Sports events take three of the 10 places on the Facebook roundup of the most talked-about global topics in 2014 – released this morning by Facebook NZ. Wars, cops, ebola, airline crashes and Robin Williams made up most of the rest.

Global adspend will grow 4.9% to reach US$545 billion in 2015, according to ZenithOptimedia’s new Advertising Expenditure Forecasts, released yesterday by ZO NZ.

MediaWorks has unveiled a new organisational structure – a plan that will not include Television ceo Paul Maher and Interactive ceo Siobhan McKenna, who are now leaving MediaWorks. “The changes set the foundation for growing a thriving, integrated media business,” said group ceo Mark Weldon.

Critically acclaimed online game Minecraft has again topped the list of Yahoo New Zealand’s top 10 most popular searches for 2014. Minecraft started from humble beginnings in 2009 to become one of the most popular games in the world – with appeal for both young and old.

NZ/Australian online store Macpac has launched a new print and billboard campaign, shot in Queenstown by Melbourne agency The Reactor and Sydney photography company Hell Studios. No Kiwi creative input was sought, nor given.

WPP-owned JWT NZ has bought a majority stake in Wellington digital indie Heyday. Heyday’s services include digital strategy, visual design, user experience design, content development, digital film, smartphone apps and web application development.

The NZ Marketing Association has begun advertising for a new-look board. “We’re looking for suitable candidates for the 2015/17 term,” says NZMA chair Debra Hall.

The last issue of M+AD Daily will be sent on Wednesday 17 December 2014. We’ll be back on Monday 12 January.