Author Damien Venuto

The news yesterday that the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) would no longer allow embargoed lockups for analysts prior to the release of information was met with frustration from journalists across the industry. But as Businessdesk reporter Pattrick Smellie explains, the system was always precariously balanced on trust.

Tangible Media has followed in the footsteps of international publications like The Independent by ceasing the print publication of NZ Fishing World and focusing exclusively on the digital media business. We chat to associate publisher and editor Jeff Strang on why he’s betting big on digital.

ComScore vice president for Australia and New Zealand Lachlan Brahe thinks that ComScore’s digital capabilities in terms of ensuring viewability, facilitating brand safety and reducing ad fraud gives the company an edge over research incumbent, Nielsen.

The Otago Daily Times (ODT) will take the leap and put its content behind a paywall in April, following the lead of the Ashburton Guardian, the Gisborne Herald and the National Business Review in charging readers to view content. We chat to the publication’s editor Barry Stewart about the thinking behind this move.

Around two weeks ago, Facebook extended the reach of its walled garden by launching its Canvas platform in all international markets. We chat to House of Travel’s marketing director Ken Freer about his thoughts on launching his first campaign on the platform.

The Dentsu Aegis Network today announced that it had acquired a majority share in Barnes, Catmur and Friends (BC&F), an agency which has over the last two decades become one of the most prominent indies in the industry. PLUS: BC&F wins a bigger piece of the Jetstar business.

L&P is going the online route for its major brand campaign this year, launching a weekly talk show, fronted by comedians Tim Batt and Guy Montgomery.

Around four years after revamping its brand, Z Energy has now released a campaign, via Assignement Group and Robber’s Dog, that touches on the four concepts integral to the brand. “This is the biggest refresh of the brand since it was re-launched in 2012,” says Z Energy corporate communications and investor relations manager Jonathan Hill. PLUS: we question whether Z Energy’s sustainability push is another example of corporate greenwashing.

This week, an NZ Flag Change campaign video showing rugby star Dan Carter supporting the change vote quickly reverberated across news media before eventually becoming a discussion point on social media. And what this again showed is that All Blacks remain one of the best means by which to reach the highest number of New Zealanders.

When Kiwi entrepreneur Robett Hollis found out that world number women’s golfer Lydia Ko’s defence of her title in Christchurch was not being broadcast live on any local channels, he took things into his own hands and developed Switch TV, a social TV network powered through Snapchat. And he’s now looking for a partner to take this idea even further.