Jared Pollock joins dentsu Aotearoa as head of social Jared Pollock has announced he has joined dentsu Aotearoa as head of social, marking a return to Auckland. In a LinkedIn post, Pollock described the appointment as a return home, saying, “Back home in Tāmaki Makaurau, focused on building social that stands for something - work that understands culture, contributes to it, and earns attention rather than demanding it.” He began his career at Backchat Media in Auckland and moved to Sydney, where he worked across various groups, including Wavemaker, Present Company, DDB, Spicy Broccoli Media, Louis Media, MIK Studio, Nimbus Co and nicehouse. Erin Bouda departs NSWPF Media manager at NSW Police Force, Erin Bouda, has announced her departure, after working for nearly five years across a range of media and communications roles. In a LinkedIn post, Bouda reflected on her time with the organisation, describing it as a privilege to support the work of NSW Police. 

Alex Morley launches PR consultancy PR professional Alex Morley has launched a freelance public relations and communications consultancy after 11 years working in agency roles. Announcing the move on LinkedIn, Morley said he is now available for a limited number of PR, communications and copywriting projects.  Morley mentioned his services include media relations, media strategy, thought leadership, executive profiling, content creation, PR campaigns, product launches and event support. He is currently seeking new freelance opportunities and client engagements. He brings experience across corporate and consumer campaigns in sectors including aviation, travel and hospitality, property, B2B technology and renewable energy working across Burson, BCW Global, Weber Shandwick and LEWIS Global. Cleo Pignetti (Trifonas) departs Woolworths PR and communications professional Cleo Pignetti (Trifonas) has departed Woolworths after more than five years with the retailer’s Media

Sound Story acquires The Comms Department Strategic communications and reputation consultancy Sound Story has announced the acquisition of The Comms Department, marking a significant expansion of its independent communications offering. The Comms Department will continue to operate as a distinct specialist brand alongside Sound Story. While Sound Story remains focused on strategic communications and reputation for creative industry leaders and challengers, The Comms Department will specialise in crisis and issues management, change and transformation, mergers and acquisitions, executive advisory and media training.  As part of the acquisition, The Comms Department’s founder, Bec Brown, will join as a strategic advisor across both businesses, working with Sound Story founders and managing partners Jake Challenor and Brian Lawlor, along with senior leaders Jane Elliott, Zanda Wilson and General Manager Jono Harrison. The move follows a year of collaboration between the fi

Allan Hunt calls out brands seeking comms support Allan Hunt, account director at Archetype, has issued a callout to brands seeking communications support, highlighting Archetype's global capabilities and positioning the agency as a partner for building “magnetic brands”.  In a LinkedIn post, Hunt encouraged prospective clients to connect with the agency. Hunt joined Archetype as an account director recently. He was a senior account manager and an account director at Havas Red before joining Archetype.  Hunt worked across Hotwire Australia, Weber Shandwick and One Green Bean previously. Isabelle Ronksley steps up at Pureprofile Isabelle Ronksley has announced that she has been promoted to senior account manager at Pureprofile.  She joined Pureprofile as an account executive in 2024 and was an account manager most recently.  Ronksley worked as an executive production assistant at Sound Film Studio previously.  OpenAI hires consumer a

Nicole Reaney picks up the baton as IPREX APAC President Global communications group, IPREX, has appointed Nicole Reaney its new APAC President. Reaney succeeds Anu Gupta of APRW, who is based in Singapore. In a LinkedIn post, she expressed her excitement about the role, stating, “Excited to share that on top of InsideOut Public Relations, I'll be President APAC for IPREX Global Communication. Taking over the role from the amazing Anu Gupta, who is such a brilliant leader.” Reaney is the CEO of InsideOut PR. She was a corporate affairs manager at Colgate-Palmolive for six years previously. ANZ Bank seeks a comms coordinator ANZ Bank is looking to hire a Melbourne-based comms coordinator.  The role involves delivering and supporting communications programs for Group Communications (T&C, Finance, Risk, Legal and Internal Audit), to enhance and protect the reputation of the bank.  The candidate will work under the supervision of the senior communic

Havas Red launches Havas Blak for First Nations communications HAVAS Red has partnered with BlackCard founder and First Nations advocate Mundanara Bayles to launch HAVAS Blak, a new communications offering focused on elevating First Nations voices and strengthening Indigenous representation in Australia’s media and communications industry. The offering will provide First Nations-led strategic communications, cultural capability training, media coaching, leadership visibility programs and consultancy services across the wider HAVAS Village network. Launched during National Reconciliation Week 2026 under the theme “All In”, the initiative aims to address the shortage of culturally informed First Nations communications services in Australia. According to Campaign Brief, James Wright, Group CEO HAVAS ANZ, Global CEO HAVAS Red and Global Chair HAVAS PR Network, said the initiative was more about action, not intention.  "The communications industry has a res

Via strengthens comms team with senior appointments Marketing and communications agency, Via, has appointed Jose Verbeek as communications director and Kate Evans as senior account manager.   Verbeek will strengthen the firm’s corporate, financial and investor communications solutions and provide strategic media relations support to clients across Via’s client groups, and Evans will focus on the company’s integrated global marketing and communications capabilities. Tala Booker, CEO and Founder of Via, expressed confidence in the appointments, saying, "We know our clients are increasingly looking for senior, high-touch partners who understand how to weave together commercial acumen with brand and reputation. We partner with our clients in high-stakes situations, where pace matters but judgment prevails. I’m confident that Jose and Kate bring discernment, bold thinking and passion to how we show up and deliver for our clients." Evans expr