By Graham McKendry, Media Strategist, 3X1 Group
I’ve been lucky enough to work in journalism and comms for more years than I care to count.
I’ve had the privilege of learning from some of the best in the business, and I’ve seen first-
hand how the right professional development at the right time can completely change a
career.
That’s one of the reasons I’m so excited that 3X1 Group is partnering with Comms Unplugged as it heads to Scotland for the first time in September 2025. It’s not another conference – in fact, it’s the polar opposite. You swap the stale event space for a field, the PowerPoint for conversation around a campfire, and the constant ping of notifications for the sound of birdsong.
But as much as I love this concept, I know not everyone finds it easy to access these kinds of opportunities. Cost, geography, confidence – there are lots of barriers. That’s why, with Comms Unplugged, we’ve launched the 2025 scholarship scheme offering three free places to CU 2025. It’s open to those new to the profession, returning after a break, in small or remote teams, facing redundancy, or part of a protected group under the Equality Act 2010.
I’ll also be leading a session in the field, sharing the story of how Scotland’s environmental regulator responded to its highest-profile cyber-attack. It’s a chance to talk openly about lessons learned and the reality of crisis comms when the stakes are sky high.
I can’t wait to meet the first CU Scotland field family – and hopefully our three new
scholarship winners too. If you think one of those places should be yours, get in touch.
— Thursday 14th August —
