AUCKLAND, Wednesday: “So, as we marketers contemplate a second year of a global pandemic and beyond, do we see only trouble ahead or is this perhaps an opportunity to change the conversation?” asks DDB Aotearoa chief strategy officer Rupert Price, writing in an article just posted on the Comms Council website.

AUCKLAND, Today: Westhaven indie Chemistry has been appointed by OnePure Artesian Water as its brand and outsourced marketing partner – without a pitch. There was no incumbent.

AUCKLAND, Tuesday: ANZA and the World Federation of Advertisers are calling on the NZ marketing & advertising community to add their voices to the world’s first global diversity & inclusion census in marketing.

AUCKLAND, Today: Val Morgan reports record audiences for the opening weekend in NZ  of Fast & Furious 9, which delivered the highest numbers since Jumanji: The Next Level in December 2019.

CANNES, Tuesday: The medals round is under way in France – and DDB Aotearoa and its PR arm Mango Aotearoa have shared gold, silver and bronze in the PR Lions; while in the Health & Wellness category, DDB, Colenso BBDO, Clemenger BBDO, and TBWA\ have picked up bronze Lions.

AUCKLAND, Monday: After almost 11 years, specialist retail marketing agency and media owner Hypermedia is rebranding to better reflect its offer to the market.

AUCKLAND, Today: OMD has won the 2degrees media account following a competitive pitch, with work slated to start in July. The incumbent was Ikon.

AUCKLAND, Today: Ogilvy Network New Zealand has unveiled its new management structure, featuring Kelly-Ann Maxwell (KAM) as ceo. New appointments include customer experience & innovation director Matt Oxley, and group creative director Chris Schofield (partnering with recently promoted Nina East).