SYDNEY, Today: Two large AU/NZ magazine publishers are about to merge, following approval from Australia’s competition watchdog, which has this morning given the green light to Bauer Media’s bid to purchase Seven West Media’s Pacific Magazines.

AUCKLAND, Today: “Blacksand remains open,” screamed the headline in the latest TVNZ email flyer. “Just because you’re locked in, doesn’t mean we’re shut down!

LONDON, Wednesday: Melbourne Business School adjunct professor of marketing Mark Ritson – a respected commentator on the NZ ad-media scene – writes (in UK Marketing Week): “The first lesson of the coronavirus crisis that now engulfs us is to shut the fuck up and let the experts guide us.

AUCKLAND, Today: The National Business Review has canned its weekly print edition and moved to a fully digital-based subscription.

AUCKLAND, Today: The New Zealand PR Institute has opened up its jobs board to everyone who is seeking a job/project work, or to advertise a role – free of charge (in more normal times it’s a members-only service).

AUCKLAND, Tuesday: Veteran Marsden Inch recruiter Barry Williamson has responded positively to Paul Head’s state-of-the-industry report, reprinted by M+AD Daily Tuesday directly from the Comms Council website.

SYDNEY, Today: The New Zealand ad market is better placed than Australia’s to weather the Covid19 storm, according to ad intel provider Standard Media Index.

AUCKLAND, Today: “There is solid proof that brands that continue to advertise during tough times fare better than those that don’t,” says Comms Council ceo Paul Head in an address to the ad industry, posted this morning on the council website.

AUCKLAND, Today: Many ad businesses are rapidly finding new ways to operate – like voiceover agency Bigmouth, which is now offering full voiceover services via Skype, Facetime, Zoom, or a phone call.

AUCKLAND, Today: Media channel provider Hypermedia has appointed out-of-home specialist Adam McGregor into the newly created role of general manager – media.