Brandon Appoints Director of Communications

Brandon, MB – City Manager Scott Hildebrand is pleased to announce that a well-known, trusted news reporter has accepted the position of Director of Communications. Allison Collins, the Brandon Sun’s chief political reporter, has been hired for the new position and comes to the City with nearly a decade of experience in the field of media communications.

In addition to coordinating the daily communications activities of the City of Brandon, Collins will be responsible for helping the City craft and implement a new communications and public relations plan.

“Communication was critical to our community’s success in the high water event this spring,” said Mayor Decter Hirst. “Going forward, it will be critical to an open, transparent and civil City government. We have spent the past year engaging the public to act collectively to build the City we all want to live in, and our children will raise their children in. Allison’s strengths as a communicator will ensure we are successful.”

“We are extremely fortunate to have attracted someone of Allison’s caliber to fulfill the communication needs for the City of Brandon,” said City Manager Scott Hildebrand. “Brandon is a growing community with an energetic Mayor and Council who strongly support developing strategic goals, community collaboration, and open communication. Allison will play a key role in helping to make sure the information is relayed in an open, timely, and comprehensible manner.”

Prior to her work as a municipal, provincial and federal political reporter at the Brandon Sun, Collins was a fixture on Westman’s radio airwaves as a news reporter and announcer for 880 CKLQ and Star 94.7 FM. “I have dedicated my entire media career to the discovery and delivery of news information that the residents of Brandon and western Manitoba need, want and are entitled to,” Collins said.

“I am thrilled to have been given an opportunity to bring a fresh public relations perspective to the City of Brandon and assist in its continued commitment to openness, transparency and accountability.”

Collins was born and raised in Manitoba’s Parkland region and is a graduate of Assiniboine Community College’s Media Productions diploma program. She begins her duties with the City on October 19.