopted in this article have been used by other commentators to refer to slightly different groups.”
“TALKIN’ ‘BOUT OUR GENERATIONS: Where are Australia’s Baby Boomers, Generation X & Y and iGeneration?
“In other states and territories, higher than average proportions of Baby Boomers were in the following areas:
- in South Australia: the southern Adelaide suburb of Clarendon, Mannum on the Murray River, and Yorke Peninsula – South (all 36%);
- in Western Australia: the areas east of Perth, especially Toodyay (38%) and York – Beverley (34%), and those coastal areas around Bunbury, including Pemberton (35%) and Augusta (33%);
- in Tasmania: Bruny Island – Kettering (38%), Triabunna – Bicheno and Forestier – Tasman (both 37%), all on the south-east coast; and
- in the Australian Capital Territory: the southern suburb of Fadden (36%).”
“Dividing the population into generations, and examining the different social and economic experiences they have, can help us understand the changes that have occurred and continue to occur in Australian society. As generations age and move through different stages of the life cycle they impact upon our economy, demography and geography.
Using the most recent estimated resident population data for different regions around the country, this article explores the current geographical distribution of three 20-year age cohorts, which roughly align with three generations: people born between 1946 and 1966 (the Baby Boomers); people born between 1966 and 1986 (Generation X & Y); and people born between 1986 and 2006 (the iGeneration).
In defining these generations, a number of factors have been taken into account. These include birth rates, significant world events and shared life experiences. Each generation covers a 20-year age group to allow more meaningful comparisons across generations. It should be noted that there is no widespread agreement about the names and definitions of these generations. Furthermore, the names adopted in this article have been used by other commentators to refer to slightly different groups.”
“TALKIN’ ‘BOUT OUR GENERATIONS: Where are Australia’s Baby Boomers, Generation X & Y and iGeneration?
Dividing the population into generations, and examining the different social and economic experiences they have, can help us understand the changes that have occurred and continue to occur in Australian society. As generations age and move through different stages of the life cycle they impact upon our economy, demography and geography.
Using the most recent estimated resident population data for different regions around the country, this article explores the current geographical distribution of three 20-year age cohorts, which roughly align with three generations: people born between 1946 and 1966 (the Baby Boomers); people born between 1966 and 1986 (Generation X & Y); and people born between 1986 and 2006 (the iGeneration).
In defining these generations, a number of factors have been taken into account. These include birth rates, significant world events and shared life experiences. Each generation covers a 20-year age group to allow more meaningful comparisons across generations. It should be noted that there is no widespread agreement about the names and definitions of these generations. Furthermore, the names adopted in this article have been used by other commentators to refer to slightly different groups.”
In defining these generations, a number of factors have been taken into account. These include birth rates, significant world events and shared life experiences. Each generation covers a 20-year age group to allow more meaningful comparisons across generations. It should be noted that there is no widespread agreement about the names and definitions of these generations. Furthermore, the names adopted in this article have been used by other commentators to refer to slightly different groups.ersity of Western Australia, and also had more than one-third of its population (35%) aged between 8 and 27 years in 2014.
SOURCES
Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006 A Picture of the Nation: the Statistician’s Report on the 2006 Census, 2006 (ABS cat. no. 2070.0)
Australian Bureau of Statistics 2009 Age Matters, May 2009 (ABS cat. no. 4914.0.55.001)
Australian Bureau of Statistics 2014 Australian Historical Population Statistics, 2014 (ABS cat. no. 3105.0.65.001)
This page last updated 17 August 2015
ust battlers
http://www.blackincbooks.com/books/battlers-and-billionaires
Battlers and Billionaires
The Story of Inequality in Australia
ANDREW LEIGH
Redbacks – Books with Bite. Short books on big issues by leading Australian writers and thinkers.
Battlers and Billionaires is the first book in the Redbacks series, followed by Why We Argue About Climate Change by Eric Knight.
Is Australia fair enough? And why does inequality matter anyway?
In Battlers and Billionaires, Andrew Leigh weaves together vivid anecdotes, interesting history and powerful statistics to tell the story of inequality in this country. This is economics writing at its best.
From egalitarian beginnings, Australian inequality rose through the nineteenth century. Then we became more equal again, with inequality falling markedly from the 1920s to the 1970s. Now, inequality is returning to the heights of the 1920s.
Leigh shows that while inequality can fuel growth, it also poses dangers to society. Too much inequality risks cleaving us into two Australias, occupying fundamentally separate worlds, with little contact between the haves and the have-nots. And the further apart the rungs on the ladder of opportunity, the harder it is for a kid born into poverty to enter the middle class.
Battlers and Billionaires sheds fresh light on what makes Australia distinctive, and what it means to have – and keep – a fair go.
Buy the eBook:
Amazon Kindle
Apple iBookstore
JB Hi-Fi Now
Google Play
Kobo
Praise for Battlers and Billionaires:
‘This is required reading for every Australian who seriously cares about the fair go enduring.’ – Peter FitzSimons
‘Be warned: this book will open your eyes and prick your conscience.’ – Ross Gittins
‘A thought-provoking book which emphasises how far we have strayed from confidently discussing public policies that seek to give meaning to our egalitarian spirit.’ – Laura Tingle
‘a cogent and accessible read’ – Sun-Herald
‘an informed study of a serious topic, written with a conversational ease that makes it quite accessible.’ – the Age
‘This short book is the first in what promises to be a great new series from Black Inc. called “Redbacks”. Leigh makes no bones about the fact that he is writing from a particular political standpoint, but his arguments are lucid, detailed and well-balanced. This book will appear to readers of quality political commentary such as the Quarterly Essay and it is especially pertinent in an election year.’ – Books+Publishing
Awards:
Longlisted for the 2014 John Button Prize
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/linguafranca/aussie-battlers-whats-their-story/2990150
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/linguafranca/aussie-battlers-whats-their-story/2990150