Ex-Harvey Cameron MD Gareth O’Connor opens new strategic consultancy Something Different
With an extensive career spanning over two decades as a strategist in renowned global agencies like Mindshare, Starcom, Whybin\TBWA, PHD and more recently, running local favourite Harvey Cameron, Gareth O’Connor has embarked on a new venture, Something Different.
This venture is not just a business opportunity for O’Connor but a return to his true passion – strategy.
Why Something Different?
Says O’Connor: “In most industries, there’s a sea of sameness, where companies offer similar products and services, present and package them in similar ways, and communicate about them in similar ways. This makes it challenging for businesses to stand out, differentiate themselves and gain an edge over the competition, hindering potential customers’ ability to recognise and choose them. Something Different exists to help guide businesses to find their something different.”
He emphasises that it’s not merely about being different for the sake of it: “I called my company Something Different because, with over 20 years of experience, I know the power and impact of creating distinctive and different brands with products, services, communications, and advertising to match. If everyone in your category follows the same playbook, set yourself apart by doing something different, something distinctive, something that demands attention.”
O’Connor said he wants to help clients build solid foundations based on the best knowledge and wisdom our industry has to offer and make effective strategies simpler and easier to implement. He clarifies that while his focus will be on strategy, he has partnered with a few experienced, talented, and trusted people in research, design, creative, production, and media to lend their expertise if required. This commitment to strategy ensures that Something Different’s clients receive the highest level of expertise and guidance.
Something Different will help clients with the following:
• Customer and market understanding so they can better orientate their brand and offering around their customers and do so better than their competition
• Creating and growing their brand to make a stronger business
• Making their communications harder to ignore
• Workshop facilitation
• Training and development
• Adding additional marketing firepower to their team should they need it.
Find out more at www.somethingdifferent.co.nz