40 Under 40 Award judges faced with wealth of home-grown Queensland talent

Brunes is the co-founder of Aruga, a creative communications and marketing agency that works with a huge variety of clients from Queensland Symphony Orchestra to Supercheap Auto.

“As co-founder, my day-to-day role is equally as varied,” said Brunes. “Some days I’ll be tasked with leading the response to a client’s marketing problem or providing media training to board directors, and other days my most important job is holding a light reflector at a photo shoot to spare one of my much busier / more talented colleagues from doing so!”

His propensity for wearing a preponderance of hats extends past his role at Aruga. Brunes also co-founded award-winning production house The Little Red Company which has created internationally touring shows such as Rumour Has It, Wrecking Ball, Lady Beatle, Christmas Actually, and There’s Something About Music, and serves as chair of La Boite Theatre – Australia’s oldest continuing theatre company.

“I’ve always been hugely motivated by ‘what if’ and overwhelmed with FOMO, so I tend to say yes to most things that come my way,” said Brunes of his  prolific portfolio.

“I’m a huge believer in building the life you want to live, both at a macro level (i.e. by positively contributing to and investing in your home city) and at a micro level (i.e. by working with people you like and on projects you believe in). I’m very lucky that my work gives me the freedom and opportunity to do both, and to bring together my various loves and favourite people to do so.”

Across his career Brunes has seen significant achievements in his own contributions to Brisbane’s creative scene. Having started his career in the arts as a marketing assistant at La Boite Theatre in 2008, he recently saw the company welcomed into the National Performing Arts Partnership Framework – a joint initiative of federal and state government that recognises it as one of the nation’s major performing arts companies.

Brunes described the moment as “a dream come true for the hundreds of artists, leadership teams and team members that have lovingly and loyally steered La Boite throughout its 100-year journey.”

The future of Queensland arts, to Brunes, holds even more promise, particularly with the looming possibilities of Brisbane 2032.

“We have an extremely exciting opportunity ahead of us with the Cultural Olympiad and I’m excited to see Queensland talent and Queensland stories at the heart of it,” he said.

“There’s been a significant changing of the guard in recent years, with fresh thinking, diverse perspectives and a real sense of creative entrepreneurialism making for a really exciting ‘whole’…I can honestly say it feels far more collaborative and collegial than ever.”

Though a dedicated creative, Brunes is enjoying seeing the breadth of businesses and industries represented in this year’s crop of 40 Under 40 entrants.

“This year’s nominees come from industries as diverse as animation and law, to advocacy, micro-brewing, finance and the arts. What unites them is a contagious passion for Queensland and a demonstrable commitment to bettering the community,” he said. “It’s impossible not to get swept up in the altruism and ambition.”

InQueensland’s 40 Under 40 Awards are an opportunity to highlight innovation happening in Queensland specifically and for Brunes, “proving Queensland is not only the best place to visit, but the best place to live and work.”

“Brisbane is teeming with self-starters but with that quintessential Queensland camaraderie and neighbourliness,” he said. “It makes for a supportive and safe place to give things a crack, which is why I think we’ve got so many homegrown success stories, across all industries.

“It’s amazing that Brisbane can be the world’s second-largest circus city and at the same time a global leader in advanced manufacturing, robotics, bioeconomy and MedTech. It’s a city alive with opportunity and hardworking people who identify them and make them happen.”

For any aspiring entrepreneurs out there, Brunes has some professional advice: “The best opportunity for any business is to share your story, and the 40 Under 40 Awards – fuelled by media powerhouses The Weekend Edition and InQueensland – is an incredible opportunity to do so.

“Plus, you’ll meet a bunch of other entrepreneurs and business leaders and expand your network of people to share the thrill, the wins and the pitfalls of business with.”

40 Under 40 Awards presented by InQueensland and The Weekend Edition will announce this year’s winners on August 21, 2024. The awards will acknowledge this year’s alumni of 40 of the state’s brightest, including the winners of the ten category awards. Tickets to the Gala Awards Dinner are on sale from July 29.