Transtasman Bubble

AUCKLAND, Today: Brisbane-based award-winning Aussie PR agency Aruga Comms has established a New Zealand arm in downtown Anzac Ave – effectively a merger with NZ shop Energi.

“Unimpeded by international border shutdowns, a creative Transtasman bubble, and a real Anzac spirit, has emerged,” says Aruga co-founder Louise Bentley (formerly MD at Energi), who becomes the agency’s NZ director.

Aruga NZ has signed respected RV manufacturer Jayco NZ as its foundation client, and secured work with Boutique Beauty Brands, The Beauty Book NZ and The Remarkable Chocolate Co.

Aruga co-founders Donna Kramer and Adam Brunes set up the deal with Louise Bentley.

“Based in the Tasman Building on Anzac Avenue by Britomart, there’s a great feeling of serendipity in our newfound enterprise,” Bentley said.

“Culture and creativity have always been, and will remain, at the forefront of both Aruga’s and Energi’s individual and collective business endeavours and the formation of Aruga NZ provides an attractive and essential new service for our existing Energi clients.

“It’s a logical progression-endeavour as we approach 2021 with our sights firmly set on our clients standing head and shoulders above the over-supplied markets they operate in and providing new clients with a more agile marcomms experience.

The Aruga NZ team had already grown to three, backed by Aruga’s Australian team which was named B&T’s 2019 PR Agency of the Year.

“Anzac spirit – with big-name brands, small challenger companies and local legends.”

NZ GAD tapped
Susie Thomson is Aruga NZ’s group account director, bringing with her more than 15 years of creative communications experience in Australia, New Zealand and the UK.

“Creativity is at the heart of what Aruga NZ does; we think outside the box, we’re fluid in our approach and delivery and – if this pandemic has taught us anything – we can adapt quickly and effectively,” Thomson said.

“Aruga NZ has made an immediate splash because we offer that rare combination of big agency experience and ideas with a personalised and attentive boutique agency approach.”

“Regardless of which side of the Tasman we’re working, our clients want creatively grounded PR that grabs attention, a clear strategy, results that exceed their expectations and above all else, they want to work with people they admire and trust,” he said.

“So our plan for Aruga NZ is simple but smart: continue to do bold and exciting work, grow the team and hero our clients.

“We have not just survived but thrived during the ongoing Covid-19 crisis because we have clients who are brave, forward-thinking and who trust the credible and creative advice of Susie and Lou.”

Aruga was founded in 2017 and has since amassed a client portfolio of 120 big-name brands, small challenger companies and local legends.

Aruga is part of Rumbletown, “a village of thought-leading independents bound by co-ownership”.

• More here: aruga.co.nz/about