Special Reports

When prominent Perth accountant Frank Cooper was asked to join the WA Opera board, his initial reaction was: "The fat lady with horns? Not my cup of tea".

Mining engineers, scientists and technology entrepreneurs should collaborate with innovators in the arts sector to produce outcomes that benefit all sectors, the WA Business News boardroom forum was told.

Ensuring the ongoing strength of the arts sector in Western Australia beyond the boom will only be achieved by building relevance of the arts in the community, according to participants at the WA Business News forum.

The federal government is expected to complete its review of the franchising sector by the end of the year, following a state government inquiry into the sector handing in its final report in April.

Jani-King has emerged as one of the fastest growing franchises in Western Australia, measured by number of outlets.

Franchisor of the Caffissimo coffee chain, Mike Barr, believes a good coffee franchise is all about 'location location', and a viable rent.

With almost half of the top 50 fastest growing franchises in Australia food businesses, there is no reason to go hungry.

The Bank of Queensland's aggressive push into Western Australia has highlighted a growing trend of franchising within the finance industry.

A lot can happen in a year. Just more than 12 months ago, Western Australia franchises were concerned about the difficulties in finding new areas of growth, with the sector subject to the same labour market pressures as other industries.

It may be isolated, but Western Australia has become one of the country's hotspots for producing quality franchise chains.

Microbrewers Gage Roads Brewing and Little Creatures have featured in the top five emerging brands in the WA Business News branding survey every year for the past four years.

Western Australia still lacks a unique and cohesive branding strategy, according to some of the state's top advertising agencies.

RAC has achieved top ranking for the second year running in the annual WA Business News branding survey.

Bankwest has again topped the waning brands list in a survey of WA's leading marketing, advertising and PR executives.

Two advertising campaigns launched at the same time by the same agency have made iiNet and Murdoch University the most improved brands in this years' WA Business News branding survey.

The Perth Convention Bureau has engaged advertising agency Marketforce to develop a business events brand for Western Australia to promote better the state as an international meetings, incentive and convention destination.

Flicking through the professional recruitment pages, its clear to see the intense competition for candidates in the Western Australia's tight employment market.

Local agencies are starting to tap into the rapid global expansion of online and digital marketing.

Having formerly been named among the most recognised and best corporate brands in Western Australia in WA Business News' previous branding surveys, the more recent fortunes of Alinta have taken a protracted and well-documented fall.

The Western Australian food manufacturing industry is at a crossroads, with rising costs and a changing retail marketplace threatening the sector's future viability. Janelle Macri reports.

Counting her father, WorleyParsons Australian managing director Peter Meurs, as one of her mentors, it's little wonder 24-year-old Lisa Grinceri has achieved business success at such a young age.

The food industry has questioned the effectiveness of the Department of Agriculture and Food's latest marketing campaign to encourage consumers to buy locally made products.

Drought in much of the country and rising commodity prices will ratchet up the pressure on the state's food manufacturing industry, the WA Business News forum heard.

Although boutiques such as Tiffany's and Gucci have descended on King Street, the inner-city strip is about a lot more than gold, glitter and luxury.

The food-manufacturing sector requires urgent action from government if it is to remain viable in the future, according to industry representatives at the WA Business News forum.

Rolex Basel special showing

Canning Vale-based food manufacturer Chrystal Foods is one of the latest local food businesses to be bought out by a large national company.

Changing diets in the world's emerging economies and global food security issues could potentially present the local food industry with a wealth of opportunities.

Beau Deleuil Partner in charge Mallesons Stephen Jaques Perth

The growing dominance of the major supermarket chains has had a significant effect on Western Australian food producers.

Quintessentially, one of the world's most renowned private members' club and concierge services, is planning to open an office in Perth later this year.

When asked what he considered was the anniversary date of last year's Coles Group Ltd takeover, Wesfarmers Ltd managing director Richard Goyder nominates July 21 as the most appropriate.