Media release

Paul Manning, director of advertising agency OgilvyMetro, has been named Young Entrepreneur of the Year in the 05/06 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.

Twenty eight year old Manning was selected from a field of 17 outstanding finalists by an independent panel of judges, for his exceptional qualities and outstanding entrepreneurial spirit.

Auckland-based OgilvyMetro is a multi-million dollar communications management agency providing integrated marketing communications solutions to Auckland City Council, BMW Group New Zealand, House of Travel, Auckland Showgrounds, Auckland Zoo, Fuji Xerox, Formosa Group, Heart of the City and many more.

Established in 1999 by Manning, OgilvyMetro had just one prospective client when the business opened its doors. The 100 percent New Zealand-owned company has since developed into a marketing hub for many leading businesses and orgnisations, and continues to enjoy significant growth.

OgilvyMetro is the sole marketing services supplier to Auckland City Council, the country's largest local government communications contract, and has recently won BMW Group New Zealand’s prestigious retail marketing account.

Employing 31 staff, the agency is a full-service marketing communications provider with an award winning creative team, media services, print and production management, multimedia, event management and sponsorship leveraging, brand strategy and photography.

Manning says that OgilvyMetro’s robust structure is central to its success, with management of all core communication services occurring within the agency. This allows it to offer unparalleled consistency, greater brand intelligence and significant savings through consolidation, whilst enabling the team to share knowledge across projects simultaneously.

One of Auckland’s youngest and fastest growing agencies, OgilvyMetro has been built from the ground up to provide integrated services in volume, while being highly flexible, adaptable and exceptionally cost competitive. "That is OgilvyMetro’s point of difference," says Manning.

He sees OgilvyMetro at the forefront of adapting to the industry’s continuously evolving trends, integrating the efficiency of traditional media with services such as experiential marketing and electronic media solutions.

"As a young company, OgilvyMetro has always been quick to grasp new technologies with innovative examples including the development of our industry-leading client extranet and agency management software."

The agency also recently launched a new service integrating sponsorship, loyalty programmes and event management into the agency mix, providing a cutting-edge outsource solution for clients who want to better leverage their brands through these experiential activities, he says.

With further planned expansion this year and the imminent acquisition of two complementary businesses, OgilvyMetro is set to further deepen its service offering and growth.

One of the biggest agencies in Ponsonby Auckland, OgilvyMetro makes every effort to play a vital role as a responsible business with high community values, working closely working with Ponsonby Road Promotions without charge on local projects including developing a new brand for the area.

Previous winners of the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award include Jeremy Moon (Icebreaker), Karen Walker (Karen Walker Limited), Michael Gray (Phantom Outdoor Advertising), Hamish Conway (Rock & Ice), Heidi Ward-McGrath (Vetcare) and Seeby Woodhouse (Orcon).

For more information please contact:

Paul Manning
Director
OgilvyMetro Advertising Limited
T. 09 360 1333
M. 021 619 467
E. paul.m@ogilvymetro.com
www.metromedia.com

Carol Campbell
Director
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards
M. 0274 720 960
E. carol.campbell@nz.ey.com
www.ey.com/nz