Joshua Barton joins Uniting Communities Joshua Barton has joined Uniting Communities as head of marketing, communications and advocacy, leading the organisation's marketing, communications and advocacy function. Barton announced the move on LinkedIn, saying he was excited to join the purpose-led organisation and contribute to its mission of enriching lives and supporting communities across South Australia. He said his first week had highlighted the team's passion, expertise and commitment to delivering positive outcomes. Barton joins Uniting Communities from Novita, where he most recently served as executive marketing manager and fundraising after previously holding the roles of general manager marketing and fundraising, and general manager marketing and engagement.  Earlier in his career, he held international communications and marketing roles with DKMS in Germany, as well as positions at Uniper, E.ON and Synovate. Sarah O'Leary returns to Initiative as Melbo

Inner West Council appoints Heath Gilmore as media manager Inner West Council has appointed Heath Gilmore as media manager, with Gilmore announcing the move on LinkedIn after a year with the NSW Reconstruction Authority. In his new role, he will lead the council's media and communications activities, working across issues affecting the local community. Gilmore joins the council from the NSW Reconstruction Authority, where he spent the past year as public affairs advisor, providing communications support during disaster recovery and resilience initiatives. He also continues to operate his own consultancy, PAM Creatives, which he established in early 2025. Before moving into government communications, Gilmore spent nearly 18 years at Fairfax Media in a range of senior editorial positions, including locum editor, deputy editor, Saturday Herald editor, weekday Herald editor and chief of staff at The Sydney Morning Herald. Earlier in his career, he was deputy editor of The Norther

Hyde & Seek appoints Frances Adcock as senior account manager  Hyde & Seek Communications has appointed Frances Adcock as senior account manager, strengthening its growing team supporting clients across the health and sustainability sectors. Adcock will lead client accounts across the agency's purpose-driven portfolio, bringing experience in strategic communications, crisis management and media relations. Announcing the appointment, founder Jasmin Hyde said Adcock's background in journalism and communications would further strengthen the agency's storytelling capabilities. Adcock joins Hyde & Seek after more than a decade in journalism and communications, including roles with ABC News and ARN. A former Olympian who represented Australia in artistic swimming at the 2004 Olympic Games, she also serves on the board of Artistic Swimming Australia. NOVA Entertainment's Sophie Hornsey departs after three years  Sophie Hornsey has departed NOVA

Madeleine Boyd joins Estée Lauder as senior vice president of global brand communications The Estée Lauder Companies has appointed former MECCA and Vogue Australia executive Madeleine Boyd as senior vice president of global brand communications.  Based in New York, Boyd will establish and lead a newly integrated global brand communications team, overseeing communications strategy across the company's prestige beauty portfolio. She takes up the role on 20 July. Meridith Webster, chief communications and public affairs officer at The Estée Lauder Companies, said Boyd would help evolve how the company's brands connect with consumers.  "Madeleine brings a powerful combination of strategic communications expertise, cultural fluency, and a deep understanding of today's beauty consumer," Webster said.  Boyd's remit includes strengthening earned media, consumer storytelling, creator engagement and collaboration across the bra

Sparro appoints Hannah Jones as chief executive officer Sparro has appointed Hannah Jones as chief executive officer, succeeding from her previous role as managing director. The agency announced the news on LinkedIn, stating Jones had been instrumental in building its high-performance team over nearly a decade with the business. “Hannah has been a cornerstone of our business for nearly a decade. Over the last nine years, she has been a driving force in building our high-performance team and establishing Sparro as one of Australia's best workplaces, especially for women.” Jones joined Sparro in 2017 as key account director and has since progressed through senior leadership roles, including general manager, group general manager and managing director, before taking on the CEO position. Before joining Sparro, she was an account director at APD and held a series of digital marketing and ecommerce roles at Webjet. Earlier in her career, she worked as a marketing assis

Burson appoints Gemma Hudson as CEO of Australia and New Zealand Burson has appointed former Johnson & Johnson communications leader Gemma Hudson as CEO of its Australia and New Zealand business, overseeing operations across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Hudson joins Burson after serving as director of communications and public affairs at Johnson & Johnson Australia and New Zealand. She will also oversee Burson’s specialist government relations firms, Hawker Britton and Barton Deakin Government Relations. Announcing the appointment, Burson Asia-Pacific CEO HS Chung said Hudson’s client-side experience and sector expertise would support the agency’s growth ambitions in the region.  "Australia and New Zealand are strategically important growth markets for Burson, rich with expertise and scaling potential," said Chung. "We are thrilled to welcome Gemma to lead our AUNZ business as we accelerate our growth ambitions and continue

Heath Aston appointed head of media relations at Woolworths Group Heath Aston has been appointed head of media relations at Woolworths Group, moving from his role as director of communications and media for NSW Special Minister of State John Graham. “It was a privilege to work for a minister whose public profile as an intelligent and principled political leader is only bettered behind the scenes as a caring boss who backed my instincts and judgement every day. The countless laughs along the way helped get me through the daunting workload and media schedule,” Aston wrote. A former political journalist, Aston has more than two decades of experience across media, government and corporate affairs. He previously worked as federal political correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald, covered NSW politics for The Sun-Herald, and led media teams at Transport for NSW and Populares. Thom Landers moves in-house after 19 years in agency roles Thom Landers is moving from agenc