AUCKLAND, Today: Michael Hill Jewellers, founded in NZ but now based in Brisbane, has appointed Melbourne creative/PR agency iD Collective to serve the New Zealand market. 

BUSAN, Today: NZ scored 49 finalists at Korea’s Ad Stars Awards overnight. Colenso BBDO collected 19 finals spots, followed by Clemenger BBDO Wellington (16), DDB (10), Special Group (three) and indie agency Run (one).

AUCKLAND, Today: One of the few independent agencies in the world to make the Ad Stars shortlist (see accompanying story) was Auckland creative & design shop Run.

AUCKLAND, Today: A sizzling stoush between a NZ marketing firm and pork company owned by a global food giant has flared up with an exchange of allegations, denials and legal letters over who created a bacon advertising campaign, according to a report in this morning’s Herald.

AUCKLAND, Today: Paradise Press – a slow-art ‘kindness’ initiative launched by freelance creative duo Patrick Hickley and Annabel Hawkins – started its first collection Friday, running through August.

PARIS, Saturday: Out-of-home giant JCDecaux has reported a “historic” plunge in organic revenue, dropping 63.4% in Q2. April to June sales saw just €351.9m (NZ$625m), compared to the €1bn (NZ$1.78b) during the same period in 2019.

AUCKLAND, Today: Adman (and occasional M+AD contributor), Hunch agency’s Michael Goldthorpe, wonders: “Ever feel like marketing is all about math these days?

CANNES, Today: Previously Unavailable NZ founder James Hurman & UK effectiveness guru Peter Field have posted their 20-minute effectiveness discussion online.

CANNES, Today: Aucklander Sam Stuchbury has won a Silver Screen Young Director Award overnight for his work in raising awareness about the effects pornography has on children.