Triathlon NZ has appointed Freemans Bay indie Republik to its media and creative account, effective immediately. There was no pitch and no incumbent – the account was previously managed by a number of smaller and sponsor-aligned agencies.

Curious Film director Robin Walters, his photographer wife Sam, and his father Bishop Muru Walters have produced a handsome book of images of Maori wharenui throughout NZ.

NZ agencies have scored four of the top awards at the US-based Mashies Awards show, which honours the world’s best digital advertising. Colenso BBDO won, for the second year running, with Burger King’s Motel BK (in Best Social Media Campaign) and Pedigree’s K9FM (Best Interactive Audio). DDB also scored two big wins, both for SKY Bring Down the King campaign (in Best Twitter Campaign’ and Best International Digital campaign).

The NZ Marketing Association has released details of a ground-breaking global study that explores the role of data-driven marketing and advertising across 17 countries (including NZ). The MA says more than 3000 practitioners expressed confidence in the practice and its growing contribution as an enabler of “customer centricity”.

D&AD has appointed three judges from NZ for its 2015 Awards: Clemenger BBDO Wellington CD Brigid Alkema will sit on the Integrated & Innovative Mediajury, Dan Wright, Digital Creative Director at Colenso BBDO is on the Digital Marketing jury, and Curious Film managing director Matt Noonan is to sit on the Branded Film Content & Entertainment jury.

In response to the growing consumer trend of using more than one screen while watching television, Snakk Media (NZAX: SNK) has launched TV Sync, a new product believed to be a local market-first which allows brands to synchronise ads across television, mobile and tablet screens – and is now up and running with its first major advertiser to use the technology.