OUR WORK
A new internal creative agency and brand platform at Xero
Xero is a cloud-based business platform that exists to change the game for small business worldwide. They've twice been named Forbes' #1 most innovative growth company on earth.
Man on Fire helped their new 70-person creative agency find Xero's storytelling voice, and developed the company's first global brand platform with internal leaders and M&C Saatchi Australia.
Key services and results:
- Inhouse story capability
- Award-winning global brand platform
- Above-the-line campaigns in all markets
Starting up the future of work with Runn
Founded by a team from SilverStripe, Spark, Xero, and BMW, Runn is a Kiwi technology startup built around managing time and money in digital projects.
Man on Fire helped shape Runn's strategic story, product positioning, and investment case, resulting in a successful seed capital raise.
Key services and results:
- Head of Strategy partnership
- Strategic story & investment pitch development
- Successful seed round capital raise
Human-led narrative design for a $2.2 billion urban recovery
Canterbury's earthquake recovery brought together communities, urban design, policy, and hundreds of agencies and stakeholder groups.
But the recovery story struggled with human focus amid complexity.
Man on Fire worked under intense pressure to design connective, large-scale story structures that drove understanding and engagement across the board.
Key services and results:
- Strategic messaging framework
- Successful re-imagining of $2.2 billion vision document
Flipping the global workplace conversation
Riders&elephants, led by Jeremy Dean, exists to create successful, empathy-driven organisations and leaders. The company's Emotional Culture Deck tool is used by over 5,000 leaders worldwide in 25 countries, at organisations including Xero, Westpac, Air New Zealand, InfusionSoft, Panasonic, Daimler, and New Zealand Rugby.
Man on Fire is proud to be working in strategic partnership with riders&elephants as they spark positive change across future workplaces.
Key services and results:
- Core messaging and brand story driving rapid sales growth
- Product-to-ecosystem strategy
- Successful 2019 Kickstarter campaign
International growth in a delicious social enterprise
The Wellington Chocolate Factory creates social and economic value at every step from cocoa plantation to taste buds.
Man on Fire helped refine their purpose-driven business model and take it global through strategic advisory, brand storytelling, and a world-first crowdfunding approach.
Key services and results:
- Ecosystem-based strategy & implementation
- Award-winning brand story
- Unique crowdfunding campaign driving global recognition and sales
Rapid value creation with Trinsic Labs and Stakehouse
Man on Fire leads and co-ordinates Trinsic Labs, an ongoing innovation lab programme aimed at bringing together diverse teams to tackle compelling problems at speed.
Engagement mapping is key to working effectively with stakeholders, especially in the public sector. But post-its and clunky spreadsheets can be frustrating. So a Trinsic Labs team worked with practitioners across New Zealand to develop Stakehouse, a digital tool for easy engagement mapping. It’s free; open source; and enjoying rapid uptake.
Key services and results:
- Innovation lab creation
- Rapid scoping, prototyping, testing and investment
- Ongoing process improvement and learning cadence
Project Tempest - 15 minute novels for restless minds
Stories shape the world. And humans need a break from the noise. But reading patterns are changing, and the future of stories lies across creative boundaries.
Building our own publishing platform and format, Man on Fire is exploring brief, intense narrative experiences set in the small strange town of Tempest Bay. Book 1, Hearts and Minds, is free at project-tempest.net.
Key services and results:
- Story development
- Platform, publishing & community
