LONDON, Today: Social media platforms are forecast to reach more than six billion users, according to a release from global statistics website OnlyAccounts.io. (Warning: The master website* appears to have been hacked by a soft-porn outfit – scroll down for the links).

AUCKLAND, Wednesday: Media agency Initiative Aotearoa [wholly owned by IPG*] has been established as media partner to ASB and will expand its global footprint by launching in New Zealand as Initiative Aotearoa – apparently, it will be run out of Australia.

AUCKLAND, Today: Love Food Hate Waste NZ, a nationwide project aiming to encourage householders to reduce the amount of food they waste yearly, has appointed Narrative Campaigns to develop its strategic marketing and communications initiatives.

AUCKLAND, Today: “I can’t believe you guys are still around,” quipped a 1st AC the other day when he turned up at Reel Factory’s Orbit Drive studio for a commercial shoot.

AUCKLAND, Today: The Comms Council advises that entries are now open for the 2023 Pressie Awards, celebrating excellence in PR, Experiential, and Social campaigns from the past year in Aotearoa New Zealand.

LONDON, Tuesday: The Rolling Stones are staying tight-lipped over plans to market their 31st studio album, Hackney Diamonds, due out in October. A cryptic print ad has already appeared in London newspaper The Hackney Gazette – but the media agency & creative forces behind the work have yet to be identified.

AUCKLAND Monday: The First Five Rungs has announced the FFR shadow judges for the 2023 Effie Awards in Association with TVNZ. Shadow judging is the first stage of The Comms Council selection programme.

BUSAN, KOREA, Friday: New Zealand won four Grand Prix at MAD Stars 2023 – with Special taking out the Media Stars Grand Prix and the Entertainment Video Stars Grand Prix for Partners Life The Last Performance, while Colenso BBDO won the Direct Stars Grand Prix and the Radio & Audio Stars Grand Prix for Skinny Phone It In.