Expedia Group hires Jack E. as associate market manager Jack E. has joined Expedia Group as associate market manager, marking a move into the travel sector after almost seven years at Recognition PR and Marketing. Based in Queensland, he will manage and grow Expedia Group’s hotel and property portfolio across Brisbane and southern Queensland, working with accommodation partners on strategy, revenue growth and market performance.  In a LinkedIn post, Jack said the new role would allow him to “deepen his passion for travel and explore the opportunities” the industry has to offer. He joins from Recognition PR and Marketing, where he most recently served as account manager and previously held a series of roles across the agency, including senior marketing consultant, marketing consultant and marketing specialist. During his time there, he worked across clients including Optus, Fortinet, DXC Technology and Logicalis APAC. He also worked at Be Psyched, Rebel Sport

Sarah Murray departs Thrive PR after seven years Sarah Murray is leaving Thrive PR + Communications after nearly seven years with the agency, where she most recently served as group account director and led its technology and innovation division. In a LinkedIn post announcing her departure, Murray described Thrive as one of the most rewarding chapters of her career, having joined the business after moving from the UK to Australia.  During her time there, she progressed from account director to senior account director and then group account director, while also serving as the agency’s in-house media trainer and narrative coach. Murray highlighted a number of career milestones during her time at Thrive, including securing an earned Forbes front cover and seven-page profile for Airwallex, as well as front-page coverage in The Australian Financial Review. She also referenced long-running work with Cisco and thanked Thrive leaders and colleagues including Leilani Abels, Cla

Brenda Younes joins Garmin ANZ as head of marketing, Australasia Garmin Australia & New Zealand has appointed Brenda Younes as head of marketing, Australasia, she announced on LinkedIn. Younes joins Garmin from Supercars, where she led marketing, brand strategy, digital communications and partnerships across ANZ.  She worked in senior marketing positions at Hello Coach, Audika Australia, HIVE Marketing and Events, Bastion EBA. Social Soup appoints Emily Green as director of partnerships Influencer marketing agency Social Soup has appointed Emily Green as director of partnerships.  In the role, she will lead client services and support creator partnership programs as brands continue increasing investment in influencer and creator-led marketing.  Green joins the Australia and New Zealand agency after serving as content and culture strategist at London-based influencer agency Buttermilk.  She had previously held roles with Mindshare, MediaCom, and The O

Clare Hughes joins EVH as communications director Clare Hughes has joined communications agency EVH as communications director, based in Sydney. Hughes joins EVH from MAXMEDIALAB, where she served as communications director most recently.  She previously held senior agency roles, including business director at Ogilvy PR ANZ, client partner at FleishmanHillard, and senior account director at London-based Red Lion PR, where she was also a founding member. Denise Panigiris joins Billini as PR manager Denise Panigiris has joined footwear brand Billini as PR manager. Panigiris joins from Helen Kaminski, where she most recently served as marketing and public relations manager.  She previously held marketing and events roles at Paspaley, King Living, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Business Chicks Australia. Emily Saville promoted to senior account director at Weber Shandwick Australia Weber Shandwick Australia has promoted Emily Saville to senior account direct

Former Mango MD launches Smoke Communications Former Mango Communications managing director Tabitha Fairbairn has launched Smoke Communications, a new independent communications agency in Australia focused on helping brands earn attention and cultural relevance through integrated communications strategies. The agency combines communications, content, creator partnerships and experiences, underpinned by cultural intelligence and strategic design.  In a LinkedIn post, she explained that the agency is built on a simple belief that “attention isn’t something you buy – it’s something you engineer.” “We are not a typical PR agency. We deliver cultural cut-through and earn trust for brands by engineering earned attention and activating in the most relevant and impactful ways,” according to the company’s page.  Operating since early 2026, the agency is already working with brands across Australia and New Zealand, with a focus o

Angie Christofis bids adieu to Bespoken Communications professional Angie Christofis has announced her departure from PR and communications agency Bespoken after nearly two years with the firm.  In a LinkedIn post, Christofis reflected on working across a range of sectors, including charities, industry bodies, innovators and multinational companies, helping clients with storytelling, brand-building and communications.  “I’ve learned something from every client, project and challenge along the way,” she wrote.  She is a seasoned professional with more than two decades of experience working across travel, tourism, property, the arts, and not-for-profit sectors, including Travel + Leisure Co., Flight Centre Travel Group, Wyndham Destinations, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts and Red Rocket.  She is now open to new opportunities. Lucas Howe joins Canva Lucas Howe has joined Canva’s communications team as corporate and leadership communications

Omnicom Oceania welcomes Kate Racovolis to lead communications   Kate Racovolis has been appointed head of communications at Omnicom Oceania to support the business’s focus on integrated marketing, technology and advisory capabilities across the region.  She joins Omnicom from Aesthete Media, where she was a principal consultant, content and communications, most recently.  Racovolis brings a wealth of experience working across various media and PR organisations, including Forbes, Edelman, Are Media, Edge, The Australian, and Medium Rare Content Agency. Cecily Eastwood joins DEC PR Cecily Eastwood has taken up a new role as communications consultant at DEC PR. Eastwood expressed her excitement about returning to PR, stating, “I'm so excited to be making this move with such a fab agency.” She began her PR career at Frank PR in the UK, where she worked for two years before joining Mara Works Jewellery as a marketing and content manager.