A beautifully coordinated team of individuals
Since we started the business in 1995, we’ve expanded well beyond our origins as a brand strategy consultancy to now include insights, experience, and employer brand alongside design and voice.
As the most rewarded agency in Asia Pacific, we tackle the big branding issues of our times to create brands that are distinctive, genuine, desired, and socially engaged.
There’s over 70 of us working across four offices, and numerous locations further afield, so our weekly all-hands meetings are pretty lively. And that’s just how we like it. Our differences, and different perspectives, keep us sharp.
Our hybrid workplace helps everyone fit work into their lives, with our offices providing essential hives of connection and play, along with great vibes, snacks, and maybe a dog or two.
Kate Murchison
General Manager
You may recognise Kate as the nuffy who split her beurre blanc sauce on Masterchef NZ. Rooky. These days, she’s more interested in cheese. And weekend, beach-side motorhoming. Her future goals include turning 70 so she can move into a retirement village. Resort-style living and activities for days. The dream.
Tom Sykes
Strategy Director
Tom once had his own line of Lee jeans. Now has the largest collection of Timex watches in New Zealand. His grasp of fashion however has barely moved beyond the black tee. He knows where to find the best cheese scone in Auckland. And is willing to part with that information for a glass of South African red.
Tanya Smith
Senior Account Director
There’s nothing Tanya loves more than her two ragdoll cats. Aside from a good book or movie. Born into a family of creatives, she took a not-so-brief (six-year) detour in graphic design. Now she’s back to leading teams and crafting killer strategies. Otherwise, you’ll find her planning her next themed party.
Ishika Patel
Account Executive
Ishika could eat crispy chicken on rice every day for the rest of her life. Or Kinder Beuno bars. A sucker for deep and meaningful conversation, she never lets a language barrier get in the way. No matter how animated (and theatrical) her hand gestures get. If her flight boards at 8pm, you’ll find her at the gate by 3:30pm. She’s not complaining though. More time to watch Friends.
Sunita Ramsey
Finance Executive
Sunita is a finance executive who loves chocolate. And Michael Jackson. Did she mention chocolate?
Ashling Withers
Senior Consultant, Employer Brand
Ashling’s lived in seven countries. Still can’t shake that British accent. She once lost her shoe crowd surfing at a Beastie Boys concert. But found herself featured in a song by a famous Belgian singer. She’s a firm believer in effort over talent (on the dance floor). And dreams of one day completing an ocean swim.
Claire Gallagher
Internal Brand Director
Claire loves suprises (mostly), talking, Ireland and being a mum. Has a fear of fish. Danced with Salman Rushdie to ‘I Will Survive’.
Nick Ryan
Associate Director, XXVI
Nick is a writer who dreams of living in a tiny house one day, despite being 6’3". Once rode a brakeless bike around Portugal, wearing shorts and jandals. He has many passions outside of writing - including cryptozoology, 80s Rub-A-Dub, swimming in rivers, bioluminescence, wood fires, Spanish nights, and comfortable chairs.
Dee Mason
Senior UX Consultant
Dee once worked on a billionaire’s private yacht. Conversely, she’s also lived in a tent. Lover of design in every form, whether it’s art, architecture or UX. Has a son and boy-girl twins who make handy focus groups (with ever-changing demands). Claims to be a terrible dancer, and no amount of coffee seems to help.
Tim Riches
Group Strategy Director
Principal
Tim is a pickle lover, sometime pickler and occasional smoker. Finds Zomato an invaluable antidote to restaurant indecision. He’s a small time gardener with a thing for bonsai and terrariums and a believer in the predictive power of science fiction.
Wayde Bull
Planning Director
Principal
Wayde worked on Margaret Thatcher’s re-election campaign (in short trousers). Has a collection of TinTin comics in mint condition. Runs long distances when his knees agree. Is a sucker for new apps, a good historic novel and West Wing repeats.
Tom Brigstocke
Group CEO
Principal
Tom’s weekend relaxations include chopping wood and looking after cattle. He gets goosebumps from Elgar. Born in the USA. Still owns a Triumph 900 (his guilty pleasure). Dislikes tofu, likes steak tartare. And contends we have an apostrophe surplus.
Tui Horo
Group Operations Director
Principal
Tui used to race off-road rally cars (holding the map, not the wheel). Is a closet gaming nerd at home (competing with like-minded souls nationally). Dream of undertaking her own Grand Designs project. Loves her two dogs (will show photos).
Hamish Cargill
Director, XXVI
Principal
Hamish still struggles to correctly use ‘affect’ and ‘effect’. Has been a snow reporter. And a stuntman. Once woke to a member of the royal family jumping on his bed. Rode eventing horses professionally for 6 years. And still plans to compete at the Olympics.
Simon Wright
Executive Creative Director
Principal
Simon believes brand ideas can change the world, try and tell him otherwise. He loves simplicity, Star Trek, Duran Duran and Aston Villa. Communicate, communicate, communicate is his most used saying. He is rumoured to be sponsored by Paul Smith. And he once spent an afternoon in the Arizona desert in a Jacuzzi drinking beer with Boris Becker.