The Overseas Investment Office has approved the proposed merger between Fairfax Media’s New Zealand assets and NZME, although the deal still needs NZME shareholder and Commerce Commission approval to go ahead, NBR reports.

To celebrate the launch of Bonbon Couture, the new eau de perfume by L’oréal’s Viktor & Rolf, fashion illustrator Piet Paris and Holland-based creative production studio Ambassadors have created custom illustrations, brought to life through animated storytelling.

Colenso BBDO, Special Group (NZ & Australia), Eleven PR, Revolver Films, and TNS Global are names that resonate in NZ as Sydney-based B&T names the finalists for its Agency of the Year.

FCB New Zealand has launched its first campaign for Massey University, which the agency says breaks from some of the more traditional concepts of the tertiary sector.

Sydney-based production company Goodoil Films – an outfit with strong Kiwi connections – has shot a new spot for Aussie online dating service RSVP, made with The Core Agency, Sydney.

Colenso BBDO, DDB Group, FCB, Y&R have all recorded multiple shortlist successes as the Spikes Asia – which kicks off in Singapore today – starts releasing most of its category shortlists. Ogilvy and MediaCom also scored, as did film companies Exit, Curious and Ruskin.

Next month, rehydrating flight drink 1Above will launch a new brand expression/visual identity which has been crafted with New York-based global branding and design agency, Jones Knowles Ritchie (JKR). 

Fashion-conscious marketers will be pleased to learn that, with the impending launch of its new collection, the French brand of python handbags and small leather goods, Isabelle Farrugia, has entrusted its communication to the independent French advertising agency Gloryparis.