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Boutique strategic communications consultancy, FIT Communications, has strengthened its strategic communications and reputation advisory capability, with the appointment of Clare Kennedy (pictured bottom) as Associate Director.

Clare brings financial services communications experience, including a role in the formation of Australian Retirement Trust, alongside expertise in crisis preparedness, strategic communication, and reputational risk.

Working together with Founder & Director of FIT Communications, Megan Giles (pictured top), the pair have previously supported organisations through major transformation programmes, technology change, regulatory scrutiny, and complex stakeholder issues.

Megan said the increasing complexity of organisational risk was driving demand for trusted, senior strategic communications advice.

"Leaders today are navigating transformation, growing scrutiny and higher expectations from every stakeholder group, often all at once,” she said.

"Strong advisory means having the narrative, the judgement and the plan ready before you need them, whether that's leading people through change, protecting reputation, or responding when something goes wrong.

"We're seeing growing demand from leaders who want a trusted strategic partner they can turn to consistently, not just support that appears when there's a problem." 

Subway has appointed trans-Tasman communications agency, Tonic, as its PR partner of record in Australia, expanding a partnership that began in New Zealand in 2022 and now spans both sides of the Tasman.

Under the expanded remit, Tonic will lead earned media, strategic communications, and experiential campaigns for Subway Australia. Brisbane-based Media and Communications Director, Amelia Oberhardt, who previously worked at Subway Australia and New Zealand, will lead day-to-day activity on the account alongside the agency’s trans-Tasman team.

Tonic Communications Managing Director Australia and New Zealand, Georgia Coleman, said the appointment reflects the strength of the relationship built between the two businesses over the past four years.

"We're incredibly proud to be expanding our partnership with Subway into Australia. Over the past several years, we've developed a deep understanding of the brand, its franchise network, and the customers at the heart of the business. That foundation allows us to hit the ground running in Australia and create moments that deliver impact from day one," she said. 

Sophie Roubicek has been promoted to Executive Director at Herd MSL. She joined the team in 2021 and was most recently Group Account Director. Prior to this, Sophie was at EVH and Rocket Comms.