AUCKLAND, Monday: Kiwibank has appointed 99 as its agency of record, without a formal pitch. Previously, the bank used several creative agencies. The bank also reappointed OMD as its media partner.
99 MD Troy Fuller said (in a release issued yesterday): “After a thorough process Kiwibank appointed 99 as its lead strategic and creative agency partner, responsible for all above-the-line brand and retail work.
“When Kiwibank went to market and asked for agencies to get involved with an ‘unpitched’ pitch process, the response was incredible. Some of the best and brightest agencies, one-man-shops, and consultancies threw their respective hats into the ring.
“99 are currently recruiting for the account director and account manager roles in Wellington.”
“The ‘unpitched pitch’ worked really well as far as we were concerned,” Fuller said. “Rather than the usual beauty parade where everything hangs on one meeting, we got a chance to really work together and properly get to know each other and the businesses.
“The chemistry was great from the get-go. We’re excited to work together on one of New Zealand’s best brands.”
Kiwibank marketing head Simon Hofmann said he saw a “kindred spirit” in 99: “The agency’s challenger mindset is aligned with Kiwibank and the teams are an excellent fit.
“We have to do things differently to compete with the budgets of the Aussie-owned banks and their new focus on experience is really exciting for us. We’ve had a fast start together and we couldn’t be happier with how things have kicked off.”
Under its new remit, 99 and OMD to help set the future strategic direction with the Kiwibank team and the model will see a different approach to driving alignment between media and creative, Hofmann said.
99 Wellington in recruitment mode
99 are currently recruiting for the account director and account manager roles in Wellington. Contact here: www.99.co.nz
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