The power of one has what it takes

Paul Manning is now in contention for top entrepreneur title.

Ten years ago, Paul Manning left school gunning for a career in business.

Just where that ambition would lead was hard to see as he entered the workforce as a ticket clipper at Auckland's downtown ferry terminal.

But last week the 28-year-old was named New Zealand's Young Entrepreneur of the Year by accounting firm Ernst & Young for building his young marketing and communications agency Metromedia into one of the hottest up-and-coming ad agencies in the country.

Manning formed Metromedia with his friend and now business partner, Ant Hassett, when both were 22 and had enough money between them to rent a small office in Ponsonby and buy some basic office furniture.

They had just one prospective client when they opened their doors in Auckland in 1999.

Six years later, Metromedia is the communications and marketing hub for many leading businesses and organisations, including Auckland City Council, House of Travel, Auckland Showgrounds, Auckland Zoo, Visique Optometrists, Formosa Group, Fusion Electronics and BMW NZ.

Manning said the way the agency blended all core communications services into one agency was one of the keys to Metromedia's success.

The company employs 20 fulltime staff and eight part-timers, and the growth is set to continue with the pending acquisition of two complementary businesses.

In October, Manning will challenge four other category winners for overall Entrepreneur of the Year.

These include: George Fistonich of Villa Maria (master entrepreneur), Annah Stretton of Stretton Clothing (retail), Katherine Corich of The Sysdoc Group (services) and Ken Stevens of Glidepath (technology).

Previous winners of the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award include: Jeremy Moon (Icebreaker), Karen Walker (Karen Walker clothing), Michael Gray (Phantom Outdoor Advertising), Hamish Conway (Rock & Ice), Heidi Ward-McGrath (Vetcare) and Seeby Woodhouse (Orcon).