Our People

Samuel kicked off his online marketing career in 1999, consulting to New Zealand clients as well as San Diego based Network Security Solutions. Soon after, he was invited to work for a Paris-based IBM Business Partner, to help drive the B2C membership growth for a world-first digital content distribution system. As Product Manager he implemented online marketing initiatives across affiliate, referral and search engine marketing channels.

He has since contributed to the online success of numerous consumer and commercial businesses throughout Australasia. Samuel joined First Rate in 2003 and was instrumental in the rapid growth of the Auckland agency. In 2006 he moved to Australia to launch the First Rate Sydney office and returned to Auckland in 2009 to take on the role of COO for First Rate - NZ.

Early 2011 Samuel was promoted to Q NZ's Head of Agency overseeing both First Rate and Market United businesses. And in October 2011 he was promoted to Q NZ General Manager, responsible for First Rate, Market United, 3dinteractive and Great Sites businesses.

Samuel's areas of expertise include E-Business Strategy, Search Engine Optimisation, Search Engine Marketing, Performance Advertising, Conversion Rate Optimisation and Website Analytics. Samuel holds a BSc in Physiology and a BCom in Information Systems and Marketing, for which he was awarded a Senior Prize in 2003. Google GAP and GAIQ certified, Samuel has been an active contributor to the New Zealand Marketing Association's e-Marketing committee as well as ADMA in Australia.

Samuel has presented at leading universities including AUT, The University of Auckland, Otago University and Massey University and has spoken at industry conventions including the Advertising & Marketing Summit, Search Engine Boot-Camp and the American Chamber of Commerce. Samuel has recently been interviewed by the New Zealand Herald, NBR and The Independent.

T: +64 (09) 920 1752
E:  Click here to email Samuel

Grant is a results-driven and performance-focussed digital marketing professional. He has developed digital solutions for clients in a range of industries, including Travel, Finance, Retail, Utilities and Government in New Zealand, Australia and in the UK leading to increased revenue and ROI from marketing investment.

Grant has over 7 years experience in interactive marketing management roles beginning in the UK where he was Online Marketing Manager for several Internet Start-ups.  It was in this role, managing search, affiliate, email and shopping channels  that he really developed his passion for performance-based marketing.  In 2005,  Grant moved back to New Zealand and began his career with First Rate as an Internet Marketing consultant, quickly moving into the role of Consulting Manager, managing and growing a team of 10+ consultants.  In 2008, Grant decided to invest his talents client-side again in the hospitality industry as the Online Marketing Manager for Accor Hotels NZ & Fiji before returning to the Q Group in mid 2009 as Director of Strategy & Performance.  In 2011, Grant was offered the opportunity to build up the First Rate business in Perth Australia which he took, and then was welcomed back to New Zealand late 2011 as Head of Agency, with responsibility for both First Rate (Search & Performance) and Market United (Digital Strategy, Design and Development).

He has presented at conferences and industry events and his areas of expertise include Digital Strategy, Online Business Models and Revenue Streams, Tracking and Measurement, Conversion Optimisation, Social Commerce and Search Engine Marketing.

T:  +64 (09) 920 1742
E:  Click here to email Grant