M+AD got one detail wrong in yesterday’s report about the Spikes Asia – but it was a big one: DDB actually won two Grand Prix (not one as we reported).

Seven years since Rata restaurant opened in Queenstown, owner Mayfare Group, led by restaurateur Fleur Caulton and chef Josh Emett, is soon to open its ninth restaurant while also undergoing an agency rebrand to the Go To Collection. 

New Zealand agencies enjoyed a successful Spikes Asia, picking up three Grand Prix and nine Golds in Singapore at the weekend.

Australia’s Mumbrella nailed it: “Dr Mumbo giggled when WPP’s Y&R merged with WPP’s VML to become WPP’s VMLY&R. So many letters, so little time.”

AUCKLAND, Friday: Stuff’s national Sunday newspaper The Sunday Star-Times – a broadsheet since its inception in 1994 – is to adopt a compact format in three weeks, on Sunday 21 October, following the lead set by all other Stuff dailies which switched to compact earlier this year.

AUCKLAND, Today: The Comms Council has overnight released the 100 agency finalists who will contest the NZ Effie Awards next month. Leading the way are: Little Giant, Republik, Y&R, Colenso BBDO, Clemenger BBDO, BC&F Dentsu, FCB, Ogilvy, GSL Promotus, DDB, True, Saatchi & Saatchi, TBWA, PHD, and Special Group.

NZME has partnered with World Vision to raise awareness of modern-day slavery and raise funds to help those most at risk in Asia. Their Not for Sale campaign aims to highlight these atrocities happening in the world, and empower readers to make a difference globally.

AUCKLAND, Today: From 1 January 2019, Y&R NZ will be known as VMLY&R NZ, a Sydney-based WPP spokesperson (who asked for anonymity) told M+AD this morning.