Rilke Muir started in communications in Sydney during the heady eighties at a full-service agency and production company, gaining invaluable experience in the practicalities of print media and radio and TV commercials.
Proven copywriting and managerial skills led her to join leading marketing and PR agencies where she was responsible for major local and international clients, particularly in the IT, construction and development areas. She helped Apple Computer establish a toehold in Australia; worked with NSW Public Works on the bid for the Sydney Olympics; spoke in the language of software for Lotus Development and found herself drawn into the world of construction and building products for CSR, Caroma, MM Metals and the like.
Because Rilke's media releases were so often used verbatim, it was inevitable that she would be sought out as a full-time journalist and features editor on both trade and consumer publications.
The next logical step was communications strategy development and implementation, which drew her back to Melbourne.
In 1998 Rilke moved back to Melbourne from Sydney and the private sector to be a Media Adviser with the Victorian Government. She was quickly promoted to the role of Manager, Small Business Communications. In this role she achieved improved attendances at small business events, better media exposure, quantifiable communications outputs, improved relationships with decision-makers and sponsors and new initiatives for better service delivery across the Small Business portfolio, including Liquor Licensing, Trade Measurement and Regulation Reform.
Redeployed in May 2004, Rilke returned to freelance writing, project management and consultancy work and was immediately busy writing for the Department of Victorian Communities, overseas publications specialising in timber and design, and major international manufacturers such as Weyerhaeuser.
Other corporate clients have included international manufacturers Azko Nobel and Zeihl Abegg.
In 2005 she had a part-time marketing and communications role with the Timber Promotion Council, which included production of its annual report. She organised the Timber Merchants Association annual awards and presentation dinner and wrote for Inwood magazine and the Victorian Government, which included a new peak body for logistics and supply chains.
2006 journalism challenges included Connection Magazines new title on sustainability and built environment – URBAN, and writing for the logistics, electrical and timber industries, on a range of assignments and strategies.
She conducted qualitative interviews for a Durham University-based study on the real estate sector and for a major Australian research company on home-automation.
Marketing and communications consultancies included re-branding/naming for a national training operation and strategy development for a new national association as well as audience and stakeholder analysis and research for communications planning.
The year 2007 saw a return to filmmaking with production roles in Making of Movies as work commenced on documenting the creation of the new Melbourne Recital Centre and a theatre of their own for MTC. It was also the second year of regular assignments with the AHURI RMIT Research Centre, a body to which she still provides a range of services.
Communications and management consultancies and assignments included strategies for a legal association on using the federal election lead-up for promotion of their cause, writing for ARID, part of the plumbing industry, on water storage for householders and support of industry in pursuing better outcomes for sustainability from the new home 5 star energy ratings software and regulations.
2009 saw a major focus on home building in bushfire risk areas, a text review for the Centre for Design and a frenzy of website writing and content design.
2010 sees a new commitment to Life Cycle Assessment with the quarterly ALCAS Newsletter.
The first half of the year sees another contract with RMIT University Design and Social Context College and further utilisation of Rilke’s expertise with building and construction industry stakeholders and issues with an assignment for Sustainability Victoria.
Rilke’s career has covered many industry sectors and a multitude of challenges and roles. Combine this with her degree (Arts (Social Sciences) sociology, law, adult education) and you have a real all-rounder – one who is more interested in your ideas than her own, who wants to make the best results for you and has the breadth and depth of experience to know what that actually means.
Rilke continues to work with clients from earlier years and flourish on their recommendations.
Mobile 0424 468 486
Email rilke@netspace.net.au
Postal address PO Box 218,
Carlton North, Victoria