Senior Associates/Affiliates

Fred Cawsey

Radio host, reporter, writer, director and producer are just a few of the hats that Fred has worn throughout his career. As one of Contemporary’ senior associate, Fred volleys tough questions at clients during media training sessions to prepare them for real-life interviews.

Fred has more than 20 years experience working in the media. He is president of Front Runner Productions, a Vancouver-based company that produces television programs and corporate videos. He is a past news reporter for both BCTV and CBC, and a former producer and reporter of a wide variety of television shows and documentaries including Doctor, Doctor; Legal Wise; and Frontiers of Discovery.

Peter Jones

Peter provides senior counsel and issues management consulting to Contemporary on behalf of its clients.

His experience involves handling complex, multi-stakeholder issues for large organizations in Canada, the US, Europe and Asia. He has worked with Canadian National Railway, Kraft General Foods, Coca-Cola, The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, The Royal Canadian Mint, Vancouver Port Corporation, Andersen Consulting (Europe), and Labatt Breweries.

Stu McNish

Stu is a gifted trainer, speaker, video producer and award-winning television reporter. Over the course of his career, he has taught countless professionals how to prepare for media interviews and speak in public. As a television reporter with Global TV, Stu won numerous awards for his work, ended the careers of politicians, spoke out on behalf of those who didn’t have a voice and made a difference.

In 1998 Stu left reporting and created Oh Boy Productions, a production company producing truly compelling videos for TV, corporate clients, government agencies and none profits.

More recently he established On Message, combining his news, training and video storytelling talents to offer specialized workshops and training DVDs that provide an insider’s view of how the media works and how to work with reporters to meet messaging objectives.

Karen Speirs

Karen is an experienced public relations practitioner and, as a senior associate of the Contemporary team, provides editorial services, media relations and program implementation support.

Karen’s writing services include brochures, newsletters, web copy, annual reports, media releases, award entries, articles and reports. Her web services include developing information architecture, writing e-zines, and writing new copy or editing existing copy.

A former journalist, Karen has written articles for magazines and daily newspapers, and has been a reporter, newscaster, current affairs interviewer and segment producer for radio and television.

What People Are Saying

Contemporary Communications worked with the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada on the development of a fresh new brand identity, and helped us to increase our profile.

Contemporary’s staff have been crucial in helping us deal effectively and quickly with emerging issues in arthritis research.

Senator Pat Carney
Director, Arthritis Research Centre of Canada
Chair, Communications Committee

It has been our pleasure working with you and all at Red Rocket on (the Tsleil-Waututh Nation’s book and media package). We received many accolades on our products – from media people on the media kits to tourists on the books!  We even donated 1,000 of the postcards to the Vancouver Athlete’s Village during the Olympic Games so that athlete’s could write home to loved ones (which also promotes the Nation via our website listed on the back!).

Andrew Van Eden
2010 Senior Project Manager
Tsleil-Waututh Nation

“We would like to express our gratitude to you and your company for all the expert advice and guidance during our recent media “experience.” Boy, did we ever learn a lot.”

Barb Lea,
Abreast In A Boat

Contemporary Communications has generated coverage of Yaktrax reaching more than three million Canadians, boosted sales by more than 200 per cent, and almost doubled the number of retailers interested in carrying this winter footwear device.

Contemporary Communications has proven to us that public relations can have an impact on our bottom line.

Kuts Shoji
Shoji Marketing

Just wanted to send a big thank you for your speech-writing and coaching skills that helped to make Saturday’s events such a positive and fun experience.

Dr. Ian Gillespie
President, BC Medical Association

I would like to offer my personal thanks for the great contribution (Contemporary Communications) made in assisting the BC Pacific Salmon Forum in the release of our Final Report.

You very ably stepped in at a critical time and … the content, presentation and public release of our Final Report went much more smoothly than we could have anticipated. To be able to take on such a controversial subject with no ‘learning curve’ is a demonstration of the skill and talent of your company. You are to be commended for a job well done.

Hon. John A Fraser
Chair, B.C. Pacific Salmon Forum

In working with consultants, my approach is to work as partners and not the traditional client-consultant scenario. That’s how I like to work.

As well, it is important that a communications consulting firm invest the time to learn my business – which is complex – and Contemporary Communications has done that in a relatively short time. They respond quickly to requests for services and meet deadlines.

Roger Young
Leader, Public Affairs
British Columbia Safety Authority

Contemporary Communications has taken the time to learn about our organization and has shown great knowledge and expertise in developing communications plans and strategies for us. They have helped us bring our workplace health and safety message to a broader audience using the full communications toolkit.

Scott McCloy
WorkSafeBC