Sophie Onikul Brings Integrated Communications Leadership to Emergent

We are delighted to welcome Sophie Onikul to Emergent, strengthening our communications leadership as we continue to build out our integrated public affairs expertise.

Sophie brings more than two decades of experience spanning business, government and media, giving her a distinctive perspective on how organisations communicate with the audiences that shape their ability to operate, grow and build trust.

Her expertise spans corporate reputation, issues and crisis management, media strategy, executive counsel and stakeholder engagement, with experience integrating communications across consumer, B2B, policy and employee audiences.

Most recently at Airbnb, Sophie led communications across Australia and New Zealand, leading strategic communications in one of the company’s most scrutinised markets - resetting narrative, rebuilding trust and driving measurable results - while the brand was under immense political and regulatory pressure. 

Before Airbnb, she spent several years at eBay, leading communications during one of its most competitive periods. Her work encompassed corporate reputation, consumer communications, executive profiling, issues and crisis management, government-related communications and employee engagement.

Sophie also brings first-hand experience from government and media. She held senior communications and advisory roles within the New South Wales State Government and at Transport for NSW, advising across economic and public-facing portfolios. Earlier in her career, she worked in journalism and broadcasting, covering major news and current affairs.

"The organisations shaping the future are operating in an environment where reputation, policy and business are increasingly interconnected. I’m excited to join Emergent and bring together my experience across business, government and media to help clients navigate scrutiny, build trust and communicate with impact." - Sophie Onikul

At Emergent, Sophie will lead our communications work, helping clients develop integrated strategies that reach the audiences critical to their success. Her appointment strengthens our ability to support ambitious organisations through periods of growth, change and scrutiny - bringing together communications and public affairs around the outcomes that matter.

We’re delighted to welcome Sophie to Emergent.