Martine Alpins announces her own advisory firm

Karryn Wheelans has been welcomed at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) as Acting Head of Communications. She was at The Star Entertainment Group for nearly five years, most recently as General Manager Corporate Affairs. Previously, Karryn worked in broadcast journalism at Nine and Seven the ABC and 4BC.

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (SGLMG) has appointed Acuity Communications Advisory and Thrive PR & Communications as its retained communications agencies following a competitive pitch.

Acuity will deliver ongoing strategic corporate communications, managing brand reputation and trust, while Thrive takes on Festival PR. Acuity will also manage corporate, issues and policy communications, along with executive and reputation communications.

Thrive will lead the Festival's creative communications, including media relations, launch events, influencer activity and brand partnerships support. Thrive will also become an official sponsor of the Festival.

Jesse Matheson, CEO of Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, said: “We are delighted to partner with Acuity and Thrive, both for the season and more broadly. We remain strong advocates for the power that joy and celebration of our community can bring, and are excited to work closely with the passionate and creative teams at Acuity and Thrive to continuously improve how we tell our amazing stories.”

Kerry Kalcher has joined not-for-profit organisation NextSense, which supports people with vision and hearing loss, as their Director of Fundraising, Marketing & Engagement. She previously led the marketing and communications function at Canteen Australia for 13 years, most recently serving as Acting Executive Director - Marketing and Fundraising. Prior to Canteen, Kerry worked in communications at the National Heart Foundation of Australia and the British Lung Foundation.