Pharma giant GlaxoSmithKline has awarded its US$1.7 billion media business to Publicis Media, following a competitive review, according to “people with knowledge of the matter”, reported in Campaign Asia. Publicis Media is said to have created a dedicated agency unit for the account.

It’s not often you get to use a fancy word like objet in a heading – but we did manage it in a story in M+AD Friday about Aussie adman Ralph van Dijk, headed The objets I love.

Trade publication B&T which covers the Australian media, marketing and advertising industry is expanding their latest breakfast event series to include an event in Auckland.

LONDON, Friday: New Zealand entries have collected five Production, Post-Production, and Music Video shortlist places at the London International Awards. Sweetshop was involved in three of these, DDB (2), Assembly and Ogilvy (one apiece).

Clemenger BBDO and Biosecurity 2025 have launched Ko Tātou This Is Us, the first nationwide campaign designed to help New Zealanders understand and care about biosecurity.

AUCKLAND, Today: NZME has named three executives to join their senior Auckland commercial team. A number of key roles have been confirmed, with each person chosen for their ability to unearth and recognise opportunities for clients.

AUCKLAND, Thursday: The Comms Council has unveiled the six senior ad creatives who will make up the Axis 2019 executive team – the people who will make the final decisions for the awards show on Thursday 14 March.

LONDON, Thursday: New Zealand has scored five more finalist spots at the London International Awards – all in the Digital category. Assembly scored a brace with Ministry of Education Oat the Goat, as did DDB for Netsafe Re:scam. Colenso secured one for Pedigree SelfieSTIX.

Sydney-based Kiwi adman, design aficionado and father of three Ralph van Dijk – who spoke about radio at TRB seminars in Auckland and Wellington recently – today shares some of his favourite objects and artwork with M+AD readers, courtesy of a thoughtful reader’s take on an Urbis magazine profile.