^{(Pictured, from left: Sophie Maguire, Melanie Campbell, Nathan McGregor, Zoe Raknes, Erika Rutledge, Summer Reading and Erin Doyle)}

Thrive PR has announced a new leadership team in Melbourne, following the departure of Zoe Raknes (nee Walsh), as previously reported on Telum. She spent three years leading the agency's transformation in Melbourne with the support of Thrive’s Executive Director, Snezna Kerekovic, and will now hand responsibilities to a new local lead.

The senior bench now includes:

• Nathan McGregor as Group Account Director / 2IC. He steps up after almost five years at Thrive, working across technology, digital and business.
• Summer Reading, a former Thrive client from Hong Kong, joining as Group Account Director. She makes the move from Ketchum in Singapore, bringing experience in tech and corporate PR.
• Melanie Campbell as Group Account Director. She joins as a consumer PR and influencer expert, working across auto, FMCG and wellness.
• Erin Doyle as Senior Account Director, Social. She adds a boost to Thrive’s social expertise, having started her career in journalism and more recently working in financial services.
• Erika Rutledge as Account Director. She initially joined the agency in Brisbane, and has relocated to Melbourne to work with News Corp and other local clients.

Thrive also welcomes back Sophie Maguire, who will join the Melbourne Senior Leadership Team having been with the agency for numerous stints over more than 15 years. She returns to work closely with the Executive Leadership Team and a newly appointed Melbourne Business Director who will be announced in the coming weeks.

Thrive's CEO and Founder, Leilani Abels said: "I’m so proud of what the Melbourne team are achieving together and the way we continue to evolve, challenge ourselves and bring new opportunities to our clients. Our AU / NZ footprint is unmatched as an agency and our capabilities across earned, social and content, allow us to deliver greater value all under one roof. We are looking forward to announcing our new local business lead and so grateful for the role Zoe has played with Snezna in strengthening and diversifying the Melbourne team. It’s an exciting time at Thrive!"