Melbourne-based cultural communications consultancy, Common State, has secured several new client partnerships and made a suite of senior appointments to support its national growth strategy.

The agency will open up an office in Brisbane following its appointment as publicity partners for Brisbane Festival. It has also picked up Melbourne civic and creative arts precinct Fed Square as well as St Kilda live music venue Palace Foreshore.

Common State is now responsible for public relations for major cultural events such as RISING, Sydney Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival, ALWAYS LIVE, Festival of Dangerous Ideas, Melbourne International Jazz Festival, and Melbourne Writers Festival.

In addition to its cultural event partnerships, Common State's gaming division, Superstate, has been selected by the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) to lead a creator and influencer engagement strategy for the Game Worlds exhibition. Superstate has a history of collaboration with ACMI, having previously managed public relations for The Sims 25th birthday celebrations in partnership with Electronic Arts (EA).

The agency has also announced several key senior appointments. Charly Binney has been promoted to head of entertainment, with a focus on expanding Common State's portfolio in screen, film, and television. Tierney Kelman and Jadan Carroll have assumed roles as head of lifestyle and head of arts & culture, respectively. Additionally, Georgia Fox has joined Common State as a Senior Account Manager, bringing over 15 years of experience in theatre, festivals, film, and live performance.

Managing Director of Common State, Luke McKinnon, said: "Common State was founded on the belief that culture drives everything—and that the most exciting stories emerge where art, entertainment and technology intersect...These senior appointments and partnerships reflect the scale of that ambition. We’re proud to be working with some of the most innovative organisations and artists in the country, and building a national team that doesn’t just follow culture, but helps define where it’s going."