AUCKLAND, Today: Val Morgan reports record audiences for the opening weekend in NZ  of Fast & Furious 9, which delivered the highest numbers since Jumanji: The Next Level in December 2019.

CANNES, Tuesday: The medals round is under way in France – and DDB Aotearoa and its PR arm Mango Aotearoa have shared gold, silver and bronze in the PR Lions; while in the Health & Wellness category, DDB, Colenso BBDO, Clemenger BBDO, and TBWA\ have picked up bronze Lions.

AUCKLAND, Monday: After almost 11 years, specialist retail marketing agency and media owner Hypermedia is rebranding to better reflect its offer to the market.

AUCKLAND, Today: OMD has won the 2degrees media account following a competitive pitch, with work slated to start in July. The incumbent was Ikon.

AUCKLAND, Today: Ogilvy Network New Zealand has unveiled its new management structure, featuring Kelly-Ann Maxwell (KAM) as ceo. New appointments include customer experience & innovation director Matt Oxley, and group creative director Chris Schofield (partnering with recently promoted Nina East).

LONDON, Monday: New Zealand led the global field in the first WARC Awards for Effectiveness. NZ won 11 awards; with the UK and US right behind with eight awards each.

TAKAPUNA, Today: Hell Pizza has teamed up with new creative indie agency, Yarn, to launch a tongue-in-cheek support line to help people stay hooked on the new smokey brisket pizza.

CANNES, Last Night: New Zealand has scored six on the Lions shortlists overnight – across four categories (Social & Influencer, Creative Strategy, Direct, and PR) – bringing NZ’s tally in the first two days to 25.

AUCKLAND, Sunday: There’s not many ad exponents who can say their work has, literally, saved lives. One such rarity is Herald on Sunday columnist Paul Catmur, who savours a rare moment in his latest column (scroll down for the Premium link).

AUCKLAND, Today: The Comms Council has issued its official entry call for Effie 2021. The awards will be held in Shed 10 on Queen’s Wharf on Thursday 28 October.