Contagion

There’s been a lot of change in the industry over the last decade, including the typical agency model and what clients are looking for when they pick their agency partner.

We’re stoked to be featured in Campaign Brief’s latest The New Wave Q&A series, where Dean shares his thoughts on integration, AI, and why solving business problems, not just marketing challenges, leads to better outcomes.

Big thanks to the Brief team for the opportunity and championing New Zealand’s indie agency community.

Read the full story here: https://campaignbrief.co.nz/2026/09/14/the-new-wave-contagion/

In part 2 of our 3-part Marketing Association New Zealand series, we examine how the last few years may have permanently changed consumer behaviour.

Marketers spend millions of dollars trying to get customers to try something new because we know how hard behaviour change can be. Yet the cost-of-living crisis forced people to reassess countless decisions they hadn't questioned for years.

The interesting part isn't that people compared prices, it's that many discovered switching was easier than they thought.

It seems like the recession didn't create a generation of bargain hunters, it created a generation of switchers.

Once people become comfortable challenging assumptions and exercising choice, that behaviour doesn't simply disappear when the economy improves.

Read our latest article and let us know whether this is something you're seeing in your own category or business.

This Recession Created A Generation Of Switchers - Contagion New Zealand’s cost-of-living crisis has created more confident consumers who compare, question, and switch brands. Discover what this means for loyalty and grow

A lot has changed since 2021. But has your marketing?

Many brands are still planning for the 2021 consumer, but years of financial pressure didn't just change spending habits. They changed beliefs.

Consumers have moved from asking, "Can I afford it?" to "Is it worth it?"

That's a very different challenge for brands.

In Part 1 of our three-part series, commissioned by the Marketing Association, we explore what that shift means for marketers.

Read it here: www.contagion.co.nz/news/is-your-brand-still-selling-to-the-2021-consumer

It’s not just the human employees who enjoy office birthdays 🎂 🐶

Dogs are a big part of our team here at Contagion so when one leaves us, it’s a big deal.

After two months prancing round our office, getting lots of cuddles, Teddy’s holiday is over and she's back off home down South. We will miss you Teddy!! Come back and visit some time. 💖

P.S. Yup, that is Teddy's natural resting state.

Now there’s a familiar face 👀

If you haven’t seen it already, Dean is one of the many talented founders featured in this month’s NZ Marketing Founders Edition. It’s a great edition highlighting some of the incredible leaders and minds shaping New Zealand’s ad space, while sharing the journeys, experiences, and stories behind their success.

It’s always good to hear Dean’s enduring passion for what he does, and how the power of having creative, strategy, and media together has brought us to where we are today.

It's been an incredible 16 years at Contagion...and counting ✨

Credit has a perception problem with younger consumers.

Not because people don’t want flexibility or rewards, but because the category hasn’t kept pace with how they expect to live and spend.

That disconnect shaped the thinking behind NOW Rewards Visa with the team at Finance Now.

Younger audiences expect immediacy, simplicity and control across almost every part of life, yet they’re also more cautious about credit than many people assume. Bridging that gap meant rethinking more than just the campaign.

“Own your moment” was built to reflect a different relationship with money. One that feels practical, flexible and grounded in everyday life rather than driven by traditional finance language.

From naming the card through to design, platform and rollout, this has been a fully integrated piece of work focused on creating something people can actually see themselves using.

Great to see the campaign picked up across StopPress, Campaign Brief and M+AD last week.

Our pups were lucky enough to receive a box of handmade treats all the way from Christchurch, and we were seriously impressed. Can you believe each package was individually addressed to our fur babies?

The attention to detail definitely didn’t go unnoticed. Here at Contagion, we love supporting passionate Kiwi businesses, so if you’re looking to spoil your four-legged friend, go show some love! 🐶💛

Sometimes your biggest competitor isn’t a brand, it’s your customer thinking it’s easier to stay put than make a change.

In our latest Contagion mind vault post, we unpack why marketing that removes effort and perceived risk is far more likely to win with consumers.

Get the insight here:
https://www.contagion.co.nz/news/the-biggest-competitor-you-face-isnt-a-brand-its-doing-nothing/

This Sunday is your day.

Thank you for the quiet strength, the loud love, the check-ins, pep talks, packed lunches, warm hugs, and everything in between.

To every and any kind of mum - Happy Mother’s Day!