Kate & Co. PR  has been appointed as the PR agency for Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) after a competitive pitch process, B&T reports. The agency will manage media relations, a strategic ambassador program and influencer engagement across MRC’s key carnival periods, driving corporate communications, particularly around the current redevelopment of Caulfield Racecourse and the evolution of the MRC brand. Jeremy Francis, chief customer officer at MRC said the agency’s “strong racing experience, coupled with their creative and strategic response” made them stand out.  “We are undergoing significant transformation at MRC and Kate & Co. PR is well credentialed to assist us on this journey with innovative, industry-leading campaigns,” Francis said.  Kate & Co. PR managing director Kate Keane said the agency is excited to be working with the “dynamic team” at MRC and looking forward to building a good working relationship.  “We salute outgoing agency AM

Former ID Collective’s owner and director, Jessica Head has commenced as a head of communications at tide.pr, a part of the Hardie Grant Media Network.  In her new role, Head will join the agency’s leadership team, focused on growth and business strategy and will help with the strategic direction and expansion in new markets. Head wrote on a LinkedIn post that after a few months of consulting to the business, it feels “good and natural” to move into a permanent position.  “We have achieved so much in a short time but the real work is just beginning (watch this space!),” she said.  “At the helm of this progressive Company is Stacey McArdle, a long-term colleague and friend who operates the business strictly in line with her own personal values of kindness, care, attention to detail and authenticity. “With a large portfolio of consumer clients, service capabilities across PR, events, brand and content, offices in Australia's three key media markets and a team who

PR agency Sling & Stone has joined hands with US-based Method Communications and UK-based Harvard to launch Outleap, a global collective of the best tech PR agencies in the world.  Outleap will serve tech clients with global reach, local tech expertise and relationships, and a shared challenger mindset to drive great results.  Method CEO David Parkinson will be Outleap’s Chairman, and Rachel Friend, Harvard Executive Chair and Sling & Stone CEO Vuki Vujasinovic taking roles as Outleap’s co-CEOs.  Vujasinovic said the collective is to partner with the “most ambitious and important companies” in the world. “Together we offer world-class in-house research capabilities to craft insights essential to drive genuine thought leadership. We also have the best creative strategists in the business, whipsmart social and content teams, and a team of writers from top-tier media, like the New York Times and Fortune.  “Bringing this world-class team of 300 professionals t

Clear Hayes Consulting has announced the launch of a new subscription PR service CHPR.  Headed by General Manager Susie Thomson (pictured), the service will help small and medium-sized businesses by offering regular market intelligence updates and easy access to professional PR services.  Principal at Clear Hayes Consulting, Alex Hayes said the product will fill a “specific need” of smaller businesses in ANZ’s marketing industries with access to PR expertise at a “very affordable monthly subscription fee.” “After many months of testing and honing, I'm freaking over the moon to launch Clear Hayes Consulting's new subscription PR product CHPR to the world,” Hayes said. "We understand there are many barriers stopping smaller businesses from promoting themselves - when you’re busy running a company it is often the last thing on the agenda as it is time-consuming and complicated. That’s why we’ve created CHPR as an inexpensive, light touch, convenient and easy-to-

Chloe Cant has decided to bid adieu to Thrive PR + Communications after working for nearly two years.  Cant wrote on a LinkedIn post that it is time for her “next adventure”. “Starting at Thrive as a new graduate, I was exposed to incredibly talented individuals, globally renowned brands and amazing clients, all which contributed to my personal and professional growth,” she said. “My time at Thrive has brought me so many career highlights. I was lucky enough to work on some once-in-a-lifetime product launches and events along with campaigns that left a lasting impact on both the industry and society.” Cant expressed her gratitude to her colleagues and peers for their “never-ending support and mentorship”. “To the amazing bunch of people I had the pleasure of working with, thank you! Thank you for introducing me to the wonderful world of PR and thank you for pushing me to be my very best. “Now, I'm setting off on an exciting adventure overseas before charting

Bastion Reputation has bolstered its team of consultants welcoming Clare Spratt, Kaysia Thompson and Blanca Brew to join its Melbourne and Sydney offices, providing key support to the agency’s senior team members and clients.  The new appointments are a part of Reputation’s ongoing growth with Thompson joining the Sydney office to further cement Bastion’s corporate affairs presence.  Reputation Managing Director, Clare Gleghorn said she is impressed with the calibre and the positive impact of the trio with the team and the clients.  “Blanca, Kaysia, and Clare bring such incredible energy and skills to our business,” said Gleghorn.  “Being able to provide the space for incredible emerging talent to contribute to our team and bring their ideas, diverse experience, and phenomenal talent to the work we do is exhilarating.”   Joining the agency as a senior client executive in April after working across Keep Left and Nine Entertainment, Spratt brings communications

Independent creative agency Special Australia has launched a standalone public relations business Special PR and appointed former Red Havas Managing Partner of Consumer and Brand, Alex Bryant to lead the arm across Sydney and Melbourne markets. Lindsey Evans, Partner and CEO of Special said the new PR offering is a “natural and logical next step” for the company.  “Much of our most effective and creative work has a strong earned component and having a formal PR offering will help us to continue to elevate the creative standards and effectiveness of brand building, storytelling, and non-traditional marketing.” Evans welcomed Bryant saying she is at the “top of her game”.  “Alex is an extraordinary human; she shares our ambition and values and brings with her an incredible track record and respect from within the PR industry,” said Evans. The newly appointed managing partner said she is interested to build an offering that will bring “fresh thinking” to the ma