AUCKLAND, Thursday: FCB NZ has been appointed as the creative agency for several Heinz Wattie’s brands after a competitive pitch. The incumbent – for at least part of the portfolio – was thought to be VMLY&R (and before that, Y&R).
Twin Covers
AUCKLAND, Today: The Christmas twin-cover issue of MiNDFOOD magazine is setting records for indie Ponsonby publisher McHugh Media – coming in at 195 pages.
99 taps James Mok as ECD
AUCKLAND, Today: Kiwi creative legend James Mok has been appointed ECD at BBDO’s NZ retail agency 99, effectively returning to his strongest suit – a senior creative role.
Mok exits, Head elevated
AUCKLAND, Today: VMLY&R NZ MD James Mok has resigned (to join 99 – see accompanying story) and is being replaced by Fleur Head, previously MD of VMLY&R Wellington.
99 taps US ace
AUCKLAND, Today: BBDO NZ retail shop 99 has hired US creative ace Jon Trick as director of experience design. Trick was previously creative director at Portland-based brand experience agency Ziba, and has two decades of professional experience, working on Adidas, GlaxoSmithKline, Luxottica, Procter & Gamble, Reebok, Target and Umpqua Bank.
The Recovery?
AUCKLAND, Today: NZ’s media sector looks set to cautiously emerge from the Covid slump, and is well positioned to report its first month of growth since March, with early SMI data for the month showing total market demand so far back just 2.2% with that data collected with another week of trading still to occur.
Bedtime a little darker
AUCKLAND, Today: Buying a house, getting married and having a baby are the main life events that trigger New Zealanders to consider getting life insurance. And Special Group’s new Get life right campaign for Partners Life targets new parents by turning classic nursery rhymes for kids into ones more suited for adults.
FCB on the Road to Zero
AUCKLAND, Today: Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has appointed FCB as the strategic creative agency to develop and deliver a new public awareness campaign in 2021 to support the Government’s Road to Zero road safety strategy.
Special Group repays wage-aid
AUCKLAND, Today: Special Group NZ has agreed to repay its $203,800 Covid-19 wage supplement after a faster-than-expected recover, according to Herald Premium reporter Damien Venuto (scroll down for the link).
Auckland indie saves NZ blushes at Epica
PARIS, Today: Despite the influence of M+AD Daily ed David Gapes on the Epica Awards jury roster, NZ failed big time at last night’s awards presentation. Just one Kiwi agency – Newton-based Motion Sickness – made it through to the shortlist.
