Former Acumen Republic ceo Karyn Arkell has unveiled her own Auckland-based PR agency, Grace. She has appointed six staff, including director Kirsten Blanchard (ex TALK Comms, Cisco, Acumen Republic, Hewlett Packard, and NZ Post).
Best team won: ZO Oz chief pens open letter to MEC rival
The chief executive of ZenithOptimedia Australia has publicly congratulated rival media agency MEC on wrestling Nestlé from its grasp in an attempt to end the “vicious cycle” of bitterness which he said usually accompanies such business losses.
Liquidator tags Auckland design shop
The Auckland division of brand design company Gibson Rusden has gone into liquidation. Six staff are believed to be affected.
Alternative cricket commentary back – with knobs on
Cricket fans with a penchant for caravans and quirky observation rejoice – The Alternative Commentary Collective’s cricket commentary returns to iHeartRadio NZ when New Zealand takes on South Africa at Mt Maunganui on Tuesday.
An iPhone 6 for every transaction
Software and technology company Broadcast MAP have completed the nationwide rollout of their new Schedule Optimiser and are giving their subscribers the chance to win an iPhone 6 every time they use it to make a buy between now and November 30.
Nestlé taps MediaCom
Nestlé has parted ways with ZenithOptimedia on both sides of the Tasman, and appointed MediaCom to its business in NZ, and MEC in Australia. Aussie website MUmBRELLA says the combined account is worth A$60 million.
Arrivals & Departures
OMD & Total Media trading director Andy Taylor has resigned to relocate to Sydney to take up a similar role at Starcom Australia. Taylor has been at the Auckland agencies since 2012. Before that, he spent five years at Aegis UK.
DDB and creative team to split $10,000 prizemoney
DDB and two former creatives have struck a deal over the disputed $10,000 cash prize from the recent Newspaper Ad of the Year Awards. Neither party will confirm (or deny) the settlement, which of course amounts to a virtual confirmation.
Liquidator seizes Magazine Marketing Co
The Magazine Marketing Company, formed in 2008 by Stuart Shepherd, an honourable man of impeccable credentials (he founded Magazzino, Propaganda and Mercury Subs in the 1990s) went into liquidation on October 15.
Ed eyes the knife
M+AD ed David Gapes takes a fortnight break from Monday to undergo surgery. Stepping into the breach is his old mate Dave McCombs, a widely experienced journo who worked alongside Gapes and his M+AD partner, designer Chris Grimstone, at Profile Publishing and 3Media Group (that’s him on the left in the photo, taken at Gapes’ wedding in 2008).
