Strategic communications and reputation consultancy, Sound Story, has announced the acquisition of The Comms Department, expanding its capabilities across crisis and issues management, reputation advisory, executive communications, and organisational change.
Founded by Bec Brown in 2012, The Comms Department has advised brands, leaders, and organisations across the media, entertainment, lifestyle, and corporate sectors.
The Comms Department will operate as a specialist brand alongside Sound Story, with distinct but complementary positioning: Sound Story will continue to focus on strategic communications and reputation for creative industry leaders, while The Comms Department will specialise in reputation and influence across crisis and issues, change and transformation, mergers and acquisitions, executive advisory, and media training.
As part of the acquisition, Bec has joined as Strategic Advisor across Sound Story and The Comms Department, working alongside Sound Story founders and Managing Partners, Jake Challenor and Brian Lawlor, and senior leaders Jane Elliott, Zanda Wilson, and Jono Harrison.
Jake said the acquisition reflected growing demand from organisations for senior communications counsel during periods of pressure, scrutiny, and change.
"The role of communications has fundamentally changed over the last few years, with reputational issues sitting even closer to business strategy. Organisations are navigating more complexity, more scrutiny and faster-moving stakeholder environments than ever before," he said.
"That has made trusted strategic counsel significantly more valuable.
"Bec has built an incredibly respected business with deep expertise across crisis, reputation and executive communications. Bringing that capability to the group strengthens the advice and support we can provide to clients during high-stakes moments.
"This is an important next step in Sound Story’s growth and reflects where we believe the communications industry is heading – closer to business strategy, leadership and reputation.”
Bec said the acquisition represented a natural evolution for The Comms Department and an opportunity to deepen its strategic support.
"The Comms Department has always done its best work in complex situations where judgement, trust and communication genuinely matter," she said.
"Joining Sound Story gives The Comms Department a bigger platform for the next stage of its work, while protecting the relationships, discretion and values that have shaped the business over the past 14 years.
"Having partnered with Sound Story on several client projects, this next step isn’t theoretical. The work has been strong, the trust is already there, and we genuinely enjoy working together. There’s real alignment in how we think about communications - commercially grounded, deeply human, and always connected to long-term reputation."