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Movings/Shakings: 3 August

A planned appointment

Track New Zealand has appointed a new planning director, Jodie Armstrong-Downes.

​Armstrong-Downes has over a decade of experience in strategic communication planning across a range of industries including telecommunications, travel, non-for-profit, and retail. Her agency background spans leading London agencies including Proximity London, Wunderman UK, and DLKW Lowe.

With a strong record of success, Armstrong-Downes’ worked on many award-winning campaigns for clients such as Guide Dogs for the Blind and John Lewis. Most recently her work with the Royal National Lifeboat institute received a Caples award and three gold awards at the DMAs in 2017.  

Andy Bell, Track managing director, delivering strategy in the customer experience space today requires a fairly unique set of abilities.

“It proved to be a real challenge to find those in one individual, and we’re thrilled to have done so.

“Jodie met the brief perfectly and she brings a wealth of experience that complements the rest of the team. Her appointment will further strengthen our strategic offering. She possesses sharp intellect and an inquisitive mind, and I’m sure she will deliver outstanding results for our clients.”

Crossing the ditch

iProspect has welcomed Ian Hooi to the role of general manager of its New Zealand operation.

Hooi joins iProspect from Scorch iProspect in Australia where he is currently general manager.

Robert Harvey, CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network New Zealand, said Hooi has a depth of specialist performance digital expertise.

Originally from New Zealand, this will be a return home for Hooi and his family after approximately ten years out of the country.

Taking the lead

Facebook has appointed Mark D’Arcy as the new leader for its global business marketing team.

D’Arcy has been with Facebook for seven years leading Creative Shop and he’ll bring a unique blend of creativity, passion for marketing and leadership to this role.

As VP of global business marketing and chief creative officer at Facebook, D’Arcy will be responsible for managing a global team, and will oversee all marketing functions for the global business marketing organisation, which includes including four regional and six centralised functions.

In his expanded role as chief creative officer, he’ll lead the creative efforts for Facebook’s business across global business marketing and Creative Shop.

He will continue to be based in New York.

Building an inclusive New Zealand

Diversity Works New Zealand has appointed Mary Haddock-Staniland as head of membership services.

Chief executive Rachel Hopkins says Haddock-Staniland brings a wealth of skills as well as client care and professional services experience. 

To take up the role, Haddock-Staniland will depart advertising agency Ogilvy this month where she first started in HR in October 2015 before moving to its television production department, Film360, at the start of 2018.

Haddock-Staniland is also still a director of a boutique PR agency, and will continue her various MC/Speaker obligations while at Diversity Works New Zealand.

Her appointment is effective as of 10 September.

Protecting journalism

RNZ CEO Paul Thompson has been re-elected as president of the Public Media Alliance (PMA), the largest global association of public service broadcasters representing 2.5 billion people in 54 countries. 

Thompson has been appointed for a second two-year term and will be a keynote speaker in Jamaica this month at Speak Out!, a PMA conference focused on rebuilding trust in media and democracy in a digital world consumed by ‘fake news’ and toxic social media. 

Thompson is delighted to be re-elected for another term as president at a time when access to free, accurate and independent media was under threat around the world.

“The Alliance’s advocacy for high-quality, independent multimedia journalism and programming is more important than ever as our colleagues in commercial media wrestle with ongoing disruption to their businesses and public media redefine their relevance in a multimedia world.

“Meanwhile, in many countries independent public media and freedom of expression are under sustained attack from political and partisan interests. The Alliance is determined to support and advocate for the critical importance of trusted independent journalism that serves the public interest.” 

A new story teller

Sweetshop has a new director on its roster with Jakob Marky signing on for representation globally, excluding Europe.

Marky has a fascination for stories and how to make them come alive. He earned his stripes in the film industry in Australia.

After stirring up dust in Scandinavia with films for TRYG, Nordea and IKEA, Marky won the Ingmar Bergman Award for Best screenplay for his film Fuga. The prize allowed him to spend time writing in the den of infamous director Lars von Trier.

A new direction

Kiwi director Sasha Rainbow has signed with Curious Film.

Managing director and executive producer Kate Roydhouse says when she saw her work at Cannes she knew she had to sign her immediately.

“She’s bold, strong, and alluring – her work really hits you. She’s creating some amazing stuff on the global scene, a true talent and we’re thrilled to bring her into the fold.” 

Life’s what you make it screened at VOWSS at Cannes Lion, a showcase dedicated to the best films and advertising created by women.

Rainbow is a Kiwi filmmaker whose passion for the craft and social causes has taken her to places such as Africa, Romania and throughout Asia. 

From programmes to ads

Rabbit has added director Al Morrow to its roster.

Morrow is known for his offbeat comedy and strong visual aesthetic. 

His career at ABC TV directing, producing and programming for titles such as The Chaser, Rage and triple j tv.

In 2010, he turned his hand to commercials directing and since then he’s built up a body of work including campaigns for Volkswagon, MLA, McDonald’s, Campbell’s, Motor Accidents Commission, Expedia, and many more.

Rabbit EP Alexandra Hay said Morrow is a huge talent and having worked with him in the past, knows what he is capable of and how hard he works on every project.

“There’s a lot of love for Al out there in the industry and we are very lucky he has come on board with us.”

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