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.
Bethany Omeri is head of strategy at Special Wellington.
Congratulations on your recent award win of Strategist of the Year at the Campaign Awards. What has been key to powering your strategy work this year?
A healthy disdain for ‘the deck’ (partly due to my average layout skills). Poor thinking can seem smart when it’s dressed nicely. If it still stands up when laid bare, it’s probably decent.
Special has had an incredible year working on a lot of different campaigns. Which one was your favourite?
I love all our children equally, but this year, the National Cyber Security Centre’s “How Exposed Am I?” and ‘Greathounds’ for Greyhounds as Pets were both a good time.
What was the most challenging moment of the year for you and the team?
The mid-year OE exodus. It has to happen, but it takes some strength of character to watch your treasured colleagues eating up a mediterranean summer in the depths of NZ winter.
What did you learn in 2025 and how will this shape your work in 2026?
There is nothing more important than having fun. You are never more insightful, more imaginative, and more driven, than when you’re enjoying yourself. In 2026, my goal is to find the fun in everything.
What are you most looking forward to in the new year?
Two blissful weeks of not opening LinkedIn.
Quick fire five
Favourite campaign that’s not yours?
A24’s Marty Supreme promotion. I want to resist the hype, but they’re reeling me in.
Last meal you cooked?
I made tiramisu for the first time this week. I have notes for myself.
Where is your happy place?
Saturday, 9:00am, Swimsuit coffee, reading the paper, drinking a long black. A sacred ritual.
Favourite Christmas dessert?
My Mum’s fruit mince tarts. I have to fight my 5 year old nephew for them, so they’re a truly rare commodity now.
What’s something about you that other people might not know?
I am an average to decent bowler. 10 pin. Not lawn.
The post Year in Review 2025: Bethany Omeri appeared first on stoppress.co.nz.
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