Bastion Aotearoa has made three creative hires that signal the agency’s growing ambition in the market.
Leading the charge is newly appointed creative director Courtney Dow, who brings 17 years of experience across New Zealand and the UK including VCCP, JWT and most recently DDB Aotearoa.
Dow has contributed to multiple Agency of the Year titles and collected personal awards along the way. His obsession is work that earns attention, drives real sales and puts brands in a position of strength.
Joining in April are Freddie von Trott and Sophie Douglas (Doug), a copywriter and art director partnership arriving from AKQA Sydney.
Their experience spans global brands including Volvo, Google, Campari and Westfield, bringing international perspective to Bastion Aotearoa’s output. Von Trott pairs a fine art background from ELAM with copywriting credentials from Media Design School. Douglas brings an art director’s eye and an instinct for the unexpected reference.
The three hires come at a time of strength and sustained momentum for the group. Bastion’s model purpose is built for the modern marketer, combining advertising, experience, media, insights, digital, design, social, consumer PR and corporate communications under one roof.
“Winning KFC was a statement,” said Toby Sellers CEO of Bastion Aotearoa. “These hires are us backing it. Courtney is one of the best creative leaders in this market, and Freddie and Doug are exactly the kind of talent we want shaping the next chapter of this agency. Our purpose is putting people, brands and organisations into a position of strength and that starts with having the right people ourselves.”
Chief creative officer Oli Green said the new hires further strengthen the agency’s creative ambition: “We’re building a team that cares deeply about the work and the impact it has. Courtney, Freddie and Doug bring a rare mix of craft, curiosity and commercial instinct. They’re exactly the kind of people who push ideas further and make them matter in the real world, which is what Bastion Aotearoa is all about.”
