PR News
Elle Grace and Liz Holt

One Plus One appoints shareholding partner and welcomes new hire

Auckland-based independent agency, One Plus One Communications, has named Liz Holt as a shareholding partner in the business. The decision comes off the back of commercial growth, which the agency credits to Liz's contribution to the business since her arrival.

Liz has built a communications career spanning 18 years, having led a wide range of PR accounts in New Zealand. One Plus One stated that her addition to the partnership would ensure continued stability and depth of leadership for the agency.

One Plus One's Founder and Managing Director, Kelly Bennett, said the decision to offer Holt a stake in the business was an easy one.

"Liz made an immediate impact on our business upon her arrival, and has skills and qualities that compliment me and Max really well.

"In the past year she's led critical pitches, delivered high-stakes projects, and provided excellent service and communications counsel to our clients across the board - all while being an awesome mum to a beautiful family. I admire her hugely."

In addition, the business has also welcomed Elle Grace as Senior Account Director. She joined the agency following a four-year stretch at Mango, preceded by roles at Spark, and Pead PR. Elle will be working across a range of sectors spanning telco, financial services, property and nonprofit.

(Pictured: Elle Grace and Liz Holt)

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2025
Industry update

2025 MEPRA Awards winners revealed

The 17th edition of the MEPRA Awards announced its 2025 winners on 27 November, recognising work demonstrating strategic thinking, creativity, effective storytelling and measurable impact. The awards highlighted achievements in brand reputation, integrated communications and strategic narrative development, reflecting how agencies are adapting to a rapidly changing communications landscape.

Agency winners
Weber Shandwick MENAT dominated the evening with 26 wins, followed by Gambit Communications with 18 awards, securing their positions as leaders across popular categories. Weber Shandwick MENAT also claimed Large Agency of the Year, while Current Global MENAT was named Medium Agency of the Year, and The Romans took home Small Agency of the Year.

Individual honours
The Chairperson’s award was conferred upon Scott Armstrong (founder, Mentl) for accelerating mental health advocacy, whereas Brian Lott of Mubadala Investment Company won the Best Communicator of the Year. Tala Majzoub of HAVAS Red ME won the ‘Dave Robinson’ award for Outstanding Young Communicator of the Year, and Fathimath Nooha of Murdoch University won the Outstanding Student Campaign.

Kate Midttun, MEPRA Chairperson, commented, “MEPRA Awards has become a vital benchmark for recognising PR brilliance and exceptional talent in the Middle East’s PR and communications sector.  This has been a standout year for creative resilience, and work across the communications spectrum has been truly astounding. The honorees have showcased the power of PR to inform and engage, elevating the art of an insightful communications approach. Congratulations to all the winners tonight, and we would like to thank them for redefining excellence benchmarks, motivating the entire fraternity to gear up for the upcoming year.”

The 2025 awards were supported by Gambit Communications (Diamond Partner), TAQA (Platinum Partner), Weber Shandwick MENAT and CARMA (Gold Partners), along with Mubadala, Kibsons, SEC Newgate Middle East, Telum Media, Burson, Place Communications, First and Ten Productions, Current Global MENAT, Matrix Public Relations and AMEC.

View the full list of  2025 MEPRA winners here.

ACID
Moves

ACID brings in new Associate Partner

Stephanie Thng has taken on a new role as Associate Partner at ACID. Based in Singapore, she works with business founders, startups, and companies on strategic communications, media relations, brand narrative development, and executive positioning.

Stephanie's prior communications experience includes roles at Fullerton Fund Management, Aberdeen Asset Management and iFAST. She currently also serves as the Head of Communications for Femtech Association Asia in an advisory capacity.

Sophie
Moves

Sophie Spooner moves into the insurance sector

Sophie Spooner has joined Allianz Australia as Senior Manager Corporate Communications. She has wrapped up her recent contract at Ogilvy PR, where she was Head of Travel & Lifestyle. Prior to that, Sophie was Executive Director - Consumer at HerdMSL.