Local Ad Agency Declares Ping Pong Table a Strategic Asset, Applies for R&D Tax Credit
In a bold move that has marketing circles buzzing and Inland Revenue quietly sighing, Auckland-based creative agency Parallax Pony has officially reclassified its in-house ping pong table as a 'strategic ideation accelerator' and filed for a research and development tax credit.
Managing Director Austin Cleave described the table—an outdoor Kmart special with a missing corner and odd stain resembling a possum's footprint—as "central to our innovation pipeline." "It’s where we incubated that QR code campaign for the sausage brand," Cleave said, referring to a recent activation involving a hologram of Rachel Hunter and an algorithmically-generated jingle that rhymed ‘banger’ with ‘Wānaka.’
The move follows a six-month internal audit, during which junior strategists were asked to track the correlation between topspin rallies and breakthrough pitches. According to the agency's 56-page submission to IRD, rallies exceeding eight hits resulted in ‘more dynamic slide decks’ and ‘wider use of synergistic verbs.’
Tax experts remain baffled but intrigued. “It’s definitely original,” said Deloitte consultant Kara Spindoza, who expressed cautious admiration for Parallax Pony’s ‘courageous interpretation’ of Clause IV under Section 392. Meanwhile, insiders claim the agency is now exploring whether its Friday Cheese Scone Session can be registered as a cultural knowledge exchange.
No word yet on whether the table, affectionately called Gary, is getting a LinkedIn profile.
Managing Director Austin Cleave described the table—an outdoor Kmart special with a missing corner and odd stain resembling a possum's footprint—as "central to our innovation pipeline." "It’s where we incubated that QR code campaign for the sausage brand," Cleave said, referring to a recent activation involving a hologram of Rachel Hunter and an algorithmically-generated jingle that rhymed ‘banger’ with ‘Wānaka.’
The move follows a six-month internal audit, during which junior strategists were asked to track the correlation between topspin rallies and breakthrough pitches. According to the agency's 56-page submission to IRD, rallies exceeding eight hits resulted in ‘more dynamic slide decks’ and ‘wider use of synergistic verbs.’
Tax experts remain baffled but intrigued. “It’s definitely original,” said Deloitte consultant Kara Spindoza, who expressed cautious admiration for Parallax Pony’s ‘courageous interpretation’ of Clause IV under Section 392. Meanwhile, insiders claim the agency is now exploring whether its Friday Cheese Scone Session can be registered as a cultural knowledge exchange.
No word yet on whether the table, affectionately called Gary, is getting a LinkedIn profile.