Nicole Hamilton has signed on with Thrive PR + Communications as the new general manager of the Melbourne office. The new position was created out of Thrive experiencing more client growth, which warranted hiring more people to oversee the increased workload. Hamilton herself just finished almost five years at Haystac, with her most recent role being GM of the Melbourne branch.  “Nicole’s network connections, strategic nous, passion for leading teams, and her expertise across both consumer and corporate PR, working with a broad spectrum of local and global brands, is going to be pivotal to achieving our ambitions for our Melbourne office - our agency’s birthplace which remains fundamental to our success,” said Thrive people and culture director Snezna Kerekovic. “I am thrilled to be joining Thrive - an agency I have watched with interest for more than a decade and have been incredibly impressed with their work, continued growth, and attrition of top talent. As a believer

North Sydney PR agency Einsteinz Communications has become a member of the With Global Alliance PR network. The new partnership enables Einsteinz to liaise with other member-agencies on key campaigns. Established in 2020, the Alliance has ten member-agencies spread out across 26 countries, including founding agencies With (UK), Affect (USA), Bud Communications (Singapore), Ideosphere (India) and Wedge (China). Einsteinz’s entry into the Alliance as the 11th member also coincides with the agency marking 20 years of business, having worked with a laundry list of consumer, corporate, digital media, telecoms and technology clients, both big and small throughout its history.  Having been founded in 2001, Einsteinz has since expanded its reach beyond its North Sydney home, opening a second office in Brisbane in 2014 to service the Queensland region.  “Joining a network of like-minded, expert PR tech agencies is very powerful for both our team and our clients. Access to the combin

The MINT Partners is entering fall 2021 with new clients for its travel practice. For the hospitality section, the agency landed a deal with Marriott International to build up promotions for the relaunch of the Sheraton Fiji Resort on Denarau Island, Fiji, under a branding called The World’s Gathering Place. The event is being timed when Australia officially reestablishes travel links to the island-nation. The tourism section has MINT working with Virgin Australia on a new PR and activation campaign for its Velocity Frequent Flyer loyalty program.  Tourism Tasmania is dealing with MINT for paid PR/influencer activity for a new campaign to attract visitors to Tasmania in winter 2021. “We are delighted to expand our travel and tourism portfolio at a time when most of Australia is searching for inspiration on what destinations to explore first. The strategic review of the business we completed last year is continuing to produce strong results with local businesses and organisatio

Sydney PR and digital marketing agency Compass Studio has landed two new clients. B Lab Australia and New Zealand promotes the development of so-called B Corporations, or regular businesses that have transformed their practices into a more environmentally-sustainable model. Verve Super is an ethical super fund geared towards Australian women, with contributions earmarked for objectives such as increased financial security, environmental solutions, and gender diversity. The move comes as Compass Studio is beginning a new carbon-neutral partnership with Greenfleet Australia. “We’re proud to partner with incredible values-aligned organisations that are, in my opinion, making a far more significant positive impact and contribution to our society and environment than our current government,” said Compass Studio co-founder/co-director Luke Dean-Weymark

Valeria Cheglov has joined software firm Zero as its new Australia strategic communications manager. Based out of Brisbane, she will oversee Xero’s communications activity in Australia, as part of aiding the software/tech sector in a post-pandemic recovery climate. Cheglov came to Xero after over a decade in government service. Her roles included acting head of corporate affairs for the Cybersecurity CRC, publicity officer for the Ipswich City Council, and media adviser for Cabinet ministers Steven Ciobo and Karen Andrews. Follow Cheglov on LinkedIn

Manly Vale, Sydney agency Comms 101 has won the ANZ PR representation for global digital marketing agency Tug, reported Mumbrella. The new deal will have Comms 101 creating Tug’s regional communications strategy with support from Tug’s Sydney offices, with the end goal being to bolster Tug’s market share in Australia and New Zealand. In addition to Sydney, Tug also operates out of London, Berlin, and Toronto. “To work with Tug provides a unique opportunity to collaborate with another agency to build presence and awareness for their work here in Australia. Tug is in a unique position, due to an already established presence in other markets across the globe,” said Comms 101 founder/managing director Lisa Hollinstead

Fashion brand Bec + Bridge has hired Laura Basso as its new PR manager. She came aboard after wrapping up her affairs with the NAC Media Group. She was with the company for over six years, working from showroom manager in Paddington to communications manager.  Follow Bridge on LinkedIn