The latest thoughts from the Contagion mind-vault

30 September 2025

From Dabbling to Doing: A Human Approach to AI in B2B Marketing

After 15 years running a creative and media agency, I’ve learned that no two days are ever the same. Business owners know this well, our day-to-day shifts with the economic winds, and the last five years have been nothing short of a rollercoaster. But lately, there’s a different kind of change in the air. It’s […]

17 September 2025

SaaS Marketing in NZ: It’s Not Just About Tech - It’s About Trust

Don’t Forget the Human Element While SaaS (Software as a Service) marketing is often driven by data, automation, and digital funnels, we can’t lose sight of the fundamentals: empathy, clarity, and connection. At the end of the day, we’re still speaking to people. And people respond to stories, benefits, and authenticity. In New Zealand this […]

9 September 2025

Smart B2B Marketing for New Zealand Businesses: A Guide to Winning Locally

New Zealand’s business landscape is unlike any other. We’re a nation of SMEs, built on relationships, trust, and a shared sense of purpose. That means B2B marketing here isn’t just about selling products or services, it’s about solving real problems, creating genuine value, and connecting in ways that reflect our unique Kiwi culture. Whether you're […]

18 August 2025

The Four Stages of Marketing Romance

When was the last time a brand truly romanced you? Not just nudged you with a discount or waved a loyalty card, but made you feel something - curiosity, delight, even affection. Perhaps it was the thrill of discovering a product that seemed to understand you, or the comfort of a brand that always shows […]

3 July 2025

When Was the Last Time You Told Your Brand, “I Love You”?

Ah, love. That elusive, powerful force we humans chase all our lives. It’s not all we need - but it’s certainly up there. We admire it, we hold onto it, and we build our lives around it. But what if love isn’t just reserved for people? What if we could fall in love with brands? […]

20 May 2025

For a Great Brand, Pour Your Heart Into It

When you open up emotionally great things tend to happen. People get to know the real you and they like it. People are impressed by your transparency and willingness to be vulnerable; it puts them at ease and the empathy can flow freely between you, becoming an ongoing conversation. It’s a conversation where we fill […]

2 April 2025

Is it easier to fall in love with a product or a service brand?

Over many years in strategy, I have been thrilled at the marketing campaigns I have had the good fortune to be involved with. All of us can agree that working in a team on the gem of an idea, to testing with consumers, and ultimately the big roll-out, is a hugely rewarding exercise. Creating emotional […]

26 February 2025

You’re not just in Marketing, you’re in the happiness business.

It’s far too easy to get a little down and just get on with the day-to-day, forgetting why you absolutely love what you do. Marketing is a passion business, and our core function is to make Kiwis and their families happy.

24 January 2025

2025 Recession Marketing Toolkit

2024 was the toughest year I have ever had in business. This says a lot as I started my agency back in 2010 during the GFC, so we have seen some drama...

16 December 2024

Christmas ads, we need more of them.

For me, the start of the season was always seeing the Christmas adverts on the telly with my parents; so much love and care was put into these, they didn’t seem like commercial ventures trying to flog me stuff. They were little love letters to the holidays and made you feel awesome.

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