> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.promptthemarket.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Uber Eats agency Special takes on private equity firm Waterman Capital - URL: https://www.promptthemarket.com/special-waterman-capital-investment/ - Published: 2026-10-31T00:30:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-31T00:29:59.000Z - Description: The New Zealand-founded independent, with offices in Sydney and Melbourne, names new global co-CEOs and keeps its partners as shareholders. Terms weren't disclosed. - Author: Editor News - Tags: Agencies, Special, Waterman Capital, Uber, #author-james-dore ![James Dore](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e4/01/e4017178-c1da-4131-80aa-35f02cb5b999/content/images/2026/09/james-dore.jpg) By **James Dore** · 2026-10-22 TLDR Special, the New Zealand-founded independent agency behind Uber Eats' Australian advertising, has taken private equity firm Waterman Capital on as a significant shareholder. Terms were not disclosed. Founder Tony Bradbourne becomes global creative chairman and Cade Heyde and Lindsey Evans become global co-CEOs. KEY TAKEAWAYS 01Waterman Capital becomes a 'significant shareholder' in Special; terms were not disclosed. 02Ad Age reported it as a majority investment; Special's announcement does not use that word. 03Special's partners stay on as shareholders in one global structure. 04Tony Bradbourne becomes global creative chairman; Cade Heyde and Lindsey Evans become global co-CEOs. 05Special has eight offices, including Sydney and Melbourne, and has worked with Uber and Uber Eats for close to 10 years. ## The deal Special, the independent creative agency founded in New Zealand, has taken Waterman Capital, a New Zealand private equity firm, on as a significant shareholder. Terms were not disclosed. Special's partners remain shareholders, with its international businesses moving into one global ownership structure.[\[1\]](https://campaignbrief.co.nz/2026/10/30/special-attracts-investment-partner-waterman-capital-to-accelerate-global-growth-ambitions/?ref=promptthemarket.com) B&T noted that Ad Age reported the deal as a majority investment, which the agency's own announcement does not say.[\[2\]](https://www.bandt.com.au/special-secures-funding-from-new-significant-shareholder-waterman-capital/?ref=promptthemarket.com) The leadership changes with it. Founder Tony Bradbourne becomes global creative chairman, and Cade Heyde and Lindsey Evans become global co-CEOs. Kelly Grindle, managing director of Special PR, becomes one of the agency's 13 global partners.[\[1\]](https://campaignbrief.co.nz/2026/10/30/special-attracts-investment-partner-waterman-capital-to-accelerate-global-growth-ambitions/?ref=promptthemarket.com) "This investment gives us more scope to pursue that ambition," Bradbourne said. Heyde and Evans said: "This isn't about changing who we are; it's about backing what has made us successful."[\[3\]](https://www.marketing-interactive.com/special-secures-waterman-capital-backing-to-accelerate-global-growth?ref=promptthemarket.com) "We see a compelling investment opportunity in the future of creativity," said Jacques Venter, Waterman Capital's executive director.[\[1\]](https://campaignbrief.co.nz/2026/10/30/special-attracts-investment-partner-waterman-capital-to-accelerate-global-growth-ambitions/?ref=promptthemarket.com) ## Where the money goes Special says the investment will fund new markets, design, PR and strategic consultancy, technology and talent.[\[3\]](https://www.marketing-interactive.com/special-secures-waterman-capital-backing-to-accelerate-global-growth?ref=promptthemarket.com) The agency has grown from one New Zealand office to eight, in Auckland, Sydney, Tokyo, Melbourne, London, New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. Its longest-running relationship is with Uber and Uber Eats, close to 10 years, and it has been named Campaign's Global Creative Agency of the Year three times.[\[2\]](https://www.bandt.com.au/special-secures-funding-from-new-significant-shareholder-waterman-capital/?ref=promptthemarket.com) ## Who Waterman is Waterman is a mid-market investor that typically backs businesses valued at NZ$50 million to NZ$150 million. Its portfolio includes My Food Bag and Mānuka Health.[\[3\]](https://www.marketing-interactive.com/special-secures-waterman-capital-backing-to-accelerate-global-growth?ref=promptthemarket.com) SOURCES & CITATIONS 1. [Special attracts investment partner Waterman Capital, Campaign Brief NZ](https://campaignbrief.co.nz/2026/10/30/special-attracts-investment-partner-waterman-capital-to-accelerate-global-growth-ambitions/?ref=promptthemarket.com) 2. [Special secures funding from new 'significant shareholder' Waterman Capital, B&T](https://www.bandt.com.au/special-secures-funding-from-new-significant-shareholder-waterman-capital/?ref=promptthemarket.com) 3. [Special secures Waterman Capital backing, Marketing-Interactive](https://www.marketing-interactive.com/special-secures-waterman-capital-backing-to-accelerate-global-growth?ref=promptthemarket.com) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Who has invested in Special? Waterman Capital, a New Zealand private equity firm, which becomes a significant shareholder. Is it a majority stake? Special has not said so. Ad Age reported it as a majority investment. Who runs Special now? Cade Heyde and Lindsey Evans are global co-CEOs; founder Tony Bradbourne is global creative chairman. ![James Dore](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e4/01/e4017178-c1da-4131-80aa-35f02cb5b999/content/images/2026/09/james-dore.jpg) [James Dore](https://www.promptthemarket.com/james-dore/) James Dore is founder and editor of Prompt the Market and Strategy Director at Bushnote, a Sydney strategy, SEO and AI search agency. He has a background in strategy, media and financial services, and led consumer product marketing at MONEYME. He writes on AI search, answer engines, technology policy and media economics.