Nick Sampson joins independent branding agency Principals in strategy director role

Nick Sampson has joined independent branding agency Principals as strategy director.

Prior to joining Principals Sampson was strategy director for customer experience specialist DNA and led the set-up of its Auckland operation. In recent years, he consulted through ad agency Consortium and led the Gunroom strategy/creative group. He has experience across a broad range of brands including Trustpower, Auckland Airport, Shingle Peak, Taranaki Region, InterCity Group and Great Sights.

Says Steve Main, general manager, Principals Auckland: “We’re thrilled to welcome Nick to the business. He is a practised facilitator of stakeholder groups and knows his way around business brand challenges. He brings fun, creativity and hard work to workshops and project delivery and I look forward to working with him once again.”

Says Sampson on joining the agency: “I’ve enjoyed working as an independent over the last seven years and wasn’t looking to change. However, the opportunity to join Principals has come up at an exciting time in the company’s growth. They’ve made a big impact in the local market in a short time. Steve and I have worked together before and there’s some great work coming out of the team so I’m looking forward to where we can take things.”

Principals has been operating in Auckland since 2012 and also has offices in Sydney and Melbourne. Locally produced work includes the creation of the New Zealand Story, the rebrand of Westpac as well as work for Harrison Grierson, Prime TV, Waitangi and T&G among others. Recent business wins for the agency in New Zealand include ACG Education, Russell McVeagh, Hobson Wealth Partners, Tower Insurance and Bay of Plenty Tourism.