NZ Indie Agency Motion Sickness Announces New Client Wins
A suite of account wins, most recently Energy Online, have helped propel independent Auckland indie agency Motion Sickness to its next level of growth.
The accounts were won by competitive pitch against some of the biggest names in the industry, and Motion Sickness founder and creative director Sam Stuchbury said the agency has really put its ‘big kid pants on.’
Motion Sickness will now be the lead creative agency for Energy Online, one of New Zealand’s largest challenger brands in the retail energy sector. Head of strategy and partner Hilary Ngan Kee said leading a business like this is a huge, but logical, step up for the agency in terms of its long-term strategic growth.
“One thing that became clear to us through the pitch process was the cultural fit between our two organisations. They’re a hugely ambitious business, filled with good people, who look at the world differently. We can’t wait to collaborate with the Energy Online team to take this brand to new heights, and to produce work we’re all proud of.”
It will challenge the team – in a good way – because Motion Sickness will for the first time be leading everything, from the brand to day-to-day marketing to above-the-line campaigns.
Motion Sickness creative director Sam Stuchbury explained they have been “out-running the growth” – hiring ahead of time and scaling up to ensure it has the capacity to seize new opportunities when they arise.
“Our long-term vision for the business is to produce the world’s best work, for the world’s best brands, right here in one of the world’s smallest countries. We believe you don’t need to have 200 staff members and be a large multinational agency to do the best work for the best brands. We have a smallish team, comprised of some of New Zealand’s most talented minds, and we’re punching well above our weight. It’s a new agency model and it’s working.”
GM of Energy Online Shaun Rees said the agency’s fresh thinking and “challenger spirit” were critical factors in the appointment.
“Whilst the average age of our respective starting line ups might have a 10 year differential, the mindset and attitudes of both teams are an awesome fit. Success in a low interest category like energy comes from pushing boundaries and combining diverse skills sets & experiences to find interesting ways to tell our story. The team at Motion Sickness are perfectly positioned to give us this creative edge.”
Motion Sickness has gone from strength to strength over the past 18 months, with new client wins, and international attention for its recent integrated campaigns with the Government.
“Clients are telling us they’re becoming a bit disenchanted with traditional advertising, and they’re choosing us because they want something different, ” Stuchbury said.
“The world of advertising and marketing is changing daily. As an agency, I think we’ve got our fingers on the proverbial pulse, and I think people are coming to us because we’re in touch with that… It’s a really exciting time.“
With Sylvia Humphries adding even more creative firepower to the team, joining Motion Sickness from DDB Berlin, and Dora Fedaeff from TBWA coming on board with valuable experience in social strategy, the agency is growing.
“We’re chuffed to be building out the Motion Sickness team,” McManus said,.
“With a few more recent additions, including some four legged friends, we’re very close to the 20 mark.”
“With the recent growth in the agency, we’re just excited to see what’s next,” added Stuchbury.
The agency plans to look for a few more lead agency roles over the next six months, but in the meantime is looking forward to getting ‘stuck in’ with their new client partners.
Please login with linkedin to comment
Motion SicknessLatest News
‘A Very Rare Breed Of Creative’ – Clemenger BBDO hires Chief Creative Officer
B&T's chatting with Clems boss Dani Bassil on Adrián Flores CCO appointment. We never got to Italian or Thai herbs.
Concrete Playground Debuts Innovative Urban Exploration Platform With Lexus As Launch Partner
Concrete Playground announced the launch of its redesigned website in partnership with Lexus. This partnership introduces a new era of urban discovery, enabling a deeper, more intuitive engagement with cities through a state-of-the-art digital platform. Revolutionised Digital Experience Concrete Playground’s website has undergone a significant transformation, designed to enhance the way users interact with their […]
Mindshare And The Brand Agency Take Top April’s New Business Rankings
Which agencies soared like an eagle for the month of April? As in stellar performance, not Eddie the hapless ski jumper.
Suntory BOSS Coffee Fuels Ambition With New Campaign From It’s Friday
Does your workplace have a strict, policed illegal drug policy? Then Suntory BOSS Coffee will have to do.
Resolution Digital Wins MyPlates Media Account
The best thing about personalised number plates is it makes spotting wankers on the road far easier. And drug kingpins.
Debunking The “Three Year Lie”: A New Approach To Retail Digital Strategy
This columnist says it's wrong to claim digital always has a three-year pay off. Has no opinion on the seven-year itch.
TV Ratings (06/05/2024): The Farmer Is Back And He Wants A Wife
It was a good night for lovers of farming and love.
The Growth Distillery Unveils The New Rules Of Influence
The New Rules Of Influence has arrived. And there appears to be no "difficult second album" syndrome here.
Whittaker’s Launch New Brand Platform, ‘Hello Chocolate Lovers’ Via Bastion Shine
New Zealand chocolate brand continues its insidious march into the Aussie market. Much like New Zealanders themselves.
Tyro Shows They Are ‘Into Business Big Time’ With New Brand Campaign Via Howatson+Company
Think finance isn't funny? Think again with this fun work. Yes, it still applies to funeral homes & Clive Palmer ads.
IAB Study Finds 66% Of Advertisers Have Five Or Less Years Experience With Affiliate & Partnership Marketing
Study finds advertisers & agencies not overly experienced with affiliate marketing. The opposite to networking drinks.
Optus Names NBN boss Stephen Rue As New CEO
In what would've been a delicious irony, alas this Optus news didn't get leaked in a major security beach.
Indy Enigma Delivers Signage For NSW’S First Purpose-built Surf Park
Is the fear of shark attack holding you back from a professional surfing career? This new surf park could be the ticket.
Houston Ramps Up Creative Capability, Appoints Two Senior Creatives
Houston - we don't have a problem! Well, not anymore with the appointment of these other-worldly recruits.
JCDecaux Secures All Major Bus Advertising Contracts Across Sydney
Do you like your ads to arrive 25 minutes later than scheduled? JCDecaux now boasts Transport for NSW's bus ad contract.
CommBank Launches The Brighter Side TV On 10 And 10 Play
Commbank teams with 10 for a new financial literacy program. Pensioners and the unemployed are advised not to watch.
IMAA Announces Next Female Leaders Of Tomorrow Programme
Here's a top initiative by the IMAA that B&T's proud to get behind. Unlike the 20 hotdogs in 20 minutes challenge.
Fast 10: Avid Collective’s Luke Spano On Building Deeper Relationships With Local Publishers & Advertisers
Avid Collective's Luke Spano takes on B&T's fast 10 questions. Well, 11 if you include "did you have a nice weekend?"
QMS Boosts NSW Billboard Network With Australian Turf Club Agreement
The QMS team seemingly now the ones to ask for a hot tip at Rosehill after partnering with the Australian Turf Club.
VMO Signs Deal With Stockland Shopping Centres
Often visit Stockland malls only to forget the very reason you came in the first place? Let VMO give you a gentle prod.
Day Management Appoints Paramount’s Tim Wall As Head Of Talent And Publicity
Paramount's Tim Wall exits the TV business after 12 years. Confesses the Rove years were the most taxing.
Poppet’s Postive Party Celebrates First Birthday At New HQ
Think first birthdays and fairy bread and dirty nappies spring to mind. Not to say it didn't happen at this one either.
Enjoy A Hahn Solo… And May The Fourth Be With You
If anything, this campaign does beg the question - at what age does Star Wars cut off as a cultural phenomenon?
DMARGE Founder Unveils Creator-Led Social Media Agency Feedstar
New creator-led social media agency Feedstar to be aimed directly at Gen Zs. Well, they'd hardly want print, would they?
TV Ratings (02/05/2024): A total of 1,753,000 Aussies Witness Port Adelaide’s Defeat
Seven's AFL numbers almost double that of the NRL last night. The NRL still easily winning for ruptured ACLs.
Hotglue Cashes In With La Trobe Financial Digital Media Account
Hotglue staffers learning their cashflows from their collaterals today after nabbing La Trobe Financial's digital media.
M&C Saatchi’s Sydney Creative Lead Exits
B&T's stopping short of calling it a revolving door at M&C at the present, but there's definitely heat on the hinges.
Taylor Swift’s Music Re-Enters TikTok As Universal Pens Landmark Deal
Yes, B&T may have spent 152 hours failing to get Taylor Swift tickets, but, as you'll read here, it's all behind us now.
HAVAS Red launches inaugural Influencer White Paper
Havas Red has debuted its first influencer white paper. Unless you print it out in colour, of course.
Two Sides Global Campaign Reports Increasing Greenwashing As Organisations Focus On Sustainability
New report confirms greenwashing's on the rise. Apparently Mars' 'work, rest & play' claims also under investigation.
Aruga Launches New HQ & Changed Ownership Structure
PR agency Aruga proves Brisbane is 'so hot right now'. So hot in fact, Adelaide's had to go on anti-anxiety meds.
Delicious & American Express Partner To Launch Month Out 2024 In Sydney
Cost of living got you eating noodles prepared in the two-minute style? Why not live vicariously through this.
Aussie Ad Market Continues Decline In March
The belt-tightening in adland shows signs of a turnaround soon. Bar the belt-loosening at the all-you-can-eat buffet.
VMA Focuses On Skills And Training For Members
If there was a post-COVID hangover (bar the anti-vax ranters) it was the rise in skills shortages. Here's another one.
Nearly 90% Of Consumers Want Transparency About AI Images, Finds Getty Images Report
Study finds consumers want transparency around AI images. Couldn't care less about photoshopped magazine covers.
The National Breast Cancer Foundation Partners With VML To Boost Funds
Anyone else feel we've exhausted the office morning tea for cancer? B&T proposes the office moonshine still instead.