Marlon Perera joins Covidence.org as head of marketing Covidence.org has appointed Marlon Perera as head of marketing following a year-long career break. Perera returns to the industry after taking a planned time away from work to travel with family, describing the experience as "the journey of a lifetime" after fulfilling a long-held ambition to travel the world.  Perera brings more than 18 years of marketing leadership experience. Before his career break, he spent more than seven years at Zendesk, most recently as head of regional marketing for Australia and New Zealand, and previously held senior marketing roles at SMS Management & Technology and Fairfax Media. Shauna Butcher joins Smokeball Australia as head of marketing Smokeball Australia has appointed Shauna Butcher as head of marketing. Announcing the move on LinkedIn, Butcher described the role as an opportunity to take on a new industry and challenge.  She joins from Shippit, where she spent

CPRA encourages participation in global Women in PR study Communication and Public Relations Australia (CPRA) is encouraging Australian communications professionals to take part in the 2026 Global Women in Public Relations Annual Index, with the survey open until 24 July. Conducted by Global Women in PR in partnership with Opinium Research, the study tracks the experiences of women working in PR and communications worldwide.  This year's edition includes a new focus on AI and its impact on day-to-day PR work, entry-level roles and future career pathways. The annual research has been running since 2019 and is regarded as a global benchmark for measuring progress and challenges facing women in the communications industry. Former Sony Music executive Annette Gevert joins Bronwyn Tasker PR Bronwyn Tasker PR has appointed former Sony Music Australia executive Annette Gevert as senior publicist and promotions manager. Gevert joins the boutique agency after leaving Sony Mu

Independent communications agency Primary Comms Group has expanded its sector expertise by bringing Hardman Communications into the growing agency, strengthening its capabilities across the agriculture and industrial sectors.  The move integrates Hardman Communications’ people, client partnerships, and specialist expertise into Primary Comms Group, a proudly independent, Australian-owned integrated communications agency established over 35 years ago.  The partnership represents another milestone in Primary Comms Group’s growth strategy, creating a broader platform for Hardman’s clients and new opportunities across the agency, while expanding its presence across different sectors.   Primary Comms Group CEO Chris Hall said the move will deliver one of the strongest client service offerings of an independent agency for industries that are critical to Australia’s economic success and future prosperity.   “Primary already sup

Comms duo launch Sedgwick Advisers Communications and corporate affairs specialists Tom Callachor and Lachlan Johnston have launched Sedgwick Advisers, a strategic communications consultancy focused on reputation, crisis and regulatory matters. Announcing the launch of the new firm, the founders said they bring more than 55 years of combined experience across strategic communications, crisis management, regulatory investigations, government, journalism and corporate leadership. They said they have advised ASX-listed companies, private organisations, industry bodies and high-profile individuals operating in some of Australia's most highly regulated and closely scrutinised sectors. Sedgwick Advisers will offer services spanning strategic communications and reputation management, crisis and issues management, litigation and investigation support, regulatory and government affairs, and executive positioning and stakeholder engagement. Explaining the firm's name, Callachor an

Terry Stuart joins Paramount ANZ Terry Stuart has joined Paramount Australia & New Zealand as national senior publicist, where he will support publicity for Network 10 and the company's television and streaming platforms. He announced the appointment on LinkedIn, describing it as an exciting new chapter. Stuart joins Paramount after more than 16 years at Nine Network Australia, most recently serving as senior communications manager. During his tenure, he led national publicity campaigns across television, sport, news and radio, working on brands including The Block, Lego Masters, 9News, A Current Affair, 60 Minutes and major sporting broadcasts. Before joining Nine, Stuart spent more than three years as publicity executive at the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, managing media activity for the Australian Formula One Grand Prix and MotoGP events. Maxine Reed departs HAVAS Red AU Maxine Reed is set to depart HAVAS Red AU after four years with the agency, where s

Expedia Group hires Jack E. as associate market manager Jack E. has joined Expedia Group as associate market manager, marking a move into the travel sector after almost seven years at Recognition PR and Marketing. Based in Queensland, he will manage and grow Expedia Group’s hotel and property portfolio across Brisbane and southern Queensland, working with accommodation partners on strategy, revenue growth and market performance.  In a LinkedIn post, Jack said the new role would allow him to “deepen his passion for travel and explore the opportunities” the industry has to offer. He joins from Recognition PR and Marketing, where he most recently served as account manager and previously held a series of roles across the agency, including senior marketing consultant, marketing consultant and marketing specialist. During his time there, he worked across clients including Optus, Fortinet, DXC Technology and Logicalis APAC. He also worked at Be Psyched, Rebel Sport

Sarah Murray departs Thrive PR after seven years Sarah Murray is leaving Thrive PR + Communications after nearly seven years with the agency, where she most recently served as group account director and led its technology and innovation division. In a LinkedIn post announcing her departure, Murray described Thrive as one of the most rewarding chapters of her career, having joined the business after moving from the UK to Australia.  During her time there, she progressed from account director to senior account director and then group account director, while also serving as the agency’s in-house media trainer and narrative coach. Murray highlighted a number of career milestones during her time at Thrive, including securing an earned Forbes front cover and seven-page profile for Airwallex, as well as front-page coverage in The Australian Financial Review. She also referenced long-running work with Cisco and thanked Thrive leaders and colleagues including Leilani Abels, Cla