About Us

.: agile partners
.: agile associates

Agile was established in 2002 in response to a growing need for well written content that is clear, succinct and engaging.

Agile partners, David Crofts and Natalia Thompson each have 15 years experience working in senior writing and management roles with media, government and business organisations.

Both David and Natalia are experienced senior journalists, editors, media managers, corporate affairs advisers and senior government writers.

Agile & Associates also includes a team of highly accomplished writers, editors, designers, photographers, video/DVD producers and other creative professionals.

Agile partners

David Crofts
Partner

David is a passionate writer, editor and communications manager with extensive government, corporate and community-based experience.

He started his career as a journalist at The Herald-Sun in 1990, and has

since worked on staff or as a regular contributor for many leading newspapers and magazines.

For three years David was publicity manager with Regional Arts Victoria, developing national promotional campaigns for Australia’s leading performing arts companies and artists. In 1998 he joined the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development as a communications adviser and speech writer servicing a variety of Ministerial portfolios.

David is a highly experienced corporate writer who works closely with clients to develop, structure and refine written content. He specialises in plain English writing and editing, and is expert at analysing and rewriting complex information for a general audience. A skilled interviewer, David is also passionate about recording people's achievements and experiences, and is regularly employed to document government projects and tell community stories.

He is expert at assembling creative teams for large communications projects including major business tenders, government policy documents and reports, newsletters, corporate annual reports and case study projects.

David has a BA in English and Visual Arts and a Graduate Certificate of Education. He is a guest professional writing lecturer at universities and TAFE colleges and a member of the Victorian Society of Editors. He was theatre reviewer for The Melbourne Times from 1998 to 2006 and also works as an oral historian for a variety of government and community projects.

Natalia Thompson
Partner

Natalia is a highly versatile writer and editor with an extensive background in the media, government and business sectors.

She began her career with the Herald Sun in 1989, working as a journalist with a variety of News Ltd newspapers before moving into the government and private sectors in 1997.

Natalia held senior communications and media roles with the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development from 1997 to 1999. She managed its busy central Communications Unit servicing the government’s key industry and business portfolios and ministers.

From 1999 to 2000, Natalia was the senior communications & media adviser for Powercor Australia, Victoria’s largest electricity distributor during the deregulation of Victoria’s electricity industry.

Natalia has developed speeches, strategies, media and a diverse range of internal and external communications materials for Premiers, senior government ministers and managers as well as business managers and corporate executives.

Natalia is particularly experienced at editing large, complex documents to ensure consistency of message, style and tone. She has strong research skills and is expert at managing creative suppliers and production processes.

Agile associates

Paula Bradley, editor

Paula Bradley is an editor with 15 years experience working in the private sector as well as not-for-profit organisations. In-house positions since 2000 include chief sub-editor at Rural Press Magazines and production editor for the Australian Psychological Society’s member magazine.

She has also edited and proof read documents such as annual reports, handbooks, discussion papers, secondary education texts and newsletters for a variety of clients. Paula is trained in newspaper/magazine page design, and can advise on formatting to aid readability.

Jacqui Macdonald, writer

Jacqui is an experienced journalist and copywriter. She worked for The Age for eight years as a news and business reporter before moving into senior roles as the weekend news and business editor. Jacqui was a finalist in the prestigious Walkley Awards on two occasions and part of the team that won the Australian Human Rights Award for print media (1996).

Jacqui has since written and edited for a wide range of corporate and government clients on projects ranging from newsletters, annual reports, website copy and lobbying documents to corporate brochures and profiles, press and radio advertisements, direct marketing campaigns and industry sector books. Jacqui has a Graduate Diploma in Professional Writing and is currently studying a Masters in Psychology.

Peter Glenane, photographer

Peter started his career with the Herald and Weekly Times (Herald-Sun and Sunday Herald-Sun) focusing on news and sports photography before establishing his own business with a strong emphasis on people, events and architecture.

Peter has the ability to connect with his subjects to produce memorable images for a wide range of purposes and regularly works with government, business and community organisations. Recent projects with Agile have included documenting the outcomes of Victorian community internet projects, capturing the experiences of newly arrived skilled and business migrants, and photographing for the Koori Justice newsletter, published by the Department of Justice. To see some of Peter's work visit www.peterglenane.com.au

Lin Tobias, graphic designer

Lin Tobias has a well deserved reputation for striking designs that stand out from the crowd. Lin regularly works with government, business and community organisations to develop logos, visual identities, brochures, newsletters and other marketing and communications materials.

Organisations that Lin regularly works with include: the Victorian College of the Arts (Wilin Centre for Indigenous Arts and Culture), ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image), Arts Victoria, Australian Research Centre in Sex Health and Society (Latrobe University), Circus Oz, Ethical Investment Services, Melbourne Workers Theatre, Victorian Women’s Trust and a range of governments including the Department of Primary Industries, the City of Melbourne, the City of Maribyrnong, the City of Moonee Valley and the City of Greater Dandenong.