Ex-R/GA and Host ECD Bob Mackintosh expands indie creative agency MONTOYA into New Zealand

Independent Australian creative agency MONTOYA, founded by New Zealand-born creative leader Bob Mackintosh (pictured above), has opened in Aotearoa, building on increased client demand and a growing trans-Tasman network of creative talent.

Founded in 2022 by Mackintosh, former R/GA and Host executive creative director, MONTOYA is an alternative to traditional agency models, working with brands including Air New Zealand, Les Mills and Virgin Active across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand.

MONTOYA’s New Zealand expansion is underpinned by a commitment to deliver big-agency thinking without the overheads, giving marketers direct access to senior creative talent with transparent conversations and a nimble project-based model that moves quickly from challenge to solution.

At the heart of its partnership approach is connecting creative expertise with brands to solve real business problems, supported by a flexible compensation structures that ensures the focus remains on output, not process.

Mackintosh says the current New Zealand market, where efficiency and effectiveness are under greater scrutiny, means the agency is ideally placed: “I’ve been building relationships with exceptional creative and production partners on both sides of the Tasman since we launched. We’re seeing a real appetite from clients in both New Zealand and Australia for a more direct, senior-led model – one that strips away unnecessary agency layers and connects marketers directly with the creatives developing the work.

“Our sweet spot sits at the intersection of culture, storytelling and technology, with a track record for developing campaigns that tap into broader cultural conversations to drive relevance and organic reach well beyond traditional advertising. This approach has been particularly powerful in the travel, wellness, entertainment and tech sectors – categories we’re passionate about, and where that passion translates into work that consistently punches above its weight.”

MONTOYA’s recent work includes multi-market creative for Virgin Active across Asia-Pacific, content initiatives for Les Mills, and trans-Tasman work for Air New Zealand.

Before launching MONTOYA, Mackintosh held senior creative leadership roles including Executive Creative Director at Host Sydney, where he delivered major campaigns for Air New Zealand, Coca-Cola and Bankwest, and APAC ECD at R/GA, leading regional work for Nike, Shiseido, Nikon, NRL and Telstra. His work has been awarded and recognised locally and globally at AWARD, Cannes Lions, D&AD, The One Show, Spikes Asia, LIA and Clio Awards.

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