Weber Shandwick names Angela Malkin head of agency, makes senior appointments

Weber Shandwick - Rachel Vidaic, Akina Taniguchi, Angela Malkin, Addie Freyne

Malkin spent eight years in global PR agencies before transitioning to senior communications roles in the finance and government sectors. 

Angela Malkin has been appointed as head of agency at Weber Shandwick. The business has also made a series of key senior appointments to its leadership team across the consumer, technology, corporate, and healthcare practices.

Malkin brings two decades of experience to the role, delivering high-profile integrated communications strategies in Australia and the UK. Her most recent role was in strategic communications and stakeholder engagement with Transport for NSW.

Malkin has spent eight years in global PR agencies, such as Edelman and Fleishman-Hillard, before transitioning to senior communications roles in the finance and government sectors. 

Helen Graney, CEO at Weber Shandwick Australia, said: “Angela and I have huge ambitions for Weber Shandwick in Australia. As our client portfolio continues to grow, I’m personally thrilled to welcome this new cohort of leaders who excel in their own unique ways.

“Their collective expertise and creativity will allow us to deliver outstanding work and growth for our clients.”

Malkin said that her standout career moments have been in an agency and added: “There’s nothing like the buzz and excitement of working with diverse, creative minds to bring extraordinary ideas to life.

“Working client side, the best agencies understood my business and were able to look at a brief with real results in mind. They were smart, considerate, and knew how to execute exceptionally – that’s the ethos we live by here at Weber Shandwick Australia.

“While attention spans shrink, our clients want partners who are deeply invested in their business and can push boundaries to deliver real results. We’re in a unique position because we’re independent and small yet backed by the Weber Shandwick Collective which gives us access to global insights, award-winning inspiration, and tools to track cultural trends. We offer our clients the best of both worlds.”

In addition to Malkin’s appointment, Weber Shandwick has appointed Addie Freyne as business director, leading the agency’s tech and corporate practices. She has over a decade of integrated communications experience and has previously worked at Ogilvy, Edelman, and Mahlab.

Weber Shandwick has also hired Akina Taniguchi, following rapid growth in the healthcare space at the agency. She has over seven years of experience working on integrated healthcare communications campaigns, working in oncology, rare diseases, HIV, ophthalmology, IBD and consumer health in Australia, the UK, and Europe.

Rachel Vidaic also returns to the agency from maternity leave as business director, leading the consumer team. She has 15 years of experience working agency-side, delivering creative and impactful campaigns for businesses in the lifestyle space.  

Top image: Rachel Vidaic, Akina Taniguchi, Angela Malkin, and Addie Freyne

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