Northstar Insights expands into APAC, appoints Senior Advisor

Ellerton & Co. has launched a European practice based in Switzerland. The new practice is designed to support European companies expanding into Asia and Asian companies entering Europe, while also helping European clients to build their brands within the region.

The practice offers services including strategic communications, media engagement, public affairs and integrated marketing, while working closely with the agency’s Singapore headquarters and offices across Asia.

Alongside the expansion, Gloria Montgomery has been named Europe lead. She brings strategic communications and public affairs experience from organisations including the United Nations and Amnesty International.

Commenting on the expansion, Oliver Ellerton, Managing Partner of Ellerton & Co., said, “Most of our European clients tell us the same thing — they see the Asian growth opportunity clearly, but they don’t have a marketing team in Singapore or Jakarta, let alone in Hanoi or Manila. They need a partner who can be their team on the ground: localising messaging, working in their time zones, and helping them earn credibility in markets that don’t reward generic playbooks. Switzerland is the right place to anchor that practice. It’s where a meaningful share of our clients already sit, and it gives us the right footing for the rest of Europe. Gloria has the calibre to lead this chapter.” 

Stellar Communications has introduced a revised consultancy model and new brand identity under sole Owner and Director, Hayley Cole, repositioning the business as a specialist communications consultancy focused on premium hospitality, travel, and leisure brands.

According to the agency, the shift reflects changes it has observed across the communications industry, with brands seeking closer access to senior strategic counsel rather than traditional agency structures. The consultancy said it has restructured around a senior-led model centred on direct client relationships, category expertise, and longer-term communications strategy.

Under the new structure, clients will work directly with senior consultants across both day-to-day communications and broader brand strategy, moving away from a traditional layered agency model.

Hayley said that communications has changed over the past decade.

"Technology has created efficiencies and changed the pace of the industry, but thoughtful strategy, strong relationships and experienced judgement have become even more valuable as a result. Clients increasingly want direct access to senior people who understand their category deeply and can help guide communications with clarity and long-term perspective.

"For us, this evolution has been less about growth in the traditional agency sense and more about refinement.

"We've built a model that allows us to work closely with founders and leadership teams in a highly considered way, shaping narrative, reputation, and communications direction over time. The industry doesn't need more noise. Brands need clarity, consistency, and trusted strategic partners." 

Independent PR and communications agency, SBCo, has been appointed as the retained strategic PR and communications partner for Sydney's modern-membership club, The Pillars.

The partnership will launch with a series of private media previews, offering select journalists and industry leaders exclusive access to the club. This is followed by a strategic calendar of member and media events, supported by ongoing retained PR activity.

General Manager at The Pillars, Kieron Hunt said: "At The Pillars, every decision we make is intentional - and that extends to who we choose to partner with. Aligning with true experts in their field isn't just a strategic choice; it's a reflection of the standard we hold ourselves to every day.

"Sally and the SBCo team bring exactly that - deep expertise, genuine understanding of our world, and a shared commitment to excellence. As we continue to grow with curated purpose, partnerships like this one are what ensure our story is told with the same care and integrity that defines everything we do inside the club."

SBCo Founder / Director, Sally Burleigh added: "What has been built at The Pillars in just one year is remarkable. This is a club defined not only by its heritage setting, but by the care, pride and cultural standard set by the people inside it. SBCo's role is to complement that story - positioning The Pillars as the definitive destination for connection, creativity and influence in Sydney."