One of Tasmania’s longest-running political podcasts has come to an end after seven years, as Font PR’s founding director calls time on his 23-year career in public relations.
Becher Townshend announced his retirement and the closure of Font PR on the final episode of the FontCast this week, bringing the curtain down on both the firm and its podcast.
“After seven years and 155 episodes, this is the final FontCast,” Townshend said.
“I’m retiring from the public relations business.”
“After 23 years running this business in its various guises, it’s time for me to move on to other things. I’m giving up the day job.”
Townshend said he would continue his new role as chair of the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry while pursuing other business interests with his wife Mary.
The FontCast launched seven years ago as the brainchild of former Font PR partner Brad Nowland, who now runs his own consultancy – Tasman Public Affairs.
It has been hosted by Font PR partners Brad Stansfield and Townshend, alongside regular guests including former WIN news director Alex Johnston.
The podcast had built a dedicated following despite its niche focus on Tasmanian politics.
Stansfield said Font PR would close but he planned to continue in the industry, taking the helm of his polling company EMRS and moving it into what has been the Font PR office on Collins Street.
He says he plans to expand EMRS’ services to include public relations, government relations and campaigning.
“From my personal perspective, and sorry to disappoint my many friends and frenemies, I’m not going anywhere anytime soon,” he said.
He indicated a podcast would likely continue in some form, though not under the FontCast name.
Townshend said the decision had been anticipated by some after he took on the TCCI chairmanship in November.
“Some people saw when I took on the role … and they said to me, quite rightly, how can you be chair and do what you do professionally all the time?” he said.
Stansfield said the Font PR logo will be “retired up on the wall like a footy guernsey, never to be used again”.
Other Font PR partner Danielle McKay is also expected to leave the company.
Pulse understands regional newspapers owned by Stansfield and Townshend’s sister company Font Publishing, including the Tasmanian Country, will continue to operate under Stansfield’s ownership.
