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.

Colenso BBDO has hired Tim Freeman as digital executive producer, leading the agency’s digital & technology production team.

MediaWorks TV has appointed Inna Goikhman as Director of Research & Analytics, replacing Inna replaces Director of Research & Insight Rachel Cormack, who is leaving to move overseas, and continues to work for MediaWorks TV on a project basis.

McCann London commissioned award-wining photographer Max Oppenheim to creative the 2014 campaign for the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity (which will run Sunday 15 June to Saturday 21 June). Oppenheim’s brief: to perfect the art of the classic stock shot.

Let’s get this right – the CAANZ Beacon Awards and the APN Outdoor after party will be held in Auckland on Thursday 1 May – that’s the day after tomorrow – not Thursday 8 May, as M+AD was erroneously informed (no names here, sorry!). Here’s the full – updated – release from yesterday.

The New York Festivals International Advertising Awards has identified the 23 NZ entries that have made it through to the shortlist stage of the 2014 competition.

RSA national president Don McIver joined Phantom on the paste run in Wellington ahead of Anzac Day tomorrow.

DDB has appointed Saatchi & Saatchi Australia ECD Damon Stapleton to the new position of Chief Creative Officer, effective July 1. The NZ agency has also confirmed Shane Bradnick as ECD.