Sling & Stone has appointed Nichole Provatas as the inaugural managing director of its Australian business.
She has been hired to deepen strategic guidance for the agency’s clients and its service offerings across AI visibility, strategic insights, social, creative and content.
Provatas’ experience spans brand, integrated marketing and communications strategy, and she has worked on brand campaigns for Adobe, Telstra and PayPal.
She joins from We Communications, where she led the international integrated marketing team, spearheaded new services like AI Search, and created the Future of Communications thought leadership program that helped set a new benchmark for the industry.
“Communications is being rewritten in real time and the front door to brands has changed. Discovery and trust are being reshaped by AI, creators and algorithms. Sling & Stone is well positioned for this shift: it’s built for ambitious brands and it moves at speed. That’s what excites me about joining Sling & Stone right now,” Provatas said.
“My focus is to combine sharp insight, brave creativity and emerging technology to deliver work that travels across channels and delivers real impact. The winners won’t be the loudest brands; they’ll be the most credible, useful and creatively distinctive. Sling & Stone is built for that future, and I’m lucky to help lead it in Australia.”
Sling & Stone chief executive James Hutchinson said: “The moment we met Nichole, we knew she was exactly the kind of leader we need to take Sling & Stone in Australia to its next chapter.
“She brings an incredible track record, an instinct for creativity and strategy, and a global perspective on the future of communications. As Managing Director, Nichole will help us deliver deeper strategy, greater creativity and impactful communications for our clients.”
Provatas steps into the role immediately and will oversee the full scope of Sling & Stone’s Australian operations, working closely with the global leadership team to deliver for clients across the region.
In New Zealand, Sling & Stone has had a leadership reshuffle with Sian Church stepping down as head of NZ after seven years. Dearra Naidoo, who has been with Sling & Stone for four years, has been promoted to director.
