AUCKLAND, Thursday: Indie creative shop YoungShand has partnered with Spotify to launch a new campaign for Smirnoff Pure, that aims to update Kiwis on their favourite local music.

AUCKLAND, Thursday: DDB Australia/New Zealand has promoted NZ chief creative officer Damon Stapleton to the new role of regional chief creative officer Australia/New Zealand. He will remain based in Auckland.

AUCKLAND, Today: The 2019 TVNZ-NZ Marketing Awards finalists have been announced. The Awards will be held on Thursday 12 September 2019 at Cordis, Auckland. Tickets are now available.

AUCKLAND, Today: Infratil’s plan to buy up to 50% of Vodafone NZ has been cleared by the Commerce Commission – news that will be met with satisfaction at DDB.

AUCKLAND, Today: Marketing & digital insights analysts, customer experience specialists, content editors and communications executives are four of the “hotspot” skills sought by the 49% of employers who plan to increase permanent staff levels in NZ over the next 12 months, according to recruiting experts Hays.

LONDON, Today: Belinda Lush, head of customer experience strategy at Colenso BBDO, has been named as one of 12 judges for the upcoming Best Use of Data category at the Warc Media Awards, a comp with prizes totalling US$40,000.

PARIS, Tuesday: The editors at French/US site Adforum have rated two New Zealand-made tvcs in their weekly list of the Top 5 ads in the world. Both the NZ ads riff off awkward cellphone moments.

AUCKLAND, Tuesday: ANZ indie PR shop Adhesive has been re-awarded the tender for Singapore Tourism Board New Zealand for the third consecutive time, following a competitive pitch process.

AUCKLAND, Monday: Bauer Media has announced two new executive team appointments and a number of advertising leadership roles as part of the new-look structure under new managing director Tanya Walshe.

AUCKLAND, Today: NZ out-of-home media continues momentum delivering 16% growth over the first half of 2019 vs 2018, according to the latest report from the Outdoor Media Association.