Meridian Energy appoints The Monkeys Aotearoa as new creative agency partner
New Zealand clean energy company Meridian has appointed The Monkeys Aotearoa, part of Accenture Interactive, as its new creative agency of record, effective 1st October 2021.
Part of the Meridian Group, Meridian is New Zealand’s largest electricity generator, producing electricity from 100 per cent renewable sources – wind, water and sun.
The Monkeys new foundation client in New Zealand, Meridian’s appointment marks the second account win for the agency off the back of announcing ASB and since launching the Auckland office in August.
Says Michael Healy, chief marketing officer, Meridian: “For us it’s really important to work with partners who are committed to building more diverse, interesting, creative and challenging teams – that’s where we believe the most powerful creative comes from.
“The commitment we’ve got from The Monkeys to build a team like that gives us confidence that they’re the right creative partner for the future, who’ll help us continue our strong run of success.”
Says Justin Mowday, CEO, The Monkeys Aotearoa and managing director of Accenture Interactive NZ: “We’re so excited to have Meridian joining The Monkeys family. Alongside ASB, we have the most progressive and exciting brands in their respective categories.
“Meridian is an extraordinary gentailer, responsible for supplying a third of the whole country’s electricity with 100% renewable energy, from wind, water and sun. But they’re thinking bigger than that, taking genuine action around decarbonisation and actually doing big things rather than just talking about it. They’re perfectly positioned for the future and we’re looking forward to being part of that.
“The Meridian marketing team are top-notch and have real momentum, and with a clear vision on where they need to go, it’ll be a privilege helping them get there.
“Winning Meridian further fuels our mission to build the most interesting, diverse and talented team in New Zealand.”
19 Comments
“Committed to building more diverse, interesting, creative and challenging teams” – does that mean Dentsu were not prepared to increase teams diversity ?
I assume this comment doesnt mean racial and gender diversity but more diversity of talent/skills – less ad creatives and more digitial and tech specalist etc?
Would be good to understand
Strong start.
Can ad men stop talking about diversity. Swap yourselves out.
Time crack a bottle of 23 year old wine. Tra-la-la!
I’m pretty sure its about talent and skills. I wouldn’t think any agency would say no to a more diverse team in the broader sense but it’s more a consequence of how their agency network operates or chooses to invest.
I feel like they’ll need it. Heard they’re a painful client at the best of times.
Yeah @@michael h it would be great to understand because as good as Justin and Damon are they are extremely traditional ad men. It’s all about the tvc and all those beautiful production dollars hidden away on the invoice.
I guess they’re now under a strategic oversight in Accenture and therefore their work may start having more substance but still…
These were the guys that were meant to protect agencies from the consultancies. A cheque book came out and they had no argument.
There’s no evidence of any genuinely unique proposition just yet just a group of ad men playing about.
Still. I’ve been saying that creative agency strategy is weak in this market. Maybe now the shops that are left will think again about what a good strategic proposition looks like and not keep paying big bucks for people to post-rationalise creative ideas.
diversity
noun
1. the state of being diverse; variety.
“there was considerable diversity in the style of the reports”
On the other hand, if you are referring to ‘diversity’ as in “the practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations” (which I have an inkling you might be), then I’m not sure why you would want anybody to stop talking about that?
Stop looking for trouble, do some work, and maybe you could have the success these two have had.
I am doing work thanks and rather successfully… to my ears the beat is on: no need to hammer the drum.
Sounds like clients being suckered in by the dream pitch – digital and creative and consultants all working together. Trust us, we will have it perfectly set up to address every business issue you have, not just advertising and comms issue….
Literally no proof in how it will work.
The monkeys in aussie are just like any other ad agency and i foresee monkeys nz being the same.
Its like taking car dealers from Toyota and thinking they are changing the game they are now selling Audis.
Meridian marketing has been appalling for 10 years, Mercury stole their positioning and made something brilliant out of it. Any agency would do a better job than the incumbent. Good stuff.
Their two biggest clients gone. Pretty rough.
Will be interesting to see if the Monkeys will get the work though they want. I doubt that Dentsu did. Another d*ck move by a client.
honestly, meridian work is pretty good. they got awarded a lot at the tvnz marketing awards
I think the team at Dentsu, previously known as Barnes did a great job, Meridian has gone through so many restructures new CMOs etc. Barnes did good for 6 odd years in a tough category. Good luck to the monkeys.
I know, get on the blog and tell everyone else how shit they are. Under an anonymous name. Miserable and brave. Pity you can’t add talented to the mix and become a triple threat. Get a life… or at least a job where you make good work.
Your post is
Yawn
“Lockdown making you even more miserable? says:
I know, get on the blog and tell everyone else how shit they are”
And, there you go doing just that anonymous.
Care to put your name to that bro?