Fairfax Media’s ‘Behind the Stories’ event gives marketers unique insights into storytelling

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Photo 1.jpgFairfax Media has held a special “Behind the Stories” event for marketers and media agencies offering a unique insight into some of the world’s biggest news stories as seen through the eyes of Sydney Morning Herald journalists and photographers.

Speaking at the fourth Behind the Stories event, renowned Fairfax photographer Kate Geraghty talked about the devastation she witnessed first-hand covering the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 tragedy. Along with foreign correspondent Paul McGeogh, Geraghty created a special tribute of sunflower seeds from the crash site for each of the victims’ families to remember their loved ones.

Photo 2.jpgMore than 80 people attended the invitation-only breakfast, held at Sydney’s The Mint on 13th August 2015 and a special video of the Behind the Stories event has been created.

Geraghty shared many of her powerful photographs taken at the MH17 crash site.

Says Geraghty: “Looking at these images still gives me goosebumps because of the carnage in such Photo 3.jpga beautiful landscape. As we drove to the crash site every day, we were surrounded by golden sunflower fields and we thought if the families can’t get here, then what can we do to bring something back for them after experiencing such a devastating and tragic loss.”

Says Judith Whelan, The Sydney Morning Herald news director: “Kate and Paul’s idea to Photo 4.jpgcollect sunflower seeds from the MH17 crash scene has resonated, and packets of sunflower seeds have now been sent to many victims’ families both in Australia and around the world. Kate’s haunting yet beautiful photography of twisted fragments of the aircraft in fields of sunflowers brought special meaning to the story. It is stories like this that truly showcase our unrivalled, quality, independent journalism.”

Says Tom Armstrong, commercial and marketing services director: “Our ‘Behind the Stories’ events give advertisers and media agencies a unique insight into our stories, through the eyes of our journalists and photographers. It is storytelling at its best and this event had particular poignancy for our audience.”

The Sydney Morning Herald also hosts regular ‘SMH Live’ events for subscribers that feature journalists and editors speaking on various topics. The next SMH Live, “Science & Innovation”, will be held on 27th August at the Australian National Maritime Museum. Details can be found here.

(Photo 1, L-R: Michael Waymouth – IAG, Danielle Szetho – Fairfax Media and Michael O’Donnell – Fairfax Media; Photo 2, L-R: Dan Lysaght – ING Direct and Dan Clark – OMD; Photo 3, L-R: Rosalie Odtojan, Hugh Cashmore, Ngita Bowers & Conor Riordan all from Vizeum; Photo 4, L-R: Liz Glover – Scenic Tours, Amanda Upton – Fairfax Media and Alana Baird – Fairfax Media)