Independent media agency Bastion Amplify has expanded its social media team with three key appointments, Nicola Swankie as group business director, Katy Andrews becoming business director and Nel Wolf, senior account director. The appointments follow the agency's strong client base including Microsoft, Xbox, Harris Scarfe, Toll Ambulance and Rescue, Sydney Metro Airports, Swedish camping brand Domestic and the world’s fastest-growing food technology company NotCo in recent months. CEO Richard Chapman said that with the growth of the social offering, the agency hires new members to leadership positions to continue the development of the company. “Katy, Nicola and Nel are aligned in our goal of making Amplify the market-leading integrated PR and social offering in Australia and we’re focused on seizing on our rapid growth to create a multi-faceted, future-facing Bastion Amplify,” Chapman said. Swankie said that she is excited to join the team where Social is evolving rapidly

World Vision Australia has appointed Andrew Hewett as head of media and corporate communications. Hewett comes aboard with more than two decades of experience in the media and communications industry from his most recent position as head of communications and public relations at Whispir.  Interim Chief of Communications at World Vision, Elisa Iurato welcomed Hewett to the team saying that with his new stint, the company will continue to evolve and enhance their great work.  “Andrew brings a wealth of strategic thinking, with a strong focus on stakeholder engagement, leadership, communications and media training, in senior roles with globally respected brands,” said Lurato. Hewett said that he was impressed with World Vision’s mission and purpose of empowering vulnerable communities to overcome poverty and is looking forward to joining the team to work on raising awareness. “Daniel [Wordsworth] and the team also have a strong commitment to the environment, climate change

Graeme Muir has been appointed GM of communications and media relations at SkyCity Entertainment, Auckland. Prior to that, Muir held various editorial, production and content roles at TVNZ for the past 14 years including his most recent position as editor of content, leading the network’s news and current affairs programmes by providing branded content. Muir was previously an executive producer of Fair Go, Breakfast, Close Up and 1 News at six. He has also been a newsroom integration project manager leading the TV and digital integration of TVNZ news and current affairs’ newsroom. Muir’s appointment is effective immediately.

PR and Comms expert Nick Parmenter has joined the NRL in a newly created role as PR & Publicity Manager. Parmenter will be responsible to lead proactive PR for all of the key events, campaigns and community programmes including State of Origin, Finals, All-Stars and the NRL’s themed rounds. Prior to his new role, Nick spent over a decade agency side in Sydney and London, building a wealth of experience in the sport and consumer sectors for major brands, including Nike, CommBank, Sony, Volkswagen and the English Premier League. He has worked as a senior account manager in various agencies such as Lexis, Ogilvy PR, Freuds, Mango communications and Adhesive. He then moved to M&C Saatchi Sport and Entertainment as senior PR and comms director before taking up the role of senior partnership director.  His other experience includes senior consultant at Edelman and a freelance senior comms consultant in Sydney.

US-based public relations firm Edelman has appointed MediaCom’s Tom Robinson as the new CEO for Australia following Michelle Hutton’s promotion to APAC vice-chair last year.  Robinson will report to Stephen Kehoe, Edelman’s CEO for the Asia Pacific and brings a culture-building leadership style to the firm, to instil a people-first approach and empower employees at all levels. Kehoe said on the appointment that he is excited to have Robinson who is known for his ‘investment in identifying and fostering talent and innovative ways of growing a business.’ “As a people business, culture must be at the heart of our organisation and Edelman is a place that people want to work. Tom’s multi-disciplinary experience is exactly what our clients are looking for,” Kehoe said.  Of his appointment, Robinson said that he is excited to join the company and to be a part of the growth journey in Australia while working with leading brands and organisations on developing communicati

Digital media and content marketing network Avid Collective has promoted Brittany Heniedi to the newly created role of strategy and content manager to focus on elevating branded and native content executions by the network’s partners. Heniedi will be responsible for the development of Avid Native’s content offering, leading the evolution of content executions for better engagement and outcomes for client partners.  Managing Director of  Avid Collective, Luke Spano said that Heniedi is “perfectly positioned” in her new role and the company is looking forward to seeing what she brings to the network. “We believe we are in a great position to be the industry leader of branded content in Australia, and fundamental to this is investing into both the approach and the specifics of every content execution our network touches,” Spano said. The new role was created following the growth of Avid Native, the media technology business’ native content network launched earlier thi

Sydney-based PR agency Dialogue PR has picked up new clients across tech, appliance and beverage space including appliances maker De’Longhi Group and Australian winemakers Fourth Wave Wine. The agency will be responsible for product launches, earned media relations and influencer engagement, media events and activations for De’Longhi group.  Marketing director for De’Longhi Group Australia, George O’Neil said the company was impressed with Dialogue PR’s creative approach and the ideas they presented.  “The team had a thorough understanding and excitement of the De’Longhi Group brands and showcased strategically how we can inspire everyday Australians – both existing advocates and new audiences,” O’Neil said. Dialogue PR has also assumed responsibility for PR and communications strategies across Fourth Wave Wines’ portfolio of brands including Tread Softly, Little Giant, Elephant in the Room, Plus & Minus, The Hero and Farm Hand.  The agency will devel