Raymond Otene McKay
- Chief Creative Officer
- New Zealand
- Member since 2016
Raymond Otene McKay is an Indigenous Chief Creative Officer based in Aotearoa (NZ). He helms the RUN agency waka (canoe) with his hoa-rangatira (Chiefly other) and Co-Founder Laura Cibilich. McKay has been acknowledged locally and internationally:
Cannes Lions 2023 Finalist
Axis Awards 2023 Cultural Axis
Spikes Asia 2023 2 x Silver 2 x Gold and Grand Prix
D&AD Judge and Speaker 2022/2023
Clios 2022 Judge
Student Orcas 2021 Judge
Middlemore Foundation Board Member
Ad Stars 2021 Judge
Axis Awards NZ
Indigi-X Initiative Canada
Spotify - Outside Voices BIPOC Global Initiative
Google Rare Steering Group
Fast Company Innovation By Design Awards
Ad Stars Awards
Communication Arts Awards
Best Design Awards
Australian Graphic Design Awards
Indigo Design Awards
Campaign Asia 40 under 40
Lürser’s Archive
New Zealand Marketing Awards
Square Awards
Westpac Business Awards
Pride in Print Awards
Raymond is of Ngaati Mahuta / Ngāti Rongomaiwahine / Ngāti Porou / Ngāti Pūkeko / Scotland / Ireland / Portugal whakapapa (genealogy). He has worked at the highest level of advertising for 17 years, in some of the world’s most awarded creative agencies, now his own.
Raymond is passionate about championing Māori, Pacific and BIPOC whānau (family), and recently launched an online platform, Orator Circle, to showcase their stories. He is also a board member of the Middlemore Foundation, a registered charity funding life changing initiatives in health, homes and education in South Auckland. He is also a guest lecturer at AUT university, where he shares his knowledge of the advertising and design industry particularly with an Indigenous focus.
After graduating from AUT University with a Bachelor of Communication Studies, Raymond was hired to work as a creative at Colenso BBDO, consistently ranked in the top most creative agencies in the world. He further honed his craft as an Art Director in the biggest and most respected advertising agencies in New Zealand and Australia, including DDB, Saatchi & Saatchi, Colenso BBDO, Clemenger BBDO, Lowe, Draft FCB and 99.
During his career Raymond has worked on global brand and retail accounts including The FAO of the United Nations, The Government of Niue, Tourism New Zealand, Air New Zealand, Pacific Blue, Emirates, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade, TV3, TVNZ, Sky TV, Toyota, The Warehouse, Chrysler, Volkswagen, Frucor, Fonterra, Placemakers, Les Mills and various other international brands.
Raymond is also experienced in a variety of categories and disciplines, Raymond thrives on any creative business challenge. Exposure to all facets of advertising and strategy, has enabled him to effectively navigate the gap between traditional and digital communications.
Contact Raymond Otene.
