Augusto Group launches into new era as UFO Rodeo – United by a shared passion for connecting people through great storytelling

After nearly two decades of pushing boundaries in advertising and entertainment, the team behind Augusto Group is taking on a bold new identity: UFO Rodeo. United by a shared passion for connecting people through great storytelling, the new name will bring the company’s four distinct creative divisions – Augusto, ballyhoo, Cornerstore, and Dark Doris, under one roof.

Says Leon Kirkbeck (above right with CEO Michelle Walshe), co-founder and managing director: “For over 16 years we’ve been creating entertainment that surprises and connects with people in unpredictable ways. To do this effectively we’ve never stayed stagnant. We’re a progressive movement of creativity – constantly evolving, learning, and pushing new boundaries. Our new name reflects that sense of adventure, and is far more than just a rebrand. It’s a commitment to staying ahead of the curve, adapting with our clients, and keeping things fresh. We want to continue doing what we love – creating bold, imaginative work, while making sure that we’re always ready for the next challenge, and are having a blast doing it.

“By uniting our forces under the UFO Rodeo banner, we can offer our clients greater agility and the ability to adapt as projects grow and change. Each arm of our business can still work independently, but we can also pull in expertise from across the group to craft something truly extraordinary.”

From their new home in Auckland’s Uptown district, UFO Rodeo will continue partnering with forward-thinking clients like adidas, Lion NZ, Mitre 10, Te Puia, Auckland Airport, Tourism New Zealand and Sustainable Coastlines.

Co-founder and CEO Michelle Walshe says UFO Rodeo marks the start of an exciting new chapter for the team: “Nearly two decades later and it feels like we’re only just getting started. The landscape of marketing is changing fast, and we need a vehicle that adapts with our clients’ needs. Our rodeo of companies gives us that freedom. It’s more than just a new name – it’s the flexibility to keep evolving as the world around us does. The future is full of possibility, and we’re excited to deliver work that’s blue sky, impactful, and attuned to our clients’ goals in a modern world of advertising and creativity.”

Under the luminary lights of UFO Rodeo, the team have big ambitions heading into the future, matched by a raft of new projects, clients, and fresh talent.

Adds Walshe: “People can expect a lot more of the unexpected from us – with creative, bold, and disruptive work grounded in nearly two decades of expertise.”