TVNZ and MediaWorks trade recruitment blows; Saatchi’s creates a new role in an effort to ramp up ‘irresistability’; a man who struck fear into the hearts of marketing shysters hangs up his boots; and Omnigraphics, Villa Maria and Supply Design bolster their staff offerings.
Up the Duff
Annemarie Duff, currently the general manager of online recruitment company SEEK New Zealand, has been brought in to replace Charlotte Findlay as TVNZ’s new general manager of marketing.
The new role marks Duff’s return to the nurturing bosom of the national broadcaster after a two-year stint as head of programming a few years back.
According to the Herald, eyebrows were raised when Duff, a marketer, was appointed to the programming role, which she stepped down from in 2006 “amid plummeting ratings for TV One”. ‘Industry insiders’ said TVNZ’s new sales chief Paul Maher fought hard to get her back onboard.
Duff has an extensive background in the media with sales and marketing roles at TV3 and Australia’s Channel 7, and she will start her new role in October.
Wind in the sales
Linda Farrelly, who has been the general manager of national sales at MediaWorks TV for the last nine years, has been appointed as its new director of sales, effective immediately.
MediaWorks TV chief executive Jason Paris says Farrelly’s credibility and respect within the media and agency environment is impressive and this was a significant factor in her appointment.
“Importantly, she is also highly regarded by her colleagues in our sales division, and her peers in other parts of MediaWorks TV,” he says. “Linda came through a challenging international search process, and to know we had the best person for the job already in the team speaks volumes about the calibre of people we have within the organisation.”
MediaWorks also found an existing staff member, past TV engineering manager Roger Randle, for the group role of director of technology recently.
Farrelly says MediaWorks has great agency and client relationships and this is an incredible opportunity for her to improve the business further.
Heath of the moment
Heath Davy, head of production at Saatchi & Saatchi, has been promoted to a new role as the New Zealand director of operations and integrated production.
The new role is part of the agency’s new direction, which includes an integrated creative department that hopes “to better enable the delivery of irresistible content and ideas”.
“Heath believes passionately in Saatchi & Saatchi and our new direction and he has been instrumental in the successful evolution of our business,” says chief executive Nicky Bell. “His commitment and vision to seamlessly integrate all aspects of production into the creative process has been a labour of love and we’re seeing the benefits in the delivery of the ideas already.”
Davy has been with the agency for three years and assumes his new role immediately.
McCarthyism
Omnigraphics NZ has appointed Dave McCarthy, who has many years experience in production, sales and marketing within the print and media industries, to the role of business development manager.
McCarthy’s most recent role was business manager of Adstream, where he developed strategic business alliances with agencies, media companies and publishers.
He also brings strong technical expertise and knowledge from his time at Adstream and past experiences in pre-press. And with a real passion for the out-of-home media market he is a welcome addition to the Omnigraphics team.
Farewell, Fair Go
Kevin Milne, a man who has put the heat on many a dodgy marketer/company/spokesperson during his time with Fair Go, is leaving TVNZ when the programme finishes its 2010 season later this year, 40 years after he began his broadcasting career.
“Last year, at the age of 60, I chose to give away the reporting side of my Fair Go job, and agreed to front until a new presenting team was well established. That was expected to take a year, and it has. I leave TVNZ enormously grateful for the wonderful career it has provided me, to say nothing of so much fun. TVNZ has also been very generous in helping me through two periods of ill health.
Milne, who was this year voted the second most trusted man in the country after Willie Apiata in a Reader’s Digest Poll, began his distinguished broadcasting career with the NZBC in 1970. After a period as a TV news journalist and producer he joined Fair Go in 1984 – the last year it was fronted by Brian Edwards.He took over fronting Fair Go in the mid-nineties.
TVNZ’s head of news and current affairs, Anthony Flannery, says Milne’s huge contribution to both broadcasting and the New Zealand community had earned him his place as one of the best known and most appreciated public figures in the country.
“There are literally generations of New Zealanders who know that when it comes to consumer rights, Kevin Milne is the man. There will be many, many individuals, whose battles he took on, who will never forget him and who will always be grateful. TVNZ would like to publicly thank Kevin for his commitment, his passion for the cause and for his loyalty over so many years. He has our every good wish.”
Wining and dining
Helen Emler has been appointed as the new events and hospitality manager at Villa Maria, replacing Keiran Frost, who recently took up a role as national group operations manager with events company The Orange Group.
Emler has an extensive background in international event management, including experience at the Cannes International Film Festival, gala and awards dinners and automotive and other launch events. Most recently she worked with the Restaurant Association of New Zealand as sponsorship and event manager, where she was responsible for the organisation of events such as Feast by Famous Chefs, the Lewisham Awards, National Culinary Fare, Auckland branch Golf Day and more.
She will be in charge of Villa Maria’s events team, including the management of the conference and event facilities, the Vineyard Café and Cellar Door and the Villa Maria summer concert series.
Supply in demand
Design agency Supply, which is celebrating its fifth birthday later this year, has appointed a senior digital lead Mark Stewart to join its existing team of 12.
Stewart graduated with distinction from Auckland’s Media Design School’s before embarking on a four-year stint as a senior interactive developer in London, working on major projects with high profile clients MTV, National Lottery, Channel 4, The Body Shop and Universal Music at Public Creative.
“Mark has a finely-tuned technology radar trained on the latest interactive trends that keeps him (and us) one step ahead,” says Craig McColl, Supply’s co-director.
