Launchd has acquired Auckland-based talent agency WeAreTENZING, adding more than 100 athletes, content creators, and artists to its portfolio, which now spans creator representation, speaker management, and booking technology across Australia and New Zealand.

WeAreTENZING will continue to operate under its existing brand, led by Chief Executive Dan Sing and its Auckland team. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Expanding Roster

WeAreTENZING’s talent roster includes Ruby Tui, a two-time Olympic medallist and 2022 Rugby World Cup winner, and Jazz Thornton, the “2021 Young New Zealander of the Year” and co-founder of suicide prevention charity Voices of Hope. Other represented talent includes Louis Davis, HowToDadNZ, Torrell Tafa, Paige Wainui, ManCanCook, and Shiray and Gillies Kaka.

Founded in 2016, WeAreTENZING initially focused on advising athletes through playing careers and post-career transitions before expanding into sport, entertainment, and social media-led careers.

Acquisition Trail

The WeAreTENZING deal extends a run of acquisitions that accelerated in 2025. Launchd purchased Brisbane-based influencer agency Huume from IZEA in June 2025, followed by Sydney-based Hoozu (also from IZEA) in July. The company had previously acquired the Australian speaker bureau ICMI in April 2025. Combined, the acquisitions give Launchd connections to more than 5,000 athletes, influencers, entertainers, and speakers, supporting over 100,000 talent activations annually.

Market Context

The acquisition comes as Australian influencer and creator marketing spend approaches AUD $1 billion annually. A 2026 Meltwater and We Are Social report put spend at AUD $830 million over the past 12 months, up 13.5% year-on-year, describing influencer advertising as the country’s second-fastest-growing digital category.

Nathan Ruff, Launchd’s Head of Creator, said the deal reflects broader shifts in marketing investment. “The Creator Economy is accelerating, not slowing. Brands are shifting investment into talent-led channels because that is where culture and attention now live,” he said.

Sing framed the combination as an access play for WeAreTENZING’s existing roster. “Joining Launchd’s network gives our talent broader commercial access into the Australian market, where many of our clients already have a significant audience,” he said.

Source: TechDay Australia