Pull up an ear as we attempt to make all your marketing dreams come true with news of account wins, new hires, newish agencies, old departures, big rebrands, Taika Waititi, Air New Zealand, wallpaper, beer and giant balls.
Off the beaten Tracta
It might surprise the city-dwellers, but apparently those country folk have got a bit of money to spend. And Adplus has been helping to sell things and ideas to heartland New Zealanders for over 19 years. But times are changing, as are clients’ needs, so the agency that general manager Olly Van Arts calls the “indie battler from Hawke’s Bay” is embarking on a major step-change, setting up a new agency focused in the Heartland and Kiwi consumer brand sectors called Tracta (it’s certainly a pretty cool name and, dare we say it, sounds almost urban).
Andy Walker
Olly Van Arts
Chris Howden “We’ve long recognised that local understanding of the heartland market is one of our great strengths,” van Arts says. “We also see it as one of the major weaknesses of the Big City agencies. So we have decided to rebrand our agency not just to signal our focus on the heartland market, but to also announce our own dynamic changes.”
Van Arts says Tracta will be driven by (tsk tsk) himself, alongside relatively recently appointed creative director Chris Howden and managing director Andy Walker.
And while we’re speaking about Tracta, check out these cool promo posters they did for Napier. 
Flying Cossacks
Air New Zealand continues to dole out parts of its marketing work to different agencies, with the Cossack Consultancy appointed to represent the national carrier in the sale of 3rd party advertising opportunities, including Air New Zealand and Koru Parking displays and promotions, product sampling and more.
The online properties (primarily grabaseat) and KiaOra Magazine will continue to be handled by Trade Me and ACP Media respectively.
Adam McGregor, director of The Cossack Consultancy, which “offers a range of services in the Out of Home Advertising Sector, from market intelligence and evaluation to the creation of new communications channels, special displays and media sales representation” says the company has been developing steadily since opening its doors in 2007.
“We enjoy working with some of New Zealandʼs biggest brands and agencies but this appointment takes us onto the next level. We are delighted Air New Zealand has chosen to work with us and we see a very bright future ahead.”
And in other Air New Zealand news, it has decided to win yet another award, this time a pretty big one after being voted the Best Long Haul airline in Conde Nast Traveller’s readers’ choice awards because of “its excellent food/catering and child-friendliness”. And it’s also well-loved among Kiwi business leaders, coming out top of the reputational table in a recent survey by global management consultancy Hay Group in association with NZ Management magazine.
Fonterra came in second place, Fletcher Building third, engineering consultancy Beca Group was fourth and Kiwibank, the highest ranked SOE, was fifth. Salvation Army topped non-profit organisations, and, perhaps surprisingly, police were at the top of government departments list.
Oh Boy
Just in time for Father’s Day, Taika Waititi has reprised his role from Boy in what is a fairly entertaining attempt to sell a few more of his DVDs at The Warehouse. So, with the recent return of the Warehouse Kiwi and now a guest appearance from Shogun, DDB seems to be trying to breathe a bit of life into the retail behemoth.
Techno party
MediaWorks has appointed its current TV engineering manager, Roger Randle, to the group role of director of technology.
Group managing director Sussan Turner says an international search for this key executive appointment was conducted, but it was great that someone from within the existing pool of managers fitted the bill.
“Roger came through a rigorous recruitment process with flying colours. His technical skills, strategic ability, leadership strength and his respect from within the industry were all important factors in his appointment,” says Turner. “He thoroughly understands the MediaWorks culture, and his appointment will make for a seamless transition.”
Randle has been with MediaWorks since 2001, and has been TV engineering manager since 2004. He has enjoyed a 20 year career in the broadcast and IT industry, commencing in the UK before relocating to New Zealand where he worked for Fisher & Paykel and Panasonic New Zealand prior to joining MediaWorks.
In the new role, Randle will oversee all technology requirements for MediaWorks across the radio, TV and Interactive divisions of the company.
“In the years ahead strength in the technology arena will be a critical success factor for all media companies. I know with Roger in this leadership role we are well positioned for the future,” she says.
Randle’s appointment is effective immediately, as he steps into the role replacing industry veteran John Allen who announced he was stepping down from his position two months ago. Allen will continue to work with MediaWorks in a consulting role.
Off the Kumfs
New Zealand footwear company Kumfs Shoes (which is also one of the few manufacturers still making most of its stuff in New Zealand see comment below) has unveiled its new identity, Ziera, with a newly designed product range, all 43 of its stores across Australia and New Zealand remodelled and a bit of a marketing push (Kumfs did always seem a little too close for comfort in the linguistic department, almost like the Shihad/Jihad of the shoe world).
The whole rebrand is said to have cost around $8 million and Kumfs worked with brand strategy company Brian R. Richards, Saatchi Design Worldwide (which developed the new logo and brand look), .99 for the creative and Ice Interactive for the website.
You can check out the new commercials here.
Calling air time
In the year that marks half a century since he began his career in the radio industry, Wellington radio personality Justin du Fresne has announced he will step down as host of the flagship morning show on Newstalk ZB, Wellington at Christmas after a massive run of twenty three years.
“This is my decision. I’ve had an amazing time but feel I need to enjoy life without the pressure of a daily radio show. I would like to thank my listeners for the sustained support I’ve had,” he says.
An announcement on his replacement will be made in the coming weeks. But he says he’s still keen to be involved with the station and “we’re in the process of working through those scenarios now”.
du Fresne got his start in the radio industry as a clerical cadet at the New Zealand Broadcasting Service in 1960. He became an announcer for 2ZB in 1962, and was the inaugural host of the trail-blazing “Sunset Show” in 1963. He left broadcasting in 1966 to take up a career in the textile industry. In November 1983 he returned and has been at 2ZB, now Newstalk ZB, ever since.
John McElhinney chief executive of The Radio Network says he was a consummate broadcaster who will be remembered as one of New Zealand’s most successful personalities.
“Justin has been a fixture on Wellington’s airwaves for well over two decades and has been a key reason behind Newstalk ZB’s status as a market leader in talk radio”, says Rhys Nimmo, Wellington general manager of The Radio Network.
Room with a brew
DB Breweries has been crowned 2010 New Zealand Champion Brewery at the BrewNZ Awards in Wellington, capping off a triumphant night for the 80 year old company, which collected five trophies and eight medals in total, the most for any entrant.
DB Breweries’ managing director Brian Blake says credit for the company’s success lies with DB’s team of experienced and passionate brewers.
“I’d like to congratulate our brewers on their achievements on winning five trophies and eight medals across a wide range of categories and beer styles. After 80 years of brewing the brands Kiwis love, it’s rewarding to see our brewers’ passion, talent and commitment to quality recognised by the international panel of judges.”
A record number of breweries entered this year’s awards with 450 entries, up from 349 in 2009. And the quality of entrants continues to improve each year says Chairman of the Brewers Guild of New Zealand, David Cryer.
“The great result of DB’s win at the BrewNZ Awards is that it shows that any brewery big or small can win. Tuatara in 2008, Emerson’s in 2009 now DB in 2010. Add to that the close race between Three Boys and DB for the title, this all goes to show that great beer is the winner. The most challenging aspect of a broadly ranged brewing competition is allowing one man operations to compete with larger breweries. BrewNZ Awards has achieved this with heightened credibility and salutes DB as worthy champions!”
Wall styles
www.paperroom.co.nz has just launched a new feature and Annabel Taylor, one of the two women behind the operation, claims the new unique wall art it offers with its commerical and revolutionary wallpapers is “a marketeers dream”.
“These three wallpaper products are perfect for customisation, and great to use for retail and hospitality promotions. Corporate logos can also be reproduced onto one of three matt finish basis.”
She says the wallpapers are ideal for retail stores and hair dressing salons, where changing out seasonal promotions is paramount, and great in the hospitality sector to create instant impact in a bar, café and restaurant setting.
Big balls
New Zealand’s Giant Rugby Ball is back in action and has hit Sydney, marking the start of the Ball’s fourth and final international appearance.
The 25-metre-long, 13-metre-high giant inflatable audio-visually enhanced venue (Spyglass is the company responsible for the technology inside) has been a big hit around the world and is already in place at its Circular Quay location.
It was opened yesterday morning and the opening ceremony was attended by the Māori King, Kiingi Tuheitia Paki, and Australian and New Zealand dignitaries. The ceremony also involved Aboriginal and Māori elders.
Tourism New Zealand chief executive Kevin Bowler says the ball’s presence in Sydney is timed to coincide with the Bledisloe Cup Match on 11 September and, as it has done in every other location, it will be making the most of the numerous media opportunities the ball seems to create.
