Yahoo Platforms NZ head of sales Arnaud Calonne writes for M+AD, about celebrating strong NZ content, and the important role distribution plays: During my time working in advertising sales in London and Paris, the industry was always full of praise for the Kiwis who had, and still have, a strong reputation for developing the best creative ideas and delivering award winning campaigns. The number awards won by New Zealand creative agencies at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is just one testimony to their lustre.

The call for entries for the Beacon Awards (in association with NZME) is … 4pm today – Wednesday 22 February. But – no worries – a 48-hour extension is available.

If last week’s sold-out #smcakl (Social Media Club Auckland) event was anything to go by, the trend of social influencer marketing shows no sign of slowing down for brands, marketers and digital strategists alike.

Former Saatchi & Saatchi Wellington GM Michael Rebelo has today been named as the Sydney-based NZ & Australia ceo for Publicis Communications, a position he will hold in conjunction with his present role as Sydney-based Saatchi NZ & Australia ceo. He has previously also been MD at Saatchi London for four years (to 2011).

Why are there so few female executives in advertising, asks Campaign Asia-Pacific, drawing our attention to its inaugural Gender Diversity Survey – now with just one week to run.

This article was written for M+AD by Chemisty Interaction director Mike Larmer: For most progressive brands, content marketing has come of age with CMOs – and it now needs to pay its way, just like any other channel.

CAANZ has confirmed details on its upcoming Axis Q&A at the Pt Chev RSA with host Peter Vegas and two offshore guests – and unveiled more names.