AUCKLAND, Thursday: New Zealand Opera has appointed Federation, effective immediately, as the lead agency in New Zealand for brand, creative, strategy and design. There was no regular incumbent – and there was no pitch.

AUCKLAND, Thursday: Seasoned commercial filmmakers Jess Milne (executive producer), director Tim Parsons and producer/director Craig Henderson have joined forces to launch new production company Joy Inc.

AUCKLAND, Today: Whittaker’s has identified the agencies who will steer the new campaign for Whittaker’s new Peanut Butter & Jelly Block, which kicks off today.

AUCKLAND, Thursday: Phantom Billstickers has selected five previously unpublished poets to showcase their work in Phantom frames near each poet’s home turf.

AUCKLAND, Today: Whittaker’s has introduced two new products – and will promote them initially via street posters. The agencies are likely to be MBM (media & digital) and WPP’s AKQA (creative).

AUCKLAND, Wednesday: oOh!media is getting behind Men’s Health Week by encouraging men to take an online test for mental & physical health.

AUCKLAND, Wedneday: Almost half a million people tuned in for the latest documentary in Newshub journalist Patrick Gower’s series, Patrick Gower: On P (made with support from NZ On Air).

AUCKLAND, Wednesday: Integrated brand agency Culture&Theory has been awarded the Integria Healthcare business for Australia & New Zealand.

PARIS, Today: The Gerety Awards, the only creative prize to reward the best in advertising from the female vision, has two NZ agencies on its shortlist, released overnight in France.

HAMILTON, Tuesday: Claudelands Arena, the leading events centre in the Waikato, will be known as Globox Arena from September this year.