AUCKLAND, Today: NZME’s Newstalk ZB network – with 16 finalists – led the shortlist for the 2021 NZ Radio Awards, unveiled this morning.

AUCKLAND, Today: Stuff has become the first global recipient of funding from Substack Local, an US initiative that is designed to accelerate the launch and success of local news publications on the platform.

NEW YORK, Today: Colenso BBDO will be celebrating an outstanding result at the Echo Awards held (virtually) overnight in the Big Apple, where the agency took out no fewer than five medals.

AUCKLAND, Today: The Parnell Business Association has bypassed the agency world to launch an ad campaign “to celebrate local residents and businesses”.

CHRISTCHURCH, Today: Industry veteran Lee Parkinson has been elevated to the role of strategic partner at Strategy Christchurch. Managing partner Nick Harvey said: “Lee has been a strategist for 20 years and has worked with clients from virtually every industry and sector.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA, Wednesday: Coca-Cola ad spending plunged by US$1.5 billion (NZ$2.2 billion during the Covid-19 pandemic. Over the last six years, Coke spent an average of US$4bn a year on advertising worldwide. 

AUCKLAND, Today: JCDecaux AUNZ has announced the launch of an innovative new proprietary creative effectiveness tool, JCDecaux Optix.

CANNES, Wednesday: Former Saatchi & Saatchi NZ ceo Nicky Bell – now the global head of Facebook Creative Shop – has been named as jury member for the Cannes Social & Influencer Lions.

AUCKLAND, Today: FCB NZ has announced the promotion of senior creative David Shirley to a creative director role. At FCB since 2015, Shirley will join existing CD Slade Gill, providing leadership across the FCB creative department under ECDs Peter Vegas and Leisa Wall.

AUCKLAND, Today: Grey Lynn customer insights agency Perceptive has won a trifecta of awards at the 2021 NZ Research Association’s RAE Awards, held at Fish at the Hilton Auckland last week.