Creative agency Run is changing their name to Oma during te wiki o te reo Māori / Māori Language Week, running from today through to Sunday, to champion the language and celebrate the culture and heritage of their creative director and co-founder Raymond Otene McKay.
This year’s theme is kia kaha te reo Māori, meaning let’s make the Māori language strong.
Raymond Otene McKay said: “The initiative goes hand-in-hand with the design and advertising agency’s commitment to learning more te reo as they memorise a simple Māori phrase each day throughout the week, with the intention of incorporating it into everyday language long-term.
McKay, of Ngāti Porou and Ngāti Kahungunu descent, said: “although this is a small gesture it is by no means a superficial one. Every New Zealander can help strengthen the Māori language and this was a small way we thought we could help.”
McKay plans to further his studies and learn more te reo Māori and this is just one of the stepping stones towards doing it.
“A percentage from each new brief that comes in this month will be donated to Friendship House.”
His passion project, currently in development after recently receiving funding from the Auckland Business Chamber, is Orator Circle. This platform will showcase video interviews with Māori and Pacific leaders in their field, providing role models for those who don’t necessarily see these stories or have leaders in their everyday lives.
“The move also reflects Run’s company values and their commitment to creating a more diverse workplace, McKay said.
As part of the change Run will rename to Oma, across all brand touchpoints this week, including their website, social media and email communications.
A percentage from each new brief that comes in this month will be donated to Friendship House, an organisation helping those in need in Manukau, including many Māori whanau, who are offered specialist programmes relative to their needs.
Run extends the wero or challenge to all other agencies throughout Aotearoa to embrace te reo and make an effort to integrate it into their everyday conversation.
About Oma / Run
Run is an award-winning, creative advertising and design agency based in Auckland, focused on creating quality, strategic creative to help build and grow businesses and organisations. They’re current finalists in the TVNZ NZ Marketing Awards and Westpac Business Awards, and Run co-founder and design director Laura Cibilich was recently selected as the only New Zealander in the Campaign Asia-Pacific Women to Watch 2018.
Share this Post
