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Paris-based Publicis Groupe has bought Boston-based marketing network Sapient for US$3.7 billion cash (NZ$4.76), months after the breakdown in merger talks with Omnicom. Publicis says the acquisition will speed up its transition into a digital technology company.

FCB has today announced that FCB Media managing director Derek Lindsay has resigned and will be leaving the agency in early 2015. This is no sudden move – all is sweetness and light, and both parties are heaping praise on each other.

Clemenger BBDO Wellington has won NZ’s only Gold so far at the London International Awards, currently under way in Las Vegas. Saatchi & Saatchi (2), Clemenger and Assembly also picked up Silvers, while Bronzes went to Ogilvy & Mather, Robber’s Dog and Liquid Studios.

Campaign Brief has announced the entry call for its Agency of the Year competition, including Australian AoY and NZ AoY. Also up for a refresh is CB’s 2015 Creativity/Billings Index (or Hot+Cold Chart).

Ogilvy & Mather NZ ECD Angus Hennah has resigned from the agency. Where he is now headed, and the circumstances behind his departure, were not known at press time – messages and phone calls to the agency were fruitless – although one executive we spoke to confirmed the news (and asked not to be identified).

A recent study conducted by APN Outdoor has found that Outdoor recall is on par with TV. The findings, which were taken from APN Outdoor’s Attention Economy study, revealed that 83% of people in New Zealand recall ads on Outdoor formats, the same recall as TV.

M+AD ed David Gapes is back in the driver’s seat after open-heart surgery a fortnight ago. “I’m quite proud of my battle wound, and felt strangely compelled to share it with the world,” he said. “I now have a scar to match that of my M+AD business partner Chris Grimstone’s son Johnny.”

MediaWorks confirmed at last week’s new season launch event that a New Zealand version of international blockbuster The Bachelor will screen on TV3 and be key to its 2015 line-up. The series will encompass TV, radio and interactive elements, reinforcing the company’s commitment to cross-platform engagement opportunities across its businesses, says MediaWorks group entertainment content director Andrew Szusterman.