Avenir Group acquires Market Collective  Canada’s Avenir Group has bought Market Collective, parent company of Archetype, Outcast and Nectar Communications in a $94 million deal.  The acquisition deepens Avenir Group’s technology-communications presence in APAC, announced on November 5. According to Archetype’s website, the agencies will retain the same clients, same leadership and same client programs across Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, India and Greater China.  “Marker Collective will continue to operate as a distinct business within AVENIR GLOBAL, led by CEO Helena Maus. Archetype, Nectar, Outcast and Delve keep their own identities, leadership teams and client focus.” "What attracted us to Marker was the quality of its people, the strength of its agencies, the relationships it has built with some of the world's leading technology companies, and the technology they have developed," said Jean-Pierre Vasseur, Preside

Ekta Thomas becomes Zeno Group Australia MD Ekta Thomas has been named managing director of Zeno Group Australia, expanding her remit as head of regional business development.  “After eight years at Zeno, my focus is now on growing our Australian team and building on our integrated offering for our clients, ” she wrote on LinkedIn.  A seasoned communications professional, Thomas brings nearly two decades of experience to the role, having worked across BMA Communications, Yellowdoor, Good Relations, Porter Novelli, PLUG Hong Kong, McKell Media, and Sibling Agency before joining Zeno Group in 2018 as the director of client services. Savills ANZ appoints One Plus One Comms as PR partner Savills New Zealand has appointed One Plus One Communications as its strategic PR partner, following a competitive pitch.  The partnership will support the commercial property advisory firm's ambition to strengthen its influence and credibility across New Zealand, w

Jasmine Halley joins Cancer Council Queensland Jasmine Halley has been named PR and comms specialist at Cancer Council Queensland.  In the role, she will lead earned media strategy, developing campaigns that champion the organisation's initiatives, research, support services and the incredible fundraisers, volunteers and partners who make it all possible.  Halley began her career in PR at Aruga in 2021 and held various roles for more than three years. She was also the media and comms specialist at RSL Queensland before taking a travel break for 10 months.  Edelman appoints Campbell Hanley Japan CEO Edelman has appointed Campbell Hanley as CEO and representative director of its Japan operations, succeeding Meghan Barstow, who departs after two decades with the firm. Hanley brings extensive experience, having worked across The Mainichi Newspapers, Fortune and Time Magazines, I&S BBDO, Weber Shandwick, McCann Holdings, IPG DXTRA, Omnicom PR, and Wayo Women

Herd MSL nabs account manager from UK Ella Ewen has started a new position as a senior account manager at Herd MSL in Australia. She worked in various PR roles at WLS, Aspectus Group, Teamspirit, Cicero/amo and Headland Consultancy in the UK.   Keep Left marks 25th anniversary Keep Left is celebrating 25 years since it was first established.  In a LinkedIn post, the company said: “In 2001, we opened our doors with a simple idea: tell good stories and solve hard problems for the people we work with. A quarter of a century later, that hasn’t changed (although our hairstyles thankfully have). To mark the milestone, we asked the team one question: where were you in 2001? The answers ranged from “starting my first PR job” to “year 9, convinced I’d have my Nokia forever” to “not born yet”. Michael Doolan elevated at Special NZ Michael Doolan has been promoted to group business director at Special NZ.  He was

Logan Jones becomes comms manager at RedBull Logan Jones has been named communications manager at RedBull Australia. She joins the team from Herd MSL, where she was a senior account director most recently.  Jones previously worked across Tailor Maid Communications, Two Birds Talking, Wiise and Qantas.  Emily Cook steps up at Sydney Opera House Emily Cook has been appointed senior communications manager at Sydney Opera House, covering for a maternity leave. She was a communications manager at Sydney Opera House for nearly four years. Cook worked across Ultimo Press, Penguin Random House, Independent Publishers Guild, Irish Writers’ Centre, Newstalk 106-108 FM, Australasian Recruitment Company and more.        

Anna Farrera departs Pead After a decade at Pead, group account director and partner Anna Farrera has announced her departure from the group, describing it as the “most incredible and rewarding chapter” of her career.  Reflecting on the decision to depart, she wrote on LinkedIn: “Sometimes, the need to make change becomes clear, and in this case the change is not a decision I have come to without deep reflection and consideration. I could have happily continued were it not for competing demands in my life: primarily the declining health of my mother. What’s clear to me is that now is the time for me be more available to support my family at a time when they need me most. This is alongside some exciting new opportunities for our hospitality business, Tacoteca, in the new year.” She worked across New Zealand and the UK in various PR roles at Sue Wood & Associates, City Gallery Wellington, SeaBritain 2025, Arup, ING Media, Acumen Republic, and A

Former Channel Seven Journalist Phoebe Worthley has joined In The Media PR, where she'll work as both a Publicist and journalist, according to her LinkedIn profile.  Worthley wrote on the platform, "I’m thrilled to share that I have started a new position as Publicist / Journalist at In The Media PR!" Before joining, Worthley had been at Seven for over three and a half years, working across it's Albury and Melbourne newsrooms. She also had a brief stint in the Nine Sydney Newsroom.  Elsewhere, Georgina Lewis has joined Mater as Senior Advisor, Media and Communications, announcing the news on LinkedIn. She'd previously worked on the journalism side of the industry with stints at Endemol Shine, Channel Ten, and ITV Studios Australia.  As well, Special Australia has found itself a new financial backer, with Waterman Capital enlisted to fund its global expansion as Mediaweek reported.  Densu Creative PR are advertising a new