Aruga Aotearoa strengthens its integrated communications offering with new senior hire and an internal promotion

AUCKLAND, Today: Indie trans-Tasman agency Aruga Aotearoa has strengthened its digital and public relations offering with the hire of Juno Scott-Kelly as PR & social lead.

The move highlights an expansion for Aruga, which was founded in Brisbane five years ago, and opened its Tāmaki Makaurau office in June 2020.

Returning agency-side after operating her own digital and PR consultancy, the role will see Scott-Kelly straddle both public relations and digital media.

Having previously held roles with Eleven PR across Auckland International Airport, Number One Shoes and Phoenix Organics, and in-house at Fairtrade ANZ as a digital marketing manager, Scott-Kelly says she’s no stranger to finding creative solutions across both PR and digital for her clients.

“If lockdowns have taught me anything, it is to find the people who inspire you the most and always be open to new opportunities. 

“This new role at Aruga was born out of several conversations throughout lockdowns and time spent freelancing on digital strategies alongside Georgia [scroll down] whose tenacity for business success and creating something unique here in Aotearoa soon won me over!”

The appointment will see Scott-Kelly join Aruga Aotearoa’s leadership team, and be responsible for directing client services, fostering upcoming PR and digital talent, and working on new business.

Elevated
In more news for Aruga Aotearoa, agency head Georgia Coleman has been promoted from country manager to managing partner.

“We’re thrilled to recognise Georgia Coleman’s contribution with a promotion to managing partner – and excited to welcome the formidable Juno Scott-Kelly.”

“Establishing an agency in the peak of a pandemic is no easy feat, not to mention trying to build the business during countless lockdowns and economic uncertainty. However, what it’s taught us is resilience, and we’re more resilient than ever,” she said.

“We’ve spent the past two years quietly establishing ourselves, forging relationships with some incredible people and brands, and building a body of work to be proud of.

“We look forward to continuing our success, delivering creatively led campaigns, rooted in strategy, that turn heads, draw eyes, distract, disrupt and engage the attention of consumers.

“Juno’s impressive toolkit of knowledge and skills across social media, public relations and events allows us to strengthen and expand our capabilities further, whilst building on the incredible work we’ve delivered for clients thus far.”

Aruga co-founders Donna Kramer and Adam Brunes said Aruga’s “25-strong team all celebrated the senior appointments.

Kramer said: “With Georgia at the helm, Aruga Aotearoa has gone from strength to strength, lovingly building on Aruga’s brand and reputation while cultivating an agency and team that is passionately and authentically local.

“We’re thrilled to recognise Georgia’s invaluable contribution with a promotion to managing partner and excited to welcome the formidable Juno Scott-Kelly to further strengthen the team’s senior capability across PR and social.

“While relatively new on the scene, Aruga Aotearoa has already won over a number of big-name brands and local businesses spanning retail, FMCG hospitality and not-for-profits, including Supercheap Auto, Foot Locker, Chantal Organics, Orange Sky, Waiheke Distilling Co, and new Italian eateries Deli di Bossi and Bossi.

Scott-Kelly joins Aruga Aotearoa effective immediately.

• aruga.co.nz