Kicker Communications strengthens leadership with senior hire and promotions

Kicker Communications, the strategic communications consultancy for innovators, game-changers, and industry leaders, has appointed Laura Blue as Business Director and promoted Beroze Dubash and Rochelle Cervantes to Associate Directors and Agnes Wan to Senior Consultant.

In her first role post-parental leave, Blue brings 15 years of PR and corporate communications experience in B2B SaaS, HR tech, and fintech. She has worked in Sydney and Melbourne with Australia’s top disruptive brands, tech figures, and startup bodies.

Blue combines a strong ability to land key stories in Tier 1 media with solid business acumen, delivering strategic, high-impact communications. She will work closely alongside co-founders Fran Foo and Ashford Pritchard – her role will focus on leading business development and the company’s aggressive growth initiatives in Australia and New Zealand.

Dubash has 11 years’ experience in communications, with particular emphasis on brands in the FMCG, NFP, and legal communications sectors. She has led corporate campaigns and issues management for clients including Nestlé, Metcash, and Coates Hire.

Cervantes has 10 years of PR and marketing experience across tech, consumer, leisure, and hospitality in Asia Pacific and the Middle East. She has led B2B and B2C campaigns for brands like Poly, Bose, Philips, and Samsung, specialising in media relations, influencer engagement, and event management. She excels at building strong relationships with key mainstream and trade media, with deep expertise in the Australian media landscape.

Wan has around four years of communications experience, with a background in journalism, consumer marketing, and influencer marketing. Skilled in multi-stakeholder environments across adtech, fintech, martech, edtech, medtech, foodtech, and retailtech, she specialises in crafting key messages that drive business outcomes.

Dubash and Cervantes will continue to provide senior counsel to a number of Kicker clients, including but not limited to Akamai, Foxtel Media, KPMG, MaxMine, and MEQ.

“We are delighted to appoint Laura to the newly created role of Business Director as we look to our next stage of growth. Laura has distinguished herself as one of Australia’s top startup and tech communicators and has worked with some of the country’s most exciting emerging brands. I’m confident Laura will play a key role in Kicker’s future alongside Beroze and Rochelle as senior leaders, and Agnes as a next-generation leader,” Foo said.

“The results they continually produce for clients are no small feat, and the promotions couldn’t have gone to a more deserving trio.”

Dubash and Cervantes run Kicker’s highly successful paid internship program, where over a dozen students from The University of Sydney, University of South Australia, The University of Adelaide, University of Technology Sydney, and others have participated over the years.

Bringing together a team of seasoned content, media relations, and PR professionals, Kicker is on a mission to help organisations drive valuable business outcomes through strategic storytelling. In 2024, the company added several new technology and corporate clients to its roster, further deepening its expertise in emerging technologies across artificial intelligence, blockchain, cybersecurity, and space.

“I am incredibly excited to join the Kicker team, where I can combine business development with my passion for client servicing,” Blue said. “The experienced team, impressive client base, and growth plans made this an easy decision. I’m looking forward to working alongside Fran and Ashford to see where we can take the brand in the coming years.”

“I’m extremely proud to take on this new role and thrilled for the opportunities I’ve had at Kicker. This promotion is a testament to the support of my colleagues, and I’m excited to contribute even more as we continue to grow and innovate,” Dubash said.

“It is an honour to step into this position and be part of such a dynamic team after starting as an intern many years ago. Kicker has provided me with an environment where I can thrive, and I look forward to playing an even bigger role in future,” Cervantes said.

“I’m delighted to take this next step in my career at Kicker. The journey so far has been incredible and fulfilling, and I’m eager to build on our achievements, drive new opportunities, and help take the business to even greater heights. I too was an intern and the opportunity to learn from seasoned campaigners has been second to none. I’m grateful for their generosity of knowledge and mentorship,” Wan said.

Pictured L-R: Beroze Dubash, Rochelle Cervantes, Laura Blue, Agnes Wan

Want to leave a comment? Share your thoughts below, making sure to include your full name and email address. If you have a news tip or story idea, please feel free to email ricki@campaignbrief.com.