Car manufacturer Toyota has appointed Vin Naidoo as the company’s new chief marketing officer. He most recently spent two years on international assignment as general manager of sales and marketing operations for Toyota Motor Asia-Pacific based in Singapore. Naidoo said it was an exciting time to return to Australia. "My focus – and that of my team – will be to articulate Toyota's compelling vision as a mobility company, connecting everyone with the freedom to move and be moved," said Naidoo. "This will require even deeper collaboration across all parts of our business as we navigate the once-in-a-century transformations occurring simultaneously in connectivity, autonomy, sharing and electrification. "We will communicate the unique benefits to customers of Toyota's industry-leading vehicles and services. We will also build on our success by accelerating innovation in the spirit of continuous improvement, which is a cornerstone of our company culture." Naidoo has been with T

Group account director, healthcare for Havas Group AuNZ Rachel Barry has announced she is leaving the agency after six years. Barry announced on LinkedIn that she was leaving to take up a new role with management consulting firm McKinsey & Company. She started as a senior account manager in 2016 with Red Agency as the company was then known before taking up her role in the healthcare sector. Barry’s career kicked off with DMG Media Marketing in 2011, before moving to Edelman in 2012, Magnum PR in 2013 and OPF Consulting in 2014. You can keep up to date with Rachel on LinkedIn.

Communications agency Flourish has expanded its leadership team (pictured) with the appointment of Stacey Pinchbeck as managing director. Pinchbeck was appointed by founder Angela Ceberano who shifted into a founders position. Pinchbeck will focus on building out Flourish’s communications offering. She arrives at the agency with more than 14 years’ experienced leading teams both locally and overseas while working on PR, digital marketing, experiential events and general brand communications. “After 12 years in the driver’s seat, I am thrilled and very proud to partner with Stacey on the next chapter for Flourish. We both pride ourselves on overdelivering and we will continue to add exceptional value to all of our clients,” said Ceberano. Also joining the leadership team is Stephanie Ridley as group account director and Nevada Fontana as account director with 13 years and seven years experience respectively. “Stephanie and Nevada add a level of seniority, creativity and

Communications agency Sling & Stone has signed on with technology incubator Stone & Chalk. Global head of business at Sling & Stone James Hutchinson said the partnership was natural and the company was looking forward to supporting Australian startups. “As an organisation focused heavily on supporting and expanding Australia’s technology ecosystem, Stone & Chalk Group is exactly why we created Sling & Stone. Individually, we’ve already both helped support startups and scaleups raise funding, change industries and go global. Together, we’ll be able to do even more,” said Hutchinson. Head of communications, media and events at Stone & Chalk Group Olivia Grandjean-Thomsen said the agreement was a sign of the incubator’s big 2022 plans. “We are preparing for a massive 2022, building on the work we’ve done to date with our community with an even stronger program of work and support over the next year and beyond. It takes a village to raise a start

Sandpiper Communications has opened a New Zealand office, headed by Ed Brewster. Brewster will be Sandpiper director of New Zealand and international media, supported by director of ESG and sustainability, Julia Walker, and Sandpiper COO Kelly Johnston. Brewster said he was excited about setting up shop in New Zealand. “We are excited by the possibilities of our New Zealand-based offering. As well as being the perfect base for our primary industries offering, we believe our experience can bring significant, tangible value to outward-looking New Zealand organisations across all sectors.  “Sandpiper’s established presence across Australia, Hong Kong, mainland China, and Southeast Asia gives us a unique platform to help tell the stories of New Zealand companies to target growth and investment. While brand New Zealand is very strong, significant opportunities for local brands remain untapped, and we want to help close this gap,” he said. Brewster holds 25 years of experience

Former ABC director of news Gaven Morris has joined public relations company Bastion as CEO of its new digital transformation consultancy, Bastion Transform. Morris spent six years leading the news division of the national broadcaster, having previously been head of news content and head of continuous news across his 13 year spell with the ABC. Morris said he was excited about leading a new project in the digital world. “I love big ideas and working with teams to launch future-facing projects. I can’t wait to help organisations and institutions seeking to navigate their way towards an increasingly digital future. This fourth industrial revolution requires a clear vision, building effective cultures and enacting purposeful plans to keep ahead of so much change. “Bastion has very quickly become Australasia’s largest independent agency group and I’m very excited to be joining Jack, Fergus and the team and to work with purpose-driven partners. Achieving digital transformation

The Commercial Communications Council in New Zealand has appointed Simon Lendrum as its new CEO, replacing Paul Head. Lendrum arrives in the position with 25 years of experience working across the likes of Adam & Eve DDB, Ogilvy and J. Walter Thompson while also working with management consultancy AGLX. He was also a previous president of the Comms Council. “I’ve had the pleasure of working with all the team at the Comms Council already and know how great they are,” Lendrum said. “They, and the communications industry as a whole, have been good to me for many years, so this is a great opportunity to return to the business, supporting all our member agencies. “In leading the Comms Council, I look forward to championing the work the industry does in creating value for New Zealand business through creativity, along with providing programmes to ensure we continue to attract the best talent and develop that talent throughout their careers.” President of the Comms Counc