Colenso BBDO, Ogilvy, Republik, Saatchi & Saatchi, Spark PHD and Carat are the NZ agencies with work through to the shortlist stage of the Singapore-based Asian Marketing Effectiveness & Strategy Awards.

Havas Worldwide Singapore has appointed NZ expat Andrew Hook as ECD. Previously, he was CD at DDB Singapore, and before he was ECD at Batey Singapore (now part of WPP’s Grey Group).

Wellington creative agency First Star has appointed Aaron White as ceo, replacing owner Adam Blackwell, who remains with the agency in an advisory capacity.

The Radio Network has announced plans for its popular ZM radio station to broadcast to Queenstown on a permanent frequency (currently, the station is available only on the TRN digital platform www.iHeartRadio.co.nz.)

Colenso BBDO has won one of only two Facebook Blue awards for its Amnesty International New Zealand campaign, Trial by Timeline. (For Blue, read Gold!)

The 10th Auckland Semi-Permanent conference kicks off at Aotea Centre this Friday (2 May). The two-day event aims to “inspire, impress and challenge” all who come.

M&C Saatchi is to pull out of Auckland, and the agency’s head office in London is in negotiation to sell the business to its Auckland joint CEOs Dave King & Tony Burt.

Ponsonby-based full-service indie ad agency Blackfoot has lured media heavyweight Dale Spencer back to the New Zealand media arena from his role in establishing media360 in Melbourne.

Ben Goodale, Managing Director of .99 and justONE, updates M+AD readers on how the big merger is going so far.