Former AKQA client services director Nicole Robertson joins Special as lead business partner

Nicole Robertson has joined Special as lead business partner, sitting alongside existing lead business partner Callum Walker.

Robertson will support general manager John Marshall as the agency continues to grow in New Zealand, and internationally.

Robertson brings 25 years of experience across a vast range of industries and markets including Japan, London, Australia, and Hong Kong. She has worked both client and agency side for several globally recognised brands and brings experience from start-ups to tech, for both clients and agencies.

Robertson joins from digital agency AKQA where she was client service director, spearheading innovation and creative thinking to deliver results and integrated solutions across a portfolio of enterprise-level clients. Before that, she was head of strategy at Australian investment firm Jaszac where she was responsible for developing and executing strategic initiatives to drive business growth.

Says Marshall: “We’re thrilled to have two experienced senior business leaders in the team, adding to an already impressive client service department. Callum has played a crucial role in setting the benchmark of client service and having Nicole and her diverse background of business and tech will allow the agency to continue its impressive growth trajectory, in new and different ways.”

Since joining Special 15 months ago, Walker has led the Optus account including the establishment of its successful brand platform ‘It Starts with Yes’, alongside heavy involvement in the Lion and Alta accounts.

Says Walker: “Since joining Special I have been impressed with the talent we have within the Account Management team. With the significant growth we have experienced, our evolving client mix and the ambition of the agency it’s the perfect time to grow the leadership and evolve the direction of our department. The addition of Nicole will help fuel the next phase of our growth.”

Says Robertson: “I’m thrilled to join Special and I can’t wait to work alongside the team as we continue to push boundaries and create amazing work with our clients. I specialise in digital marketing and believe we have strong organic growth opportunities amongst our existing client base.”

Special has seen huge success in the last year, having won the trifecta of major advertising awards for “New Zealand Agency of the Year” by Campaign Brief, B&T and Campaign Asia; along with “Global Creative Agency of the Year” by Campaign UK and “Most Effective Agency in the Asia Pacific” by the APAC Effies.