Agency Launches Dedicated ‘0.03% Uplift’ Division After Banner Week

By Mad Team on February 19, 2026

Auckland independent shop Lantern & Vale has today announced the formation of a new specialist unit, The Incremental Growth Practice, following what it describes as a "historic" 0.03 percent increase in click-through rate for a regional bathroom tile retailer.

Managing Partner Clive Morton confirmed the uplift has been framed in the boardroom, printed at A2, and positioned between last year’s Effie finalist certificate and a photo of the agency dog. "We’ve always believed in the power of marginal gains," Morton said, standing in front of a slide deck titled The Future Is Fractional. "When you move the needle by 0.03 percent, you’re not just shifting metrics. You’re shifting culture." The agency has since hired a Head of Small Wins, a Data Storyteller, and a freelance calligrapher to hand-letter the number 0.03 on internal stationery.

According to the official release, the breakthrough came after a rigorous optimisation process involving three shades of slightly different blue and a button moved exactly four pixels to the left. Not five. Four. "Five felt desperate," said Senior Designer Mia Ropata. "Four felt confident." The team conducted a blessing for the old button position before the migration, with staff invited to share memories of its previous alignment. A commemorative morning tea was held. Lamingtons were square to reflect stability.

Lantern & Vale is now offering the Incremental Growth Practice as a standalone service for brands ready to "embrace the profound impact of almost nothing." Early interest has reportedly come from a lawn mowing subscription service and a boutique accounting firm that once saw a 0.01 percent dip and has not emotionally recovered. Morton confirmed the agency is already forecasting a further 0.02 percent improvement by Q3. "We don’t want to rush it," he said. "These things take courage."