What’s not to love about Australia Day? The sun is shining (touch wood), the BBQ is sizzling, and the majority of the country’s workforce enjoy a well-earned public holiday.

There are a number of fantastic events happening around the state, so we’ve put together a guide to the Australia Day hotspots in your local area.

We saw a number of changes in the way the Tasmanian media covered news in 2011.

Whilst this shift has been slowly taking place over the past five years, social media sites, in particular Twitter, now play a major part in the coverage of local news. In 2012 we are likely to see this increase.

With research last year showing that Hobartians are the nation’s most prolific tweeters per capita, it is no surprise that we are seeing hashtags such as #politas (which covers news and discussions surrounding State politics) thrive.

2011 is drawing to an end with the State Government intact, however the Government has its problems.

January saw David Bartlett replaced as Premier by Lara Giddings. The forest debate continued and the 2010-11 budget required critical surgery to address significant falls in GST revenue and to curtail an entrenched spending regime.

The budget cutbacks, including the required reduction in numbers of a burgeoning public service, has drawn expected criticism largely due to a perceived concentration on reducing front-line care services.

Deb - I'll be spending some time on the Gold Coast, with the whole family coming together from three States, plus my sister’s stepchildren who are flying over from New Zealand. Beach, cocktails and seafood. I can't wait!

We're pleased to report that the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) has won the award for Best New Tourism Development at the Tasmanian Tourism Awards in November.

There have been a number of memorable PR stunts and gaffes in Australia this year. While some have been good, creating positive hype and publicity for emerging brands and companies, there have been several CLEAR misses. We thought we'd take a look at the best and worst of 2011.

Taste of Tasmania

It’s the time of year again where Tasmania’s Food and Wine Industries get the opportunity to show their wares, with the annual Taste of Tasmania Festival set to light up the Hobart waterfront from 28 December to 3 January...

Font Managing Director Becher Townshend was featured in a story on social media use in politics earlier this week.

To read the article click here.

The Font Social Media Index is also worth a read in regards to social media usage in the State.

We recently did some work with the Rosetta Store + Bakery IGA X-Press to help take them into the realm of social media.

For them it was about conveying brand awareness as well as demonstrating the character of the business to the outside world.

Becher’s Budget Wrap

Well it could have been worse is about the only positive that can be taken from to the 2011 Tasmanian State Budget.

With a $1.5 billion black hole over the next four years, predictions by Premier and Treasurer Lara Giddings that the State’s finances were in a tough place were not wrong.

At the frontline some 20 schools are to go, 40 police officers and 1,700 public servants or equivalent savings, but even that won’t be enough to save us from the dreaded net debt situation, with the Budget not predicted to generate a surplus for four years and when it does, it will be a paltry $1.9 m.

MEDIA RELEASE - MONDAY JUNE 13, 2011

Tasmanians are leading the nation in social media usage with research released today revealing well over half the State is keeping it social online, abolishing the outdated view that the phenomenon is just a passing fad.

The Font Public Relations Social Media Index 2011 ,...

Meet Fred!

The newest member to the Font team, Fred (or Frederica if you prefer) brings her stylish design eye to client branding. Fred will enhance any corporate design elements, and has particular expertise in websites and the digital arena. We liked Fred's work so much, we asked her to...

When newly appointed Tasmanian Government Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Veteran Affairs Scott Bacon MP posted a status update on his personal Facebook page this year there is simply no way he could have imagined the uproar and media attention that would result.

As he typed in the words "Launceston bound....