Sound Story acquires The Comms Department; Bec Brown joins as Strategic Advisor

 Independent integrated marketing and communications agency, Bastion, has partnered with digital risk and online reputation management platform, Social Protect, to launch a brand safety and reputation management solution for creator-led marketing.

The organisations say this comes as a response to growing industry concerns around brand safety, toxic comment environments, reputational risk, and creator burnout, as investment in influencer and creator marketing continues to grow.

The offering combines Bastion's strategic communications and marketing experience with Social Protect's moderation technology to help brands manage reputational risk across creator campaigns. Social Protect’s platform automatically removes harmful content in real time.

The organisations further explain that the joint offering delivers value for both brands and talent. For brands, it supports safer campaign environments, strengthens reputation management and reduces the risk of PR issues. For creators, it provides real-time protection from abuse, supports mental wellbeing and helps build more engaged communities.

Richard Chapman, Managing Director, Bastion Communications, said the partnership addresses a critical gap in the market.

"Creator and influencer marketing is now central to how brands connect with audiences - but the environments those campaigns operate in are often unregulated and high-risk," he said.

"This new partnership between Bastion and Social Protect ensures brands can unlock the full value of creator-led storytelling while protecting reputation, performance and the people at the centre of it."

The Sandpiper Group (Sandpiper) has expanded to Malaysia, with Christopher de Cruz (pictured right) leading the new office as Global Head of Content, Innovation and Crisis Communications.

The office will serve as a central hub for innovation within the Sandpiper network, combining capabilities across strategic communications, crisis management, research and public affairs, digital marketing, and emerging technologies. In addition to local mandates, the Malaysia office will provide support across four core areas: insights and analytics, content strategy, stakeholder strategy and intelligence, and crisis and issues management.

Leading a founding team of 12 based in Kuala Lumpur, Christopher brings close to two decades of experience in communications, crisis management, digital strategy, and AI-integrated intelligence solutions for organisations across industries, including consumer goods, technology, energy, financial services, healthcare, and government.

Emma Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Sandpiper, said: "We are proud to be increasing our investment in Malaysia and across Southeast Asia. Malaysia is an important market for our firm and we see immense potential in the local talent and opportunities for growth. I am excited to welcome Christopher to the Sandpiper family and to have his experience on our team as we focus on delivering innovative and advisory-led work for our clients in Malaysia, across Asia, and globally."

Christopher added: "Malaysia's moment as ASEAN Chair reflects a country that has spent decades building the talent and infrastructure to operate at the centre of regional and global affairs. That Sandpiper has chosen the country as a place for investment is a recognition of the sophisticated advisory capability that sits in Kuala Lumpur." 

Special PR in Auckland has appointed Jessica Allison as its new General Manager. She joins from Thinkerbell Aotearoa, where she held a similar role.

Jessica is backed by two decades of experience across agency and in-house roles, including recent senior appointments at Herd MSL, Mango Communications, and luxury retailer Kennedy.