AUCKLAND, Today: Special PR has gone global, named one of the top seven PR agencies in the world by industry giant Campaign UK in its ‘Global PR Agency of the Year’ shortlist.
It’s a major nod, with Special PR listed alongside big-name players like The Romans (UK), Edelman (Malaysia), Ogilvy (Australia), and FleishmanHillard, Golin and Weber Shandwick (all out of the US).
The overall winner will be crowned in London on June 12, as part of Campaign’s Global Agency of the Year awards celebrating standout performance across creative and communications industries worldwide.
Kelly Grindle, Managing Director of Special PR said, “We might come from the 126th smallest country in the world, but we’re proud to see our agency stand shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the best from around the globe.”
“We’ve always had the belief that PR from the edge of the world can resonate at the centre of the world – and being recognised as a finalist in this ceremony is testament to that.”
Launched in 2021 as part of Special Group, the agency set out to grow PR, influence and activation offerings – and has quickly evolved into a 15-strong team based in Auckland.
“We might come from the 126th smallest country in the world, but we’re proud to see our agency stand shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the best from around the globe.” – Kelly Grindle
Special PR now services a solid lineup of clients, including Tourism New Zealand, Moet Hennessy, Restaurant Brands, DB Breweries, Jaguar Land Rover and One NZ – delivering bold work that turns heads.
Campaign’s global awards are judged by top-tier marketers and industry leaders, reviewing PR agency performance and standout work across the entire 2024 calendar year.
Creative highlights include The Gravy Train for KFC’s Super Rugby partnership, and an under-the-stars dining experience challenging The Michelin Guide, created to showcase New Zealand cuisine for Tourism New Zealand.
They also dropped The Export Ultra Cold Call Service, a cheeky reminder campaign where Vanilla Ice called up Kiwis to tell them to get their DB beers out of the freezer.
Special PR also made waves locally, winning ‘PR Agency of the Year’ at the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand awards and ‘New Zealand PR Agency of the Year’ from Campaign Asia.
Tony Bradbourne, founder and CEO of Special added, “It is the first time ever that a New Zealand PR agency has achieved this level of global acclaim. For a PR agency in New Zealand to be recognised by such a revered and established institution, and go toe-to-toe with some of the biggest PR agencies in the world, is a remarkable achievement.”
“A massive congratulations to the team at Special PR, our dedicated partners, and our brave clients. The agency is only just hitting its stride, and I can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store for us.”
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