Meet Deb Camden, the Queensland #FemaleFounder and powerhouse behind The Communication Dividend.
The Communication Dividend is a digital one-stop-shop where all the communication and public relations (PR) metrics that matter across an organisation can be seen in one easily accessible platform.
Having recently entered into a partnership to take the business forward, Deb is passionate about providing her clients with a single, real-time view of performance giving tangible, strategic insight into PR and communication programs. And that’s what The Communication Dividend is all about.
We spoke to Deb to find out more about her business and journey as a Queensland #FemaleFounder.
What inspired you to start your business?
After my second attempt to complete my doctoral studies, I realised I was better suited to solving an applied business problem. As a passionate, career-long communicator, I have always been an advocate for the advantages provided by communication and PR, so I was inspired to set about solving what has long been identified as a pressing and real issue for global communicators – to be taken seriously for the value communication provides.
What milestones have you reached?
I’ve just reached a very exciting milestone - entering a partnership to take the business forward. Paul Cheal, former Managing Director of Sydney-based corporate and financial PR agency, Honner, has joined The Communication Dividend as Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer, bringing over 20 years’ experience in PR and communication agencies. Paul and I have served on the Public Relations Institute of Australia’s Measurement and Evaluation Committee for the past three years and it was empowering to discover we both had a shared vision to make communication intelligence available to all PR practitioners.
What business achievements are you most proud of to date?
Aside from forging our most recent partnership to achieve our vision, our biggest achievement so far was being awarded two Bronze Awards in the International Awards for Communication Effectiveness presented by the International Association for Measurement and Evaluation of Communication (AMEC) in Prague in 2019.
To receive global recognition for a Queensland innovation from our peers in the measurement and evaluation community from around the world has been hugely validating!
Have you participated in any Advance Queensland programs, or received any support from Advance Queensland to date?
The funding we received from the Queensland Government Small Business Digital Grants program was a great kickstart for establishing The Communication Dividend as a new player in the global PR measurement and evaluation sector. We’ve also taken part in the Innovate Queensland workshops, which have been invaluable opportunities to connect, learn and grow our knowledge and expertise.
What’s your advice for other female entrepreneurs and businesses starting out on their entrepreneurship journey?
Connect, connect, connect! Being an entrepreneur can be a very lonely journey so finding others who are passionate about advancing the world through their innovations is a critical investment. Advance Queensland provides startups with a fantastic ecosystem for connecting with other entrepreneurs. And as I’ve recently discovered, looking within your own professional sphere can lead to exciting partnership opportunities with individuals who share your passion.
