R/GA Public Practice Disrupts Traditional Models With Strategic Senior Hires

R/GA Public Practice’s distinct approach disrupts traditional consulting, agency, and outsourcing models that have become less relevant with the evolution of the public sector. It responds to the sector’s increasing demand for specialist capabilities, transparency and emphasis on empowering internal teams.

In the past year, R/GA’s Public Practice has achieved rapid success by securing the Australian Federal Government as its founding client and crafting the brand and experience for the Museum of Chinese in Australia. Additionally, it unveiled the digital platform for the Victorian Department of Education, collaborated with Indigenous-owned social enterprise We Are Warrior to orchestrate The City of Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks and Calling Country, and took centre stage at the The Purpose Conference.

Executive director Tish Karunarathna said, “R/GA’s Public Practice is reshaping public sector engagement by turning services into experiences, campaigns into movements, and bureaucracies into brands. In recent months, we’ve cultivated a seasoned senior team, merging extensive expertise from the public and mission driven sectors with innovative thinking from diverse industries, to drive fresh and creative approaches.”

Four new senior appointments across brand, comms, experience, and technology bring diverse outsider perspectives, enriching R/GA’s current capabilities.

Skye Kibbey, senior product strategist from Deloitte Digital, leverages 20+ years of experience to enhance public sector systems with a product-oriented mindset, having

crafted effective products for Services Australia, Australian National University, and Energy Safe Victoria.

Technology director Sam Brunno, previously with Dentsu Merkle, blends creativity with hands-on tech problem-solving for enterprise and public sector clients, having a track record delivering solutions for the Department of Foreign Affairs, Australian Curriculum Reporting Authority (ACARA), and Footlocker.

Highly awarded full-stack design leader Joe McKinley, transitioning from Deloitte Digital, excels in brand, art direction, interaction, animation, motion, mixed reality, and experiential design. Joe’s passion lies in connecting design with technology, data, and physical spaces, with a 20-year career working with clients such as the Department of Defence, Jetstar, and Funlab.

And group account director Nick Trembath, joining from Liquid Interactive, ensures strategic collaboration without silos, leveraging his 14+ years of diverse experience for timely project outcomes. Nick has a robust background working with public and mission orientated organisations, such as the Department of Health, NDIS Quality and Safeguard Commission, and National Archives of Australia.

Tish Karunarathna added, “R/GA’s Public Practice introduces a nimble, collaborative, mission-first approach focused on helping clients discover culturally relevant strategies for transformative interactions with citizens through creativity, innovation and technology.”

Victoria Curro, managing director of R/GA Australia, said, “We’re committed to shaping a more human future. Our evolved offering bridges the gap between public policy and citizen engagement, responding to emerging consumer attitudes. Our exciting projects with Commonwealth, State, and public sector organisations truly embody this commitment.”