Sparking smarter conversations.
Need to raise awareness, funds or a share price? Looking to generate leads, drive new business or improve AI visibility? Want to become an employer of choice, a thought leader or a pioneer in an entirely new field?
SKMG helps leaders and changemakers spark smarter conversations: the ones that reduce hurdles to doing business and make it easier for you to execute your vision. We are earned media and messaging specialists who work as trusted advisers to listed companies, industry bodies and founders, particularly the ones tackling complex problems like protecting creator rights against AI, solving the Australian housing crisis or mobilising renewables to tackle African energy inequality.
Launched in Sydney in 2018 and now partnering with clients across APAC, GCC, Africa and North America, SKMG is a plug-and-play communications department working hand in hand with executives to make sure their business walks the talk, translates action into messages that mean something and gets heard in the places that maximise impact.
What do you need people to understand? Most importantly, why?
Let’s make it happen.
Neil Shoebridge
SKMG co-founder Neil Shoebridge is one of Australia’s most experienced communications executives and business journalists, with more than 30 years’ experience in the media, marketing and communications sectors.
Neil was Director of Corporate and Public Communications at Network 10, a role purpose-built for his skill set and one he held for six years, leading to a strong increase in the network’s coverage and reputation. Before that, Neil was Sydney Editor, National Editor and Managing Editor of Australia’s #1 business magazine, BRW – responsible for all editorial and commercial operations – and Marketing and Media Editor of the #1 business media brand, The Australian Financial Review.
Since establishing SKMG with Andrew Knowles in 2018, Neil has worked closely with many of Australia’s leading content companies and their CEOs, spanning everything from the development and execution of corporate narratives and trade marketing campaigns, to personal brand reputation strategies and crisis/issues management.
Neil is a member of the Australian Marketing Institute and the author of two successful marketing books, Great Australian Advertising Campaigns and The Secrets Of Successful Marketing, the former of which has been listed in multiple university syllabuses. He has also made regular appearances on radio, TV and the speaker circuit.
In 2015, corporate affairs recruitment firm Salt and Shein named Neil as one of the 50 most influential corporate affairs executives in Australia. Like many others before him, an Uber driver once described Neil as, “the famous Neil Shoebridge”.
Andrew Knowles
Andrew co-founded SKMG based on a passion for how great strategy and writing – grounded in his study of sociology and psychology – can influence culture and help businesses lead it.
The strategic lead of SKMG, Andrew has directed, managed or created everything from the cult to the high-profile. He began his career at Audiopaxx Agency, where he achieved gold sales accreditation with Carmada’s debut single, secured them a Like A Version performance featuring Charli XCX, and sold out a debut Australian tour – all before he turned 21.
As part of the Network 10 publicity team, Andrew led strategies for The Living Room, Gogglebox and Studio 10; managed publicity for 10 Gives; and handled key talent media management. He has written essays for Rolling Stone; led a record label booked from Barcelona to Fiji; and marketed a fashion brand spotted on The 1975’s Matt Healy, Lil Yachty and Taika Waititi.
With SKMG, Andrew applied his understanding of culture to more complex terrain: tackling executive advisory, reputation management and strategic communications for industry bodies, sustainability consultants, emerging tech platforms and plenty more. He won the B&T 30 Under 30 Award for PR in 2021 and has been invited to attend Cannes Lions four times: first in 2018, where his content strategy and direction for APN Outdoor’s partner coverage was judged the third best in the world by the festival organisers, and most recently in 2024 as part of the Cannes Lions Brand Marketer Academy led by Fernando Machado.
Sam Somers
Sam was SKMG’s first employee, joining the company in October 2020 as a consultant. Since then he’s played a central role in shaping its strategic direction and creative output, as General Manager (2022) and Partner (2023).
Before SKMG he spent over six years with Omnicom Media Group, working across several agencies where he held a range of roles across digital, content and social; his last was running social comms at PHD. He has led work for clients including Unilever, Google, Apple, Sydney Airport, Pepsi and Priceline.
In his spare time, he creatively writes, publishing essays for the likes of The Guardian, Bowen St. Press, The Brag and most recently The Artline’s magazine, Article.
Away from SKMG, Sam is the owner and operator of Debut Studios, a natural light photography studio in Surry Hills, Sydney. Its client roster includes SIR. The Label, Vogue, LEIF Products, RUSSH, Harper’s Bazaar, MATIN, Albus Lumen, Love Want and more.
Sam brings sharp thinking, editorial instinct and cultural fluency to everything he touches — always in service of smarter conversations.
Tess O’Brien
Tess is SKMG’s resident property specialist, bringing with her over 14 years of global experience delivering high-impact PR and communications strategies across New York, London and Sydney.
She has worked across the full property spectrum, from luxury residential and large-scale commercial to architecture, construction, and urban development. Tess has led external communications for prestigious brands such as Sotheby’s International Realty and JLL, and developed PR campaigns for architects, developers and engineers.
Tess began her career in entertainment PR, working with two of Sydney’s most prominent theatre publicists on major Broadway musicals. She cut her teeth managing press calls, wrangling red carpets, and coordinating national TV appearances, all of which cemented her ability to thrive under pressure and tell a good story.
With a deep understanding of the built environment, the media landscape, and earned media strategy, Tess is known for crafting strategic narratives that elevate brands, engage stakeholders, and drive commercial results.