Getting Together

AUCKLAND, Wednesday: Independent media, data and technology agency Together has welcomed two new senior strategy and planning hires to further enhance its data-led strategic offering.

Bridget Bucknell-Whalley joins in the newly created role of head of strategy to lead the continued development of Together’s strategic processes and products.

A returning Kiwi, Bucknell-Whalley joins Together from WPP’s Essence in London where as a senior strategy director she oversaw strategy for Google, Universal Pictures and L’Oreal.

During her time at Essence she was the lead strategist for the launch of YouTube Music across Europe and helped drive significant growth in eCommerce channels for L’Oreal.

Prior to Essence she was a planning director at OMD UK, where she won a gold WARC Award for Best Use of Data for her team’s work with Disney.

In her new role she’ll be responsible for further progressing Together’s strategic offering, processes, and bespoke tool suite including proprietary audience platform Fusion.

Bucknell-Whalley said: “Together was an agency I kept my eye on from abroad – I was very interested in the work Rufus, Kris and the team have done over the past three years.

“Together has a clear agency vision; with expertise in data, best-in-class tools, and a desire to keep learning.”

Sam Boniface also joins to lead the agency’s client team in the newly created role of head of integrated planning.

“Together has been shortlisted for Agency of the Year at the upcoming IAB NZ Digital Advertising Awards and being named a top 3% Premier Partner by Google.”

He joins from PHD London where he was most recently global digital director for Audi, overseeing digital strategy across 23 markets worldwide and managing key data and technology projects for the global Audi network.

Also a returning Kiwi, Boniface has held senior planning and client servicing roles in global media agencies including PHD, GroupM, OMG and FCB.

In his new role he’ll be leading Together’s growing client planning and servicing team, helping to drive client-focused media solutions that span media, technology and data.

Boniface said: “I’m really excited to be back in New Zealand and working with the amazing team and clients here at Together.

”There’s an energy and ambition within the agency to produce great work and I’m looking forward to rolling my sleeves up and continuing that momentum.”

Together managing partner Rufus Chuter said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have these two superstars join team Together. They’re two world class strategy and planning leaders so it’s great to have them back in New Zealand and driving the agency’s next chapter.

“The pair’s arrival continues Together’s impressive growth throughout 2021 across media, dynamic content and Salesforce consultancy.

“Recent highlights include being shortlisted for Agency of the Year at the upcoming IAB NZ Digital Advertising Awards and being named a top 3% Premier Partner by Google, alongside new client appointments by Ministry of Health and Brightr and winning Best use of Data at the NZ Marketing Awards.

About Together
Together is one of New Zealand’s most highly awarded and fastest growing media agencies. The 25-strong City Works-based team brings creativity, technology and data together to create growth. A certified Google Premier, Facebook, Adobe and Salesforce Consulting partner, it works with a range of clients as both retained media agency and consulting partner with flexible working modes that fit around clients’ business. With a focus on joined-up marketing, Together brings traditional marketing discipline and cutting edge enablement technology back together.

• www.wearetogether.co.nz