One Plus One Communications

1. Business / Trading Name: One Plus One Communications – an independent New Zealand corporate communications and engagement consultancy[11]. (Legal entity: One Plus One Group Limited) [20].

2. Company Number: 4524138[20] (NZ Companies Office unique identifier).

3. NZBN: 9429030157804[20] (New Zealand Business Number).

4. Entity Type: NZ Limited Company (registered company)[20].

5. Business Classification: ANZSIC code M696275 – Public Affairs Consultant Service[20]. In practice, the firm operates as a public relations and communications consultancy specialising in corporate and government relations.

6. Industry Category: Public Relations, Communications, and Stakeholder Engagement services. The company provides corporate communications, consumer PR, stakeholder & investor relations, government relations, crisis management, and related services.

7. Year Founded: 2013[11]. (Incorporated 2 July 2013[20]; launched August 2013 by founder Kelly Bennett after departing TBWA’s Eleven PR agency[11].)

8. Addresses: Current Registered Office: Unit 602, 52 Sale Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010, NZ.Previous Offices: 31 Wanganui Avenue, Ponsonby, Auckland (2020–2023). First Floor, 130 St Georges Bay Road, Parnell, Auckland 1052 (2013–2020) The Parnell address remains listed as a principal place of business (and was the company’s headquarters for many years). The firm also maintains a presence in Australia via a partnership office in Surry Hills, Sydney.

9. Website URL:

https://www.oneplusone.co.nz/

9. (official corporate site).

10. LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/one-plus-one-communications/ (One Plus One Communications LinkedIn page).

11. Company Hub NZ URL: https://www.companyhub.nz/companyDetails.cfm?nzbn=9429030157804 (CompanyHub profile for One Plus One Group Ltd)[19].

12. NZ Companies Office URL: Companies Office registry entry for One Plus One Group Ltd – https://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/4524138 (official record lookup)[20].

13. Social Media URLs: The company’s public social media presence is limited. It actively uses LinkedIn for updates. (No official Twitter or Facebook account is known – the firm’s communications are primarily via its website, LinkedIn, and direct media outreach.)

14. Ultimate Holding Company: None. One Plus One is 100% New Zealand owned and independent. There is no parent holding company; it operates as a standalone privately held firm.

15. Key Shareholders: Kelly Jason Bennett – 90% ownership (90 shares)[20]. Max Burt – 10% ownership (10 shares)[20]. (Shareholding is split between the founder and a senior executive, reflecting Bennett’s majority control.)

16. Leadership: Kelly Bennett – Founder and Managing Director. Bennett is a former journalist and industry veteran who launched One Plus One in 2013[11]. He remains the sole director of the company[20]. Max Burt – General Manager (senior operational lead and shareholder). Mike Hutcheson – Non-Executive Chair (appointed as an independent industry mentor; a prominent advertising figure and co-founder of Colenso BBDO). The leadership team also includes Liz Holt – Group Account Director and other account directors, but strategic direction is chiefly led by Bennett. (Notably, unlike many rivals, no former politicians hold leadership roles here.)

17. Staff: Approximately 20+ consultants across offices in Auckland and Wellington, and associates in Sydney/Brisbane. LinkedIn data indicates a company size of 11–50 employees, with ~20 staff profiles listed. The team is described as “highly talented and diverse,” comprising consultants with backgrounds in journalism, corporate communications, digital media, and design. Key staff include senior account directors (e.g. Liz Holt, Magenta Boyd) and specialists in design (Jeff Lau) and research (Mark Finnegan).

18. Staff That Have Held Previous Government Roles: One Plus One explicitly touts that some of its consultants are former press secretaries to New Zealand Prime Ministers. (This suggests at least one staff member served in the Prime Minister’s media team, bringing high-level government experience and connections.) Additionally, team members include former political journalists who reported on government and politics, though no ex-MPs or ministers are on staff. The presence of ex-government press officers indicates an insider understanding of government operations and media management.

19. Past Employees: Stephanie Lowe – a PRINZ award-winning consultant who joined as a founding senior team member in 2013 (formerly Director of OMD’s Fuse PR)[11]. (She was part of the launch of One Plus One, though she is no longer with the firm.) There is regular staff movement between One Plus One and media or other PR firms (a common industry pattern), but specific departures are generally not publicised.

20. Clients: One Plus One’s client roster spans major corporates, global brands, and emerging ventures. Financial services and fintech are a key sector – e.g. nib New Zealand (health insurance), and Binance NZ (cryptocurrency exchange) are current clients. Technology and SaaS: e.g. Blackpearl Group, an NZX-listed software company, engaged One Plus One as PR partner for its stock exchange listing. Healthcare and pharmaceuticals: e.g. Cannabis Clinic (medicinal cannabis services). Food and primary industries: e.g. New Zealand Food Network (food rescue charity) and Farm Focus (agri-tech software). Professional services and finance: e.g. Prospa (a business lender). Past and other clients have included organizations in entertainment and construction sectors (not publicly named), and various “iconic global brands” and NZX-listed companies the firm has not disclosed by name (for confidentiality). Government or public sector clients: None are openly listed; the firm primarily represents private-sector interests, though it may occasionally service public-sector campaigns via subcontracting (no direct evidence published).

21. Industries/Sectors Represented: Financial & Insurance (banking, fintech, insurance), Technology & Start-ups (software/SaaS, crypto), Healthcare & Wellness (health services, medicinal cannabis), Food & Agriculture (food supply chains, agribusiness tech), Construction & Infrastructure (clients in building sector, per early company statements), Entertainment & Media (the firm’s origin included entertainment sector clients), and Professional Services. The agency also has a focus on Māori engagement across sectors (partnering with iwi business experts). This breadth reflects a portfolio from consumer-facing brands to heavily regulated industries.

22. Publicly Disclosed Engagements: New Zealand lacks a mandatory lobbying register, and One Plus One does not voluntarily disclose its lobbying or government engagement activities. There are no public filings of specific lobbying contacts by the firm, and clients generally are not revealed except in case studies or awards. However, some engagements become evident through media releases and awards – e.g. the firm’s work to shape public perception of Binance NZ during regulatory licensing. Also, press releases indicate engagements like supporting Blackpearl Group’s NZX listing (investor communications). Overall, any direct government lobbying undertaken by One Plus One on behalf of clients remains opaque in the public domain.

23. Affiliations: One Plus One is a member of the Public Relations Institute of NZ (PRINZ), and has been recognised by PRINZ as New Zealand’s leading large corporate communications agency (winning PRINZ Agency of the Year in 2023 and 2024). In 2014, it became the New Zealand affiliate of MSLGROUP (Publicis Groupe), partnering with that global PR network to gain international reach[14]. (This affiliation with Publicis’s MSLGROUP was announced in 2014 to share global resources while remaining independent[14].) The firm is also connected to Kaimera (Australia) for Trans-Tasman collaboration, as evidenced by sharing office space in Sydney. Founder Kelly Bennett has been active in industry bodies – he helped establish the Communications Council’s PR, Experiential and Social Media Committee (PRESCom), linking the firm to the broader advertising and communications industry’s self-regulatory efforts.

24. Sponsorships / Collaborations: One Plus One often collaborates on initiatives rather than formal sponsorships. A notable collaboration is its partnership with Shayne Walker (former CEO of Ngāti Porou Holding Company) to deliver Māori engagement strategy for clients. This alliance integrates Māori cultural advisory services into the firm’s offerings. The agency’s consultants also engage in pro bono or charitable collaborations – for instance, staff have worked with the Community Comms Collective offering comms help to charities. While the company itself isn’t known for sponsoring public events, it does partner with media personalities for thought leadership content (e.g. interviews with figures like Sir John Hegarty and Patrick Gower published on One Plus One’s blog). Internally, it sponsors team participation in charity drives (such as Ronald McDonald House’s “House to House” fundraiser).

25. Events (Organised by the Organisation): The firm does not publicly host large-scale events under its own brand for external attendees. Its focus is on client events and media engagements. For example, One Plus One has organised client media launches and publicity events behind the scenes (such as product launches or press conferences for clients, which are not branded as One Plus One events). Internally, the company occasionally hosts networking gatherings for clients and media. In terms of industry events: One Plus One’s leaders contribute to conferences rather than run them – e.g. Kelly Bennett presented a “25 Years of Influence” case study session at the 2025 Communications & PR Conference. Any events run are generally on behalf of clients (and hence disclosed as client events rather than as One Plus One’s own).

26. Political Donations: No recorded political donations have been attributed to One Plus One Communications (One Plus One Group Ltd) or its principals in public registers as of 2025. A search of New Zealand Electoral Commission donation disclosures reveals no mention of the company or Kelly Bennett as a donor above the reporting thresholds. The firm appears to maintain neutrality in party politics in public. It’s worth noting that Kelly Bennett’s influence is exercised through professional channels, not via direct party funding. (The absence of donations is not unusual for PR/lobby firms, which typically operate via lobbying rather than contributions.)

27. Controversies: There are no major public controversies directly involving One Plus One Communications. The company has largely stayed out of scandal headlines. However, its work touches on controversial industries – for example, representing a cryptocurrency exchange (Binance) during a time of global scrutiny of crypto firms, and advising a medicinal cannabis clinic – which could attract controversy by association. To date, if One Plus One has been involved in any crisis or “dirty politics” style campaigns, these have not been exposed publicly. The lack of transparency in NZ’s lobbying scene means any potential behind-the-scenes political influence (or conflicts of interest) remain hidden. One minor point of criticism is that One Plus One, like other PR firms, avoids the “lobbyist” label, which some transparency advocates find evasive in an environment with no compulsory lobbyist register. In general, the firm’s public image is award-winning and reputable; any controversies would likely relate to the ethics of lobbying secrecy rather than specific misconduct by One Plus One.

28. Other Information of Note: Award-Winning Agency – One Plus One has won multiple industry awards, underscoring its prominence. It was named PR Consultancy of the Year (Large) two years running by PRINZ, and earned project awards such as a 2024 PRINZ Bronze for its Binance NZ campaign. Leadership in Industry – Kelly Bennett was made a PRINZ Fellow in 2018 for contributions to the PR industry. Growth and International Reach – The firm emphasizes its Trans-Tasman reach, claiming “international connectivity” with staff in Australia. Corporate Social Responsibility – Staff participate in community initiatives (e.g. fundraising for Ronald McDonald House Charities) and the firm has provided communications support to causes like the NZ Food Network’s campaigns against food insecurity. Media Activity – One Plus One produces thought leadership content (interviews, articles) on its blog, featuring prominent figures in media and marketing, as a way to bolster its profile. These efforts indicate a polished image, though they also serve to subtly advertise the firm’s influence and networks.

29. Recipient of Wage Subsidy Scheme: Uncertain/Not Publicly Confirmed. One Plus One Group Ltd does not appear in publicly available lists of COVID-19 wage subsidy recipients (those databases mainly highlighted larger firms or were not easily searchable for this company). Given the firm’s size and the widespread nature of the 2020 subsidies, it is possible the company received a government wage subsidy during the pandemic’s peak (as many PR/communications businesses did), but there is no specific public record or media report of One Plus One’s subsidy claim. The company has not announced or discussed any wage subsidies. In summary: if any wage subsidy was taken, it remained low-profile; if none, the firm weathered the pandemic without government aid. (No evidence of a payout was found in official disclosures.)

Sources:

[1] Kelly Bennett Launches New Venture: One Plus One Communications, Scoop News (Press Release) – 23 Aug 2013. https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1308/S00885/kelly-bennett-launches-new-venture.htm

[2] One Plus One Group Limited – Company Information, BizDb (NZ). https://www.bizdb.co.nz/company/9429030157804/ (Company number, NZBN, registration date, industry code, addresses, director, shareholders)

[3] One Plus One Group Limited – Company Info, BusinessCheck (NZ). https://www.businesscheck.co.nz/ltd/9429030157804/ (Detailed registry data: NZBN, company number, addresses history, shareholding structure, director)

[4] Kelly Bennett’s 1+1 links up with Publicis PR giant, M+AD Daily – 17 Jul 2014. https://www.mad-daily.com/kelly-bennetts-11-links-up-with-publicis-pr-giant/ (MSLGROUP affiliation announcement)

[5] Agency Profile: One Plus One Communications, Telum Media – Interview with Kelly Bennett (founded 2013, services offered, staff size, office, founder background). https://www.telummedia.com/public/news/agency-profile-one-plus-one-communications/8x1ox54x1p

[6] One Plus One Communications – LinkedIn page (About section and company info), LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/company/one-plus-one-communications/ (Describes company as independent communications agency, PRINZ recognition, services, size 11-50, founded 2013, HQ Auckland 1052)

[7] One Plus One welcomes two new staff members: Liz Holt and Hannah Kronast, StopPress – 18 Jun 2024. (Announcement of new hires, their backgrounds in PR and journalism). (Referenced via StopPress/M+AD Twitter)

[8] Our People – One Plus One (About Us page), oneplusone.co.nz. https://www.oneplusone.co.nz/about/about-us (States: “Our consultants have held roles with some of the world’s most influential … press secretaries to New Zealand Prime Ministers.” plus company commitments and culture)

[9] Team Members – One Plus One website, oneplusone.co.nz (Team profiles for Kelly Bennett, Max Burt, etc., confirming roles: Managing Director, General Manager, etc.). https://www.oneplusone.co.nz (Team section)

[10] Kelly Bennett, thriving at the nexus of creativity and commerce, AMPD Careers interview – (Bennett discussing founding One Plus One ~10 years ago and his philosophy). https://www.ampdcareers.com (Insight into Bennett’s motivations)

[11] My Net Worth: Kelly Bennett, One Plus One Communications, BusinessDesk – Oct 2023. (Profile piece indicating Bennett’s senior status in PR industry) https://businessdesk.co.nz (subscription)

[12] Blackpearl Group collaborates with One Plus One, One Plus One Blog – 2023. https://www.oneplusone.co.nz/blog/blackpearl-group-collaborates-with-one-plus-one (Client Blackpearl CEO quote on One Plus One supporting NZX listing)

[13] One Plus One Partners with Leading Māori Engagement Strategist, One Plus One Blog – 2023. https://www.oneplusone.co.nz/blog/one-plus-one-partners-with-leading-maori-engagement-strategist (Partnership with Shayne Walker, former Ngāti Porou HC CEO, detailing his roles and rationale)

[14] NZ Food Network aims to fill Eden Park with meals – Press Release, nzfoodnetwork.org.nz – June 2023. (Media contact listed: Magenta Boyd, One Plus One Communications) https://www.nzfoodnetwork.org.nz/news (One Plus One’s involvement in social initiative)

[15] Lobbyists Helping And Influencing The New National Government, Scoop (Bryce Edwards) – 15 Nov 2023. https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL2311/S00027 (Context of lobbyists maneuvering under new government; One Plus One not named but illustrates general environment and moves by competitors)

[16] Lobbyists in New Zealand enjoy freedoms unlike most other nations, RNZ News (Guyon Espiner) – 13 Mar 2023. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/lobbying/486670/ (Investigative report: detailing lack of rules, examples of lobbying tactics via text/email, quotes “wild west” and no idea how big industry is)

[17] Bryce Edwards: Shining a bright light on lobbyists in politics, Democracy Project – 21 Mar 2023. (Highlights revolving door of Chiefs of Staff to lobbying, Kirton’s case with alcohol policy reversal, universities hiring lobbyists, David Cormack/Pharmac case of media manipulation) https://democracyproject.nz/2023/03/21/bryce-edwards-shining-a-bright-light-on-lobbyists-in-politics/

[18] Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: Lobbyist says $250,000 will stop ‘anything a government wants to do’, NZ Herald – 5 Dec 2023. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/bryce-edwards-political-roundup-lobbyist-says-250000-will-stop-anything-a-government-wants-to-do/JWWAAG3MJREEVMQTRYWRHY5TY4/ (Discusses money in lobbying, lobbyist claims, personal profit $400k, booming industry, “Wild West” lost social license, OECD ranking)

[19] 2024 PRINZ Awards – Winners, PRINZ website – May 2024. https://prinz.org.nz/2024-prinz-awards-supreme-winner/ (Lists One Plus One winning Bronze in Financial Communications for Binance NZ campaign)

[20] Home – One Plus One Communications, oneplusone.co.nz (Homepage banners: “leading large corporate communications firm… past two years”, “100% NZ owned”, “20+ consultants across AKL/WLG/SYD/BNE”). https://www.oneplusone.co.nz/

[21] Communications & PR Conference 2025 programme, Brightstar – Feb 2025. https://brightstar.co.nz/events/commspr/ (Agenda showing Kelly Bennett presenting “25 Years of influence – Lessons from One Plus One Communications”

Spot anything in this entry that is wrong? Please either leave a comment at the end or email, in confidence: bryce@democracyproject.nz