VTNZ appoints FCB as its new creative agency following a competitive three-way pitch process

VTNZ has appointed FCB New Zealand as its new creative agency, effective immediately. The win follows a three-way pitch initiated by VTNZ with a view of refreshing their current creative work. The media relationship was not part of the review, and media remains with MBM.

Melissa Cheals, VTNZ’s general manager sales and marketing, said that the high-profile “On the Road” campaign had successfully cut-through and “warmed up” the VTNZ brand, but that it was now time to build a deeper emotional connection with Kiwis.

Says Cheals: “FCB showed that they clearly understand our brand and what our business needs to achieve. All three contenders presented great work and ideas, but FCB’s was particularly fresh and exciting. Importantly, we also felt that there was a strong chemistry with their team right from the start.”

FCB’s general manager of Wellington, Sean Keaney, agreed that the agency built an instant rapport with the company.

Says Keaney: “VTNZ’s brief was exceptionally clear. They were also great to work with during the pitch process, helping us to learn more about them and develop our thinking. We’re now very excited about once again leveraging our understanding of Kiwi cultural codes, and bringing our ideas to life with a very distinctive and loved campaign.”

Says Dan Martin, CEO, FCB: “VTNZ is a bedrock Kiwi brand, with an ambitious and innovative client at its helm. We could see there were great opportunities to make VTNZ one of New Zealand’s most popular brands.”