Public Affairs • Reputation Management • Strategic Communications Counsel

About Us

m5 Public Affairs is Atlantic Canada’s leading government and public relations firm, providing bilingual services to clients in Canada and the United States in a number of sectors. With an unmatched foundation of public and private sector experience, our team provides industry-leading public affairs counsel, and connects key messages with influencers and stakeholders.

Our Approach

Leading international, national and regional clients count on m5 Public Affairs for the following:

 

Timely and Accurate Information

Access to timely and accurate information – and knowing how to interpret that information – is crucial. Influencing/interpreting the public environment, anticipating public reaction and response requires experience, knowledge and a strategic game plan. We are well positioned with practical experience in all size projects, from small local initiatives to large-scale projects. We have strong relationships with provincial and local media and possess an in-depth understanding of local influencers and community leaders.

Public Relations Advice

We develop tailored public relations strategies that utilizes our team members’ experience and expertise. We will anticipate outcomes and devise proactive actions and rapid response that will guide your project through the fast-moving waters of public relations and stakeholder management.

Value-Added Advice and Counsel

Effective public relations efforts start with a clear understanding of the desired outcomes. We will apply critical, strategic thinking from start to finish to ensure your project has the best opportunity for success. Extensive planning and contingency thinking goes into every m5 Public Affairs project to ensure this success.

Effective Advocacy

We will, when it is deemed desirable, provide direct advocacy on your behalf. We pride ourselves on our reputation for professionalism and we demonstrate this every day when working on your behalf – with community members, local, provincial, and federal government officials, media and stakeholders. Our team members are respected not just for “who we know,” but “what we know.” We also take great care to carry out our professional duties in a low-key manner.

What We Do Best

Government Relations

Public affairs, public policy counsel, advocacy, relationship building, coaching and training.

Public Relations

Strategy development and execution, key message development, managing the consumer perception of your brand.

Stakeholder Relations

Stakeholder identification and prioritization, stakeholder relations planning, profiling opportunities, networking opportunities, stakeholder events.

Issues Management

Strategy development, counsel, key message development, coaching.

Media Relations

News releases, media advisories, backgrounders, Q&A documents, story pitching, media monitoring and analysis.

Social Media

Strategy development and execution, message development, monitoring.

Writing

Annual reports, briefing notes, presentations, speaking notes, opinion editorials, publications, websites, online and digital, FAQs, blogs, news releases, newsletters.

Internal/Corporate Communications

Internal communications planning, newsletter/publication writing and production, announcements, employee recognition programs, awards, appreciation events.

Event Management

Event concept, strategy development and execution.

Community Outreach

Corporate social responsibility, partnership strategies, community investment programs, relationship building.

Reputation Management

Corporate reputation index development, analysis, strategic counsel, reputation tracking.

Crisis Communications

On-call response, crisis communications planning, crisis training facilitation, crisis training participation.

Media Training

Customized workshops, media theory and practice, executive coaching, spokesperson preparation, on-camera training sessions.

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Our Team

Chris Lydon

Chris Lydon

President

For over 25 years, Chris has navigated the maze of government intricacies, igniting impactful change at m5 Public Affairs, now Atlantic Canada’s power nexus for public affairs and strategic communications.
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[email protected] • 902.422.2117
Halifax

Kathy Purcell

Kathy Purcell

Senior Vice President, Regional

Kathy is a seasoned strategist, adept writer, and a trusted advisor in public relations. With more than two decades of experience, she has profound expertise in stakeholder relations, motivating teams, and achieving set objectives.
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[email protected] • 506.852.7281
720 Main Street, 3rd Floor, Moncton, NB E1C 1E4

Paul Mceachern

Paul Mceachern

Vice President, Strategy

Having worked for some of the world’s largest companies, Paul, a native Cape Bretoner brings a global perspective to m5PA.
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[email protected] • 902.425.7257
Halifax

Tracey Burkhardt

Tracey Burkhardt

Associate Vice-President

Tracey has over 20 years’ experience in transforming intricate concepts into effective messages, strategies, and policy proposals for both private and public sector clients.
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[email protected]
Fredericton

Charlie Byrne

Charlie Byrne

Senior Director, Public Affairs

Charlie is an adept advisor renowned for his skill in unraveling complex political scenarios, offering solutions at all levels of elected governance.
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[email protected]
St.John's

Carl Davies

Carl Davies

Senior Counsel

Carl is a seasoned writer, strategist, and public relations advisor with over two decades of expertise in communications and public affairs.
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[email protected]
Fredericton

Kevin Surette

Kevin Surette

Director, Public Affairs

With over 25 years of experience in public affairs spanning both private and public sectors, Kevin boasts a wealth of expertise, particularly in the energy and healthcare domains.
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[email protected]
Halifax

Erin Mcphee

Erin Mcphee

Director, Public Affairs

Erin brings a wealth of experience, blending two decades of professional expertise in public affairs and journalism, marked by her impactful storytelling and robust communication skills.
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[email protected]
Saint John

Marc-André Vienneau

Marc-André Vienneau

Counsel

An impactful government engagement specialist and a community leader actively engaged in municipal affairs, Marc-André was recognized by L’Acadie Nouvelle as one of the Top 30 Young Francophones to watch in 2021.
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[email protected]
Moncton

Corinne Maclellan

Corinne Maclellan

Associate Consultant

Corinne has been active in the areas of communications, corporate community engagement, public affairs, media relations, marketing and event production since 1994.
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[email protected]
Halifax

Our Clients, Past & Present

Our Experience

Energy

Healthcare

Public Utilities

Transportation

Governments

Indigenous Affairs

Labour

Mining

Fisheries & Aquaculture

Post Secondary

Contact Us

REGIONAL &
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

CHRIS LYDON

President
[email protected]
OFFICE: 902.422.2117

NOVA SCOTIA

Paul McEachern

Vice President, Strategy
[email protected]
OFFICE: 902.425.7257

NEW BRUNSWICK

Kathy Purcell

Senior Vice President, Regional
[email protected]
OFFICE: 506.852.7281

NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR

CHARLIE BYRNE

Senior Director, Public Affairs
[email protected]
OFFICE: 709.753.2649