AUCKLAND, Today: Westhaven indie Chemistry has been appointed by MTF Finance after a final head-to-head pitch. Walsh & Beck were the incumbent agency who will continue to work with MTF Finance on tactical campaigns.

AUCKLAND, Monday: Downtown indie Federation has won the safety and behaviour-change advertising account of Maritime New Zealand and the Safer Boating Forum, following a four-way competitive pitch. The incumbent was unknown at press time.

SYDNEY, Today: In June, New Zealand’s media agency market reported the highest monthly adspend total ever seen in the first six months of the year – and the seventh highest monthly advertising total in history.

QUEENSTOWN, Today: Queenstown creative production house Shotover Media has expanded into the creative agency market. The move rounds out the agency’s capabilities with a strategy-led creative and communications service model, centred on building enduring brand equity for its clients.

AUCKLAND, Today: Healthcare agency Essence (13 years in business) has unveiled its new brand purpose and identity, including a refreshed website, to better reflect the specialist agency’s evolution.

SYDNEY, Friday: Opr is to revert to its original name, Ogilvy PR, in line with Ogilvy’s global strategy and the recent launch of the Ogilvy Network in Australia and New Zealand.

AUCKLAND, Today: VMLY&R has formed a new partnership, named Te Takere, with Maori-owned consultancy Manako Limited, for the 2023 Census for Stats NZ.