Top London digital creative agency set to return to its Kiwi roots in 2017 with Auckland expansion
UK digital creative agency Phantom has announced New Zealand as its selection for its first international expansion. Founded in late 2013, Phantom has seen huge growth and success in London and is in the midst of plans for an early-2017 Auckland studio opening.
Collaborating closely with brand giants such as Google, The Financial Times and Sony Music – Phantom could easily have chosen to be twice the size they are now. As a point of difference, the agency considers quality over quantity the most important thing to their business.
“We’re selective of the work we take on and actively seek most talented and driven people in the industry,” says technical director Matthew Booy. “We’ll always mold roles around people, rather than people around roles and hire proactively whenever ,we meet an unmistakable Phantom”.
“Phantom was formed to enable us to do exactly what we love,” says creative director and co-founder Jamie Nicoll. “It had been obvious to us for some time that the traditional agency structure is outdated. Having been on the studio floor for years, we understood and related to every step and frustration of a project.”
Phantom was built on the foundation that the company would never lose sight of this insight and created a model built entirely from the perspective of the studio, rather than multiple layers of unnecessary management.
Auckland as Phantom’s second office is a no-brainer for the company. With a number of Kiwis working in their London office, the founders believe the talent and drive within the New Zealand digital industry is some of the best in the world.
“It is in Kiwis’ nature to be intrinsically creative and inventive,” says Phantom’s Kiwi managing director and co-founder Emily Shorvon. “For all the incredible skill and ambition, there needs to be more amazing places for New Zealanders to work in the digital industry. As in London, we’re determined to give people who share our vision a place to make their work home, to be part of something special and ground breaking together.”
Likewise, the company is passionate about working with local brands and teams who have fascinating marketing challenges and an open mind for how to solve them.
“I truly believe that on the digital world stage, there is absolutely no reason for New Zealand to be the little guys anymore,” says business director Cara Hamment.
Phantom are currently accepting applications for a number of full-time roles, targeting New Zealand’s most talented digital specialists. The founders are visiting New Zealand in December to meet with both applicants and potential client collaborations. Interested parties are encouraged to get in touch via their website phantom.land/nz.