Kicker Communications has appointed senior communications expert Stephanie Ryan as its new client director, strengthening its leadership amid strong growth. With over 20 years’ experience across Intel, Medtronic and major tech launches, Ryan will lead PR strategy, advise senior executives and support new business as the consultancy expands its innovation-driven client portfolio.
Strategic communications consultancy Kicker Communications has signalled a new phase of growth with the appointment of seasoned communications leader Stephanie Ryan as its new client director, strengthening the firm’s capabilities at a time when demand for strategic storytelling, technology-focused PR, and executive counsel continues to accelerate. The newly created role marks an important milestone for the consultancy as it expands its client roster and deepens its offerings across Australia’s fast-evolving tech and innovation landscape.
Ryan brings over two decades of industry experience to Kicker Communications, with a career that spans senior leadership roles, global technology brands, complex communications mandates, and major product launches. Her expertise is anchored in the technology sector, where she has led communications for some of the world’s most influential companies, including Intel across Australia and New Zealand, and Medtronic, a global leader in medical technology. Her work has extended to consumer and lifestyle PR as well, giving her a broad, cross-sector perspective essential for today’s integrated communications environment.
At Intel, Ryan played a key role in shaping narratives around emerging technologies, innovation, and the brand’s expanding ecosystem across the region. Her work contributed to strengthening the company’s visibility in markets undergoing rapid digital transformation. At Medtronic, she helped communicate complex medical technologies in ways that were accessible to consumers, stakeholders, and industry decision-makers. These experiences, combined with her early agency-side career, equipped her with the ability to identify compelling stories, translate technical solutions into simple messages, and guide senior leadership teams through high-stakes communications challenges.
In her new role at Kicker Communications, Ryan will take on a broad remit that includes developing and executing comprehensive PR strategies and campaigns for the firm’s growing roster of clients. The consultancy says she will serve as a trusted advisor to senior executives, supporting everything from brand positioning to media engagement, and will collaborate closely with Kicker’s wider team to complement and enhance its existing expertise. She will also play an important role in new business development as the firm continues to expand into areas shaped by advanced technologies, deep tech innovation, and enterprise transformation.
Ryan’s arrival comes at a time of strong momentum for Kicker Communications, which has secured several significant client wins across sectors defined by rapid growth, innovation, and disruption. The consultancy now partners with a global leader in AI-driven data management and enterprise cloud applications, reflecting the increasing importance of robust communications in the age of artificial intelligence. It has also added JCDecaux, one of the world’s top out-of-home media companies, further strengthening its presence in the media and advertising space.
In the deep tech sector, Kicker is working with Cicada Innovations, Australia’s flagship incubator for scientific and advanced technology breakthroughs. The firm has also taken on OneMRI, a national provider of whole-body MRI scans, tapping into the rising interest in preventative healthcare and diagnostic innovation. Truck Tech, an independent provider of heavy vehicle fleet maintenance, rounds out the recent additions—highlighting the consultancy’s versatility and its ability to operate across both cutting-edge industries and essential service sectors.
For Ryan, the move to Kicker Communications represents an opportunity to help shape high-impact stories at a moment when technology, innovation, and public conversation are intersecting more than ever before. “Joining Kicker is a brilliant opportunity to be part of a team working with clients at the forefront of new technologies and solutions and to help ensure their stories continue to make headlines,” she said. Her comments reflect not only enthusiasm for the consultancy’s trajectory but also a recognition of the growing role communications plays in helping organisations translate innovation into influence.
Kicker Communications co-founder Fran Foo described Ryan’s appointment as a timely and strategic addition to the team. “It’s great to have someone of Stephanie’s calibre join us at a time when we’re enjoying strong growth with multiple new and exciting clients,” Foo said. “She has excellent media relationships along with extensive global experience, which is ideal for our portfolio.” Foo’s remarks underscore the firm’s intention to match its expanding client base with leadership capable of navigating complex narratives and high-growth sectors.
The communications industry in Australia has been experiencing rapid change, driven by technological disruption, evolving audience expectations, hybrid media consumption patterns, and increasing competition for attention. In this landscape, consultancies must offer not only traditional PR expertise but also insight into digital ecosystems, long-term brand building, strategic reputation management, and the ability to simplify and humanise advanced technologies. This shift has made the role of senior communicators more critical than ever—and Ryan’s career trajectory places her at the intersection of these demands.
Her experience managing dozens of high-profile events, launching multiple technology firsts, and providing strategic counsel to global leaders will be particularly valuable as companies seek communications strategies that go beyond press releases and campaigns. The ability to anticipate challenges, understand emerging technologies, guide stakeholder narratives, and build sustained media relationships has become a differentiator for brands navigating competitive and fast-moving markets.
Kicker Communications, founded on a mission to deliver sharp, strategic storytelling for organisations shaping the future, has consistently sought to combine creativity with technical depth. The firm’s recent client wins show a growing appetite for communications partners who can break down complex subjects—from AI to deep tech to healthcare—into narratives that resonate with a wide range of audiences, from policymakers and investors to everyday consumers.
With Ryan stepping into the new client director role, the consultancy is positioning itself to deepen its expertise across both emerging and established sectors. Her background suggests a strong alignment with Kicker’s vision for the future: a commitment to clarity in a world of complexity, relevance in a crowded media landscape, and strategic storytelling that can elevate brands reshaping industries.
The appointment also reflects a broader trend of communications firms investing in senior leadership as clients demand more integrated and multi-layered approaches. This includes blending traditional PR with digital insights, content strategies, executive profiling, issues management, and data-driven media planning. By creating a role specifically dedicated to overseeing client strategy at a senior level, Kicker Communications is signalling its intent to evolve alongside its clients and strengthen its position in Australia’s competitive communications market.
As organisations face heightened scrutiny, rapid technological shifts, and increasingly vocal stakeholder communities, experienced communicators like Ryan play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between innovation and public understanding. Her appointment reinforces Kicker’s belief in the power of narrative to shape perception, guide reputation, and support growth.
Ryan’s arrival at Kicker Communications marks not just a personnel change, but a strategic step in the consultancy’s ongoing evolution. With its expanding client base, growing reputation, and strengthened leadership, Kicker is positioning itself to play a significant role in shaping conversations across Australia’s technology, innovation, and business sectors.
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