Module 5

Media and Public Engagement

Meeta Gandhi

Module length: 90 min

Study time: 3 hr

Accelerator Short Course: Available

Master Mentors discuss how to manage during a 24/7 news cycle and work effectively with media and what to consider when working directly with the public.

  • Brian Lambie is President of Redbrick Communications. He has extensive communications experience gained during his career as a private sector consultant, a political assistant and a public servant. He founded Redbrick Communications in 2002 with a mission to empower people and organizations to tell their own story, no matter how great the challenge. Brian leads Redbrick’s large municipal communications practice and he has served as the primary communications strategist for the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) for more than 15 years.

    He is a sought-after media trainer and conference speaker. In addition to developing and delivering training programs for organizations such as AMO and the Association of Municipal Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO), Brian has chaired the Summers Direct Municipal Communications Conference since 2006. He regularly provides training for a variety of public and private sector organizations and is the trainer of record for a number of Ontario Government ministries.

    Formerly Vice President of Howe & Company Corporate Communications and an Account Group Director with GPC International in Toronto, his specialties include corporate and public sector communications, issues and crisis management, and stakeholder and media relations. Brian earned his M.A. in Journalism from the University of Western Ontario.

    Brian Lambie, President

    ​Redbrick Communications

    905-271-1669 ext. 151

    ​lambie@redbrick.ca

  • Rick Goldring operates Goldring Financial Leadership Inc. and has been providing financial and retirement income planning advice to clients since 1979. From 2010-2018, Rick served as mayor of Burlington and between 2014-2018 served on both the Board and Executive of AMO (Association of Municipalities of Ontario).

    While mayor, Rick served on the boards of the Burlington Economic Development Corporation, Burlington Hydro and the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. Currently, Rick serves on the Burlington Museums Foundation Board, the Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation Gift Planning Services Committee and is an active member of the Rotary Club of Burlington Lakeshore.


  • Meeta is an award-winning communications professional with experience in both the federal and municipal sectors. Meeta recently joined the Town of East Gwillimbury where she is the Director of Communications, Customer Service, and Diversity and Inclusion. She also continues to work with Redbrick Communications as an Associate. Prior to working with East Gwillimbury, Meeta was the Director of Strategy, Innovation and Engagement at the City of Richmond Hill where she oversaw communications, customer service, economic development, service innovation and strategy and government relations. Before moving to municipal government, Meeta worked with the federal government for 20 years in various roles including communications, administration and program delivery.

    Meeta excels in media relations, internal communications and crisis communications. She provides advice and guidance to senior officials and political representatives. With experience outside of communications, Meeta also brings expertise in contact centre operation, government relations and economic development. She is known for her public speaking ability and regularly delivers presentations at communications and public sector conferences (both online and in-person).

    She has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Toronto, a Public Relations Certificate from Ryerson University and a Diploma in Public Administration from Western University. 

Core concepts

Social media & public policy

The impact of social media on public policy.

The mechanics of the media

How the mainstream media works and how to anticipate their interests.

Understanding central communications

The role of central communications offices.

Giving ministers the support they need

What a Minister/Mayor needs from the bureaucracy when dealing with high-profile issues in the public domain.

Managing the media during a crises

Responding to a crisis that will attract media attention.

Public engagement principles

Fundamental principles of a successful public engagement process.