BASTION AOTEAROA WINS KFC NEW ZEALAND CREATIVE MANDATE

Restaurant Brands has appointed Bastion Aotearoa as KFC New Zealand’s creative advertising agency after a competitive pitch. Joining Special PR and PHD Media as key partners, Bastion Aotearoa will help shape the brand’s future vision. Both companies expressed excitement about delivering bold, customer-focused campaigns in the year ahead.  

Restaurant Brands has confirmed the appointment of Bastion Aotearoa as KFC New Zealand’s new creative advertising agency, following a competitive pitch process that drew interest from several contenders. The decision marks a significant step for the fast-food giant as it prepares for what it describes as a “big year ahead,” with ambitions to strengthen its creative footprint and deepen customer engagement.  

A spokesperson for Restaurant Brands told CB that the company is eager to build on KFC’s reputation for bold, imaginative campaigns that place customers at the heart of the brand experience. “With a big year ahead for the brand, we’re excited to keep building on what KFC does best – big, bold, creative ideas, with our customers front and centre,” the spokesperson said.  

The appointment of Bastion Aotearoa adds a fresh dimension to KFC New Zealand’s agency roster, which already includes Special PR and PHD Media. Together, the trio will form a collaborative network tasked with delivering integrated campaigns that balance creativity, media strategy, and public relations. For Restaurant Brands, the move signals a commitment to harnessing diverse expertise to ensure KFC remains a leading voice in New Zealand’s competitive quick-service restaurant market.  

Bastion Aotearoa, part of the wider Bastion network, has built a reputation for combining creativity with strategic insight, offering clients a blend of local knowledge and global capability. In a statement to CB, a spokesperson for the agency expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “We are excited to partner with the team at Restaurant Brands, bringing the talent and capabilities of Bastion Aotearoa to help deliver the future vision for the KFC business and brand.”  

The announcement comes at a time when KFC New Zealand is seeking to reinforce its cultural relevance and maintain its strong market presence. The brand has long been recognised for campaigns that resonate with local audiences, often blending humour, bold visuals, and a distinctly Kiwi flavour. By appointing Bastion Aotearoa, Restaurant Brands is signalling its intent to continue pushing creative boundaries while ensuring campaigns remain closely aligned with customer expectations.  

Industry observers note that the competitive pitch reflects the growing importance of creative differentiation in the fast-food sector. With consumer preferences evolving rapidly and digital engagement becoming increasingly central to brand success, agencies are being challenged to deliver campaigns that cut through the noise and foster genuine connections. KFC’s decision to expand its agency partnerships underscores the brand’s recognition of these dynamics and its determination to stay ahead of the curve.  

For Bastion Aotearoa, the mandate represents both an opportunity and a responsibility. The agency will be expected to deliver campaigns that not only capture attention but also reinforce KFC’s identity as a brand that thrives on boldness and customer-centricity. The partnership will likely involve close collaboration with Special PR and PHD Media, ensuring that creative ideas are amplified through effective media placement and supported by strong public relations strategies.  

The timing of the appointment is particularly significant. As Restaurant Brands prepares for a year of heightened activity, the addition of Bastion Aotearoa to its agency line-up provides fresh creative energy at a crucial juncture. Whether through new product launches, promotional campaigns, or brand-building initiatives, KFC New Zealand will be looking to leverage its expanded agency network to deliver impact across multiple channels.  

The move also reflects a broader trend in the advertising industry, where brands are increasingly adopting multi-agency models to tap into specialised expertise. By combining the strengths of creative, media, and PR agencies, companies can achieve a more holistic approach to brand building. For KFC New Zealand, this strategy is designed to ensure that its campaigns are not only creatively compelling but also strategically sound and culturally resonant.  

Restaurant Brands’ confidence in Bastion Aotearoa is evident in the language of its announcement, which emphasises the importance of bold ideas and customer focus. This aligns with KFC’s global positioning as a brand that thrives on creativity and innovation, while also adapting to local markets. In New Zealand, where consumer expectations are shaped by a mix of global trends and local sensibilities, the ability to deliver campaigns that strike the right balance will be critical.  

Looking ahead, the partnership between Restaurant Brands and Bastion Aotearoa is expected to yield campaigns that reflect both the brand’s heritage and its forward-looking ambitions. With Special PR and PHD Media continuing to play key roles, KFC New Zealand’s agency ecosystem is well-positioned to deliver integrated campaigns that resonate with audiences and reinforce the brand’s leadership in the market.  

The announcement has been met with optimism within the industry, with many viewing it as a sign of KFC’s commitment to investing in creativity and innovation. For Bastion Aotearoa, the appointment is a chance to showcase its capabilities on a high-profile account and to contribute to shaping the future of one of New Zealand’s most recognisable brands.  

As the year unfolds, all eyes will be on the campaigns that emerge from this partnership. If the statements from both Restaurant Brands and Bastion Aotearoa are any indication, the focus will be firmly on delivering bold, customer-centred ideas that capture the spirit of KFC while pushing the boundaries of creative advertising.  

In a market where differentiation is key and consumer attention is increasingly fragmented, the collaboration between Restaurant Brands and Bastion Aotearoa represents a strategic move designed to ensure KFC remains not just relevant, but resonant. For customers, it promises campaigns that are as bold and flavourful as the brand itself.  

Restaurant Brands has appointed Bastion Aotearoa as KFC New Zealand’s creative advertising agency after a competitive pitch. Joining Special PR and PHD Media as key partners, Bastion Aotearoa will help shape the brand’s future vision. Both companies expressed excitement about delivering bold, customer-focused campaigns in the year ahead.  

Restaurant Brands has confirmed the appointment of Bastion Aotearoa as KFC New Zealand’s new creative advertising agency, following a competitive pitch process that drew interest from several contenders. The decision marks a significant step for the fast-food giant as it prepares for what it describes as a “big year ahead,” with ambitions to strengthen its creative footprint and deepen customer engagement.  

A spokesperson for Restaurant Brands told CB that the company is eager to build on KFC’s reputation for bold, imaginative campaigns that place customers at the heart of the brand experience. “With a big year ahead for the brand, we’re excited to keep building on what KFC does best – big, bold, creative ideas, with our customers front and centre,” the spokesperson said.  

The appointment of Bastion Aotearoa adds a fresh dimension to KFC New Zealand’s agency roster, which already includes Special PR and PHD Media. Together, the trio will form a collaborative network tasked with delivering integrated campaigns that balance creativity, media strategy, and public relations. For Restaurant Brands, the move signals a commitment to harnessing diverse expertise to ensure KFC remains a leading voice in New Zealand’s competitive quick-service restaurant market.  

Bastion Aotearoa, part of the wider Bastion network, has built a reputation for combining creativity with strategic insight, offering clients a blend of local knowledge and global capability. In a statement to CB, a spokesperson for the agency expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “We are excited to partner with the team at Restaurant Brands, bringing the talent and capabilities of Bastion Aotearoa to help deliver the future vision for the KFC business and brand.”  

The announcement comes at a time when KFC New Zealand is seeking to reinforce its cultural relevance and maintain its strong market presence. The brand has long been recognised for campaigns that resonate with local audiences, often blending humour, bold visuals, and a distinctly Kiwi flavour. By appointing Bastion Aotearoa, Restaurant Brands is signalling its intent to continue pushing creative boundaries while ensuring campaigns remain closely aligned with customer expectations.  

Industry observers note that the competitive pitch reflects the growing importance of creative differentiation in the fast-food sector. With consumer preferences evolving rapidly and digital engagement becoming increasingly central to brand success, agencies are being challenged to deliver campaigns that cut through the noise and foster genuine connections. KFC’s decision to expand its agency partnerships underscores the brand’s recognition of these dynamics and its determination to stay ahead of the curve.  

For Bastion Aotearoa, the mandate represents both an opportunity and a responsibility. The agency will be expected to deliver campaigns that not only capture attention but also reinforce KFC’s identity as a brand that thrives on boldness and customer-centricity. The partnership will likely involve close collaboration with Special PR and PHD Media, ensuring that creative ideas are amplified through effective media placement and supported by strong public relations strategies.  

The timing of the appointment is particularly significant. As Restaurant Brands prepares for a year of heightened activity, the addition of Bastion Aotearoa to its agency line-up provides fresh creative energy at a crucial juncture. Whether through new product launches, promotional campaigns, or brand-building initiatives, KFC New Zealand will be looking to leverage its expanded agency network to deliver impact across multiple channels.  

The move also reflects a broader trend in the advertising industry, where brands are increasingly adopting multi-agency models to tap into specialised expertise. By combining the strengths of creative, media, and PR agencies, companies can achieve a more holistic approach to brand building. For KFC New Zealand, this strategy is designed to ensure that its campaigns are not only creatively compelling but also strategically sound and culturally resonant.  

Restaurant Brands’ confidence in Bastion Aotearoa is evident in the language of its announcement, which emphasises the importance of bold ideas and customer focus. This aligns with KFC’s global positioning as a brand that thrives on creativity and innovation, while also adapting to local markets. In New Zealand, where consumer expectations are shaped by a mix of global trends and local sensibilities, the ability to deliver campaigns that strike the right balance will be critical.  

Looking ahead, the partnership between Restaurant Brands and Bastion Aotearoa is expected to yield campaigns that reflect both the brand’s heritage and its forward-looking ambitions. With Special PR and PHD Media continuing to play key roles, KFC New Zealand’s agency ecosystem is well-positioned to deliver integrated campaigns that resonate with audiences and reinforce the brand’s leadership in the market.  

The announcement has been met with optimism within the industry, with many viewing it as a sign of KFC’s commitment to investing in creativity and innovation. For Bastion Aotearoa, the appointment is a chance to showcase its capabilities on a high-profile account and to contribute to shaping the future of one of New Zealand’s most recognisable brands.  

As the year unfolds, all eyes will be on the campaigns that emerge from this partnership. If the statements from both Restaurant Brands and Bastion Aotearoa are any indication, the focus will be firmly on delivering bold, customer-centred ideas that capture the spirit of KFC while pushing the boundaries of creative advertising.  

In a market where differentiation is key and consumer attention is increasingly fragmented, the collaboration between Restaurant Brands and Bastion Aotearoa represents a strategic move designed to ensure KFC remains not just relevant, but resonant. For customers, it promises campaigns that are as bold and flavourful as the brand itself.