SINGAPORE, Today: Forty-nine NZ entries are through to the final of the Spikes Asia. The judging process has been underway for the past two days and further shortlists will be released over the next 24 hours.

When Sony Pictures and its media agency PHD approached Phantom to publicise their latest superhero movie, Phantom pulled a surprising move.

AUCKLAND, Wednesday: NZME has appointed Katie Mills to the role of chief marketing officer. CEO Michael Boggs says Mills is not just results-oriented, but passionate about her work.

This year’s International Effie judge Mark Earles (aka the Herdmeister) will be presenting at the Effectiveness Function on Thursday 11 October at TVNZ.

Aussie programmatic advertising outfit The Trade Desk is establishing itself as a global player, and ANZ GM Mitch Waters, who’s in Auckland for tonight’s Modern Marketing Summit – Programmatic (sold out!).

SINGAPORE, Last night: One NZ agency stood head and shoulders above the field at the 2018 Tangrams Effectiveness@Spikes awards, presented last night on Day 1 of the Spikes Asia – and that was PHD, who took away the top prize (Media Strategy Agency of the Year), a Gold, three Silvers, and three Bronzes.

Wayne Krowitz, the organiser of ad:tech Auckland, makes one of those offers you just can’t refuse: “Here’s a nice little mid-week ad:tech Auckland bonus,” he writes.