PRCA APAC launches Rising Professionals Network PRCA APAC has launched its Rising Professionals Network, creating a platform for emerging communications professionals from Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia and Japan to help shape discussions around the future of the industry. Chaired by APAC Advisors manager Noemie Viterale, the Network will focus on issues including AI, changing career paths, commercial skills, public affairs and leadership.  Its initiatives will include workshops, thought leadership, education partnerships and industry collaborations, while its first initiative, Next Gen Wire, provides rising professionals with a platform to share their perspectives on communications, PR and public affairs.  The Network will develop further initiatives throughout 2026 and 2027 aimed at building practical skills and giving emerging professionals a greater voice within PRCA APAC and the wider communications industry.  PR Bodies launch mental health survey

Veteran news anchor Richard Morecroft, who presented the NSW 7 pm News for almost two decades, has died aged 70. According to a statement from the ABC, Morecroft presented the bulletin from 1983 to 2002 after previously anchoring ABC News in South Australia.  He also hosted SBS’s Letters and Numbers and ABC’s children’s current affairs program Behind the News.  Morecroft was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and died peacefully on the NSW south coast, with his partner of 36 years, Alison Mackay, beside him. "He was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and was grateful to go peacefully, with his partner of 36 years, Alison Mackay, beside him," they said in an Instagram post. "We are devastated to lose such a warm, generous and caring human and hope that all those who knew him, if only through their TV screens, will remember him fondly." Tributes have flowed from colleagues and public figures, with Australian Story present

Nicoletta Vasilaras takes up senior comms role Nicoletta Vasilaras has started a new role as a senior communications and engagement officer at Transport for NSW. She was a communications officer at Georges River Council for three years, most recently. Vasilaras held comms roles at Seymour Whyte, ImpactInstitute, and Clear Hayes Consulting. Kathryn Goater steps up at AZK Media Kathryn Goater has stepped into the role of senior director, media and growth at AZK Media.  She will work across their customer portfolio to further strengthen strategy and campaign performance, identify growth opportunities.  She was a senior account director at AZK Media most recently and worked across various PR groups including Recognition PR, Bench PR, Socom, Rowland Pinder, Ragingmedia and King PR. Previously Goater freelanced as a PR consultant for nearly three decades and also worked as a journalist at Information Australia for two years. Caldic APAC welcomes Cecilie Mourits-Andersen

Jonathon Larkin has joined ASIC as the head of communications, after more than 11 years at Telstra, where he most recently served as a corporate affairs principal. He held several senior communications roles across corporate, finance, strategy, legal and regulatory affairs, and also spent a month as Acting Chief of Staff to Telstra’s CEO. Larkin previously worked in communications roles at the City of Sydney and WWF-Australia, including as national communications manager at WWF-Australia and senior communications officer in the Office of the Lord Mayor. He also served as a member of CEDA’s NSW/ACT State Advisory Council from 2017 to 2023.

Nicole Maycroft departs Kic Nicole Maycroft has left Kic as a senior PR and comms manager.  Maycroft joined Kic as a PR and comms manager and worked there for more than five years. She worked at Famish’d, Holmes Institute, and Modern Currency before joining Kic. McKenzie Murphy steps up at FleishmanHillard  McKenzie Murphy has been promoted to account executive at FleishmanHillard in the US. She worked at the agency for more than a year. Murphy interned at FleishmanHillard Australia, Columbus McKinnon US, and Haymaker Group US. Ashleigh Kelly promoted at Thrive PR Ashleigh Kelly has been promoted to account executive at Thrive PR and Communications. She was an account coordinator for less than a year. Cecily Eastwood elevated at DEC PR Cecily Eastwood has been promoted to a senior comms consultant at DEC PR.  “From welcoming Golden Gaytime x Cinnabon's 'love child' to helping local surf clubs stay rescue ready through Coca-Cola&

Nikola Borowska joins London Agency  Nikola Borowska has announced a new role as a public affairs manager at London Agency.  “So excited to bring forward all I’ve learned in Government to improve medical access for Australians now and into the future,” she wrote.  She worked as a senior policy adviser to Simon Kennedy MP, Parliament of Australia and the shadow minister for defence, Philip Thompson. Francesca Di Stefano joins Wieden+Kennedy Sydney Francesca Di Stefano has joined Wieden+Kennedy Sydney as a PR director. Stefano worked across various PR agencies including Thinkerbell, Eleven, Weber Shandwick, The 6AM Agency, Herd MSL, Eleven, BCW Global, Burson-Marsteller and One Green Bean. Emma Phillpot steps up at FleishmanHillard Australia Emma Phillpot has been promoted to business manager at FleishmanHillard Australia.  She worked at FinCare Accounting Pty Ltd and Hotwire Australia before joining FleishmanHillard.  Thea Atsik

Powerhouse Communications strengthens travel portfolio Powerhouse Communications has strengthened the travel and tourism portfolio, welcoming seasoned travel and tourism journalist Anthony Dennis as senior counsel. “Anthony brings an exceptional understanding of travel and tourism journalism and the stories that earn an audience’s attention as well as an awareness of the issues confronting the travel and tourism industries,” said Gaynor Reid, Director & Chief Relationship Officer at Powerhouse Communications. The agency has also expanded its bench of consultants, with Cynthia Dammerer, Natalie Brown, Nicole Ford, MMktgComm and Ginni Post joining its ‘Powerhouse Amplifiers’ network. Dennis worked as a travel writer at Nine, Fairfax Media, Real Knowledge, Escape, Wish magazine, Good Weekend, Sun Herald, The SMH, and Travel + Leisure ANZ and US.   Georgia Tongoulidis lands at Rottnest Island Authority Georgia Tongoulidis has started as