SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – Full-service media agency, Bench Media, has announced two senior promotions as the business continues to invest in the leadership, culture and operational foundations that underpin long-term client success. The promotions see Nicole Jurke elevated to Head of People & Culture and joining the agency’s management team, while Ting Zhang steps into the role of Financial Controller.
In her expanded remit as Head of People & Culture, Nicole will focus on attracting, developing and retaining high-performing talent, ensuring Bench’s clients continue to benefit from long-tenured teams, deep category expertise and consistent senior involvement throughout their partnerships.
Her mandate also includes strengthening Bench’s employee experience, embedding clear processes, and fostering an environment where teams feel empowered to produce their best work. This aligns directly with Bench’s broader ambition to be recognised not only as a best place to work, but also one of the best agencies to work with, where continuity, accountability and collaboration drive client growth.
Approaching nine years with Bench, Nicole has played a pivotal role in shaping a people-first culture that directly supports stronger, more consistent outcomes for clients, and her promotion marks a significant milestone for the agency.
Shai Luft, Co-Founder and COO, Bench Media, said “Nicole’s promotion reinforces Bench’s commitment to providing clients with experienced, highly engaged teams who remain invested in their businesses over the long term. Bench’s staff retention rate is more than twice the industry average, giving clients confidence in stable relationships, deep knowledge and consistent delivery.”
Reflecting on her promotion, Nicole Jurke said “I’m incredibly proud of the culture we’ve built at Bench and excited to extend my remit as we continue strengthening the foundations that allow our people, and in turn, our clients, to thrive. Bench has always believed that great work starts with great people, and I’m committed to ensuring our teams feel supported, empowered and motivated to deliver exceptional results.”
Bench has also promoted Ting Zhang to Financial Controller. Ting will lead the agency’s relationships with financial institutions, client finance teams and insurance partners, while continuing to embed financial governance, transparency and commercial discipline across the business.
In her expanded role, a key focus for Ting will be maintaining the reliable processes, clear billing and practical commercial approach that clients value ensuring Bench remains easy to work with, while supporting fast decision-making and smooth campaign execution. Throughout her six-year tenure at Bench, Ting has demonstrated strong commercial judgement and a clear understanding of how financial operations support effective client delivery.
“These promotions reflect Bench’s ongoing investment in its people and operations to deliver better outcomes for clients,” Luft added. “Nicole and Ting are great examples of the culture we have built at Bench: long-tenured, deeply knowledgeable and a team driven by a genuine can-do attitude. As we build on our growth foundations in 2026 and beyond, Nicole and Ting’s leadership will help more brands experience what a better, more collaborative media agency partnership looks like.”
Both promotions are effective immediately.
