EXPERTISE
Branding; Design; Digital Marketing; Product Marketing; UI; UX; Go-To-Market Strategy; Fundraising
BUSINESS MODEL EXPERIENCE
B2B; B2C
EXPERTISE IN THESE COUNTRIES
New Zealand; United Kingdom; Australia
Matt Kitto
Creative Partner
Christchurch
Matt is the Director of McCarthy, with over a decade of experience in the industry. He earned his Bachelor of Design in 2010 and embarked on his career journey at Strategy Design & Advertising in Christchurch before heading up to Auckland. He arrived in Auckland working for a little-known, modest, 2-person design agency, and left that same studio 4 years later with 9 staff colleagues, a worldwide clientbase, and a significant amount of design awards for brand identities under his belt. Moving back to Christchurch, he bought a 50% stake in McCarthy, where he has spent the past five years working with local, national, and international businesses.
Throughout his career, he has led numerous branding projects for prestigious clients such as ChristchurchNZ, The Wellington Company, Orion, The Arts Foundation of New Zealand, with several projects earning recognition at the Australasian Design Awards. Together with his business partner Richard Burson, he has also been fortunate to assist various startup businesses, such as Batchwell Kombucha, Aalto Paint, Blacks Avenue, LapStacker, Puro, and others, in establishing their brands and launching into the market.
Why are you passionate about working with startup founders?
Working with startup founders is a source of passion for both myself and our studio. I find joy in collaborating with passionate and ambitious individuals who are taking their first steps in the business world. These entrepreneurs bring fresh and innovative ideas to the table, and I'm genuinely inspired by their passion. I've always felt committed to helping them transform their concepts into memorable brands and effective communication pieces. Witnessing these brands evolve over time is a deeply satisfying experience.
What experience do you have working with startup founders?
I've had the privilege of working closely with startup founders, supporting them in the establishment of their brands and the development of strategic marketing approaches. These experiences have offered me valuable insights into the distinctive challenges and opportunities encountered on the startup journey. Over the years, I've had the opportunity to collaborate with a number of startups, helping them shape impactful brand identities and execute effective marketing strategies. This hands-on involvement has granted me practical knowledge about the nuances of branding, design, and marketing in the startup realm, and believe it's enriched my ability to provide relevant guidance to emerging entrepreneurs.
