Sound Story has a new industry relations director
Communications agency Sound Story has appointed Kirsty Rivers as its industry relations director.
The announcement:
Sound Story, a strategic communications agency for brands in the music, media, advertising and technology industries, has today announced the appointment of Kirsty Rivers in the newly-created role of industry relations director.
Sound Story has also expanded its brains trust with the addition of Vivienne Kelly as senior communications specialist and Maddie Koczanowski as communications, culture and events specialist.
With over 35 years experience in government and industry, Rivers has worked across the full gamut of the music industry, from retail and recorded music to government and policy.
Rivers joins Sound Story from Creative Australia, where she served as head of music in the sector development and advocacy team for the past three and a half years.
Rivers previously led Creative Victoria’s contemporary music division, oversaw the Victorian Government’s Music Works program, formed numerous awards and fellowships for music professionals, and completed a 17-year tenure as national manager for Writer Services at APRA AMCOS. Her contribution to the music industry was recognised at last year’s Music Victoria Awards, where she was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Widely respected within industry and government circles, Rivers brings to Sound Story a deep history in telling the stories of Australian music businesses and its artists, alongside insight and delivery of government and industry policy and solutions.
Challenor said: “Kirsty’s reputation as a fierce advocate and champion for the Australian music ecosystem within industry and government is of enormous value to Sound Story’s incredible partners. As our clients grow, so too does Sound Story. Our mission is to help ambitious brands to launch, grow, and manage their reputations on the world stage — we do this through strategic storytelling, and Kirsty is one of the best in the business.”
Rivers spoke to her excitement at using her extensive experience to add another piece to the jigsaw in Sound Story’s vision to tell the stories of trailblazing brands. Rivers said: “It’s an exciting time to be joining Sound Story and supporting the team’s vision to tell the stories of forward-thinking brands disrupting the music, media, advertising and tech industries. Inspired by Jake and the team’s unique outlook and global perspective, I’m thrilled to use my expertise in industry and government to realise actions and ideas, at this incredibly exciting and pivotal time for Australian creativity.”
A highly respected editor and journalist with over 13 years experience, Vivienne Kelly joins Sound Story from The Brag Media, where she worked across the publisher’s titles including Rolling Stone AU/NZ, Variety Australia and more. Kelly was previously managing editor for Momentum Media Group, editor of Mumbrella, and editor and content director for Radio Today and The Music Network.
Maddie Koczanowski joins Sound Story as a communications, culture and events specialist. Having started her media career at Klick Communications, Koczanowski spent almost six years with Spotify in Australia and the UK, in various roles across Business Marketing, Project Management, Workplace Culture, Event Management and PR.
Sound Story, which launched in January 2023, was founded by Jake Challenor, the former publisher of vertical-leading trade brands The Music Network and Radio Today, founding executive editor of Variety Australia, and print editor of Rolling Stone AU/NZ.
The agency launched with a number of foundation clients, including Australia’s largest youth publisher, The Brag Media; tourism and live entertainment startup, Cedar Mill Group; and Australian-owned global music powerhouse, UNIFIED Music Group. Sound Story has since expanded, working with numerous disruptors across the entertainment industry.
Melbourne-based Rivers and Sydney-based Kelly and Koczanowski join general manager Brian Lawlor, communications director Jane Elliott, senior communication specialist Zanda Wilson and Challenor, with Sound Story offices in Sydney and Melbourne.
Source: Sound Story
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