AUCKLAND, Thursday: Special led a high-performing New Zealand agency contingent with nine finalists across the Campaign Asia Agency of the Year categories, including New Zealand NZ Agency of the Year (which they won last year). Motion Sickness scored four finalists, Socialites & DDB collected two each and TBWA\ scored one finalist.

AUCKLAND, Today: Run agency co-founder/CCO, Raymond Otene McKay (Ngaati Mahuta, Ngāti Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Porou and Ngāti Pūkeko) is one of two Kiwis appointed to the jury for the Clio Awards 2022.

AUCKLAND, Wednesday: After an intensive pitch process, Discovery will partner with indie agency True to create and launch a refreshed portfolio of free-to-air entertainment brands into NZ. There was no incumbent (Discovery entered the NZ market by buying the TV component of MediaWorks earlier this year).

NEW YORK, Today: Global mobile advertising experts Kargo is commemorating the holidays by celebrating diversity and building inclusivity with a hand-curated gift guide, exclusively from *BIPOC-owned businesses. Featuring a variety of great gifts for everyone on your list, shop the guide to get inspired!

AUCKLAND, Today: Saatchi & Saatchi, dentsu and social media agency Motion Sickness have put a new spin on Publicis Global’s Heineken Cheers to All campaign in New Zealand.

AUCKLAND, Wednesday: Colenso BBDO took the Most Effective Agency of the Year prize at last night’s Effie Aotearoa Awards. And the Grand Effie (with two Golds) in Consumer Durables and Best Strategic thinking went to Saatchi & Saatchi and Toyota for Hilux Unbreakable Bond.

AUCKLAND, Today: Integrated NZ creative & PR agency Darkhorse has launched in Australia. Senior account director Frankie Gair will relocate from Auckland to Sydney in the new year to spearhead the Australian activity.

AUCKLAND, Today: Discovery has revealed the first of its ambitious 2022 plans for New Zealand audiences, with a 70% increase in local content, the launch of two new channels and the further expansion of its news offering and ThreeNow.

AUCKLAND, Wednesday: Film Construction has signed global director Brendan Canty – currently part Smuggler New York and Antidote Films Ireland – to its roster for Asia Pacific.

SYDNEY, Wednesday: Publicis Groupe ANZ today announced a raft of new paid leave entitlements, and remote working initiative Publicis Re’Union, which will enable employees to temporarily work interstate or overseas to spend time with immediate family members.