Year in Review 2025: Liz Holt

Every year, StopPress catches up with a group of industry leaders from across Aotearoa to talk about the year that was. From the highlights and the lowlights to their favourite foods, fruits and Christmas traditions, they give us a little insight into 2025 as well as a look forward to 2026.

Liz Holt is partner at One Plus One Communications.

Tell me your highlight, lowlight and the most surprising thing that happened to you while working in communications in 2025?

Winning the Specsavers RFP with our friends across the ditch at Ogilvy PR put a big smile on my face! Lowlight – the second half of the Warriors season.

The most surprising? Becoming a shareholding partner at One Plus One and having the opportunity to shape the future of the business alongside Kelly Bennett and Max Burt. (Our team has told me this shouldn’t have been a surprise but it wasn’t on my 2025 bingo card.)

What did you think about AI: did it help, hinder, or leave you totally unfazed?

Our team uses AI everyday in ways that streamline the more mundane processes and tasks, but also for research (fact checked, of course). Everyone is encouraged to explore and play with the possibilities but we’re realistic about opportunities and limitations.

My most memorable AI moment of the year was when a colleague convinced Chat GPT that I was both Liz Holt, communications professional in 2025, and Elizabeth Holt, who signed the 1893 suffrage petition for women’s right to vote in NZ. It didn’t take much convincing which is a reminder to continue approaching with a healthy dose of caution.

What trends are you watching in 2026?

As the mum of a 12-year old, anything that Gen Alpha is paying attention to. Beyond brainrot, I’m interested to see what we can learn about how this generation interacts with the world and how that could shape the future of marketing and comms.

How are you and your team supporting the local industry in Aotearoa?

As an independent business, we make a concerted effort to connect with, and contribute to, the wider industry whenever we can.

We’re always flexible with what this looks like but recent times have seen James Tapp, one of our account managers, organise and host a panel of young journalists on the future of media. Another colleague, Zarina Hewlett, appeared on a panel about pathways to PR. We also regularly host comms leaders of all stripes for OPO Academy sessions, sharing experiences and insights with our team.

Tell me the piece of work that was your favourite in 2025; both one of yours and one that wasn’t.

Stop the Stigma for Cannabis Clinic – five years on from the introduction of the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme, the negative perception of medicinal cannabis remains a huge challenge for the sector and continues to hinder growth and access. The campaign, developed and implemented with Abel, sought to tackle this stigma head-on through robust research and a really giant pair of sneakers.

Speaking of stigmatised topics, Motion Sickness’s The Best Place to Have Herpes was a great piece of work.

Quick fire five

Your favourite 2025 trend?

The return of serialised TV releases and appointment viewing.

The best thing about working in communications?

The people – our incredible team and clients.

Tell us one of your holiday traditions?

Gifting the kids Christmas PJs on Christmas Eve. My 19 year-old still looks forward to it!

Favourite media you consumed this year (book, podcast, film, tv show)?

I read a lot of books this year and loved The Book of Guilt by NZ author Catherine Chidgey. A great read for the summer break.

Favourite day of the week?

No favourite day but I do love a do-nothing Sunday to relax in preparation for the week ahead.

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