New name takes out i-SITE New Zealand pitch
One of the newest names on the communications scene has beaten out some of the biggest to win i-SITE New Zealand’s creative, PR & media advertising pitch.
Relay + Partners is a consortium comprising Relay Communications, TOUCH/CAST NEXT, Mitchell & Partners and digital direct response agency Catch Media. The consortium was assembled by Relay’s Greg Forsythe, who founded his agency just 11 months ago following 26 years in Wellington agencies.
David Wilks, i-SITE New Zealand, Executive Manager, said “we were impressed by the strategic insight Relay provided and the innovative approach to communication solutions for the network. We want both International and New Zealand travellers to use an i-SITE to find out what a region has to offer. This is what i-SITE people do best. They provide the most up to date information available”.
David also said “The interactions that visitors have with staff within an i-SITE plays a major role in the types of experiences they end up having and therefore how satisfied they are with their New Zealand holiday”.
Mr Forsythe was understandably chuffed. “Our aim has been to carve out a position as a new breed of communication agency – focused on maximising engagement between our clients’ brands and their customers. Our approach is to assemble the best team possible around each client – based on their individual needs not simply due to an accident of our history. To win a government tender against all comers less than a year after first putting up the Relay shingle vindicates our approach and is more than a little gratifying,”
TOUCH/CAST NEXT Creative Director and founder Andrew Hawley says, “We’ve worked collaboratively with Greg on a number of projects and, having always being totally in sync with him on using an engagement-based model, teaming up with him to provide creative strategy on the i-SITE pitch was a natural fit. The team is really excited about this new stream of work and can’t wait to bring its innovative thinking to bear on the creative challenges ahead.”
The Mitchell & Partners team includes two names very familiar to Tourism New Zealand. New MD, Philip O’Neill was International Account Director on the 100% Pure New Zealand campaign between 1999 and 2006, when he was at M&C Saatchi, while GM Cushla Baggott was Global Media Director from 2004.
Mr O’Neill said, “We’re thrilled to be working with i-SITE. The network plays an important role in helping to get the most out of New Zealand. We’re excited to be able to help.”