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.
AO Studios
- Founder: Paul Courtney
- Year founded: 2023
Tell us the story behind founding your agency.
AO Studios was born out of a clear shift in the market. Agencies and brands became sharper, faster and more decisive. They knew what they wanted to make, but needed the right partner to bring it to life.
At the same time, a wave of highly skilled makers moved into freelance, creating an incredible talent pool that needed structure around it. We exist to bridge that gap.
AO Studios scopes, plans and produces work for agencies and clients who already have the idea and need to make it happen. From campaign builds to high-volume BAU roll-outs, we provide the production expertise that sits between concept and execution.
Since 2023, we’ve partnered with leading agencies across New Zealand, Australia and Asia, as well as brands who just need great work delivered, consistently. We’re the flexible friends of the industry – built to plug in, scale up and get it made.
What’s your favourite thing about running your own agency?
The range of work that comes through. The flexibility in how and where you operate. The calibre of people around you. And the relationships you build along the way.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned?
You’re only ever as good as your last job.
In a world where retainers and long-term contracts are less certain, the next opportunity is earned, not guaranteed. It comes down to the last piece of work you delivered, the experience you created and how people felt working with you and your team.
Reputation is built project by project, interaction by interaction. That’s what keeps the bar high. Every brief matters regardless of size, scope or budget. The small jobs carry just as much weight as the big ones, because they shape how people talk about you when you’re not in the room.
So you approach each project with the same intent: do it properly, make it seamless and leave people wanting to work with you again.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received or given out?
The Love & Trust cards by Nick Worthington & Colenso BBDO.
Smarts snippets like: “The harder you work, the luckier you get.” And: “It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.”
There are 14 of them.
AO Studios is a founder member of Agency Directory – find out more about them here.
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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