Avalon Group NZ ceo/content director Ryf Quail writes exclusively for M+AD: Will we see the explosion in mobile investment by marketers in 2017? Not if we continue to view it as a standalone channel or an afterthought. Many marketers today make the mistake of treating mobile as a communications channel for customers.

Auckland-based specialist shopper marketing agency Energi has partnered with NZ crafted goods brand Pedro’s Bluff to produce 30 mini money pouches to gift to their clients, and celebrate the first day of the Chinese lunar calendar (Saturday just gone – 28 January). 

London-based ad/media site Warc is today launching a new global competition, the Warc Awards, to honour the effective use of emerging marketing disciplines.

A broad cross-selection of global advertising talent has been named as jury presidents for the Cannes Lions in June – including a fairly impressive gender split of six females and 10 males. Of the 16 presidents, seven are from European agencies, five from the US, one from Asia, an Aussie (with Kiwi connections), and one from South America.

The rise of ‘dark social’ – online conversations that are not trackable by marketers – will have a growing impact on brands’ social strategy in 2017, according to Warc, the London-based global marketing intelligence service.

London-based creative company Contagious (offices in London, New York, Singapore, Sao Paulo and Portland) has released its Contagious Pioneers 2017 rankings list, naming Colenso BBDO Auckland as #3 best & bravest agency on the planet.

Transtasman film co Eight (bases in Surry Hills & Herne Bay) has signed Miki Magasiva to its roster of directors.

CX-driven retail agency 99 has added Warehouse Stationery’s CRM and business-to-business loyalty programme, BizRewards, to its growing portfolio – with digital media and search unified through 99PHD.