Michael Pooley has stepped down from the CEO post at WPP AUNZ agency PPR.

In a LinkedIn post, Pooley said he wrapped up his affairs at PPR to open his new communications consultancy, the MAP Collective. 

Pooley was with PPR since 2007, joining up as group director for corporate and public affairs. He later advanced to director for strategy and planning and executive director/COO before assuming the CEO post in 2017.

“As with all new ventures there is a feeling of nervous excitement about what’s ahead. But it’s the right time to take on a new challenge. So let's do this,” said Pooley.

Contact Pooley on LinkedIn for new projects.

Tech consultancy Bench PR has entered the spring season with three new clients, reported Mumbrella.

The deal includes PR services for Dynatrace, Carbon Black, and Elenium Automation.

Based in Waltham, Massachusetts, USA, Dynatrace offers SMEs cloud-based software intelligence solutions for a variety of IT operations.

Carbon Black is another Waltham-based company like Dynatrace. It develops cloud-based endpoint security software to shield IT systems from cyberattacks of existing and potential future forms.

Elenium Automation develops IoT- and machine-learning-based airport passenger solutions, covering all aspects from terminal counter check-ins to baggage transit. Based in India and Tullamarine, Victoria, the company’s noted carriers include QANTAS, Japan Airlines, and Air New Zealand. 

“We’re thrilled to be working with Carbon Black, Dynatrace and Elenium. All fast-growth companies offering their customers truly innovative technologies. Our experience and p

Thinkerbell has landed client service rights for cruise company Royal Caribbean Cruises.

Under the new deal, Thinkerbell is tasked with running PR duties for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises and Azamara. Celebrity Cruises and Azamara are two of the three component cruise lines under Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd ownership. 

The third component arm, Royal Caribbean International, will have marketing strategy and creative assignments for Thinkerbell to tackle. 

“We are thrilled to be working with Royal Caribbean across strategy, creative and PR. We look forward to building on the momentum the brands already have in this market. It’s a great appointment for the Thinkerbell Sydney team, and we can’t wait to get cracking,” said Thinkerbell managing partner Margie Reid.

WPP AUNZ member-agency OPR has landed a two-year PR contract for Tourism Australia.

The deal calls for OPR to provide integrated support to Tourism Australia’s regional and international marketing campaigns, with the aim of promoting Australia as one of the best places in the world anybody would want to travel to. 

The contract can be extended for another year if the work generates positive results in terms of increased visitor numbers to Australia.

“As international travel has become more accessible, it has also become more competitive. Tourism boards globally are increasingly seeking out new and innovative approaches to achieve cut-through and resonate with potential travellers. We feel Tourism Australia is at the forefront of this movement, and we’re thrilled to be their PR partner of choice heading into 2020,” said OPR CEO Richard Brett.  

The We Are Different PR agency has landed a PR services deal with mental health organisation The Black Dog Institute.

The agreement will have We Are Different supporting The Black Dog Institute’s consumer-facing PR activities by educating the public about the organisation’s programs. 

Originally established in 1985 as the Mood Disorders Unit, The Black Dog Institute offers research projects on mental health issues and patient counselling through self-help tools and support groups. It also runs free training seminars on addressing mental health in the workplace.

“Our partnership with The Black Dog Institute cements our commitment to a mentally healthier world and mentally healthier workplace. We couldn’t be more excited by the opportunity to drive real impact for such a well-known and worthy brand,” said We Are Different founder Stuart Terry.

Haystac is entering the spring season with new entries to the roster, reported B & T.

Samuel Stevenson is the agency’s new national senior social strategist. He will now be in charge of overall digital/social strategy for Haystac’s Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney branches. He came in after four months of freelance work with The Royals, plus held social director posts with Carat, Perfect Company, and Ogilvy.

Jasmin Watts is a new group business director. Based at the Haystac Melbourne office, she will take on business development and running integrated communications strategy while handling key clients. She had previously done account director work with Freuds, the former RED Agency, and Keep Left’s PR and content marketing team.

Kitch Catterall is the new social media manager, focusing on influencer and ambassador relations, content creation and organic content strategy. She ran social media and content work at Ecosa and Ruby Assembly, plus founded her own agen

The Keep Left agency has won the PR representation services for fintech business lender Moula. 

The partnership was secured out of Moula’s need to grow its branding in Australia, having done moderate success and now ready to introduce new services, said Moula chief commercial officer Matt Leeburn. 

The remit calls for Keep Left to work alongside Moula’s business team to market the company. 

“Moula is reimagining and democratising business lending, by making it so much easier for Australian businesses to access funding to both support their day-to-day operations and grow their businesses,” said Keep Left CEO Caroline Catterall.

“We’re excited to help Moula tell this story as small and medium businesses are becoming more savvy seeking out credible alternative lenders.”