COLENSO BBDO Auckland is continuing to prove itself as one of the most creative, fastest-growing and innovative advertising agencies in New Zealand, despite some big changes this year.
Colenso’s most noteworthy achievement was its excellent rating in The Gunn Report, which establishes annual worldwide league tables for the advertising industry based on the world’s most important award contests.
Colenso ranked 19th this year, by far the best result for any advertising agency in Australasia. These awards include a Cannes Gold and Bronze Lion, several Clios, silver and bronze AWARD Awards, and 10 silver Axis Awards.
Colenso also won a swag of gold, silver and bronze EFFIES (New Zealand’s advertising effectiveness awards). Mike O’Sullivan, the creative director who moved to sister agency Clemenger BBDO Melbourne in mid-2003, can take some credit for these but new CD Toby Talbot looks to be a most capable replacement.
New accounts this year include BMW, Mini, Pfizer, Guinness and Coruba, though Colenso did lose the sizeable Goodman Fielder business. Billings increased 21% to a total of $105.7m, with revenue up 6% to $15.9m, and staff at 85. In a brave move for the NZ market and after considerable planning, the agency set up Colenso.99, its new retail advertising agency. Colenso also continued to produce high profile work for Air New Zealand, Mizone, V energy drink—and particularly good work for Treasures Nappies and Tip Top’s Choc Bar.
However there’s not much chance of Colenso resting on its laurels in 2004—DDB Auckland is continuing its powerful performance as one of NZ’s top agencies. In addition, Clemenger BBDO Wellington shows no signs of slowing what has been a meteoric rise in recent years.
