D&AD is refreshing its awards offering with two newly designed Pencils for its 2015 In Book and Nomination awards. The new Wood and Graphite Pencils have emerged from an awards-wide revamp, and are aimed at bringing better clarity and coherence to the existing levels.

Former Acumen Republic ceo Karyn Arkell has unveiled her own Auckland-based PR agency, Grace. She has appointed six staff, including director Kirsten Blanchard (ex TALK Comms, Cisco, Acumen Republic, Hewlett Packard, and NZ Post).

The chief executive of ZenithOptimedia Australia has publicly congratulated rival media agency MEC on wrestling Nestlé from its grasp in an attempt to end the “vicious cycle” of bitterness which he said usually accompanies such business losses.

The Auckland division of brand design company Gibson Rusden has gone into liquidation. Six staff are believed to be affected.

Cricket fans with a penchant for caravans and quirky observation rejoice – The Alternative Commentary Collective’s cricket commentary returns to iHeartRadio NZ when New Zealand takes on South Africa at Mt Maunganui on Tuesday.

Software and technology company Broadcast MAP have completed the nationwide rollout of their new Schedule Optimiser and are giving their subscribers the chance to win an iPhone 6 every time they use it to make a buy between now and November 30.

Nestlé has parted ways with ZenithOptimedia on both sides of the Tasman, and appointed MediaCom to its business in NZ, and MEC in Australia. Aussie website MUmBRELLA says the combined account is worth A$60 million.

DDB and two former creatives have struck a deal over the disputed $10,000 cash prize from the recent Newspaper Ad of the Year Awards. Neither party will confirm (or deny) the settlement, which of course amounts to a virtual confirmation.

The Magazine Marketing Company, formed in 2008 by Stuart Shepherd, an honourable man of impeccable credentials (he founded Magazzino, Propaganda and Mercury Subs in the 1990s) went into liquidation on October 15.