CHRIS HUNTER HEADS TO RIVET SYDNEY

Top direct marketing creative Chris Hunter is moving to Sydney to become Rivet’s new Executive Creative Director for Australia and New Zealand.
Hunter has several major awards to his name, included the coveted International Gold Echo. He wrote the world’s first modern-era live TV campaign, which broadcast live stunts to the whole of New Zealand during the first season of the TV show 24.
He brings to the Sydney office nearly 20 years’ experience, having started out as a copywriter on the London Daily Mail before joining FCA, Campaign magazine’s Direct Marketing Agency of the Year. More recently, he was the founding CD of Draft in Auckland — and for the past year, has been also been looking after the New Zealand office of Lowe.
Says Rivet Sydney’s CEO, Judi Lewis: “Chris is one of the most passionate and creative marketers you could ever meet — in just a couple of years, he helped to turn Draft’s Auckland office into one of the most successful agencies in the huge global network. He’s open-minded, realistic, and understands what clients need.”
The challenging nature of the Australian market is one attraction for Hunter: “Another is the chance to work again with Judi and Tom Markham, who used to be our Interactive CD in Auckland. The pieces are fitting into place in the Sydney office and I decided I wanted to be a part of that.”
Hunter is a regular at awards judging, having done stints at the John Caples in New York, AWARD in Australia, and Axis and the RSVPs in New Zealand. His recent award credits include multiple Golds from the NZ Marketing Association, several Silvers from the international Caples and Echos, and bronzes from the NZ Effies and AWARD. He is also the author of Vantastic, a Kiwi bestseller about caravan culture.
He assumes his post from 1st December and will be working across all of the agency’s clients.

Y&R HEARS GOOD NEWS

Y&R Auckland and GPY&R Brisbane have been appointed to the Bay Audiology business after a competitive pitch involving Clemenger/Colenso.99 and Ogilvy NZ.
Bay Audiology is the market leader in NZ with 45 clinics and has 13 clinics in Australia with aggressive growth plans. The company is also looking outside ANZ for future expansion.
Says Jon Ramage, CEO Y&R New Zealand: "Our trans-Tasman pitch proved we can work seamlessly across two markets and that we can add creative energy to their fast growing business.
"Globally, one in 10 people have a treatable hearing problem, and as the population ages it will become important for a trusted brand like Bay Audiology to address the growing issue of hearing impairment.
"The pitch process provided both our offices with a good sense of how our integrated approach using all channels and disciplines could work to drive their business,” Ramage added.

FOUR CREATIVE HIRES FOR SAATCHI'S

Saatchi & Saatchi executive creative director Mike O’Sullivan has announced four new creatives hires for the agency.
Luke Chess (pictured) joins as a Group Creative Head working with Stephen de Wolf. Chess spent 2007 as creative director at BWM Sydney and the eight years prior were spent at Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney. His awards successes include One Show, ADMA, D&AD, Caxtons, AWARD and Australia’s first ever Cannes Direct Lion and Cannes Radio Lion. In 2006 he added a Cannes Gold in Outdoor to the list.
Chess told NZCC:"Saatchi's NZ is the hottest shop in the region right now, and in fact has been for the last couple of years. And Mike O has built a team of folk who are both shit hot creatively and also really good people to work with. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?"
Robbie Brammall and Ant Hatton join as senior creatives, from George Patterson Y&R Melbourne, where they have been working for the last 5 months. Prior to that they had four years at Clemenger BBDO Sydney. Their award haul so far includes metal at Cannes, Clios, Caxtons, New York festival and AWARD.
Aaron Dustin joins as creative director - digital. Dustin leaves his own successful Wellington digital agency, Timebased, to lead Saatchi Digital and Direct. His digital creative skills have been recognised both locally and internationally – not least of which by his impressive client list that includes many of the country’s most innovative and successful digital marketers. Dustin replaces Adam Oliveira who is returning to his native Canada next year.
All four will start at the agency on 14 Jan.

AFTER 14 YEARS AT SAATCHI, YELLOW PAGES WALKS TO AIM PROXIMITY/COLENSO BBDO

After 14 years with Saatchi & Saatchi, Yellow Pages Group has announced a new partnership with AIM Proximity and Colenso BBDO. AIM Proximity will continue to provide direct and digital marketing expertise and integrate this with advertising solutions from Colenso BBDO.
AIM Proximity and Colenso BBDO will work closely with Yellow Pages Group's own in-house design studio, and with Yellow Pages Group’s reputation management consultancy Creo.
Yellow Pages Group Marketing Director Blair Glubb said the change reflected, in large part, Yellow Pages Group's move to multiple platforms for its find-it services, and the resulting need to integrate its communications services more effectively.
"We're bringing a new era in find-it to New Zealanders across print, online, voice and mobile and this requires greater integration of our communications. This new partnership is a great example of this.
“We were looking for an integrated model so we set out to choose one agency partner. As we are moving increasingly into direct and digital it makes sense for us to build upon our relationship with the leaders in that space, AIM Proximity, and leverage their strong partnership with Colenso BBDO,” said Mr Glubb.
The announcement brings to a close Yellow Pages Group's 14-year relationship with Saatchi & Saatchi.
“It’s been among the longest standing agency-client relationships in New Zealand business and has resulted in some outstanding work over the years. While we part ways sadly with Saatchi & Saatchi, the new partnership reflects the integration opportunity presented by the ever-evolving find-it market," said Mr Glubb.
Says AIM Proximity CEO Darryn Melrose: “We work increasingly with those New Zealand companies that are developing online strategies as a key part of their business, and Yellow Pages Group is no exception. While we already had a strong relationship with the company, their decision to award the new integrated account to AIM Proximity and Colenso BBDO shows that online marketing will play an even more strategic role in the future.”
Adds Colenso BBDO Managing Director, Brent Smart: “We’re stoked to be working with Yellow Pages Group, one of New Zealand’s iconic brands that has a heritage of doing great work. This win really confirms that we have the right integrated model with AIM Proximity. We feel a great cultural fit with Blair and the team at Yellow Pages Group and we can’t wait to bring our creativity to their business.”

CAMPAIGN BRIEF AGENCY OF THE YEAR

It's fast coming up to the end of the Year and soon time to pick Campaign Brief New Zealand Agency of the Year -- and also to work out the 2008 CB Creativity/Billings Index (or Hot+Cold Chart).
As far as most agency creative directors are concerned, CB Agency of the Year is the most coveted of all AOY titles to win - and where an agency is placed on our annual chart is critical to many agency's new business performance in the coming year (that's the bit of most interest to CEOs!).
If you are entering other trade magazine Agency of the Year competitions, please send us (almost) the same thing. You'll be pleased to know it's free to enter, unlike the others -- and you won't have to personally front a jury of competing agency execs and clients in a Sydney hotel to present your case!
Provide your TV/Viral/Integrated on a DVD and Print/Outdoor/Ambient work as A4 laser prints. (Keep the package small this year!). Please list highlights of the year, including all awards won in 2007, new people, plus accounts won and lost, etc. in a separate doco.
Please only include work that has run between January 1 to Dec 31, 2007.
Even if you feel it's not your year, please send us your best as it is vital to work out where your agency fits on the 2008 CB Creativity/Billings Index.
Make sure your package arrives at CB prior to Monday 17th December, 2007.

Address packages to:

Campaign Brief
Level 1
24 Hickson Road
SYDNEY NSW 2000


HONOUR ROLL: CB NEW ZEALAND AGENCY OF THE YEAR

1999 Colenso BBDO Auckland
2000 Saatchi & Saatchi NZ
2001 Colenso BBDO Auckland
2002 Colenso BBDO Auckland
2003 DDB Auckland
2004 Publicis Mojo Auckland
2005 Saatchi & Saatchi NZ
2006 Saatchi & Saatchi NZ

2007 NEW ZEALAND DIRECT & INTERACTIVE MARKETING AWARDS FINALISTS ANOUNCED

There was a record number of entries in the Marketing Association’s 2007 New Zealand Direct & Interactive Marketing Awards and the finalists have been announced.
Thee Awards comprise three segments :
• NEXUS Awards for excellence in direct marketing infrastructure
• RSVP CRAFT Awards for the entry displaying the single best example of craft quality in each category
• RSVP Awards, which judge campaigns on strategy, creativity, results and the degree of marketplace difficulty.
Following an extensive review of the categories and a streamlining of the judging process, the expertise of a total of 55 marketing industry professionals was focused on identifying entries to make the cut through to the final round of judging.
Together with the stalwarts, a raft of newcomers featured in both the RSVP and NEXUS Awards, and a record number of entries were specifically submitted into the RSVP CRAFT categories.
A full list of finalists can be found at http: www.nzdirectmarketingawards.co.nz . All winners, including the winners of the coveted RSVP Grand Prix and Supreme NEXUS Awards, will be unveiled at a sumptuous gala event on Friday 29 February 2008 at Sky City Auckland Convention Centre.

SIX NZ JURORS ALLOCATED FOR CANNES

Fairfax Media, as the NZ official Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival representative, has announced the 2008 jury allocation.
New Zealand will be represented on the following 6 juries:

1 x Film Lions Jury Member
1 x Media Lions Jury Member
1 x Cyber Lions Jury Member
1 x Direct Lions Jury Member
1 x Promo Lions Jury Member
1 x Design Lions Jury President (Derek Lockwood from Saatchi's has been awarded this position).

Embarrassingly, as was the case last year, prospective jurors will have to submit their credentials to Fairfax, rather than be chosen by reputation. According to the PR blurb, jury nominations must have: a creative background (for film, cyber, direct & promo) or an accomplished Media background. Must be well regarded in the industry.
Must have won top level awards, preferably a Lion.

Successful Jury members will be notified in January 2008.

JEALOUS LOVERS LAUNCH

Independent Director & Producer teams Dennis Hitchcock / Scott Donaldson and Barry Fawcett / Edwina Monaghan have merged to create tvc production shop Jealous Lovers Productions.
The ever so well dressed Barry Fawcett has hit the ground running after completing Fresh & Fruity (Clemenger BBDO) and has directed new spots for Mitre10 (Draft FCB) this month.
Dennis Hitchcock seen about & looking relaxed has directed new spots for Panadol (SOM Sydney) Hanover (Ogilvy Auckland) and Lexus (Dentsu Tokyo) of late.
Their office is opposite Prego, so creative folk might like to hand deliver scripts around lunchtime, any day is good but you may need to be early on Fridays!

Jealous Lovers Productions
195 Ponsonby Rd
Tel. 09 378 8848
Fax. 09 378 8849
Email. (firstname)@jealouslovers.tv

CATMUR NOT GOING BACK TO DDB - OR TAKING THE ECD JOB AT PUBLICIS MOJO

Paul Catmur has laughed of as pure speculation a

REPORT

in today's Herald that suggests he either may be going back to DDB or be taking Nick Worthington's ECD gig at Publicis Mojo, telling NZCC that the journalist did not contact him before publishing the story.
Catmur, who is now on gardening leave since departing George Patterson Y&R, says he will remain in Melbourne until just before Christmas (although he is in NZ today and had not yet read the Herald story) and will be taking a short break (mainly fishing) from the business before considering his next move.

SIMON WEDDE NAMED DDB MANAGING PARTNER

DDB has announced the appointment of Simon Wedde as Managing Partner.
He moves from his own agency Zephyr WPD to take up the DDB role on Monday. (November 19).
DDB Chief Executive Sandy Moore predicts Simon will be a ‘tremendous asset’ and complement the agency’s senior management team: "He’s highly experienced with a great background in planning, strategy and business management.
"Unusually for a suit, he started life as a management consultant, and his experience since - as a strategic planning director, account director and then running his own agency - means he has a thorough and wide-ranging understanding of business."
DDB Executive Creative Director Toby Talbot, who worked with Wedde for four years at Colenso, added: "Simon has a great work attitude – he’s passionate and intuitive about business. But he’s more than just a great suit – he thinks holistically about client issues."
Wedde said he was delighted to be joining DDB at a key time of agency growth: "In a very quiet and modest way Marty and Sandy have stitched together an enviable mix of agencies, talent, culture and clients. They also seem to have got the integrated model right. So, coupled with the chance to work on NZ Lotteries and Sky TV, there probably isn’t a better suiting job in Australasia. Why wouldn’t you want to be part of it?", he said.
His previous role as a Group Account Director at Colenso saw him handling Frucor, Visa International, SkyCity and Masterfoods business. Prior to Colenso, he was Strategic Planning Director at South Australian agency KWP!.
Wedde, replaces former Managing Partner Deborah Simpson who recently moved to a planning role at TBWA\Whybin.

AXIS ADSCHOOL GRADUATION: THE MOVIE

Here's a nice little movie from early on in last Thursday’s 8th AXIS Adschool end of year show. It ended up an absolute corker of a night, with numbers again being well up and a couple of pleasant diversions including having senior creatives’ early portfolios on view and Juice TV’s Reanin doing interviews with current and ex students for feeds to the ‘Coke Generator’ show.
Dean Howie at CAANZ e-mailed the next day to say ‘A thoroughly enjoyable evening. There was some great work on display and I'm sure your students will go on to serve the industry well - hopefully within a CAANZ member agency!’
Pretty much the entire TBWA and Tequila Creative depts, and Devo, came in for an early special preview (their Sky City celebration party later that night had prompted the request). They’re a happy crew, very much open to different thinking and fun ideas, and really helped to kick start the students’ crucial last few hours on the course.
Thanks to Andrew Mitchell and friends, there was a lot more emphasis on Direct Response, Integration and Digital Interactive this year, and this helped make everyone’s books more varied and fizzy. Industry panel members who’d assessed portfolios in mid October were impressed by how much the students’ books had moved on in the following 3 weeks, and this, plus the previous 33 weeks of hard work meant that 11 offers of placements were made on the night (that we know of- Friday morning was a little bleary), and several solo players and teams have already started in at agencies.
So, many thanks to everyone who came by to give advice, contacts and encouragement- although it’s still early days, your contribution was a great beginning to the next part of 14 very happy and determined new creatives’ careers.

From AXIS Adschool course tutors David Bell, Randall Inch and Kate Humphries.

GUINNESS 'TIPPING POINT', VIA AMV BBDO LONDON, SETS OFF A CHAIN REACTION

A chain reaction from Guinness! The latest in the series of 'Good Things Come to Those Who Wait' ads, 'Tipping Point', via AMV BBDO London, was directed by Nicolai Fuglsig of Sony Bravia 'Balls' fame. 'Tipping Point', part of a £10million marketing campaign, is the most complex and expensive to produce Guinness advertisement ever. A celebration of community, the ad sees hundreds of villagers come together to create the ultimate domino effect, featuring 6,000 iconic black and white dominoes, alongside thousands of unexpected toppling objects.

SEE THE GUINNESS SPOT ON BESTADS

STEVE AYSON STILL SWEET

"Even though we now share Steve Ayson with Academy in the UK and Smuggler in the US, Steve is still with The Sweet Shop in Australasia and still hungry to work with the best creatives in the region. For God's sake he’s a Kiwi living in the bush down-under”, says The Sweet Shop's Managing Director Paul Prince.
Please contact Paul Prince for his latest reel - prince@thesweetshop.tv

HYPERFACTORY SETS UP SHOP IN BEVERY HILLS

Hot on the heels of the announcement that a global consortium comprising 42 Below founders Geoff Ross, Grant Baker and Stephen Sinclair and Hollywood big hitters Rich and Paul Franks have invested in the Hyperfactory, the NZ-based mobile marketing and media agency has now announced the launch of its Entertainment Division.
The launch will see the company reach out to a huge range of international clients from the music, film and television industries – helped no end by the involvement of the Franks and The Firm, one of Hollywood’s leading entertainment agencies.
The Hyperfactory CEO Derek Handley says, “This is a tremendous opportunity for us to connect with the international entertainment industry and entertainment fans around the world – we’re delighted to have this ‘super-group’ on board.
“The Hyperfactory has already had fantastic success in the entertainment arena – now, working closely with the Franks and The Firm in Los Angeles, we will be able to introduce mobile strategies to the entire industry.”
The Hyperfactory will set up a new Los Angeles office at The Firm’s offices in Beverly Hills, LA, in addition to offices in Auckland, New York, Shanghai, Hong Kong and India.
In awards news, The Hyperfactory has won three top gongs at the Adweek Magazine Buzz Awards, held to celebrate the best in international brand and media integration. It beat thousands of interactive advertising entrants to win Buzz Best in Show and Best Wireless Promotion for its groundbreaking campaign for Motorola (the campaign also won Best-In-Show/Creative Breakthrough at last month's OMMA Awards in New York), as well as Best Print for an all-NZ campaign for Wellington Zoo.
The Motorola "Say Goodbye" campaign was developed by the Hyperfactory, Ogilvy Hong Kong and Aura Interactive Australia. It allowed travellers at the Hong Kong International Airport to say goodbye to loved ones via their mobile phones, broadcasting their messages on giant video screens and receiving personal messages and exclusive mobile content from celebrities David Beckham and Jay Chow on their mobile phones. http://210.48.79.8/awards/hkia/index.htm
The Best Print award-winning campaign for Wellington Zoo (pictured) saw The Hyperfactory join forces with Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand and Hitlab NZ to introduce a new technology created by Chch human interface specialists Hitlab NZ called Augmented Reality to mobile phones. This made it possible to view a three-dimensional zoo animal on a print ad – simply by using the live camera feed on a mobile.
Users were invited to download software to their mobile – when the phone’s camera was placed over the print ad, the software initiated a 3D image of a bear, giraffe or cheetah on the user’s mobile screen. The user could view the 3D animal from all angles simply by moving their mobile phone around the marker image in the print ad.
http://oursites.co.nz/cannes07/WellingtonZoo/video.html
And finally, The Hyperfactory has picked up seven finalist nominations for the MMAs, to be held in LA next week. Watch this space…
http://mmaglobal.com/

CATMUR RESIGNS FROM GPY&R, MELBOURNE - LIKELY TO GO FISHING BACK IN NZ

NZCC hears George Patterson Y&R, Melbourne executive creative director Paul Catmur has resigned, after less than a year in the gig. Catmur took the job in December last year, filling the vacuum left by the departure of James McGrath (now ECD of Clemenger BBDO, Melbourne). NZCC understands he will be taking a break from the business (probably back in NZ) to go fishing - he doesn't need to work - before considering his next advertising adventure.
Before GPY&R, Catmur had a highly successful few years as ECD at DDB New Zealand. NZCC suspects Ben Coulson, currently CD of GPY&R, Melbourne will carry on in that role and, given the imminent loss of Fosters, it is unlikely Catmur will be replaced.
Calls to Catmur went unanswered.

SAATCHI'S SNARES BACK TO REPLACE NOBBY, BOWMAN TO RETURN FROM DROGA5 NEW YORK

It's finally official: Saatchi & Saatchi Australia has snared multi awarded DDB Sydney creative director Steve Back to replace David Nobay as Executive Creative Director. At the same time Saatchi's has managed to lure senior creative Dave Bowman from Droga5, New York as creative group head to team with Back.
They are both former Saatchi creatives, having worked together here at Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand as Creative Group Heads. Both are highly awarded, with Back ranked number 6 and Bowman number 7 in Australasia in the 2007 Campaign Brief Creative Rankings.
Originally a star at Marketforce in Perth, Back (pictured right) first worked at George Patterson Sydney followed by a highly awarded stint at Leo Burnett Sydney. Back played a major role in Leo's winning CB Agency of the Year in 2000. Back then spent several years in London before being enticed to New Zealand to join Colenso BBDO. Mike O'Sullivan then lured Back as Head of Art when he was appointed ECD of Saatchi & Saatchi NZ. The agency went on the win CB NZ Agency of the year in 2006 and 2007.
At DDB Sydney, Back has dramatically re energized the agency, moving them to equal number one Australian agency in The Work 07 with Saatchi & Saatchi Australia. Under Back, DDB Sydney was the only Australian agency to get gongs at all four of the top international award shows (D&AD, The One Show, Clio and Cannes) this year. Currently DDB Sydney is ranked number 10 in the world in the 2007 BestAds Creative Rankings (www.bestadsontv.com).
Bowman (above left) made his rep at The Glue Society, Sydney where he co created the Virgin Mobile "Warren" campaign that won the Cannes Direct Grand Prix in 2004, as well as the Virgin Mobile "5 Cents", which won Australia's first Titanium Lion at Cannes in 2005. He then had a two year stint at Saatchi NZ where he continued to win awards at Cannes, D&AD and AWARD. More recently, amongst other Droga5 projects, Dave has recently completed work on the mammoth Honeyshed project for Droga5, New York (in association with Publicis).
Says Saatchi Australia CEO Simone Bartley (above centre): “Several months ago we began an international search for an ECD who would fit with Saatchi’s ideas-centric culture, whose creative approach was fresh and innovative and who had a global perspective. But it was also critical that our ECD was able to understand the Australian culture, what makes us laugh, cry and engage with our brands. On every count there was no better candidate than Steve and we are delighted that he will be leading our creative team through a very exciting period at Saatchi & Saatchi.
“Dave has spent the past 12 months gaining invaluable international experience in brand entertainment content with Droga5 in New York and is returning to Saatchi to help us expand our offering through our new division, Saatchi Substance," said Ms Bartley. “There is no question Dave has led the way in this market having won Australia’s first Titanium. Now he returns with even more experience to bring to Saatchi clients.”
The agency’s repositioning came earlier this year with the appointment of award-winning Brian Merrifield as Group Creative Head of Digital (ex Saatchi Auckland); and more recently, Bram Williams as the new Head of Strategy.
“It’s important we lead the way in creating idea-centric campaigns that build a high return on involvement for our client’s brands,” said Ms Bartley. “It is now time for us to take another leap forward and these appointments will absolutely give us the edge in this market.”
Australia's Bob Isherwood, Worldwide Creative Director of Saatchi & Saatchi, personally led the intensive global search: “Steve and Dave were both top talent Saatchi & Saatchi boys who moved on to do other things," said Isherwood. “We’re very excited about the additional experience they’re now bringing home."
Ms Bartley said one of the agency’s great strengths was its ability to identify talent and nurture it. “We see Steve as a man of the moment with the creative flair and personal qualities that fit perfectly with our culture at Saatchi and that of our clients."
Says Back: “Saatchi is primed to explore new fields of opportunity and that’s something that Simone and I are completely in tune on. Reuniting with David gives us a chance to get on with unfinished business. We had a great thing happening at Saatchi in Auckland but the best is yet to come.
“We’ve travelled different paths since then and that just means there’ll be even more magic in the mix. But we know each other well enough to hit the ground running. This is going to a very exciting period for everyone, including our clients. The whole media landscape continues to change, and we’ll be at the forefront.”
His many awards include a Silver and three Bronze Lions at Cannes; a Silver and two Bronze Pencils at The One Show; five Acceptances at D&AD; four Bronze at Clio; six Silvers and 17 Bronze Pencils at AWARD; two ADMA Gold; plus one Silver and three Bronze Bullets at Young Guns.
Back will take up his position at Saatchi shortly and Bowman at the beginning of 2008.

MEDIA WISE TO CONTINUE TO STAND ALONE

In the wake of the OMD merger announced today, media agency Media Wise will continue to operate in an independent capacity, although its ownership structure will change.
As with the newly expanded OMD New Zealand (formed through the merger of OMD New Zealand, Media Direction OMD and Clemenger BBDO Wellington’s media department), Media Wise will operate under the auspices of Omnicom Group’s media arm, Omnicom Media Group (OMG) and will be 50 per cent owned by Clemenger Communications Ltd and 50 per cent owned by DDB (NZ) Ltd.
Mike Fredricson (previously Media Direction OMD Group Account Director), has been appointed General Manager of Media Wise, while Kath Watson will relinquish her Acting Managing Director’s role.
Jo Reid, also from Media Direction OMD joins Media Wise as Business Director. Jo adds further strength to the Media Wise capability.
Mr Fredricson says that Media Wise is ideally positioned for future growth.
“We have a very sharp, focused team with strong relationships with leading clients such as Reckitt Benckiser, Cadbury Confectionery, IAG New Zealand and Chrysler NZ,” he said.
Kath Watson, Managing Director of OMD New Zealand says that Media Wise remains the strong media company it has always been, but is now well positioned to extend itself further.
“Media Wise is in very good heart and with his extensive FMCG and financial services background, Mike Fredricson is the right person to lead the business through an exciting growth phase,” Ms Watson said.
Media Wise will continue to be located at 80 Greys Ave in Auckland.

MERGER CREATES NZ'S LARGEST MEDIA AGENCY

A merger of three firms announced today will instantly create New Zealand’s largest media agency.
International media services company Omnicom Media Group (Australia and New Zealand) today announced that three New Zealand media agencies – OMD New Zealand, Media Direction OMD and Clemenger BBDO Wellington’s media department – will merge under the OMD New Zealand brand.
Paul Davey CEO of Omnicom Media Group (Australia and New Zealand) said that while there had been merger speculation for some years, the time was now right to make the move.
“The broader Omnicom group is always looking for opportunities that promote best practice and deliver exceptional results to clients. The merger we’re announcing today will be the beginning of an exciting new era for OMD here in New Zealand.”
The companies involved are ultimately managed by the international Omnicom Group so the merger represents a market brand rationalisation and realignment under the OMD banner similar to that undertaken by Omnicom in other regional territories in recent years. OMD New Zealand will operate under the auspices of Omnicom Group’s media arm, Omnicom Media Group and will be 50 per cent owned by Clemenger Communications Ltd and 50 per cent owned by DDB (NZ) Ltd.
“Both clients and staff of the new OMD New Zealand can take advantage of being part of a celebrated worldwide network. OMD is considered the most successful media brand in the world with a proven track record in terms of both awards and our singular client focus. We live by our consumer-centric mantra; providing perceptive insights, superior ideas, and delivering quantifiable results.
“Clients will benefit from OMD’s internationally proven best practice, additional services and innovation, while our newly expanded OMD team will have access to exciting new national and international career paths through the wider group,” says Mr Davey.
Mr Davey takes on the role of Executive Chairman of OMD New Zealand and will spend additional time in New Zealand to successfully market and manage the business consolidation.
Kath Watson has been promoted to Managing Director of the newly merged and expanded OMD New Zealand.
“The expanded OMD operation creates exciting new opportunities for our clients and will have a positive impact on the media industry in general. Due to its limited market size, New Zealand has tended to have a generalist approach to media. However, with increasing fragmentation and digitisation of many media channels, communication specialisation is becoming crucial.
“This merger provides us with the necessary scale and resource to develop greater specialisation to expand our unique suite of client-focused services. Our intention is to create an offering that clearly positions us as the market leader, not just in terms of size, but capability as well,” Kath says.
Former Media Direction OMD Managing Director, Peter Myles is taking up a newly created role as Executive Director of Omnicom Media Group (OMG).
Peter Myles says he is thrilled with his new appointment.
“While the exact parameters of my new position have yet to be confirmed, I am excited about the prospect of getting involved in a variety of new projects within the wider Omnicom Media Group, outside of OMD,” Peter says.
Other senior management appointments resulting from the merger include the naming of three OMD Managing Partners: Andrew Reinholds and Rosanne Robinson in Auckland, and Nigel Keats in Wellington. Ching Yeo’s recent promotion to Finance Director of OMD New Zealand recognises the increased role he’ll have in the new company. Chris Riley is Director OMD Digital and Gregg Wiggill is Director OMD Insights. Matt Bale has been appointed General Manager of the OMD New Zealand Wellington office.
OMD New Zealand’s Auckland head office will be located at 33 College Hill, Ponsonby and will continue to provide media services to all existing clients. Clemenger BBDO Wellington’s media department will be rebranded OMD New and will be located at separate offices within the Clemenger building at 8 Kent Terrace in Wellington.

BIGGER IS SOMETIMES BETTER

Digipost’s formidable telecine department offers yet another option to meet growing client demand. The leading Auckland based post production company has added a Baselight Four non-linear, software-based colour grading system to its arsenal.
The new Baselight Four is a key component of Digipost’s Digital Intermediate pipeline. Digipost chose Baselight over a range of products on offer. “In true Digipost fashion, having listened to what our clients were saying, we did our homework and came up with the right product for our clients”, said Peter Williams, Senior Colourist at Digipost.
Digipost’s investment in the DI process is a reflection of current world trends in post production. The shift towards DI in the feature film market is well established, whilst DI style non-linear grading is finding favour with commercial clients due to its workflow and cost advantages.
The Baselight Four is at home with all input and output resolutions and formats including SD, HD, 2K or 4K, and its non-linear architecture and flexibility offers clients completely new creative possibilities.
Completing Digipost’s DI environment is the newly installed Spirit 2K telecine-scanner, which can produce real-time 2K data files from 35mm film. Images can then be graded on monitor, or in Digipost’s purpose built grading theatre projected by another world-class addition, the Christie CP2000ZX projector. Altogether, Digipost provides a premium DI grading experience.
Says new General Manager Stephen Douglas: “Although we are really chuffed to have what we feel are the best telecine toys in town, it still comes back to the talent, the people who are actually pushing the buttons. Having Dave, Pete and Gerard in the Telecine team at Digipost puts us well and truly on top of the pile.”

THE POND CREATES MELBOURNE CUP HEADACHE FOR SAATCHI WELLINGTON CD TIM HALL

Tim Hall, the new creative director of Saatchi's Wellington (an Aussie who's only been in the gig since July), won the Inaugural Pond NZCC Inter-Agency Melbourne Cup Sweepstake.
With a sad few picking Aussie horse Efficient to win, a prize draw was held at 9am this morning to determine the grand winner out of all correct entries. Tim grabbed the 3-litre Magnum Pol Roger valued at $495 and all runners up will be receiving a 750ml bottle. All of which amounts to a major headache in the industry as those in the final draw share their good fortune around...yeah right.
With 84 entrants in total, the use of an online blog competition was pronounced a resounding success, with plans for the Inter-Agency Sweepstake to go even bigger next year (we’re chucking in a 2kg bag of Minties).

MORE KIWIS & AUSSIES ON D&AD JURIES

D&AD has announced more New Zealand and Australian judges for next year's awards:
Richard Maddocks (pictured), ECD of Colenso BBDO Auckland (soon to be at Clems Sydney), will be judging TV & Cinema Advertising along with Andy Blood, ECD of TBWA\Whybin Auckland.
Paul Catmur, ECD of George Patterson Y&R, Melbourne will be a member of the Press Advertising jury.
Ralph Van Dijk from Eardrum, Sydney will be judging Radio Advertising.

BACK RESIGNS FROM DDB SYDNEY, WHERE TO NEXT?

DDB Sydney creative director Steve Back has resigned after 14 months at the agency, confirmed by DDB Australia ECD Matt Eastwood this morning. Back is not returning calls as to his future plans and apparently will be taking a holiday starting tomorrow.
Back, who is currently ranked #6 Creative in Australasia on the CB Creative Rankings, was lured to DDB Sydney from Saatchi & Saatchi NZ, where he was head of art, and before that he held a similar gig at Colenso BBDO, Auckland. Prior to his NZ stint, Back had several senior gigs in London, including deputy CD of Grey, head of art and CD of Walsh Trott Chick Smith and group CD at Partners BDDH. Before London, he was head of art at Leo Burnett Sydney (part of the 2000 CB Agency of the Year team, teamed with Mark Collis, now national ECD of Burnetts).
Back started his career in 1991 at Mojo in Perth, followed by three years at Marketforce. In 1996 he headed east, securing a senior art director gig at George Patterson Bates in Sydney, where he first teamed up with Collis.

THE POND TO CREATE MAJOR HEADACHE FOR INTER-AGENCY SWEEPSTAKE WINNER

Predict the winner of the 2007 Melbourne Cup and you could win a whopping 3-litre magnum of Pol Roger ($459 RRP), courtesy of floating creative department, The Pond, in association with NZCC. But that's not all readers – they're also throwing in a bag of Minties ($3.99 at the corner dairy)!
It's all part of the first ever "Inter-agency Melbourne Cup Sweepstake", designed to put the glamour back into advertising (well for 5 minutes, at least).
So drag yourself away from TradeMe, study up on the field below and post your prediction on this thread before 4.30pm, Tuesday to enter the draw. (Or, if you have blogophopia, just e-mail sue@thepond.co.nz to place your bet).

PS: You must be over 18 and don't forget to add your name and number – we can't go sending the champers to Mr Nobody can we.

DAVE KING ON D&AD DIRECT JURY

Dave King (left), creative director of AIM Proximity, Auckland has been picked for the DIRECT JURY at D&AD next year, alongside Matty Burton (ex Saatchi & Saatchi NZ, now Droga 5 New York).
More D&AD juries will be announced soon, which should include several Kiwis.

GINSBERG TAKES AIM

AIM Proximity, Welington has appointed Roger Ginsberg to the role of Art Director.
A brand strategy specialist, Ginsberg has a number of award winning campaigns to his credit including the ‘Smirnoff Half Day Off’ campaign which picked up the top New Zealand direct marketing prize, the RSVP Grand Prix. In addition, he was art director for the ‘Get Sponsored by Coruba’ campaign which picked up four RSVP Golds.
Commenting on the appointment, Brett Hoskin, Managing Director, AIM Proximity Wellington said: “We pride ourselves in providing our clients the very best in direct marketing and Roger’s appointment is yet another affirmation of that capability. His interactive and online marketing prowess further strengthens AIM Proximity’s digital capabilities while his expertise with global brands adds a further dimension. Roger will bring fresh ideas and a different perspective. We’re delighted to have him on board”.

AFTER MORE THAN A DECADE WITH COLENSO BBDO, SKYCITY BETS ON TBWA\TEQUILA

SKYCITY Entertainment Group today announced that it was awarding its advertising account to TBWA\Tequila NZ.
SKYCITY’s General Manager Group Marketing, Jane Hastings, said that after a highly competitive pitch process, the evaluation team considered that TBWA\Tequila best met the brief in offering an integrated marketing solution.
“We were looking for an agency with a track record in delivering a fully integrated approach - the ability to bring together a team and a creative strategy that embraces the many facets of our business. TBWA\Tequila best demonstrated their international creative thinking and a whole-of-business strategy in their pitch,” she said.
The SKYCITY brand will be repositioned over the coming months to reflect the $40M refurbishment of the flagship Auckland property and heighten the appeal to the entertainment market in New Zealand and Australia.
“We are confident that TBWA\Tequila understand the unique thrill of the casino experience and can best support us at this time as we re-stake our claim as the ultimate adults’ playground, built around the thrill of gaming,” Ms Hastings said.
David Walden (pictured), Chief Executive of TBWA\TEQUILA NZ, said the account win highlighted the value of the experienced and successful management team the agency now has in place: “It’s a great opportunity for our team to work closely with one of Australasia’s biggest entertainment brands and we’re really looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that will bring,” he said.
“SKYCITY has enjoyed strong business growth since establishing its partnership with Colenso BBDO in 1996. We thank Colenso and their dedicated team for their contribution to our success to date,” said Ms Hastings.