Steve Hansen and Gareth Rice join Special as CD and ACD

AUCKLAND, Today: Special has supercharged its creative stocks, adding Steve Hansen and Gareth Rice, to its ranks as creative director and associate creative director, respectively.

Having spent the past eight years at Clemenger BBDO Wellington, Hansen has created high-profile campaigns such as Unite Against Covid-19, The Conscious Crossing for KiwiRail & Tracksafe, Belted Survivors and Hello for Waka Kotahi, and Look Right, Look Left for the Hawkes Bay Regional Council.

Gareth Rice joins Specia from DDB Aotearoa, having previously worked at top global agencies, including stints at W&K Amsterdam, BETC and Mother London.

He has worked on many brands including McDonald’s, Coca Cola and Bacardi, creating Black Laundry for Steinlager and Tourism New Zealand’s latest campaign, If You Seek.

“Having worked with Steve twice before, I’m ecstatic to make it a third. And after meeting Gareth for a few hours I knew he would be the perfect fit.”

Hansen said: “Special has been cranking out the hits for years now and just seems to keep getting better. It’s really exciting to be joining an agency that has such momentum. Our styles align in so many ways, so I can’t wait to get amongst it.”

Rice said, “Special is one of those few agencies that consistently surprise. There’s a curiousness about its output; work that balances heart and smarts; a culture that is driven but with equal measure; just being good people.”

Special ECD Lisa Fedyszy said: “They’re not only incredible talent brimming with world-class ideas, but they’re also lovely human beings to boot.

“Having worked with Steve twice before, I’m ecstatic to make it a third. And after meeting Gareth for a few hours I knew he would be the perfect fit.

“Their brilliant craft and creativity will be an incredible asset to the agency and our clients.”