The Motive8 team
We’re a dynamic duo – combining strategic business analysis with compelling visual storytelling. Rebecca is our strategic facilitator, while Ken brings the creative 'right brain' vision to life. Together, we craft powerful, impactful, and fun visuals that tell your story in a way words alone can’t.
Based in sunny Nelson (we relocated from Wellington in 2013), we regularly travel across New Zealand and internationally for client projects. We believe in building strong, personal relationships, and we’re always happy to meet in person when possible. But we’re also great with phone calls, emails, and videoconferencing—distance is no barrier!
We’ve had the pleasure of working with clients in Australia, Ireland, and the Netherlands, and we’d love to take on more international projects. Whether onsite or remotely, we’re always excited to collaborate with awesome clients.
Let’s chat about how we can bring your ideas to life!
Ken - Creative Director
Ken translates complex ideas into visual metaphors and imagery, bringing clarity to even the most abstract concepts. Through an iterative process, these visuals spark further conversations, refining and evolving the picture until it fully communicates the intended message and story.
Ken's journey in visual communication began in 1996 with Wellington’s Evening Post newspaper, where he developed a passion for creating compelling infographics. His work earned him the prestigious Qantas Media Editorial Artist of the Year award in 1999. Following this success, Ken moved to Singapore to take on the role of Executive Infographics Artist at The Straits Times, where he honed his skills on an international scale.
Rebecca - Director & Facilitator
Rebecca excels at asking the tough, insightful questions that spark meaningful discussions. She clarifies the story and refines ideas until everyone is aligned and the key messages are crystal clear. With an innate ability to read between the lines, working with Rebecca always brings results, ensuring that every conversation moves you closer to your goal.
Rebecca’s career began at Victoria University, where she worked for Tecads NZ Ltd, helping industrial companies secure competitive tenders. She then spent five years overseas, working in investment management with JP Morgan in New York, followed by a role at Morgan Stanley in San Francisco. These experiences shaped her strategic mindset and honed her ability to navigate complex challenges in fast-paced environments.
The tragic events of 9/11 were a turning point for us both, prompting our return to New Zealand in 2001. We saw a unique opportunity to combine our skills and offer New Zealand organisations a fresh approach to clarifying and communicating their most important issues.
Motive8 was officially established in 2007, following five successful years of creating "Big Pictures" for clients of Tecads NZ Ltd, New Zealand's leading industrial marketing advisors. Since then, we've had the privilege of working with dozens of government agencies, local councils, and private sector organisations across New Zealand, Australia, and Europe.