Special Group

01/05/2024

Ever wondered what makes Special special?

Our founder Tony Bradbourne, recently sat down with former Colenso BBDO’s Creative Chairman Nick Worthington, to record an episode for The Creative Relay. The hour-long episode gets to the heart of what makes great creative effective, fearless and ambitious clients, extra-ordinary leaps, selling the impossible, ‘foundation & fame’– and what it truly takes to be named Campaign’s ‘Global Creative Agency of the Year’, all from the bottom of the world.

This episode is a must-listen for creatives, marketers, CEOs, founders, and the ‘crazy ones’ everywhere who want to make a difference in the world.

You can listen to it now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or at thecreativerelay.com.

04/03/2024

We’ve joined forces with to expose New Zealand’s most cancerous tax, GST on SPF products. In New Zealand we live under some of the harshest UV radiation in the planet. Yet we pay GST on the one this that protects us – sunscreen. GST on sunscreen is New Zealand’s most cancerous tax. Help us put an end to it by signing the petition. Link in bio to join the movement.

https://www.change.org/Remove_gst_on_sunscreen_NZ

18/02/2024

Operating since 1936, Family Planning is New Zealand’s leading provider and courageous advocate for equitable sexual and reproductive wellbeing. The new name ‘Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa’, alongside a brand strategy, identity and brand system has completely refreshed the Family Planning brand to be empathetic, empowering, confident and expert.

The brand symbol was born from the idea of connection and conversation, expressed as ‘Let’s Talk’. It reflects love and support while also being open, confident and contemporary.

Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa
Illustrations by .design

21/07/2022

The HIV/AIDS landscape in Aotearoa has changed dramatically since the New Zealand Aids Foundation (NZAF) first formed in the 1980s. HIV cases are decreasing. The tools we have to prevent it are expanding, NZAF needed to evolve too.

Special partnered with the New Zealand Aids Foundation on a rebrand to stay relevant for new generations and communities. We introduced the ‘Burnett Foundation Aotearoa’ which honours one of the organisation’s founders, Bruce Burnett. Bruce and his contemporaries were the earliest pioneers in Aotearoa’s HIV response – brave change-makers and ultimately, lifesavers.  

Burnett Foundation Aotearoa’s new identity includes optimistic typography, a vibrant palette and provocative iconography cementing the brand as bold, playful and proudly defying the status quo. The new brand honours the brave legacy of those who paved the way, while celebrating the vibrant diversity of the communities it serves today. The result is a timeless identity that communities across generations can see themselves in.

20/06/2022

Now THIS is a reason to indulge in a champagne breakfast!  
 
We’re thrilled to walk away with an elusive Gold Lion from Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. All awards matter, but this is the most prestigious award ceremony in the world, and we’re proud to receive this award for the Health and Wellness category on behalf of Motor Neurone Disease New Zealand.
 
A big thank you to our teams across , creative, strategy, production and design who helped bring this campaign to life, along with the in-house teams at MND New Zealand, and of course our real-life hero David Seymour who allowed us to tell his story.

20/06/2022

24/05/2022

An incredible showing at One Show () in New York with our work for winning the full suite of awards, and Special Group earning some impressive global rankings.

Well done to our entire team!

11/05/2022

Introducing BioDown – Kathmandu’s first biodegradable jacket. Made for out there, biodegrades in landfill. This epitome of innovation is so durable that it goes and goes and goes and goes. But if for some reason it ends up in landfill, well, then it goes away. Some say magic, smart people say it’s all about leaving a positive impact on the world. But it sounds much better in a film, accompanied by animated birds, a puppet ibis, claymation microorganisms and a pair of dentures, so stop reading and get looking.

13/04/2022

LONDON’S CALLING! We are proud to announce our sixth Special office with the launch of Special London. Ex-Managing Director of Havas London Jennifer Black has been appointed as Partner and CEO, and will lead our new European hub. With offices stretching from New Zealand, to the US, and now to the United Kingdom, we’re excited about what this means for our clients, our staff and our future.