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Hither and thither used to explain staff movements as shock announcements made

The almost constantly shifting marcomms sands claim a few more victims, and StopPress is reeling from the staff carnage.

Ben Gibb with the ACP board

ACP has been spading him for a few years now. And the man, the chest, they call Ben Gibb has finally caved in, joining the ACP Magazine team as sales manager over its Auckland Agencies.

StopPress knew about this particular departure/heartless betrayal a while back but we were too stricken with grief to write about it, because Gibb, who has a masculine jaw that is made of pure gold and is the only man in the world who weighs twice his own bodyweight, was one of the main drivers at HB Media (now Tangible Media).

When he wasn’t taking sickies to go surfing, trying to explain the ‘Marmite incident’ or spanking the monkey after a sale, he worked on and launched a range of excellent independent mags like Idealog, NZ Marketing and Good, as well as a couple of successful websites like StopPress and Design Daily.

Ben Gibb

“We’re looking forward to his input working with our ever-growing stable,” says Lisa Ralph, ACP Magazine’s advertising director. “Ben will be leading our Auckland Agency sales team of six, representing all eighteen consumer titles.”

Vincent Heeringa, bitter Idealog publisher, had this to say, as a single tear rolled down his cheek: “Ben Gibb? He’s dead to me.”

And Kerri Tait, Gibb’s replacement at Tangible Media, says she is very much looking forward to finding his misplaced filing cabinet.

Daly grind

MediaWorks TV has appointed Sharon Daly to the newly created role of director of strategy and, in another example of the old New Zealand network switcheroo, she comes from TVNZ, where she has most recently been general manager research and insights.

MediaWorks TV chief executive Jason Paris, himself a well-known ex-TVNZer, says Daly is a top calibre media executive and “she will be a great fit for the MediaWorks environment”.

“She will be working with me and the executive team across the business, and her experience and contribution will be significant,” he said.

Daly, who will take up her new position in late September, has been at TVNZ for nearly 10 years, and previously worked at ACP Magazines and various advertising agencies.

“This is an exciting opportunity to work strategically with one of New Zealand’s leading media organisations and I’m looking forward to working alongside the MediaWorks team,” she says.

Ave, Maria

Villa Maria Estate has appointed Jo Davidson to the position of chief marketing officer (CMO), joining Villa Maria after many years in the FMCG industry, including a successful track record in the wine industry.

She has held sales and marketing roles across Europe and UK, led strategic marketing projects in Australia and run a trans Tasman marketing team.

Most recently she has worked in the role of business manager for Heinz Wattie’s Limited, where she managed key business units and was responsible for the leading the consumer communication initiative ‘Food in a Minute’.

As CMO Davidson, who started her new role on 23 August, will be tasked with enhancing Villa Maria’s global brand presence and ensuring products meet the needs of the consumer. The role will also see her drive Villa Maria’s marketing strategy and brand architecture.

CallPlus calling

Kiwi owned and operated telecommunications provider CallPlus has strengthened its marketing, sales and product teams with three key appointments, including Andy Boss being appointed to the role of national sales manager, responsible for developing CallPlus’ sales strategy and growing the business in the New Zealand market.

Boss has been in the business communications industry for almost 25 years, predominantly in Europe.  Prior to joining CallPlus he worked at Vodafone New Zealand as the corporate regional sales manager for the Northern Region.

Caroline Morris takes the position of senior brand manager bringing with her over 11 years of experience in the ICT and financial services sectors, including roles at Gen-i and most recently VocaLink in the United Kingdom. Morris will manage CallPlus’ external brand communications while focusing on building the company’s profile.

Nikhil Maganlal steps into the role of senior product manager. Maganlal will manage CallPlus’ extensive IP based product portfolio which includes Voice over IP, Managed Wide Area Networks and Dedicated Internet, with focus on innovation. Maganlal has held senior product management roles at Telecom New Zealand, TelstraClear and most recently managing Vodafone’s marketing of fixed-mobile convergence products.

Grand designs

The Pond has welcomed Leonie Whyte, a corporate design and packaging specialist with 15 years of experience, into the fold.

Print-focused designer and graphic design tutor, Whyte has worked for an impressive line-up of top agencies, both here and in London, including Maxim, AMD In Real Life (London), Studio Alexander, Communication Arts and Seven. Recently, she has freelanced for various Auckland design studios, such as Dow and Brian R Richards.

Her portfolio spans a multitude of corporate and creative identity development projects for clients ranging from Auckland Airport and Auckland City Council to Fletcher Construction, Genesis Energy, Higgins, Oxygen Business, Qualmark, and Satori. And she is currently working towards a paper-based art exhibition alongside several other designers that will show in late 2010.

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