Integrated communication agency WE Buchan has started another fiscal year with new people on the team.

Former CXOPlus demand catalyst Jörn Sanda signs on as consultant for WE Buchan’s technology practice team, bringing with him over 20 years’ experience in technology issues.

Georgi Wicks is with the agency as a senior account manager at the Investor Communication team, having recently wrapped up nearly four years as senior consultant at Font PR.

The WE Buchan Corporate team will have Matthew Lee as account manager.

Last but not the least, though, is the accession of current WE Buchan GM Gemma Hudson as the agency’s new managing director. She has been in the managerial post since joining the agency in May 2013.

“FY18 was a great year, and we are looking forward to a bigger and better year ahead as we continue to challenge our clients to embrace new strategies to move their brand reputation. We’re excited about how these new hires, alongside Gemma&

WPP AUNZ outfit whiteGREY has welcomed Nathan Rogers (pictured) as strategy chief at the agency’s Melbourne office.

Rogers signed on with the company after stepping down as planning director for CHE Proximity. He is well-regarded for leading the creation of effective business strategies and associated content for companies across the world, particularly focusing on FMCG, travel, and health.

whiteGREY CEO Lee Simpson said Rogers’ entry, with his experience, comes at a time when the Melbourne team has successfully won over a number of FMCG and finance service clients.

“I am thrilled to join whiteGREY at such an important time in the agency’s history. The agency has a strong sense of momentum and we have great projects and campaigns underway,” added Rogers.

Sydney agency PR Deadlines is now the official ANZ PR provider of American web server company NGINX Inc.

The new account will entail running activities to increase NGINX’s footprint in the ANZ region. The company recently opened a Sydney office, with Anthony Leverington as country manager.

“This contract comes at an interesting time for us and NGINX, as the company looks to continue its expansion into ANZ. Anecdotally, the local team have remarked on how advanced the local market is, and how enterprise across ANZ seems to be at the forefront of adopting micro-services and scaling web assets as part of their modernisation journey,” said PR Deadlines director Luke Frost.

PR outfit Blackie McDonald is on a roll with a raft of client signs and the entry of new staff members.

The agency stated that it will handle PR, consumer engagement, and marketing events for household goods manufacturer Rubbermaid. It also signed ANZ representation rights for American machine-learning software developer Cloudera, which needed a regional carrier for its APAC communications and social media strategy.

Strategic agency Sefiani Communications Group is starting the new quarter with some leadership changes.

The agency revealed that effective this week, agency founder/managing director Robyn Sefiani (pictured, right) is the new executive chairperson and senior reputation counsel. The new position will have her on point in dealing with clients and global business development relationships, while nurturing Sefiani’s leadership in the reputation, issues and crisis management industry. She will also handle an expansion of the agency’s Senior Advisory Panel.

The managing directorship is passed to Justin Clark (pictured, left), who still remains chief of the agency’s Financial and Government practice. He will now oversee agency operations and the development of all practice fields.

“We have big plans ahead as Sefiani enters its twentieth year of successful operations and the time is right for this seamless evolution of leadership. I’m thrilled to be passing the

Creative agency whiteGREY has hired development specialist Juan Garcia (pictured) as a new technology section chief.

Garcia comes over from a similar position at Sydney agency Deepend. His new assignment will cover managing tech-based solutions and to bolster whiteGREY’s tech capabilities.

He has experience in software development and data applications dating back 15 years.

“I’m delighted to be joining whiteGREY as the role combines my love of both creative tech and digital transformations. My key responsibility is to marry technology with creative ideas and deliver premium digital solutions to a highly engaged audience for our clients and key partners. I can’t wait to get started,” Garcia said of his appointment.

Brad Watts has stepped down as executive director of communications at the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.

He was in the job for almost three years, managing the medical body’s communications activities with various stakeholders.