About KBR
We simplify the complicated.
KBR is an independent media and digital agency with teams in Auckland and Christchurch, founded in 2013. We help marketers move faster, think smarter and own their media results across digital and offline channels.
Our story
Since 2013
KBR started in 2013 with a simple idea: media works better when the people paying for it understand it. Since then we have planned and run integrated campaigns across TV, outdoor, audio and digital, guided complex data and platform changes, and built reporting and measurement frameworks for brands in New Zealand and across Asia Pacific.
Across all of it our focus stays the same: help clients navigate modern media with clarity and confidence, and connect every dollar of media to a business result.
Today KBR is a senior-led team with people in Auckland and Christchurch, working with brands throughout New Zealand and in Australia.
Our team
Senior people, working on your account
Grant Hyland
Founder & Managing Director · Auckland
20+ years in media and advertising, including FCB, Universal McCann and OMG. A New Zealand digital pioneer: he set up FCB's digital operation in 2006, ran NZ's first mobile WAP campaign for Mastercard, and launched the country's first programmatic network (Mediata) and first gaming and entertainment ad network (VeNA). He founded KBR in 2013.
Richard Morhall
General Manager
Leads KBR's operations and account management. Since joining in 2016 he has worked through media operations, performance management, planning and client leadership, and now runs campaign delivery, workflow and client service across every account.
Diane Besim
Media Director
17+ years in New Zealand media, specialising in integrated strategy, planning and buying across traditional and digital channels. Deep experience in FMCG, automotive, retail, property, IT and healthcare, from strategy through negotiation, buying and post-campaign analysis.
Moomin Kheir
Partner, Brand & Digital
Leads KBR's brand and digital services through a partnership with KBR, covering website design and development, brand strategy and design, and content production.
Stuart Parker
Senior Technical Lead
20+ years in customer experience, digital transformation, analytics and marketing strategy across New Zealand, Australia and the UK, including Ogilvy & Mather and Dubber. Leads marketing automation, analytics-led optimisation and customer journey design.
Jessica Carter
Account Manager
Looks after KBR's clients day to day, from media plans and implementation briefs to campaign delivery and performance. Before moving into account management she led KBR's campaign operations, and previously spent 3+ years as a Senior Campaign Manager at MediaWorks NZ.
Abbey Draper
Performance Manager · Christchurch
Builds, launches and optimises campaigns across Google Ads, Meta, programmatic and other platforms. Joined KBR after five years as Digital Marketing Manager at Oxygen Digital, running Meta and Google Ads for lead generation and ROAS, including Google Shopping campaigns that reached 6x ROAS. Bachelor of Communication Studies (Marketing and Digital Business) from the University of Waikato.
Chris Pescott
Strategic Advisor
Founded market intelligence company Perceptive in 2005, which Omnicom acquired in 2016. Twice an EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist. Led the merger that formed Proximity NZ, Supreme Award winner at the 2023 TVNZ Marketing Awards.
Firsts
Our team has been first to market before
KBR's people have helped build New Zealand's digital media industry.
- 2006First mobile WAP campaign in New Zealand
- 2010New Zealand's first programmatic network
- 2012New Zealand's first video ad network
- 2013First NZ agency on The Trade Desk DSP
- 2019First NZ agency to use Improvado
What we believe
How we're different
Clarity first
Whether it's channel mixes, tech stacks, targeting or creative, we break it down so you know what we're doing, why it matters and how to improve it.
Fully transparent
Platform and channel agnostic. No media markups, no hidden rebates, no black-box tools.
Strategy plus execution
We set the strategy and run the media, so nothing is lost between the plan and the buy.
Teaching as we go
Clients don't just get results; they understand how they got them and how to scale them.
Clients who trust KBR
Trusted by leading brands
Membership
A certified independent agency
KBR is a certified member of AIMA, Aotearoa Independent Media Agencies: the industry body for New Zealand's independently owned media agencies. Membership reflects our commitment to independence, transparency and the member standards AIMA sets for its agencies.
Next step
Get a free media review
A 30-minute call with a senior strategist. We'll look at your current media, spend and reporting, and tell you plainly what we'd change.