SYDNEY, Wednesday: NZ’s media agency market has emerged strongly from the bruising Covid pandemic in a far stronger state, according to AU-based global number-cruncher SMI.

PARIS, Today: Global ad agency profiler AdForum has recognised two New Zealand agencies for producing some of the best creative work in the world last year – Special Group and TBWA\.

TAURANGA, Today: Grey Lynn-based multidisciplinary creative shop Studio Butter has officially signed with UBCO – a Tauranga bred, global EV bike company – as their lead content agency.

AUCKLAND, Tuesday: New Zealand Media & Entertainment has acquired Radio Wānaka and its associated frequencies, continuing its commitment to invest in local content across the regions.

AUCKLAND, Sunday: Former Badger ceo Matthew Masters resigned his M+AD sub at the weekend, to celebrate his exit from the world of “client politics and agency bullshit (as entertaining as those have been for me over the last 26 years).”

NEW YORK, Monday: D&AD has expanded its list of NZ jurors for the 2022 competition to include Clemenger BBDO CCO Brigid Alkema, Sweetshop producer Kate Roydhouse, Run CCO Raymond Otene McKay, and Auckland typeface designer Alistair McCready (Monolith).

PARIS, Today: New Zealand has successfully fostered productivity growth for a strong and sustainable recovery and higher living standards, according to the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation & Development) in a report released this morning.

AUCKLAND, Today: School Road Publishing has “quietly” discontinued the print edition of its travel title, Scout, according to a report by Daniel Dunkley in online news site BusinessDesk.