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Christmas stockings stuffed with new hires…

… as Publicis Mojo welcomes a replacement executive creative director, Mango Communications says hello to two ‘Mango-worthy’ candidates, DNA design reels in a big one, NZ Magazines loses another editor and TV3 chooses its new European correspondent.

Attack of the Creative Expats

New Zealand has another UK-born creative director in its midst after Mike Barnwell was chosen to take over the role of executive creative director at Publicis Mojo, a role left vacant by Rebecca Carrasco in August.

Manchester-born Barnwell was previously ECD at Grey in South Africa and arrived in Australia in May to take up the role as ECD of Lowe Sydney. But, in what could be seen as an ominous coincidence that’s eerily similar to what happened with the shortlived Carrasco return, he left that role after only three months.

StopPress is taking bets on whether he’ll last longer than Dylan Harrison.

Barnwell will be joining ZenithOptimedia’s Robert Harvey, who will take on the expanded role of group managing director, Mojo and ZenithOptimedia New Zealand.

Fresh Mangoes

Mango Communications NZ, DDB’s PR, experiential and events agency, has taken on two new top talents.

Dorita Hollins joins the Mango PR team as senior account director, replacing Jen Ferguson, who recently returned to her old place of work, Pead PR.

A marketing communication specialist, Hollins has experience at a number of international and home grown agencies including Porter Novelli, Pead PR, Ogilvy PR and UKTV. At Mango, she will lead major accounts including Google, Cadbury, THL, Lion Nathan Wines & Spirits, Icebreaker and NZ Post.

Ben Barratt-Boyes, aka ‘Triple B’, has also been welcomed as event manager, joining from his previous role as the national partnerships coordinator for the New Zealand Aids Foundation, where he was responsible for re-launching the ‘Big Gay Out’ event for 2010.

Mango managing director Claudia Macdonald says the pair’s diverse experience in the industry makes them Mango-worthy.

“Dorita is a veteran in the PR world, having worked on numerous clients and campaigns that need no introduction. Her knowledge and contacts in the industry are already proving invaluable. And Ben’s extensive event management experience and connections makes him a perfect fit with our award-winning team.”

It’s in their DNA

DNA has been on a bit of a hiring spree, with the biggest catch being Heidi Tacbian, who has joined the Auckland branch as digital director.

DNA’s managing director Grenville Main says Tacbian “is a very welcome addition to our digital services”.

Tacbian has a stellar interactive track record. She previously held the role of digital director at .99 and previously moved from Saatchi & Saatchi to set up Tribal DBB.

DNA has also added designer Georgina Kivell, senior designer Mike Collinge and account executive Justin Fraser to the Auckland office.

Bridges over troubled water

Natalie Bridges, the current editor of Simply You, has taken up a role with Village PR and will head up its lifestyle division, marking another loss from NZ magazines’ editorial ranks after Women’s Weekly top dogs Sido Kitchin and Fiona Fraser jumped ship to ACP’s Woman’s Day.

Bridges will start the role in late February 2011.

Co-owner of Mount Manganui-based Village PR Tim Paton-Tapsell says she will be responsible for the growth of the company’s food, beverage, fashion and beauty clients.

“She has a proven track record of excellence in her field of journalism, sales and leadership, which is a perfect combination for her new role here at Village PR,” says Paton-Tapsell. “…With Natalie joining us we will have a team of ten staff. Key factors to our growth have been our focus on providing excellent customer service and the delivery of fantastic results.”

The company is also officially announcing its move into providing integrated services including content marketing, brand strategy and design – and is in the process of rebranding itself as Village. Currently, 50 percent of Village PR’s clients are based in Auckland.

Correspondent’s school

According to the Herald, TV3 reporter Melissa Davies has been chosen as the network’s new Europe correspondent. She will take over from Kim Chisnall at the end of January for a two year contract. She will depart New Zealand on January 17.

“There was a number of excellent candidates for the job,” big TV3 news cheese Mark Jennings said in a statement to TV3 staff. “But Mel stood out. Her work is always of a high standard and I thought her coverage of the Bethune trial in Japan was outstanding. Kim has done a sterling job for us (the British elections being a highlight for me) and it will be great to have her back in the Auckland newsroom.”

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