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July 4, 2025
VMA appoints first national Markers to lead The Inkers programme.

The Visual Media Association (VMA) has officially appointed the first cohort of Markers – state and territory representatives for its emerging talent initiative, The Inkers – Make Your Mark.

Sponsored by platinum partner Konica Minolta Australia, The Inkers is a national initiative designed to support, retain and elevate the next generation of professionals across paper, print, packaging and visual media. The program focuses on mentorship, skills development, professional visibility and local networking.

“Our industry thrives when creativity is nurtured and innovation encouraged,” said Kellie Northwood, chief executive officer of the VMA.

“Through The Inkers, we are identifying future leaders, as well as providing them with a platform to be seen, heard, and supported by the very sectors they will one day influence.”

According to Northwood, the newly appointed Markers will serve as the national advisory committee to the program, and are made up of emerging talent from both regional and metropolitan areas across the country.

“What better voices to bring to the table to guide the future success of the program,” said Northwood.

“I congratulate all who applied. The talent we have across the industry is wonderful to see. To those successfully appointed, I couldn’t be happier for you and look forward to working with you across the program development.”

 

The first Markers meeting was held on Wednesday 2 July at Konica Minolta Australia House in Melbourne.

“Konica Minolta Australia is proud to support The Inkers program, which plays a critical role in fostering the next generation of leaders across the print and visual media sectors,” said Melissa Dempsey, chief marketing officer at Konica Minolta Australia.

“By empowering our emerging talent with the tools, networks, and opportunities they need to thrive, we are investing in a stronger, more innovative future for our industry.

“It is inspiring to see such passion and potential within this group of Markers and it’s a privilege to help create opportunities for young people to connect, grow and contribute their voices to the industry we’re all passionate about.”

Planning for the next six months includes sponsor drive, mental health training activities, and state committee team building.

 

The appointed Markers are:

New South Wales (Metropolitan)

New South Wales (Regional)

  • Jiann Mobbs, digital printing apprentice, Department of Customer Service – Spatial Services

Queensland

South Australia

Tasmania

  • Isobel Clark, director of client services and marketing, Flying Colours

Victoria (Metropolitan)

Victoria (Regional)

Western Australia

About Konica Minolta

Konica Minolta Business Solutions Australia Pty Ltd is a market-leading provider of trusted technology solutions to help Australian organisations keep pace with the needs of the future workplace through innovation and investment technology solutions that leverage the technology of tomorrow, today.

From printing, scanning, and copying to cloud storage and managed IT services, Konica Minolta Australia’s award-winning products and solutions help customers to transform and move information faster.

Creating and working with equitable, socially responsible, and environmentally conscious organisations is an important part of the future workplace. Konica Minolta Australia actively promotes and innovates through diversity and inclusion, ethical supply chain, and climate change action strategies.

Konica Minolta Australia is proud to support the commitment to reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and all other people in the community to help improve life outcomes and opportunities and to create a better future for society at large. As part of this, Konica Minolta Australia developed its Reconciliation Action Plan to publicly commit to reconciliation initiatives, and is a member of Supply Nation, the Australian leader in supplier diversity, to support First Nations businesses.

For more information visit: konicaminolta.com.au

 

About Visual Media Association

The Visual Media Association (VMA) is the recognised peak industry body for the paper, print, mail, publishing, packaging, graphic design, distribution, and media technology industries across Australia.

Operating for over 141 years, the VMA is a registered organisation with direct signatory to the nine (9) Awards across our industry and membership. VMA offers an end-to-end industry association solution that is relevant in all that it undertakes: advocating the relevance of the established media – print – that we all belong to; developing global partnerships and translating to regional requirements; awarding excellence; investing in products; and arming our industry with sales tools, sustainability collateral, industrial relations representation and more.

The VMA is the largest print industry body, committed to building a stronger united leadership to deliver the goals of our members. United we lead strong advocacy, government advisory, skills and training programs, protection, and promotion of our industry channels and more to ensure our members’ businesses operate within a future-proofed strategy for success. For more information contact: [email protected]

 

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Di Sainato

Officer – Administration & DSB

Di Sainato has been our front desk face for over 7 years, traversing ACA, RMC, PVCA and now with the VMA. Diane is an expert at dealing with all DSB enquires, helps out doing whatever is needed at the time in the office from mail outs, answering the phone, onboarding new members, answering emails, to all manner of assistance during Awards. Often referred to as the glue that keeps us all together.

Contact: [email protected]

Phillip Mariette

GM – Operations

Phillip has a strong operations, event management and creative background across 3 decades and multiple roles within the creative, design and industry association industries.   

After successfully managing a renowned Melbourne creative agency across 25yrs, Phillip brings business operation, creative direction, event management and strong leadership to the VMA over the past 10yrs. 

Phillip manages all facets of VMAs operations, including all awards programs, strategic projects, the VMA headquarters and all member facing activity. 

Contact: [email protected]

Tony Bertrand

Honorary Treasurer

Tony, an established Sales and Marketing Professional with over two decades of experience spanning various industries, thrives on tackling new challenges. His role is akin to that of a Chef, skilfully selecting the right ingredients for optimal results. Tony’s passion lies in driving change and fostering growth within organisations to maximise their potential. 

With a rich background in Operations, Sales & Marketing, Strategy, Commercial, and General Management in both B2B and B2C settings, he excels in delivering enhanced outcomes, both culturally and financially. As the Head of Marketing at Ball & Doggett for over six years, Tony focuses on being the best version of himself, building high-performing teams, engaging individuals, and ensuring the delivery of exceptional Customer Experience (CX).

Dean Glucina

Manager – Member Services

Dean is the Manager – Member Services for the Visual Media Association. A dynamic and strategic thinker with a strong background in member engagement and retention across the visual media industry.

With a proven track record in driving and building lasting relationships with industry professionals, Dean is passionate about creating value for members and ensuring their needs are met through exceptional service and tailored communication. Highly skilled in developing innovative strategies to increase membership growth, enhance member benefits, and foster a vibrant community.

Contact: [email protected]

London Mills

Manager – Strategic Projects

London brings a strong stakeholder and event management background across multiple industries.  

Having worked across the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia in various disciplines, London’s eclectic work background well equips her as she returns to the print and visual media industry.  

London manages the strategic projects and Sustainable Green Print programme for the Visual Media Association. 

Contact: [email protected]

Colin Lamond

Board Member

Colin Lamond is the Managing Director/MAICD at Percival Print & Packaging. He is a proven negotiator with a demonstrated skill set in business development, relationship building, operations, print manufacturing and strategic planning. His transformational leadership approach has served as a growth catalyst and infused productive energy into the workplace. Colin is comfortable in any role from the executive boardroom to the factory floor. Colin’s strategic foresight, drive, determination and ability to build high-performance teams has built a strong foundation for Percival Print & Packaging.

Kirsty Woodhead

Honorary Secretary

Kirsty, a seasoned professional in the printing industry, owns and directs the small family business with her partner Luke, Breen Printing, located in regional Victoria. With a background rooted in education and graphic pre-press, Kirsty began her career as an apprentice at Breen Printing, steadily advancing through the ranks, gaining diverse business experience. In July 2020, amidst Victoria’s second lockdown, Kirsty, along with her husband Luke, assumed ownership of Breen Printing from Kirsty’s parents, Merinda and Derek Jones, originally founded by Peter Breen in 1973. The Jones’s bought the business in 1985 which meant that Kirsty was raised surrounded by all things print. Not surprisingly, Kirsty is passionate about employing and nurturing apprentices at Breen Printing as they enter the industry. Kirsty absolutely knows every aspect and detail of the print process and her commitment to industry leadership is underscored by the strategic direction she provides as a Board Director, contributing to the Association’s overarching objectives.

Tony Bertrand

Board Member

Tony, an established Sales and Marketing Professional with over two decades of experience spanning various industries, thrives on tackling new challenges. His role is akin to that of a Chef, skilfully selecting the right ingredients for optimal results. Tony’s passion lies in driving change and fostering growth within organisations to maximise their potential. With a rich background in Operations, Sales & Marketing, Strategy, Commercial, and General Management in both B2B and B2C settings, he excels in delivering enhanced outcomes, both culturally and financially. As the Head of Marketing at Ball & Doggett for over six years, Tony focuses on being the best version of himself, building high-performing teams, engaging individuals, and ensuring the delivery of exceptional Customer Experience (CX).

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Rodney Frost

Board Member

Growing up in a family business, literally stained with ink and industry, Rodney began his internship as a 12-year-old boy, sweeping floors and learning everything about the business he now commands from the ground up. A well-recognised and respected leader of not only The Lamson Group, but also the broader industry from mail to print to supply and customer. A true trade house, Rodney carries a clear integrity measure of what he says he will do, he does. It is this culture of nurture, trust and legacy within the arms of a family-owned business that is the reason his team have long tenure, his clients remain loyal and his suppliers hold him in the highest regard.

Written in his DNA, Rodney is a clear custodian of maintaining a voice for the family-owned businesses across the industry. A believer in sharing networks, knowledge and vision, building value in membership and a better together approach. One team, one dream is his mantra for the Association and industry vision.

Nick Tuit

Board Member

Nick has owned and operated a Kwik Kopy franchise in Circular Quay, Sydney for the past sixteen years. The Circular Quay business which stands in the top decile of the national print franchise network. Nick also runs the largest graphic design studio in the Kwik Kopy network under the sub brand 121Creative and specialises in Annual Reports and corporate documentation. During the Covid pandemic he expanded into the Northern Beaches with the purchase of Kwik Kopy Frenchs Forest which he has since merged into his Circular Quay operations. 

 

Nick has been an active member of the Kwik Kopy Owners Association of which he spent five years as Chairman.  During his tenure he was instrumental in bringing the KKOA as a group membership into the Print Industry Association of Australia (now PVCA) and implementing the Sustainable Green Print certification across the Kwik Kopy network. Nick joined the PVCA Board in January 2022 and is passionate about sustainability and building the industry advocacy for our environmental credentials.

Walter Kuhn

Board Member

Walter is the Managing Director of Kuhn Corp in Brisbane. Commencing his career as an apprentice Fitter Machinist (Mechanical Engineer) and after four years specialised in Maintenance within the mining sector. Following a workplace accident prevented Walter from continuing in the minerals and resource sector and led him to a sales role with Wilkie Printers where he was instrumental in developing specialised ticketing systems for Expo88 and various other events and venues. In 1989, Walter founded Panther Print which he sold after three years to then found Kuhn Corp Press in 1993 and Kuhn Corp Packaging in 1999. He joined the Printing Industries Association, later PVCA, Board in 2016 and soon became President until 2021 where after serving the full term, became the Deputy President until 2022.

Simon Bailey

Board Member

Simon has held various roles across the print landscape, joining the industry as a print apprentice in the early 90’s. From completion of his print apprenticeship, Simon has evolved through the IVE Group business via planning/estimating, sales and account management, lead production management roles, leading him to his current role of General Manager of IVE’s Sheet fed and Digital print business in NSW.

With an exposure to the many facets of the print industry, Simon brings critical insight to all the areas across print manufacturing in Australia and a firm lens on the requirements of operational excellence. Simon also understands the critical role safety plays in today’s operational business and is passionate about keeping his staff safe at every shift they attend work.

Simon hopes to use the knowledge gained in the last 30 years across all these roles to assist the association with its key pillars moving forward.

Tom Eckersley

Board Member

Tom is an intelligent, considered and well-learned industry leader with over 31 years at the helm of Eckersley Print Group. Holding qualifications across business management, graphics arts and commerce management, Tom is a well-respected business entrepreneur who plays across the broad spectrum of print and visual communications. Tom is experienced in both family business structures and corporate public company structure and has experience in acquisitions and thereby the subsequent re-positioning and re-engineering to build a united business group.

Tom is committed to improving the profile, position, application and even the definition of the “Print Industry”. He does this in his pursuit to broaden the industry purview. He recognises the changing nature of the industry and it’s evolving and growing reach into so many facets of the world in which we live.

Simon Carmody

Board Member

Simon is the Managing Director of Spot Productions a business he has built from his father’s business, Spot the Printer, after selling his share in Image Studio and Print, which he sold in 2007. With over twenty-four years as a business owner, Simon’s print blood runs much deeper, starting his career completing a Printing Press Operator trade as a teen. Simon is an icon of industry across Queensland known for his hard-working and honest nature. A fierce defender of his mates and those in need, he has raised money for charities through industry events each and every year he has been in business and continues to work with his industry colleagues building print partnerships to strengthen businesses.

Katherine Fullagar

Manager – Strategic Projects

Having always had a fondness for paper, print and the written word, Katherine has held a variety of publishing and printing roles with some of Australia’s most well-known publishers.

She also brings experience in operations, data and project management in not-for-profit member associations, having developed and implemented a range of services and benefits that bring value to industry professionals.

Her qualifications include a Masters of Publishing and Editing, and Bachelor of Arts (Linguistics).

Contact: [email protected]

Charles Watson

GM – IR, Policy & Governance

Charles has a strong background in workplace relations and corporate governance.

Having worked in some of Australia’s pre-eminent law firms and industry bodies for over 20 years, he has a depth of knowledge and experience across a range of industries. His qualifications include a Bachelor of Laws, post-graduate studies in Industrial Relations Law, and is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.

Additionally, Charles is also a regular contributor to trade press and other media for his commentary, editorial and insight on workplace relations, government and legislative amendment matters.

Contact: [email protected]

Kellie Northwood

Chief Executive Officer

Kellie is the Chief Executive Officer, Visual Media Association and a strong advocate for the effectiveness and sustainability of media channels that deliver results. She has held several senior executive roles concurrently as the Chief Executive Officer of the Australasian Catalogue Association, Australasian Paper Industry Association, The Real Media Collective NZ, and Executive Director of TSA Limited. She sits on international Committees, across the United Kingdom, Europe and North America.

Kellie is a regular contributor across mainstream and trade media publications.

Contact: [email protected]

Stuart Fysh

Honorary Secretary

Stuart is the Managing Director of The Label Factory based in Perth. From quality self-adhesive to stickers and signage, The Label Factory has been an awarded print business for nearly thirty years. Stuart is a proud contributor to the craft of print, ensuring his team are well trained and skilled across all aspects of label production. The level of commitment to continue training apprentices and investment in new technology demonstrates one eye is always kept on the future.

Over the past two and a half years, in his capacity as a Board Officer of Print & Visual Communication Association, Stuart has raised the profile, and importance, of the growing labels sector across the industry body and helped members navigate the complexities of covid lockdowns and border restrictions.

Matt Aitken

President

Matt is the Chief Executive Officer, IVE Group Limited. In this role Matt is responsible for the major operating divisions of IVE Group (Kalido, Blue Star and IVEO), with 2,000 staff based across Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and China. Matt is passionate about customers and staff and is also a key leader in all acquisition related activity for the Group. In his tenure with IVE Group, Matt has been instrumental in the establishment of the IVEO business in 2000 and a key senior executive in the successful public listing of the IVE Group on the ASX in late 2015.

Matt brings both Government and industry leadership. A single industry association representing all of industry across all sectors is one that brings a powerful voice into government and surrounding industries to ensure our industry is recognised and empowered to continue driving a critical part of our communications economy in both Australia and New Zealand.

Kevin Pidgeon

Deputy President

Kevin is the Executive Chairman of Lithocraft with over 55 years’ experience in print operations and senior executive responsibilities, Kevin began his career as a cadet salesman with Peacock Brothers in 1964. He then travelled overseas for four years and worked as salesman in South Africa. He returned to Australia in 1969 and joined Lithocraft as salesman, becoming a partner in 1974. Kevin remains a 50% shareholder to this day, with Lithocraft’s Managing Director, Nick O’Sullivan.
 

Kevin holds a respected position across industry for his considered, fair and authentic approach to business. A leader, with a clear and unapologetic vision on building a strong organisation with a long and sustainable future.