AUCKLAND, Tuesday: As part of L’Oréal’s global corporate governance process, which sees a media review completed every four years, L’Oréal Australia and New Zealand have appointed GroupM agency Wavemaker as their new media agency from 1 October. The incumbent was Carat.

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.