AUCKLAND, Tuesday: Ponsonby/Kingsland comms shop Darkhorse NZ has signed two new clients to its growing PR and digital portfolios – global leather accessories brand Deadly Ponies and Australian reusable coffee cups company, SoL Cups.

AUCKLAND, Tuesday: Film Construction has added acclaimed Kiwi filmmaker Ivan Barge to its Transtasman directors roster.

AUCKLAND, Today: FCB has confirmed the appointment of Sue Gill as general manager – strategy, partnering with David Thomason to lead the strategy team. She will also be responsible for key clients such as Samsung.

AUCKLAND, Today: Burger King NZ and its agency VMLY&R have removed a short Instagram video ad from their social media feed after sensationalist global media labelled it “racist”.

NEW YORK, Monday: Alt Group Auckland and its work for Klim Type Foundry Wellington are through to the shortlist stage of the 98th ADC Awards – the only NZ entry to make it past the prelims of the advertising & design global creative competition.

AUCKLAND, Today: Porter Novelli NZ has announced the launch of a specialised sustainability practice, and has appointed James Walker as executive director – sustainability, to lead development of the new practice alongside MD Sarah Williams and executive directors Louise Wright and Jane Luscombe.

WELLINGTON, Today: Wellington indie agency Eighty-One hit the streets of the capital to create and film The Wellington Effect for the new tourism campaign out of the Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency.

LONDON, Friday: Carat New Zealand, Dentsu Aegis Network agencies BC&F Dentsu and MKTG Auckland, and Movember NZ have won gold and silver at the Festival of Media APAC awards for their Face of Change campaign.