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Movings/Shakings: 14 March

Retailers Association names a successor

The New Zealand Retailers Association (NZRA) has appointed Mark Johnston as its new chief executive, following the retirement of John Albertson, who was at the helm of the organisation for 17 years.

Prior to taking up his new role on 17 February, Johnston worked as the group general manager of fundraising, marketing and communications with Plunket for almost five years. 

Johnston has a varied marketing background having held senior positions with FlyBuys, ACC, New Zealand Post, TAB, AXA and he also had involvement at a director level with Rewardjunkie

In making the announcement of regarding this change, president of the Retailers Association Terry Cornelius paid tribute to the retiring Albertson and applauded his contribution to the organsiation during his tenure. Cornelius then added that Albertson could retire in the “knowledge that he made a difference.

A release from the Retailers Association said that the organisation had “grown and developed significantly both in terms of the benefits available to members and the number of members participating” under Albertson, and that he “worked tirelessly” for the members in the organisation. 

The Spinks of Facebook

After serving as an account director at Snakk Media for about 11 months, Rowan Spinks has shifted into the senior sales role of client partner at Facebook NZ.

In addition to working at Snakk Media, Spinks also worked at APN, first as a senior agency account manager (for a year and half) and then as a group sales manager (for ten months) and at Fairfax Media, where he served as an advertising manager for three and half years. 

Antonia Christie, the relatively new head of communications at Facebook NZ and Australia, confirmed its team is still on the hunt for a new head of sales (ex-head of sales Claire O’Connell is currently working two days a week). 

Taking the party to the Land of the Rising Sun

Nick Dwyer (Nick D) announced this morning he will be leaving George FM Breakfast to pursue career opportunities in Japan.  From 31 March, George listeners will wake up to George veteran Clarke Gayford, and Aroha Harawira, who moves from her daytime slot.

Dwyer has hosted the breakfast spot for the last five years, and has been part of a major period of growth for the station.

“Over the last five years, George has grown from a little, almost community station, that had a reputation as just being about doof and lattes into one of the greatest little powerhouses of new music and quality chat,” says Dwyer.

George FM programme Director Willy Macalister thanked Dwyer for his contribution to the station and wished him well for the future. 

Baker gets a new chair at STW

STW-owned Designworks recently acquired 100 percent of 15-strong design and digital communications agency The Church, making it the region’s largest strategic brand and multi-disciplinary design practice, with around 130 staff across its five offices.​

However, this wasn’t the only change to take place in the STW network, as it was also announced that Sven Baker would be taking on the role of chairman of STW New Zealand, a new role which Baker says has been created to serve the New Zealand side of the business.  

Despite taking on this new role, Baker will also retain his dual roles as chairman and chief executive of Designworks. 

Frey joins the Porter Novelli fray

John Frey has been appointed as non-executive chairman of Porter Novelli New Zealand.

The company’s managing director Strahan Wallis, who stepped into this new role at the beginning of the year, welcomed the new recruit and spoke glowingly of Frey’s work as a founding partner of Cosway Australia over the last 30 years. 

“We couldn’t be more delighted to have John as part of the Porter Novelli team in New Zealand. He will serve as a strategic adviser to our senior leadership team and to clients,” says Wallis.

He also added that Frey’s industry status and experience would help Porter Novelli to move forward in the market.

“John’s appointment is a great example of the value of being part of a group of leading communications agencies and the global Porter Novelli International network of 90 offices. This enables us to attract and tap the best talent available in the market,” he says.

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