Sling & Stone announces two leadership updates across Australia and New Zealand

Today, we’re announcing two important leadership updates across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand as we continue to invest in the next chapter of growth for the agency.

Welcoming Nichole Provatas as Managing Director, Australia

We’re thrilled to announce the appointment of Nichole Provatas as Managing Director, Australia. Nichole’s appointment will accelerate the agency’s growth in Australia and meet the growing demands of Sling & Stone’s ambitious clients globally.

Provatas is Sling & Stone’s first ever Managing Director in the Australian market, a deliberate investment to deepen strategic guidance for the agency’s clients and deepen service offerings across AI visibility, strategic insights, social, creative and content.

Provatas brings exceptional experience spanning brand, integrated marketing and communications strategy and has driven brand campaigns for global powerhouses including Adobe, Telstra and PayPal that reflect how influence is changing in an AI and social-led world. 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,” said Nichole Provatas, Managing Director, Australia, Sling & Stone. 

“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.”

Her appointment comes as Sling & Stone doubles down on growth in 2026, with a spate of client wins across social networking, consumer technology, energy and deep tech, and a clear mandate to expand how it serves clients at the intersection of strategy, creativity and emerging technology. Provatas’ rare combination of passion for the future of storytelling, strategic acumen, and creative instinct is central to that ambition.

“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,” said James Hutchinson, CEO of Sling & Stone. “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.”

A leadership transition in New Zealand

We’re also marking an important leadership transition in Aotearoa New Zealand. After seven years leading the New Zealand business, Sian Church will be stepping down as Head of New Zealand. 

Taking the reins is Dearra Naidoo, who has been with Sling & Stone for the past four years. Dearra has been promoted to Director, New Zealand and will lead the next phase of growth for the business. In her new role, Dearra will focus on deepening client impact, expanding strategic capabilities, and evolving Sling & Stone’s service offerings as communications continues to transform.

Provatas and Naidoo step into their roles immediately.