Creative Talk with Kirrily Denny, Creative Services Director

Kirrily Denny is a Creative Services Director who has worked across TV, Film & AI.  A creator, a communicator, a storyteller.

You started your career in the UK as a Production Coordinator – how did you make your break into the TV sector?

My father was a documentary film editor, so I grew up watching him cut 35mm film on the classic Steenbeck editing desk; and that was where my love of storytelling began. After graduation, I was lucky enough to be introduced to a director friend of my fathers and ended up working for him as a production co-ordinator on SAS: the Soldiers Story. We dramatized the storming of the Iranian Embassy with the original SAS team in the original Embassy, complete with explosions and live action car chases. What an adrenalin-fuelled intro to the world of television!

What brought you to New Zealand?

I had been travelling across the islands of Indonesia and ended up in Sydney working for Nickelodeon Australia. It was superb fun, tapping into my inner child to write and direct live shows. I decided to check out what was happening across the Tasman in Aotearoa and fell in love with the country, the culture and the people. And so I stayed!

Where do you see the future of TV?

Television is in a state of metamorphosis. With the rise of streaming and the shift online, it’s no longer just a screen on the wall. It’s a boundless portal that is poised to become immersive, interactive and expertly tuned in to every viewer’s wildest whims. As technology accelerates, we have the opportunity to create content that is not just out of this world, but out of this dimension!

Working with Soul Machines, you were very active in the AI space – how was the transition from TV to AI?

I am a very curious individual, eager to learn and explore new frontiers. I was drawn to Soul Machines’ bold vision to redefine human-AI interaction, creating autonomous digital assistants that pushed the boundaries of possibility. My background in TV equipped me to transform abstract ideas into compelling narratives; so at Soul Machines, I brought that same storytelling instinct to the world of AI, bridging science and emotion through engaging, human-centric content. It felt a natural transition for me, and something I adored doing.

How do you see the traditional agency model integrate AI to their offering?

To stay relevant, agencies need to evolve. It’s not a question of if, but how smartly they integrate AI into their offerings. AI tools can handle repetitive grunt work like social media copy or variations for A/B testing and crunch vast data sets to unearth trends and sentiment behaviour - freeing creatives up to chase the big, bold ideas. From leveraging generative AI like Midjourney and Runway for dynamic content creation to creating AI-powered customer experiences with ChatGPT; AI isn’t replacing creativity it’s becoming a fearless collaborator that never sleeps!

You are a sought-after Keynote Speaker and Mentor – how do you get on the speaking circuit?

You get on the speaking circuit by showing up with something original to say and in a way that sticks. For me, it started with sharing stories that bridged creativity and technology. I didn’t wait for a formal invite, I spoke at team events, client workshops, and industry panels, always making complex ideas feel human and memorable. That led to mentoring young talent - sharing insights on navigating disruption, storytelling in the age of AI, and how to keep the human connection alive. If you can spark curiosity and make people feel something, they’ll want to hear more.

What is your involvement with Women in Voice ANZ?

I was invited by an incredible group of women working in voice technology to help establish the Australia/New Zealand chapter of a global network supporting women and gender minorities in the field. Given how often this space is shaped by homogenous perspectives, I was excited to lend my voice to celebrate, amplify and connect women across voice tech and conversation design. We became a close knit crew - hosting online webinars, speaking at events and mentoring young women into STEM.

Last words?

As technology races ahead, its storytelling that keeps us anchored in our shared humanity. I haven’t walked the traditional path. I’m the wild card who thrives where convention falters. As a creative force in a space too often dominated by sameness, I believe true innovation demands risk. We must meet the future with a fierce imagination grounded in ethics, guided by empathy and fuelled by diverse voices that reshape the world.