It has long been recognised that a slow-loading web page is one of the reasons that encourages consumers to download ad blocking software, but now the Wall Street Journal reports that a number of US publishers are criticising ad agencies for the problem.

Tickets are reportedly going fast for TEDxAuckland, the annual ideas festival set to return for its first multi-day event on Thursday & Friday May 5 & 6 at Shed 10, Queens Wharf. Among the specialist speakers are former Saatchi Digital CD Matt Shirtclife, and former Y&R CD Vaughn Davis.

Y&R, Special Group, The Sweet Shop, Colenso, Saatchi, DDB, and Contagion are all through to the finals – with multiple entries – at Australia’s AWARD Awards. All up, NZ scored a remarkable 77 finalist spots.

While New Zealanders increasingly use mobile devices to watch video content, 3.2 million Kiwis aged 10+ (84%) are viewing over 23 hours of broadcast TV through their TV sets across a week. In comparison, online New Zealanders spend 15 hours per week using the Internet. 

NZ has picked up 18 finalist spots in the 2016 One Show’s Cross-Platform, Direct and Print & Outdoor categories. NZ is one of 40 nations through to the finals so far.

M+AD ed David Gapes has been appointed a jury member for the 2016 Epica Awards – a creative show judged by marketing journalists from around the world.

Real estate agents are transforming their front windows into touch-screens in move that emulates website live-link technology.

NZ creatives fared modestly at this year’s YGA Awards in Sydney – converting only one of their five Professional category finalists into Gold.

Gisborne-based grower LeaderBrand has launched an integrated campaign to grow the beetroot category in New Zealand, working with full-service Auckland agency Blackfoot.