Weber Shandwick opens public affairs agency Powell Tate in Sydney
Powell Tate Australia: Rear L to R: Justin Yuen, Darragh Brennan, Alistair Nicholas. Front L to R: Megan McCarthy, Jacquelynne Willcox, Eliza Newton
PR firm Weber Shandwick has opened an Australian office for its specialist strategic communications and public affairs division, Powell Tate, with Weber Shandwick’s corporate and public affairs director Jacquelynne Willcox leading the Sydney office as executive vice president.
Powell Tate offers services across public affairs, corporate communications and crisis and issues management counsel.
Weber Shandwick Asia Pacific CEO, Baxter Jolly, said in a statement: “A more complex relationship between organisations, government and public stakeholders has accelerated the need for deep expertise and specialisation working at the intersection of these dynamics.
“Introducing Powell Tate to the Australian market responds to that demand through the provision of insights and ideas grounded in a deep understanding of the political, regulatory and bureaucratic landscape.”
Willcox joined Weber Shandwick in August 2011 as senior strategic counsel, practice director – public affairs and crisis management, before being promoted to executive vice president, head of corporate affairs and public affairs in January 2015.
Prior to Weber Shandwick, Willcox was the practice director, government relations and public affairs at Hill & Knowlton.
In a statement she said: “Having partnered with the Powell Tate senior executive team for some time now, I am particularly excited by the opportunity this development brings to our clients and our people.
“We know organisations are in need of experts to help them navigate often complex public policy issues in Australia, and the introduction of Powell Tate into the market affords us the opportunity to focus on that need.”
Powell Tate will be based in Sydney and will continue to work closely with Weber Shandwick and its global network.
Powell Tate president Pam Jenkins said in a statement: “This is a significant step in the expansion of our service offer to new markets. It comes at a time when our clients are increasingly looking for support, counsel and insights across geographies, and I’m delighted we are now able to deliver that guidance in the Australian market.”
Weber Shandwick Australia chairman Ian Rumsby will serve as chairman of Powell Tate Australia to support collaboration across both agencies.
Melbourne General Manager Megan Rosier will lead the Weber Shandwick Australia corporate practice and will also continue her role as head of the technology practice in Australia.
Miranda Ward worked for Mumbrella from 2013 to 2017, eventually becoming deputy editor. Miranda joined Mumbrella in September 2013 from Sky News.
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