It goes without saying that every year has its highs and lows, and as we here at StopPress look to wind down the last 365 days with sun and alcohol, it’s also time for us to look back at which stories really managed to hit the mark in 2019.
It’s been a full-on year in our industry, with some amazing work being put into our sphere here at StopPress. There has been a large number of shifts, expansions, downsized and wins in 2019, making it a true rollercoaster for a lot of you. This rollercoaster was represented in our top ten stories for this year, with a good mix between highs and lows.
Enough from us, here is our round-up of the stories that got our readers pumped.
10. Meridian harnesses the elements in new brand platform
Meridian this year launched a new brand platform that celebrates how Kiwis will go to great lengths to keep New Zealand clean and beautiful. The one-minute TVC called ‘Wind –Water– Sun’ by BC&F Dentsu was a heart-racing intense minute of pure suspense and was well received by our readers.
9. Kiwibank and 99 form new partnership
When Kiwibank went to market and asked for agencies to get involved with an ‘unpitched’ pitch process, some of the best agencies, one-man-shops and consultancies threw their hats into the ring. After a thorough process, Kiwibank appointed 99 as its lead strategic and creative agency partner, responsible for all above the line brand and retail work.
8. Beacons 2019: All eyes on FCB Media as it rains gold, PHD crowned Media Agency of the Year
FCB Media gained a top spot after their many wins at the 2019 Commercial Communications Council Beacon Awards. The agency took home gold after gold in front of a sell-out crowd of New Zealand’s media personalities at Shed 10, Auckland.
7. NZME paywall: industry players react to the Herald’s premium content
The Stuff/NZME merger process was long rumoured to be a way for both companies to avoid competition when monetising online content this year, but the Court of Appeal rejected the media companies’ appeal. Our industry players had their say on the move which generated plenty of conversation.
6. Refreshing or revolting? L&P and DDB launch a very different campaign
L&P took an interesting step with its latest campaign by DDB. Titled ‘The Best Day Ever’, the campaign promoted itself as being ‘refreshingly different’, yet in some ways, it fell more into the refreshingly disgusting category. It got a lot of good, and bad, reactions on StopPress. With many torn on how the new ad made them feel.
5. Andrew Reinholds to leave OMD
Andrew Reinholds announced his departure of OMD back in August. He was one of the few remaining original team members from the 2008 merger between DDB and Colenso BBDO that created the new OMD New Zealand. Reinholds then popped up in the new independent Stanley St not long after.
4. The Hot List 2019: Vote for the media industry’s best thinkers, creators and products
The industry loves a bit of semi-competitive voting, and that spurred our 2019 Hot List popularity. The Hot List celebrated the top creators, products and individuals, which resulted in some very deserving winners and some more fantastic ideas for 2020.
3. There’s a little bit of good in everyone: BNZ shows reaching goals takes sacrifices
Bank of New Zealand introduced two charming characters to teach a lesson about being good with money in a new campaign via Colenso BBDO and Exit Film’s director Glendyn Ivin. The TVC was incredibly cute and pulled at our heartstrings, and apparently the heartstrings of our readers too.
New Zealand agency Ogilvy had a huge shakeup when its managing director Greg Partington bought WWP AUNZ’s shares in the agency. The agency donned the new moniker Stanley St while WPP launched Ogilvy International. Stanley St was now one of our biggest independent agencies, with many of our readers interested to see how the new brand developed.
1. The Stoppies 2019: Vote for your favourite campaigns, ideas and people of the year
It was exciting that StopPress Stoppies Awards voting was our second most-read story since our creation, and the most read story for 2019. It goes to show how much the sector has grown since our first event, and how much our industry makes other people, such as friends and family, vote for their work.
