Replacement CD at Rainger & Rolfe

AUCKLAND, Today: Rainger & Rolfe has appointed internationally awarded South African creative Kelly Putter as its new CD. He takes over the role from Chris Long who continues to work with the agency but recently left as an FTE for family health reasons.

MD Ant Rainger said: “We are delighted to welcome a world-class talent like Kelly into the agency.

“With previous CD and creative leadership roles at Ogilvy Singapore, Saatchis Singapore, Campaign Palace Sydney, and as a partner at Cape Town agency Old Friends Young Talent, Putter brings a depth of knowledge and skill to take R&R into the next decade and beyond.”

“Although born in South Africa, Putter spent many of his childhood holidays in Aotearoa thanks to his mum’s Kiwi roots.”

Winning his first Cannes Lion at 18, Putter was reared in the industry from a young age, thanks to his father, who was one of South Africa’s industry greats.

Although born in South Africa, Putter spent many of his childhood holidays in Aotearoa thanks to his mum’s Kiwi roots. “I may have inherited my father’s creative acumen, but my sense of humour and rugby skills, I got from Mum,” he says.

Putter made the move to New Zealand in 2020 with his young family after co-owning and running Old Friends Young Talent in Cape Town for 10 years. During this time, he penned campaigns for Prudential Investment Managers, KIA, Jack Daniel’s and Heineken.

He also mentored young creative talent as part of the agency’s CSR initiative, a role that was “deeply fulfilling”.