Getting rugby players to act is often a thankless task and there is a long history of cringeworthy ads where sponsors have demanded their pound of athletic flesh. But HSBC has nailed it with a trailer for its historical epic to promote the upcoming British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, starring the likes of Brian O’Driscoll, Jason Robinson, George Gregan and Warren Gatland.

The Parenting Place, a 20 year old New Zealand charity that works alongside government, schools and communities to give families and young people positive, practical and cost-effective help, has launched its Funds for Families 2013 campaign with Behind These Doors, an honest, heartfelt and inspiring video with a simple message: family is everything.

Space Studio has given Rembrandt and 3 Wise Men’s retail flagship stores a smart, modern twist in an effort to save bewildered men from shopping trauma.

Back in the day, being a dad seemed to be about stern discipline, bringing home bacon, brief (and often awkward) chats and occasional moments of softness. Things have changed considerably over the years, of course, and according to this ad for Robinsons cordial by BBH, being a dad is now more about being a mate.

Mother, entrepreneur and lover of food, Cecilia Robinson has one successful business on her hands with Au Pair Link and she’s hoping for another with My Food Bag.

Clemenger Group chief executive Jim Moser’s been pretty busy buying and selling things recently. So we really don’t know where he finds the time to play the lead role on Aaron Sorkin’s Newsroom.

A few weeks back, Clemenger Group chief executive Jim Moser was welcoming a new business to the family as justONE was fused with .99. And now he’s farewelling one of the family after selling direct mailhouse and digital print provider Mailshop back to managing director Deidre Ross.

The latest batch of Advertising Standards Authority’s upheld deals a blow to V Energy, Countdown and Carl’s Jr.

Mt Maunganui-based full-service agency Wave has been operating for around 20 years, but after a long, hot summer, it’s decided to give itself a brand refresh—literally and figuratively.

Tegel Foods Ltd, the market-leader in New Zealand for the production and retail of poultry, has had a scratch around in the dust that is ad land and, after a competitive pitch, has chosen DraftFCB as its full-service agency.

Budget airline Jetstar looks to squeeze every dollar out of its in-flight experience, which now includes air sickness bags advertising motion sickness soothers such as ginger cordial (whatever that is) . We’re not sure what the CPM for this campaign might be, but do think it’s brilliant that the company which controls how bumpy the trip is also sells advertising against that bumpiness. If Jetstar owned a ginger farm this would be a great example of a vertically integrated company.

Online business review community Yelp has arrived on New Zealand shores, making it the 21st country on the San Francisco-based company’s list for world domination. Updated with Localist’s view on today’s events.

We couldn’t help but notice an interesting tweet (thanks @jaredvh) pointing out that the first Yelp review for New Zealand post-launch is a one-starer from a Richie Bramley. Coincidence or marketing rivalry gone awry?

Apple smartphones are on the decline while Samsung’s star is burning brighter, but the iPhone and iPad manufacturer is still leaps and bounds ahead of competitors in New Zealand, according to mobile ad network InMobi.

For the second year in a row ASB Bank has topped Canstar’s Online Banking report for providing the best online banking experience to customers.

Kiwi digital signage company Ngage is taking its wares across the ditch, after securing a 165-screen deal with Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Google recently released a video showing how its new Glasses would work. But the internet is having plenty of fun imagining how the new tech will really end up being used.

Powershop has got plenty of marketing mileage out of showing dictators, warlords and hard nosed politicians in oxymoronic situations as part of its long-running and at-times controversial ‘Same Power, Different Attitude’ campaign. Given recent global events, many wondered why its last ad chose to show Mao Tse Tung dancing to Gangnam Style rather than North Korea’s Kim Jong-Un. But it has now obliged, with another image by Doublefish showing the portly ‘Supreme Successor’ embracing his inner MAMIL, squeezing in to some lycra and going for a pedal.

I only had three days with Samsung’s latest flagship phone, the Galaxy S4. That’s not nearly enough time for me to do a proper review, so instead consider this a preview and commentary on my very fleeting flirtation with a good phone.

If you liked Chuck Testa, then you’ll also probably like this classy musical number by renowned ad cheese merchants Rhett and Link.

PopPress regularly marvels at Google’s might, its remarkable products and its creative use of technology. But after seeing a video detailing how Google Glass will work, we have a sneaking suspicion this might just create more humans who have forgotten know how to interact with real people. And in case you’re wondering, it’s already happening, because screens are bad, mmmkay.

Getty Images recently asked for submissions for creative projects that would help tell the stories of charities. And now applications are open for the 2013 Grants for Editorial Photography and Emerging Talent Award.

Lumps and milk don’t generally go too well together. Except when it comes to Primo Pineapple Lumps milk, which is the first of a few planned licensing deals between Kraft/Cadbury and Fonterra Brands over the next couple of years.

Last week was an interesting one for Ben Uffindell, editor of The Civilian and recipient of a letter from Colin Craig’s lawyers demanding an obviously satirical quote relating to Maurice Williamson’s ‘big gay rainbows’ speech be removed. Much guffawing ensued at the expense of Craig, and, after a few interviews, The Civilian went back to publishing its Onion-esque news stories, including an ‘opinion piece’ by an All Black that brilliantly juxtaposes the the mana of the black jersey with the game’s increasingly commercial focus.