In the June-August 2026 issue of NZ Marketing magazine, we asked agency founders to tell us the story behind why they started their agency, their favourite thing, what they’ve learned and their best advice.
Run Aotearoa
- Founder: Laura Cibilich
- Year founded: 2008
Tell us the story behind founding your agency.
Run started as a graphic design agency about 18 years ago. At the time, I was going to creative conferences each year and feeling really inspired, seeing founders and other creatives so passionate about what they were building. That ignited the drive in me to do the same, so I left my job as a designer and started my own agency.
From there, it’s grown steadily over time. A few years in, we expanded and added creative advertising as a core service alongside design, bringing Raymond Otene McKay on as my co-founder. That shift strengthened our offering and led to our rebrand as Run.
It’s been an organic evolution, building the agency into what it is today, partnering with organisations across Aotearoa and globally to create work that connects and performs.
What’s your favourite thing about running your own agency?
The most rewarding part is working directly with clients (some who are also founders), and having so many amazing clients!
It’s awesome seeing the real impact our mahi has on our clients’ businesses and communities. We create a lot of purpose-led and behaviour change work, as well as tourism, so I love how we’re able to contribute positively while also delivering commercial results. Just as important is the ability to shape my business to fit around life. I’ve raised my kids alongside running the agency, and they’re a constant reminder of why the work we do matters. It’s something I don’t take for granted, I’ve worked hard to be able to tailor my life around my values.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned?
I’ve learned a lot over 18 years of running a business, but one of the biggest things is that no one has it all figured out. Everyone’s learning as they go, and that mindset has been important, staying open, curious and constantly evolving.
I’m a big believer in lifelong learning, both for myself and for the team. Early on, I didn’t start with a clear strategy, I was just figuring it out as I went. Over the years, I’ve learned how important that strategic layer is, and now we have a much clearer direction for where we’re taking Run. I’ve also learned to trust my instincts more and back my thinking. That confidence comes with experience, but it’s been a key part of growing both the business and myself.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received or given out?
I often get asked for advice, especially by students, and a few things always come to mind.
One is fun because it’s contradictory: always say yes, but don’t be afraid to say no. Create your own opportunities rather than waiting for them is another.
I also don’t believe in work-life balance, for me, it’s all just life, especially as a creative and business owner. Your mind doesn’t just switch off at certain times, so it’s important to be doing something you genuinely enjoy. And finally, be yourself. Your perspective is unique and the one thing no one else has, so lean into it.
Plus, there’s the leadership principle of always surrounding yourself with people smarter than you – I love that one!
Anything else we should know?
At our core, we’re a really strong, globally award-winning design and creative advertising agency. We do both really well and that’s our everyday.
But over time we’ve grown the added bonus of having a strong cultural lens and can weave te ao Māori through our work as much or as little as clients need us to. And that makes us truly unique.
This story comes from NZ Marketing magazine issue 87, June-August 2026. Why not subscribe? Get four issues a year for just $50 (including delivery) if you autorenew.
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