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Movings/Shakings: 15 February

Judging by the amount of recruitment news this week, it appears plenty of folk began the year looking for greener pastures. Thick As Thieves has stolen Colenso BBDO’s art director Jae Morrison, marketing maven Simone Iles finds a new Post, Wellington Tourism gets some absolutely positive additions to the team, Paul Gardiner crosses the line wearing lycra, Gareth Davies joins RedYeti Films, Fee-fi-fo-fum finds the Ideas Shop, Market Pulse reaches for ignition, Hitchcock directs Flying Fish (no birds in sight), APN Outdoor’s Friends in High Places line-up gets a shakeup, The Sweet Shop moves even further into Asia, Prodigy signs Bradstreet boy, and Blair Haeata joins Ngage.

Jae walking

Award winning Colenso BBDO art director Jae Morrison has left the building to develop his career as a director, signing with Thick As Thieves for Australasian representation.During his tenure at Colenso Morrison directed several commercials and web films, among them Levi’s ‘Rear View Girls’, which was awarded a Silver Lion in Film Craft at the 2011 Cannes Lions.

Thick As Thieves executive producer Nik Beachman says “after years spent successfully working in the realm of ideas, 
Jae impressed us with his skills of execution as a director, and we look forward to supporting his filmmaking ambitions. Jae is clearly a new director to watch.”

Simone Iles finds new Post

Former head of consumer fixed and converged marketing at Telecom, Simone Iles, has a new role at NZ Post. She is now manager NZ Post digital channel where she will be responsible for the build and launch of a new digital customer channel for NZ Post. Iles has previously held the role of general manager marketing & strategic planning at Briscoe Group (Briscoes Homeware, Rebel Sport, Living & Giving), spent five years at Pacific Retail Group (Noel Leeming and Bond & Bond) and has also been a consultant to IAG NZ Ltd (State and NZI). She has diverse experience across a wide variety of companies and segments including DB Breweries (Liquorland), Woolworths/Big Fresh, Viko Holdings, NRM Animal Feed and Digital Computers.

Absolutely Positive Additions to Wellington Tourism Team

The new year has seen a number of new faces join the Positively Wellington Tourism (PWT) team.

Former Nelson Tasman tourism manager visitor information centres Selena Murray is taking on Wellington’s i-SITE manager duties while Lisa Preston takes maternity leave. Selena joins as the team celebrates a $400,000 surge in revenue in the first six months of the financial year. Nice timing.

New Zealand events coordinator Tiana Rakete had professional baptism by fire, joining PWT from BP Oil a matter of days before the Hertz Sevens kicked off. As well as marketing New Zealand’s biggest dress up party, her role involves helping promote the Brancott Estate World of WearableArt Awards Show and the marketing of Visa Wellington On a Plate. Speaking of the country’s largest culinary festival, Olivia Dean has got plenty to sink her teeth into with that one as part of her role as marketing projects coordinator. Olivia joins the team following her completion of a Master of Entrepreneurship and Diploma of Event Management and Public Relations.

Jess Wilson and Jessica Williams will be keeping the PWT team on their toes in both name and nature. Jess Wilson is well versed in all things tourism, joining PWT as international marketing coordinator after over two years as operations manager for Seal Coast Safari and John’s Hop On Hop Off City Tour. Jessica Williams has come from Four Winds Communications to fill the newly created position of communications executive.

Positively Wellington Tourism chief executive David Perks says the new additions come from a variety of industries and locations, but all have one thing in common. “An absolutely positive attitude is what we look for first and foremost when recruiting and these ladies all have that in spades. Wellington’s reputation and popularity are reflected in the quality of applications we receive each and every time a position becomes available – people absolutely positively love this place and want to be part of promoting it.”

Paul Gardiner crosses the line

ACP’s star sales manager Paul Gardiner shows he’s not afraid of doing the hard yards, swapping his usual suit for spandex, and completing the grueling Coast to Coast last weekend. He cycled 140 kms, ran 36 km across the Southern Alps, and kayaked 67kms of the Waimakariri River. Here he is, moving and shaking his way across the finish line. Go you good thing.

Producer Gareth Davies joins RedYeti Films.

International producer Gareth Davies has found a new home in the lair of the RedYeti and is making himself comfortable.

“We’re really looking forward to working closely with Gareth” says RedYeti co-owner Alex Lawson.
“He has an immeasurable energy and drive, great skill at what he does, and he is a bloody nice guy as well, which really helps.”

Davies has produced in numerous places around the globe, on all levels of international TV commercials. Most recently he has spent time at Flying Fish and Film 360 in Auckland and before that was producing at The Talkies in Dubai, and Velocity Films and Light & Dark Films in South Africa.

Davies’ previous clients have included international brands such as Mountain Dew, Lays Potato Chips, Subway and a particularly charming execution for GMC working with Trevor Cawood and his company The Embassy VFX in Vancouver. “I’m really keen on this partnership,” says Davies. “RedYeti’s got drive, great ideas and they’re good at pushing boundaries. I’m eager to get stuck in and bring on more clients with challenging concepts that will spark with the creative energy here” Davies will be representing both of RedYeti’s directors, Karl Lear and Scott Reynolds, as well as looking after RedYeti’s international business.

 

Fee-fi-fo-fum finds the Ideas Shop

A big welcome to Fiona Morris, who has just joined the Ideas Shop team as a senior consultant. Fiona has 15 years’ experience in communications and media, the tourism industry, and government policy. She has worked at the Tourism Industry Association, Radio New Zealand and the Ministry of Health. Most recently she was the commercial portfolio manager in the commercial business unit at the Department of Conservation.

Blair Haeata

Ngage Media is pleased to announce the appointment of Blair Haeata as head of media sales for Ngage.  Blair brings some great knowledge from his time at ISite Media in the out of home market and his time spent at Yellow working on online advertising.  Ngage Media is excited about the year ahead.

Flying Fish hooks Hitchcock

Director Dennis Hitchcock has joined the roster at Flying Fish Auckland & Sydney. Hitchcock is a well-known name, earning himself the reputation as one of the top commercial stills photographers in New Zealand, before venturing into the tv/film commercial industry as a director. His eye for composition and shot making has led him to become a standout visual director, and as a consummate collaborator he brings huge experience and enthusiasm to every job. Dennis continues to work extensively in New Zealand, Australia, USA, and Asia, with clients including: BP, GlaxoSmithKline, Lexus, Mercedes, Mitsubishi, Mazda, Steinlager, Panasonic, AMP, & Meridian Energy.

 

Edelman Digital’s new creative 

Alex Erasmus has left the Ogilvy building and chucked in the towel on Bullet PR to join Edelman Digital as a digital creative, helping run the digital practice in Tokyo.

Erasmus will be working with clients helping them engage with their audiences in a way that builds brand loyalty and trust.

Friends in High Places line up gets a shake-up

APN Outdoor’s Friends in High Places Summer Party line-up has just become even bigger and better. The crew at APN Outdoor have secured the impressive services of renowned DJ Dylan C and unique drum and bass duo State of Mind. State of Mind are FIHP favourites, having performed at the 2011 Summer Party to rave reviews. APN Outdoor are thrilled to have them on board again, as will guests when they beat the bass at Mantells on The Water, come 23 February.

The New FIHP line-up is as follows: Tiki Taane- 6.30pm Sola Rosa – 7.30pm Dylan C with PNC- 8.45 Sambora feat Tiki Taane- 10pm State of Mind -11.15pm To chat to all performers and request songs for the night, guests can post on the Friends In High Places facebook page. The Facebook page has also launched a ‘Best of Summer Tracks’ competition. To enter post your favourite summer song to the page, with a few words about why it reminds you of summer. The best ten tracks will make it onto an exclusive FIHP Summer Party mix, available to download free the day after the party. The first 30 entries will receive a bottle of delicious Stonyridge wine.

Prodigy Signs Bradstreet Boy

Prodigy has signed Jesse Bradstreet as the latest addition to their directing roster. Bradstreet brings extensive experience from the post side, having spent more than eight years at C.O.R.E digital in Toronto working on a string of effects heavy films before taking up a position as VFX Supervisor and Director in the commercial department at Animal Logic in Sydney. In his four years at Animal Logic, as part of their highly experienced and renowned commercial team, Jesse was involved in a number of high profile projects attracting recognition for their animation and VFX both locally and overseas. Jesse now turns his attention solely to directing with Prodigy and is currently shooting a campaign with Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney.

Said Jesse: “After years of supervising post both locally and abroad, I had worked with Prodigy on numerous accounts. When it came time to jump the fence, Prodigy was the logical choice not only for the body of great work that has been produced over the years, but for the people that stand behind it. It’s an atmosphere that fosters creativity and one that I look forward to contributing to for years to come.” Jonathan Samway, executive producer, says itʼs fantastic to have Jesse join Prodigy to focus on directing, “We feel incredibly lucky to have someone of such a high creative caliber join the team and continue our commitment to growing young talent.

The Sweet Shop extends into South East Asia

The Sweet Shop has extended production services into Bangkok, Thailand, adding Claire Davidson to its executive team to lead the company for the South East Asian market, which includes India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Singapore. “Claire’s appointment is indicative of our commitment to providing the best quality, high-end story-telling available. We can do this from anywhere in the world with our directors by bringing on the global production centres to support them,” says The Sweet Shop’s chief executive, Paul Prince. “Claire has a proven track record in the region and we’re delighted she has joined our global executive team.”

Most recently, Davidson was Executive Producer at Sudest Productions in Vietnam. Davidson began her career at MTV before moving to television commercials. At McCann Worldgroup, she led the in-agency production company One Six Six, creating work for the entire client roster of McCann Erickson Australia. “I have admired The Sweet Shop for many years.” said Davidson. “I have always had the utmost respect for their directors’ creative achievements. Bringing The Sweet Shop into the South East Asian market is a clever move. We will carve our own niche in the region, and in so doing extend the existing amount of high end productions that The Sweet Shop is known for around the world.”

Market Pulse International acquire Ignite Research Ltd

Market Pulse International Ltd has acquired Ignite Research Ltd along with its managing director Mark Lloyd. Lloyd joins the Market Pulse management team, where he will continue as managing director of the Ignite Research business unit reporting directly to group managing director Chris Jones.

Of the deal, Jones says: “This agreement represents a significant step forward in our growth plans and in particular our further expansion in the research space with our current clients and of course new clients. This will also allow us to continue to support the strong growth of the CATI centre of our subsidiary Infield International Ltd where Ignite has been a significant client for some time.”

Market Pulse plans to use Ignite Research to develop a range of services to complement the current offers of both Market Pulse and Ignite.

“Moving forward, we will be focussing on adding to our service offer in the customer insights space to offer our clients fully-integrated program options.”

Lloyd brings with him an impressive client list and a network of consultants he works with to deliver his current research solutions: “I am passionate about helping clients and their brands identify and realise their opportunities for growth based on a thorough understanding of the customer and market. This relationship with Market Pulse represents an exciting development in our ability to extend a full service research offering to our current clients and other New Zealand and international businesses. Our capability now in the customer insights space will enhance our clients’ ability to make really informed, action-oriented decisions around marketing and business strategy.”

 

 


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