Christchurch full service agency Plato Creative elevates partner Nick Harvey to CEO role

Christchurch full service agency Plato Creative has announced that partner Nick Harvey will take over the reins as CEO. The appointment will allow John Plato, previous CEO, to focus on the continued strategic development of the agency alongside partner and founder Lisa Plato.

The agency is experiencing rapid growth after building a strong reputation with an increasing number of significant Canterbury and South Island based businesses.

Says Plato: “In the last few years we’ve undergone a huge transformation by growing our web and tech offering, building digital marketing and PR capabilities, and boosting our creative and strategic credentials. We nearly doubled our footprint in the market in 2022 through our commitment to client-first outcomes and now have more than 70 super talented people at Plato.

“As a result of this expansion, we have needed to evolve the leadership structure across the business and have made the decision to elevate Nick to the CEO role. Now is the perfect time for Nick to step in so that Lisa and I can focus on taking the agency to the next level for our clients. He’s a great fit and is well recognised as a passionate and progressive leader by the Plato team and our clients. We look forward to working alongside him to evolve the agency.”

And while Harvey has only been part of the Plato team for eight months, he’s a proud Cantabrian and has nearly 30 years in the industry – if you count his work as a runner at Saatchi & Saatchi Christchurch and Harvey Cameron in the 90’s. Since then Harvey has continuously honed his skills doing award winning work at some of Australasia’s biggest and most successful agencies including Clemenger BBDO and Colenso BBDO, and most recently as Managing Partner at Strategy Christchurch.

For Harvey the move is a chance to really put Christchurch creativity back on the map: Says Harvey: “John and Lisa have done an amazing job building the largest integrated creative agency in the South Island. When I think of the great agency leaders that I have worked with over the years there is one thing that is consistent; their care and respect for their people and their passion to make great work – which John and Lisa have in spades.

“I can’t wait to continue the momentum we have at Plato and to do our part in building even more successful business in this stunning part of the country and beyond.”