Auckland’s Special Group has been crowned New Zealand Agency of the Year by Australia-based Campaign Brief.
“Launching 10 years ago with one desk, three chairs and no clients, as the first indie agency to ever win CB NZ Agency of the year, Special Group proves that with a belief in the power to do things differently and a mantra to ‘make things that matter’ anything is possible,” says CB’s Sydney-based owner/editor Michael Lynch.
“Incredibly, Special Auckland has only 30 staff, yet the agency’s world-class creative work, impressive award performance, and strong new business wins prove the agency has punched well above its weight to demonstrate that size really doesn’t matter.”
Special Group founder ECD Tony Bradbourne said: “Although CB Agency of the Year recognition came as quite a shock, it truly validates everything the agency has worked hard to achieve.
“It was a huge surprise – and we very nearly didn’t enter; we were just so busy at the end of last year.
“We’re over the moon that CB recognised Special’s pound-for-pound performance – it’s a deeply satisfying way to start our 10th year.”
“And, if I can be honest, last year was really challenging; we parted ways with founding partner Rob Jack, we re-pitched a major client in 2degrees, retaining it against overwhelming odds – and then after all of that, very happily walked away from the relationship six months later, and as a result, said goodbye to some good friends.”
“However the silver lining was just around the bend as we put our collective head down and continued to produce standout work for a host of ambitious clients.
“We tried harder each and every single day, constantly innovating, backed our people, believed in what we do uniquely well at Special, won new clients, welcomed incredible new talent and finished the year stronger and happier than ever.
Special managing partner Michael Redwood said: ”Special Group has enjoyed many years of seeing our creative work dominate the award shows in New Zealand, but we always felt that sheer scale would always tip things in the multinationals’ favour.
“We are over the moon that Campaign Brief has recognised Special’s pound-for-pound performance this year – it’s a deeply satisfying way to start our 10th year in business.”
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