DRAFT FCB RESTRUCTURES IN OZ/NZ

Interpubllic's Draftfcb, with over 9000 employees around the world and over 200 offices has restructured their ANZ operation.
The agency will create specialist communities (creativity, growth, strategy and one-to-one) across the Auckland, Sydney and Melbourne offices. These communities will help deliver the company’s commitment to Accountability + Creativity.
A new board has been established to effect this new way of operating, under the chairmanship of Draftfcb Auckland CEO, Bryan Crawford.
Greg Eichmann, a former CEO of the highly successful Auckland office, has returned to the group and is charged with successfully introducing this new model across the region. Eichmann will be based in Australia.
Says Crawford: “Greg’s welcome return is great news – he brings experience and a passion for the agency, and he will be a significant contributor to our future collective success”.
Other board members are David Guthrie (Finance), Michael Simons (Creativity) and Christine Barnes (Growth). Anil Kapoor is Draftfcb’s Regional President and the board reports into him.
Draftfcb's major brands include Mitre 10, Foodstuffs, BMW & MINI, Noel Leeming and Whitcoulls in New Zealand and Nivea (Beiersdorf), Kraft, S C Johnson, Angus & Robertson and Motorola in Australia.
Says Crawford: "This change is simply a smarter way to do business. We’ve got an enormous reservoir of talent in our region and this new structure allows people to work to their strengths. The days of lone gurus are long gone – we’ll get better results for our clients by having specialist disciplines collaborating and wrestling the clients’ problem to the ground and then delivering an outstanding creative business solution.
"It means people recognising that we’re operating in a virtual world and teams can work from anywhere but still be just as passionate about their work and be just as focused on results. Everyone involved is looking forward to working in this new and intelligent way.
"Our clients understand this reality in business today. Many of them have regional and global team members who, while not physically sitting in the office next door, are absolutely vital to the successful dynamics of the team. It’s the way business is moving.”

TALBOT TIPPED FOR CANNES JURY DUTY

The Australian jury list for Cannes this year has been released by Canmnes reps, News Limited (see the CB Blog), with NZ, repped by Fairfax, set to follow any day. NZCC hears Toby Talbot, ECD of DDB, fresh from winning CB Agency of the Year, is tipped to get the plum Film Lions gig and four other slots are also to be filled (Cyber, Direct, Promo and Media).
As previously reported, the Design Lions Jury President this year is Derek Lockwood from Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand.

DIGIPOST DRAWS 3D TALENT

Expansion at leading post production and VFX house Digipost continues at full pace in 2008, with the addition of three talented animators to the award winning 3D team.
Artists Kyla Bendall, Dan Taylor and Glen Dawick bring a wide range of skill and experience to the mix. Between them, they have worked on a large number of international TVC and feature film projects, such as the famous ‘fabric family’ Comfort commercials out of the UK and Asia, and Hollywood blockbusters like I, Robot, King Kong and the Rings trilogy.
One of the many highlights for the Digipost 3D team in 2007 was winning a Silver Lion at Cannes for the acclaimed Tiger Beer commercial, which is currently on air in New Zealand.
Says Digipost GM Stephen Douglas: “Having collected a number of international awards for our animation work, it made complete sense to build on that and offer our clients what we know is a kick-ass 3D team and some of the best animation resources in Auckland.”
For more information see their new website or contact Stephen Douglas stephen@digipost.co.nz

THE BEST ADS IN NEW ZEALAND, AUSTRALIA AND ASIA IN THE WORK 07 ANNUAL - OUT NOW

The Work 07 is out and it is the best edition yet. Complete with two DVDs this 400 page hardback annual is a must for every creative and every agency creative department in New Zealand, Australia and Asia.
For the second year O&M has edged out BBDO in the Top Network chart, followed by Saatchi & Saatchi. Saatchi’s New Zealand tops the Agency chart followed by DDB Auckland and JWT Singapore. Two legends from the region are also inducted into the CB Hall of Fame - JWT worldwide creative director Craig Davis and Ron Mather. A must-have annual of the best in the region.
TO REQUEST AN ORDER FORM CONTACT:
ginny@campaignbrief.com

CB AGENCY OF THE YEAR: DDB DOES THE DOUBLE

DDB has won Campaign Brief Agency of the Year on both sides of the Tasman with both Sydney and Auckland putting in a stellar effort in 2007 resulting in a great range of work across a multitude of clients. Work that will probably go on to win awards this year, if not already done so in 2007.
Says Marty O’Halloran, chairman and CEO, Australia and New Zealand: "While I have great Managing Directors in both Sydney (Chris Brown) and Auckland (Sandy Moore), both Toby (Talbot) and Matt (Eastwood) report directly to me. Creativity is one of my passions and this is a strong signal to the network that creative excellence is DDB’s number one focus. Too many CEO’s focus on profit at the expense of the creative product. We deliberately focus on creative over and above profit. Maybe that’s why we are so profitable!"
Says DDB New Zealand executive CD, Toby Talbot: "It's been a real year of transition for DDB. If you'd asked me who was going to win Agency of the Year when I started at the end of January last year, I wouldn't have picked us to be honest. We still had a long way to go. But we won Lotteries, we hired some great new people and we became a much tighter, more focused agency. All the shit we copped on the Blog really helped too. Deep down, we've all been determined to prove those anonymous tossers wrong.
"But I guess if I was going to put it down to one thing it would have to be Marty. Matt and I owe him a huge gratitude for supporting all the changes we've made and making stuff happen fast. If there's anyone who's more excited about winning AOY than Matt and I, it would be him. Marty just loves creativity and understands how important it is to an agency's culture. You can't ask for more than that in a boss."
Adds Matt Eastwood, ECD of DDB Australia: "It's extremely exciting to win Agency of the Year in both Australia and New Zealand. Ever since both Toby and I arrived at DDB, we've tried to focus on nothing but the work. Walk the walk, if you will. Each of us quietly went about rebuilding our departments, with a renewed focus on award-winning work. And it paid off. In Sydney, the team is incredible. Each and every one of the creative department contributed to this win. But there's no secret, they simply worked incredibly hard, totally dedicated to the quality of our output. I'm very proud."


The same AOY issue also includes the annual Agency Creativity/Billings Charts (better known as the Hot+Cold Charts) for Australia and New Zealand.
To subscribe to CB, contact: ginny@campaignbrief.com

RAPP COLLINS MERGES WITH WRC

The DDB Group has announced the expansion of its relationship marketing arm Rapp Collins Limb Walker through a merger with customer involvement agency WRC.
The two agencies will come together under the Rapp Collins banner to form a unique offering in the New Zealand marketplace.
Rapp Collins Limb Walker’s relationship marketing strengths will be expanded with WRC’s award-winning customer involvement and experiential approach.
In a broader strategic move, Rapp Collins Limb Walker will be known simply as Rapp Collins from 1 April. This aligns the agency more closely with DDB’s powerful Rapp Collins global brand.
DDB Chief Executive Sandy Moore explained: “This merger delivers a strategically and creatively stronger relationship marketing offering for the DDB Group, which underpins our integrated philosophy.
“WRC has built up an enviable reputation for innovative customer involvement, experiential marketing and promotions. They have been highly awarded both locally and internationally for their creativity and effectiveness, and bring to Rapp Collins Limb Walker a set of complementary but specialist skills.”
Robert Limb and Lance Walker, Rapp Collins Limb Walker joint managing directors, will continue to run the business. They believe the expanded team will offer one of the broadest skill bases in the country.
“We’re building New Zealand’s most creatively dynamic relationship marketing business – adding the dimension of customer involvement to our market-leading strategic and creative work,” Limb explained.
The expanded creative team will be headed by Executive Creative Director Wayne Pick, one of New Zealand’s most awarded creative directors who joined Rapp Collins Limb Walker in October.
Rapp Collins Limb Walker was formed a year ago when DDB acquired relationship marketing specialists Limb Walker Partners. The agency has grown rapidly during 2007 from just four staff to more than 20 across Auckland and Wellington offices.
New business wins include The National Bank, ANZ and Telecom plus integrated group work on NZ Lotteries, AMI, SKY TV and Volkswagen, together with long term clients Fly Buys, New World and CIGNA Insurance.
The merger will see WRC’s business move into Rapp Collins including Lion Nathan, Nokia, HWI and the Child Cancer Foundation.
WRC Managing Director Murray Reid has decided not to be part of the Rapp Collins business and is actively pursuing other business opportunities.

GLOBAL MOBIE MEDIA SALES NETWORK LAUNCHES IN NEW ZEALAND

Snakk Media – a global mobile media sales network – today announces it has officially launched in New Zealand in an exclusive partnership with Vodafone.
Through this exclusive partnership, Snakk Media will enable brands to reach more than more than 2 million content-hungry New Zealanders through New Zealand’s largest and most compelling interactive mobile destination – Vodafone Live!.
The mobile advertising market is expected to grow exponentially over the next several years and is expected to be worth more than US$16 billion by 2011 worldwide*. In New Zealand, the mobile channel has grown by more than 300% per annum since 2000 and has become an integral part of many brands’ marketing mix.
Snakk Media Director Geoff Ross says, “In today’s crowded world, it’s increasingly challenging for brands to get in front of today’s consumers. Brands naturally want to exist where their target audience is – and their target audience is spending more and more of their day looking, listening and learning with their mobile phone. This trend will only continue, especially as new handsets such as the iPhone become widespread.
“Snakk Media is the first media sales agency of its kind to specialise in putting companies’ brands in hand. Mobile media can target and stimulate an audience in new ways and at new times of the day,” he says.
“There is one absolute trend taking place in popular culture, and this is the growth and usage of mobile. I’m rapt to be part of it.”
Darnell Dixon, Snakk Media Director of Sales, adds, “The launch of mobile advertising is a huge development for New Zealand.
“Traditionally New Zealand has led the way in interactive mobile advertising and marketing with SMS, MMS, Bluetooth and the like. However, advertising on Vodafone Live! offers a whole new opportunity for brands to connect with audiences via the most personalised digital media,” she says.
“It’s the power of ‘beyond the banner’, what takes place after a consumer clicks. The mobile destination entices further interaction – be this to view product information, enter a competition, download content, browse a gallery or click to call a contact centre or brand representative,” Darnell says.
“We have been doing fantastic work connecting brands and consumers using the mobile internet and 3G in offshore markets and are elated that we are able to now unlock this experience for New Zealand audiences. Snakk Media is delighted to be Vodafone’s exclusive partner in the launch of this new advertising frontier.”

OMNICOM ACQUIRES MAJORITY INTEREST IN SHIFT

Omnicom Group Inc. has acquired a majority interest in Shift, a major digital consultancy in New Zealand.
Arguably New Zealand's preeminent design studio specializing in web-based communications and multimedia, Shift has a record of developing international award-winning websites. With an array of leading clients and offices in Wellington and Auckland, Shift has a stellar lineup of talent.
"The investment in Shift is an exciting addition to our fast growing digital capabilities in the Asia Pacific region," said Michael Birkin, Omnicom's Vice Chairman and Chairman and CEO of Asia Pacific. "We are enormously impressed with the quality of their work and the diverse range of their clients."
Selwyn Feary, Shift's founder, is equally enthusiastic about the development. "Our decision to partner with Omnicom opens up unlimited international opportunities for Shift. Our strategic goal was always to introduce our specialist solutions to the world, and Omnicom agencies are a global powerhouse of creativity and strategic acumen that will see us deliver our vision. We are confident that Omnicom will benefit from our kiwi flair and ingenuity, and the new relationship will also enhance the Shift team's ability to learn and pitch their best ideas to the global digital market."
Shift will work closely with TBWA, TEQUILA and Agency.com Worldwide, helping to enhance the TBWA\Group's digital offering on a global basis.
"We are very excited to be working with Shift as we have admired them for a long time. We hope that we will be able to export some of the 'kiwi know-how' to the rest of the world at the same time as we make our digital offering even stronger," said Keith Smith, President - International, TBWA\Worldwide.

TEAM MOVE TO TBWA\WHYBIN

NZCC hears that young creative team Jessica Neale and Amy Thexton have moved to TBWA\Whybin from Colenso BBDO.

INTERNATIONAL MOBILE GURUS DESCEND ON NZ

The Hyperfactory will this week bring together a panel of international experts in a ground-breaking event that will revolutionise the way New Zealand views mobile marketing and media.
Google Director of Mobile Advertising Diana Pouliot and Head of Global Monetisation for Yahoo Connected Life Michael Bayle are two of the global industry experts who will address the Movable Feast workshop. With industry-changing developments such as Google’s Android on the horizon and with Michael Bayle coming fresh from the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the workshop provides an invaluable opportunity to learn what the mobile future offers from two of the world’s biggest brands.
Rich Frank, former Chairman of Disney Television, president of Disney Studios and Paramount Television Group, will also speak on the changing face of content, entertainment and media. As someone who has been at the forefront of television, the internet and now the third screen, mobile, Rich is perfectly placed to offer an unique perspective on the latest digital revolution.
Geoff Ross, founder of 42 Below and now a director of The Hyperfactory Group, is Master of Ceremonies, and will also announce the launch of a hugely exciting major new development that will have far-reaching benefits for the industry.
Vodafone NZ CEO Russell Stanners and Mark Evans, CEO of the Interactive Advertising Bureau, will also speak, in addition to The Hyperfactory founders Derek Handley (now based at The Hyperfactory’s LA office) and Geoffrey Handley (now based in the Shanghai office).

EDEN UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Film Construction’s director roster has just been joined by another star recruit – Eden.
Formerly UK based, Eden started his directing career in 1997 by not only being selected in the Saatchi & Saatchi New Director’s showcase, but by also being listed as one of the 10 Best New Directors in the World by London's Campaign Magazine!
After this impressive start, Eden has amassed a quality body of work shooting for clients in Europe, the UK, the USA and Australasia. He’s multi awarded and his mantelpiece now includes one Bronze and two Gold Lions.
“I'm chuffed to be part of the new guard at Film Construction. It feels like the right fit for me after building a solid platform of work since arriving from London. They're looking good and talking flash” says Eden.
Eden reel currently includes Australasian work for National Bank, Westpac, Telstra, AEC and SIGC, and international work for Toyota, Coca Cola, Orange, Appeal Now and Discovery Channel.
“I’ve been keenly watching Eden’s career for the last few years and I’m very excited to have him on-board – he works in an exciting visual and comedy space which is rare” says Film Construction Executive Producer Roy De Giorgio.
Eden is putting the finishing touches on Australian work for Rexona and Arnott’s, and currently looking at scripts out of Sydney, Auckland and Tokyo.
For more information, please contact Executive Producer Roy De Giorgio at roy@filmconstruction.com

SLEEPWALKER'S INTRODUCTION TO FLIGHT

Creative adman Sion Scott-Wilson’s new novel, The Sleepwalker’s Introduction to Flight will be published in hardback by Macmillan UK in May. The paperback will be available through the Pan imprint.
The official launch takes place in London’s Covent Garden on May 8th, although the book is currently available for pre-order on Amazon.
The Sleepwalker’s Introduction to Flight has been described as:
‘A heart-rending and riotous mini-epic, a brilliantly subversive coming-of-age tale about what happens when dark and light collide, and society's marginalised find their voice.’
‘A remarkable, picaresque journey into the dark heart of suburban England.’
Scott-Wilson is thrilled by the response so far: "It’s early days but there does seem to be a bit of a buzz about it. A major London retailer has already selected ‘The Sleepwalker’s Introduction to Flight’ as their Book of The Month for May and I’ve heard that there’s going to be a brilliant turnout for the launch."

TAXI AWAITS LISHMAN IN CANADA

Award-winning art director Maria Lishman is leaving Colenso BBDO, and New Zealand, to join Canada’s most creative and famous agency Taxi.
Lishman spent seven years at Colenso, starting as a designer, moving up to be Head of Design and then switching to Art Director after nagging then Creative Director Rich Maddocks for briefs. In that time she picked up two Cannes Lions as well as numerous awards at The One Show, Clio, AWARD, Axis and Young Guns.
Says Managing Director Brent Smart: “While we are sad to see Maria leave, as she is a big talent with a big future, we are happy to see her go to a world class agency like Taxi. It is another example of Colenso being a breeding ground for top creatives before they go off and do big things at the world’s best agencies, like Leo Permutico, Guy Rooke and now Maria.”