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Movings/Shakings: 11 March

It takes two

Senior creative duo for DDB James Conner and Christie Cooper have been promoted to creative directors.

Cooper has been with DDB since 2003 and said she still gets excited to go to work everyday.

“I love the challenges, the opportunities and the projects we get to work on. The talented, fun and caring group of people we get to work with is also a big bonus.”

Conner joined the team nine years ago and said he appreciates DDB’s “no jerk policy”.

“If you’re a dick, you don’t last long here. There are far too many bullies in this industry and I think we’re incredibly lucky at DDB that this kind of behaviour isn’t tolerated.”

The head creative duo, chief creative officer, Damon Stapleton, and executive creative director, Shane Bradnick, speak highly of the new creative directors.

Stapleton said: “From live stunts to epic cinematic productions to small-budget, for-a-cause campaigns, there isn’t a lot that these two can’t do, and I’m thrilled to announce their well-deserved promotion.”

A new start

Amber Ardern is stepping away from her role as head of Media Collective at Bauer Media.

After eight years at Bauer, the company will now be one of her clients as she works as an independent contractor.

“I’ll be contracting back to Bauer part-time as a creative/content specialist working on Media Collective responses, and also with the Bauer publishers on special projects.” 

She is also excited to take up opportunities outside of the Bauer office.

Joining the team

MYOB welcomes a new New Zealand communications and public affairs manager, Conor Roberts.

Roberts brings with him more than a decade of experience in private and public sector communications and public affairs. Previous roles include: Head of public affairs at Spark New Zealand, manager external relations at Todd Property Group and chief political advisor to the mayor of Auckland.

MYOB general manager of SME solutions James Scollay said Robert’s experience across both corporate affairs and government sectors made him a good choice for the role.

“I am thrilled to welcome Conor to the MYOB team. He has a strong background leading high-profile public relations and campaign activities and extensive experience in the New Zealand political arena. His innovative thinking will help us build upon and strengthen MYOB’s positive reputation in the market.”

Roberts said he is excited to join the company.

“I look forward to supporting MYOB’s role as an advocate for small and medium enterprises in New Zealand.”

Taking the lead

PRINZ has announced its new chief exectutive, with Elaine Koller taking over from Simone Bell later this month.

Koller, a communication leader, has been running her own Auckland-based consultancy and was previously the New Zealand public affairs manager for MYOB, external relations manager at IBM and has agency experience.

Bell has been chief executive since 2011.

Fresh start

Nick Bell is stepping into a new role as the marketing director for Salt & Pepper PR.

Bell is an experienced, award winning marketer with more than 10 years’ experience in the Australasian advertising industry. His previous role at Colenso BBDO/Proximity saw him develop interactive videos and product launches.

He has also held senior positions at FCB and Twenty NZ.

Moving up

Wellington agencies Clemenger BBDO and Proximity have announced the promotion of two creatives, Emily Beautrais and Mark Dalton.

Beautrais steps up to creative director of Clemenger BBDO after Brigid Alkema’s promotion to executive creative director last year.

Alkema said: “We wanted someone with great creative instincts; someone our clients trust intuitively. Emily’s storytelling is second to none and she has huge mana within both our creative department and the wider agency.”

Dalton moves from art director to creative director of Proximity following Brett Hoskin’s appointment to executive creative director.

Hoskins said Dalton is the perfect fit for Proximity’s entrepreneurial style.

“Mark is highly respected by clients and creatives alike. He understands our clients’ businesses with an impressive level of detail. That, and he knows how to lead a team and build the digital solutions that clients are demanding to lead their customer experience.”

Managing director Livia Esterhazy says the senior level promotions will help drive a redefined business focus as businesses are looking to the group for solutions beyond just traditional advertising and communications.

“A need to solve real-world business issues has emerged and agencies can no longer rely on just one senior creative to have the answers,” she said.

“We’ve promoted these two amazing leaders and thinkers to bring the type of creative fire-power required to all our clients’ businesses.”

A kiwi judge

Young & Shand creative director Tim Wood has been appointed as judge at this year’s edition of the Caples Awards, a direct marketing awards ceremony first hosted in 1978. 

He is the only representative from New Zealand judging the event, sitting alongside representatives from all over the world. 

As explained on the website:” It’s the only international direct marketing awards for creatives judged exclusively by creatives—leaders from more than 30 agencies around the world who come together to judge entries on three key campaign components: the boldness of the concept, the logic of the execution, and the strength of the outcome. In other words, the most courageous creative solutions to today’s toughest marketing challenges.”

This year’s edition of the Caples will take place in May.    

New role for a new show

Mel Homer, from the Mix 98.2, is adding The Cafe to her hosting duties.

Homer will front the TV3’s new morning magazine programme with Mike Poru, host of The Bachelor.

“I’ve known Mike for ages, so it’s great that we’ll get to work together on The Cafe,” said Homer. 

“Providing an upbeat hour of fun and interesting TV each day really is a dream job.”

The Cafe will screen weekdays on TV3 from Monday 11 April at 9am.

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