Strategic communications consultancy Sound Story has expanded its team with a series of senior hires and an internal promotion, strengthening its corporate, consumer and reputation management capabilities across three cities.
Kate McCabe joins as strategic communications lead
Kate McCabe has been appointed Strategic Communications Lead. She joins from the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet, where she worked as Senior Advisor, Strategic Communications, overseeing high-stakes issues and whole-of-government strategy.
McCabe’s background spans the arts and entertainment sector, with previous roles at Museums Victoria, the ABC and Remote Control Records. At Sound Story, she will focus on government and policy positioning, crisis management and industry advocacy.
McCabe said: “I’ve had my eye on Sound Story for some time – what they’re doing feels different. They are providing our local creative sector with proven corporate-inspired strategic comms expertise, and that’s exciting. I’m looking forward to working with Sound Story and sharing my learnings from the issues-rich wheelhouse of government.”
Kate McCabe
Corporate communications capability in Brisbane
In Brisbane, Nick Price has been appointed Corporate Communications Specialist. Price has more than a decade of agency experience, including roles at SGC Media, The Red Republic, IVY PR and Bespoken Agency.
Price will work alongside Zanda Wilson, who has been promoted to Head of Corporate Communications. Wilson joined Sound Story at its launch in 2023.
Appointments in Sydney and Melbourne
The consultancy has also confirmed the additions of Melbourne-based Geoff Cope-Watts as Senior Communications Specialist and Sydney-based Brooke Boland as Consumer Communications Specialist.
Both will report to Communications Director Jane Elliott, who joined from NOVA Entertainment
in 2023.
Cope-Watts brings more than 20 years’ experience in commercial radio, having held roles at NOVA Entertainment, ARN, SCA, and Nine, along with recent work at SBS and Thrive PR + Communications.
Boland has a background in PR, social media and influencer marketing, with more than five years at Sling & Stone, and additional experience at Red Havas and Klick X.
Strengthening capabilities for the creative industries
Founded in 2023 by Managing Partners Jake Challenor and Brian Lawlor, Sound Story works with clients in music, media, technology, fashion and other creative industries.
Challenor said: “The way stories are told, and the way they spread, is always evolving. We built Sound Story to help creative industry leaders and challengers make sense of that complexity and turn it into opportunity.
The addition of Kate, Nick, Geoff and Brooke, alongside Zanda stepping up as Head of Corporate Communications, further strengthens our capabilities with the depth and expertise needed to help our clients manage their reputation on the world stage.”