Meet the Team Behind Back9 Creative
At Back9, we’re a team of creative thinkers, problem solvers, and digital wizards passionate about helping businesses succeed. In this article, we’re shining a spotlight on each role within our agency to introduce the faces behind the work and give you a peek into what makes each team member unique
Role Spotlights
Phil [Partner, Founder + CE]
To begin, we have Back9’s Founder and CE, Phil. Phil’s vision is to build a dynamic marketing agency that delivers exceptional solutions for ambitious businesses. He’s focused on creating an environment where high-quality work thrives and where talented creatives are inspired to collaborate and grow.
Tackling the ever-evolving challenge of marketing, Phil’s goal is to not only elevate businesses but also foster a space where innovation and creativity are at the heart of everything we do. “I love the challenge this role brings and the opportunity it provides to help grow ambitious businesses,” shares Phil.
Phil has worked with a variety of different clients; but one notable project stands out for him. “Everything we have done in terms of the Southland Charity Hospital over the last 4 years has been rewarding. From the mustang auction to selling bricks, and being a part of Pack the Park– it’s been a special project to have been involved with,” says Phil. This project reflects the dedication to making a meaningful impact through Phil’s work and community involvement.
Rapid Fire
What’s your favourite part of the workday?
“The uninterrupted early mornings, at 5-7am.”
What’s a tool or hack you can’t work without?
“My glasses, I can’t see without them.”
What’s one fun fact that not many people know about you?
“I once played cricket against Former All Black Robbie Deans when I was 16.”
Gustavo [Digital Marketing Specialist]
If you need to know anything about the digital space, Gus can help! As our Digital Marketing Specialist, Gus is our real-life Neo, navigating the Matrix of the digital landscape. He plays a pivotal role in ensuring our clients’ marketing strategies achieve their goals by reaching the right audience and driving impactful results.
For Gus, one of the most rewarding aspects of the job is watching campaigns come to life. “I love getting to see campaigns go live. It’s exciting to go through the process of planning, launching the ad, and watching the numbers roll in,” he shares. From initial brainstorming sessions to tracking real-time results, Gus thrives on every step of the journey, seeing each campaign as a new opportunity to drive impact and bring creative ideas to an audience.
One of his favourite projects was with Safety 1st NZ, where, as Gus shares, “it was exciting to see how our efforts translated into real results, especially seeing their margins increase.” His enthusiasm fuels his dedication, making him a vital part of the team’s success in digital marketing.
Rapid Fire
What’s your favourite part of the workday?
“Definitely when the ideas become clear, which is normally later in the day as I’m not a morning person.”
What’s a tool or hack you can’t work without?
“Google Tag Manager/Assistant is a great tool, it saves a lot of time when it comes to analytics.”
What’s one fun fact that not many people know about you?
“I am an Ironman Triathlon finisher and a former bartender”
John [Lead Developer]
As Lead Developer at Back9, John creates stunning, highly functional websites, apps, and chatbots tailored to each client’s needs. With his knowledge of the latest technologies and a strategic approach to problem-solving, John delivers top-tier results while working efficiently to meet deadlines.
One aspect that John enjoys about his role is the variety and adaptability of being a developer. “I enjoy the flexibility and diversity of the projects we get to be a part of,” shares John. A standout project he has enjoyed working on is the SMART Business Plan, along with another new project currently in development. “It was great to work on the AI Assisted Business Plan and see how all our hard work translated into the final product.” His expertise and innovative mindset make him a standout developer and a driving force behind our team’s success.
Rapid Fire
What’s a tool or hack you can’t work without?
“Any AI tool”
What’s your favourite part of the workday?
“Mornings; they are the best time to stay focused and get work done.”
Whetu [Senior Developer]
As our Senior Developer, Whetu has a wealth of knowledge for all things web. His deep knowledge of web development, custom integrations, and APIs makes him an essential part of the team. Whetu’s skill and experience help clients turn their digital visions into reality, ensuring their websites are not only functional but also seamless and dynamic.
Whether working on new builds or refining existing sites, Whetu enjoys the opportunity to be involved in different roles. “I like the variation of the job, getting to be a part of the different work that comes in,” shares Whetu. The latest projects he’s tackled have been both challenging and rewarding, and they stand out as some of his proudest achievements. Whetu’s notable projects are the AI Assisted Business Plan along with a transport management project that is currently in the works because of the challenge and exciting opportunity they bring. His hard work and positivity show his dedication to delivering innovative, forward-thinking solutions.
Rapid Fire
What’s a tool or hack you can’t work without?
“My computer”
What’s your favourite part of the workday?
“Definitely the mornings along with a coffee.”
Joshua [Junior Developer]
Joshua is Back9‘s talented Junior Developer, working closely with John and Whetu to craft sleek, high-performing websites for our clients. With his strong technical skills and eye for detail, Joshua consistently delivers high quality work, making him an essential part of our team. His dedication and expertise play a key role in bringing our clients’ digital visions to life.
Joshua’s collaborative spirit and can-do attitude makes him a great team member at Back9. When asked about the highlight of his job, he said that he loves coming to work and getting to work with amazing people every day. Energy Owl, a challenging and technical project, is one of the most exciting projects he has had the opportunity to work on and is particularly proud of. This enthusiasm and dedication to his projects are what drive Joshua’s continued success and impact within the team.
Rapid Fire
What’s your favourite part of the workday?
“Evenings, I enjoy getting to tick off my tasks for the day.”
What’s a tool or hack you can’t work without?
“Visual Studio Code 2- it is a great software for any web developer.”
What’s one fun fact that not many people know about you?
“I play a lot of sports, but I also run an activewear line as a side hustle with some of my friends.”
Fawn [Project Manager & Digital Marketing]
Fawn is a skilled digital marketer with a flair for creating and managing impactful campaigns across multiple channels. Her expertise in email marketing, project management, and overall marketing strategy makes her an invaluable member of the team.
With a talent for engaging copywriting and crafting high-quality inbound content, Fawn is like the real-life Emily in Paris – connecting clients with their audience and helping them to achieve their goals in meaningful ways. One of the highlights in her role has been the opportunity to help other businesses. “The success of highlighting a client in a newsletter and seeing leads from that is a great achievement,” says Fawn. Though she may not be in Paris, her favourite part of working at Back9 is the variety of projects and tasks that we get to work on, making no two days the same! This dynamic and ever-changing environment keeps her inspired and excited to contribute to new and innovative challenges.
Rapid Fire
What’s a tool or hack you can’t work without?
“Notepads, I have lots of them and use them for everything.”
What’s one fun fact that not many people know about you?
“I have a passion for genealogy. I am interested in ancestry and family history. If I won Lotto, I would help people find out more about their families.”
How do you spend your free time?
“Studying, spending time with my family or on my side project Cherry Body Jewellery.”
Rhiannon [Visual (UX/UI) Designer]
Rhiannon is a talented creative and visual designer at Back9, bringing a wealth of expertise in print, graphic, and digital design. Her diverse skill set and passion for design make her an invaluable asset to clients, turning concepts into captivating visual experiences.
Whether she’s researching, prototyping, or diving into the technical details, Rhiannon is driven by the process of bringing ideas to life with precision and creativity. The variation and opportunities of creative projects that Rhiannon gets to work on is her favourite part of her role at Back9. One of her projects that she is proud of is designing a website for Pro Construct. “Working on the design of the website was a great experience, especially seeing the final website come to life,” says Rhiannon. Her passion for design and dedication to every project she takes on continue to inspire and elevate the team’s work.
Rapid Fire
What’s your favourite part of the workday?
“Mornings, that’s the time where I am the most creative,”
What’s a tool or hack you can’t work without?
“ChatGPT is very useful, otherwise coffee!”
What’s one fun fact that not many people know about you?
“I competed in RockQuest in an all-female band, where I played guitar.”
Laura [Marketing Intern]
Laura has recently joined the Back9 team as a Marketing Intern, where she is assisting with a wide range of tasks, from email marketing to designing Facebook ads.
One of her highlights so far has been the opportunity to contribute to some exciting projects; “I’ve really enjoyed working alongside the team on every project and seeing ads I’ve designed be published,” adds Laura. She has enjoyed collaborating and learning from the Back9 team on various projects.
Rapid Fire
What’s your favourite part of the workday?
“I enjoy the mornings and getting to do the stuff quiz with the team.”
What’s a tool or hack you can’t work without?
“I love using Canva!”
What’s one fun fact that not many people know about you?
“I am an identical twin, and a marathon finisher.”
Our team may have different roles and strengths, but we all share a passion for creativity, collaboration, and pushing the envelope in digital marketing. We’re proud to be a team that goes above and beyond to drive our success.
Thanks for meeting the team – we can’t wait to create something amazing with you!