Sandra Brkic has started 2021 with a new account director position at Hunter Communications.

She will oversee the development of Hunter’s consumer and corporate portfolio.

Brkic recently exited a director post at Nonplus after over three years on the job. She had previously done account manager roles with, among others, PPR ANZ and Sling and Stone, plus running PR for Crown Resorts Perth.

WPP has tapped Rob Reilly as its new global chief creative officer.

He is coming in from a similar role at McCann Worldgroup to succeed John O’Keeffe, who recently announced that he was leaving WPP after 12 years in service. 

WPP CEO Mark Read will be Reilly’s immediate boss. 

“He is leading a complete reinvention of WPP and is committed to putting creativity at the centre of everything the company does. I look forward to joining the talented team of people at WPP and helping its fantastic agencies continue to build on their success,” said Reilly of the chance to work alongside Read.

Communications agency Stellar has been accorded representation for the Terrigal Beach House (TBH) in Terrigal, NSW.

The new deal will involve Stellar running TBH’s PR and social media activities.   

TBH is part of the Crowne Plaza Terrigal complex, having been redeveloped from the former Florida Beach Bar.

A new PR agency, Candid Communications, has officially opened its doors.

Established by Jodie Moses and Olivia Meena, the agency is geared towards lifestyle clients and will aim to develop new relationships through honest expectations. 

The Australian arm of American tax preparation company H&R Block is Candid’s pioneer client. The company is familiar territory to Moses and Meena – they worked on the account during their time at Frank PR.  

Meal delivery services Macros and Soulara, Skullcandy Oz, Soundbooks, and The R8 are also on Candid’s books.

“Starting an agency at this time could be seen as crazy. We believe there is a gap in the market where agility is needed now more than ever before. We respond to the business issue at hand, quickly, creatively and with thought. Our clients receive concentrated focus and hands-on high-level expertise. We act as a true extension of their internal team,” said Moses via Mumbrella.

Lifestyle PR agency Reymond Communications has started the year with more clients on the books. 

The agency revealed that Armadale restaurant Amaru sought it to provide support for building awareness of an upcoming wine bar, Appellation. 

For the Embla wine bar, Reymond will promote a new bar and cinema house being set up atop the Melbourne Theosophical Society building, slated to open later this month.

Together Co-Living is a new community living building designed for young professionals, international students, travellers, and workers.

The agency is also taking on work for the Gradi Group, which offers fine Italian dining, and Israeli outfit Tahina Bar and Restaurant. Tahina recently opened a new branch in Northcote.

The SOCIETY Marketing and Communications agency has won PR representation for retailer chain Woolworths.

Mumbrella reported that the account win followed a new request for proposals as the current deal for Woolworth’s incumbent agency, was about to finish after four years.

SOCIETY will now push ahead with Woolworths’ in-house PR team for seasonal campaign activity, product launches, and community and local marketing program, while overseeing the company’s influencer program.

“The founding philosophy behind Society is to put people first when creating communications campaigns, and our approach is perfectly aligned to Woolworths values,” said SOCIETY founder/managing director Dena Vassallo.

“As an independent and Australian-owned agency, we look forward to enhancing the engagement between Australia’s leading food store with its local communities, highlighting the good work they carry out each day and celebrating the ‘Fresh Food People&r

Agent99 is entering the holiday break with fresh clients on the rolls.

Mumbrella reported that the agency will spearhead the summer PR/social media campaign of homewares retailer Kleva Range. 

The thought leaders/speakers portfolio will have representation for motivational speaker Sam Cawthorn. The 2009 Young Australian of the Year is already set to launch a new book in February 2021.

Westward Whiskey, Click Frenzy, the Product of the Year awards, Tribe Breweries, and Zen Imports are also signing on with Agent99 for another year.