International
Around the World: The top 10 media stories from 2025
In his final column for 2025, media expert Antony Young rounds up the top 10 industry stories that made headlines around the globe.
News
iHeartCountry to lead NZME’s partnership with Tussock Country Music Festival 2026
NZME has announced a partnership with Kiwi country music event Tussock Country, as it returns to Gore in 2026.
Awards
Seek wins Kantar Ad Impact Award for October
Kantar’s October Ad Impact Award goes to Seek. ‘Tis the season to find your next job’ stands out for its seasonal storytelling.
Campaigns
TVNZ, Together and Contact Energy power up summer with Super Streamers campaign
TVNZ, Together and Contact Energy have launched the Super Streamers campaign on TVNZ+, rewarding viewers for streaming their favourite shows.
News
Billboard baggings: Ikea rivals react
Ikea’s competition aren’t taking it lying down. As the Swedish giant opened in Auckland’s Sylvia Park, rival brands were poking fun.
Accounts
TSB appoints YoungShand to drive brand transformation
New Zealand-owned bank TSB has appointed independent agency YoungShand as its creative partner following a competitive pitch.
Opinion
2026 marketing predictions: Why OOH could take centre stage
Vistar Media managing director APAC Ben Baker shares how out of home can help brands, especially small businesses, stand out in 2026.
Campaigns
TSB captures raw emotions in new video campaign
TSB’s new social-first campaign captures real customer reactions, heartfelt surprises and authentic moments of kindness.
International
Global collaboration matters more than ever: 2025 IAB Summit
The IAB Global Summit brought together some of the brightest industry minds and reminded me just how globally connected our work now is.
News
Auto Trader and NZ Autocar join forces
Auto Trader and NZ Autocar have joined forces to create what both describe as the country’s new home of motoring.
Awards
Kiwi agencies celebrate Campaign Agency of the Year wins
The awards, presented on December 9, recognise industry excellence across media, marketing and PR in the Asia-Pacific region.
Campaigns
Meet Alan P: L&P and DDB Aotearoa launch Small Town Genius
L&P is back with a new brand platform, Small town genius, created by Coca-Cola Oceania with support from DDB.
Awards
Sophie Moloney wins Chief Executive Of The Year at the Deloitte Top 200 Awards
Sky is celebrating its leader Sophie Moloney winning Chief Executive of the Year at the Deloitte Top 200 Awards.
Campaigns
Ikea, Mindshare and Go Media pull off NZ’s first full-network takeover
Ikea has launched a nationwide OOH campaign in partnership with Mindshare, executed across Go Media’s full digital network.
Movings & Shakings
Motion Sickness recruits top talent to fuel trans-Tasman growth
Motion Sickness has welcomed a string of new hires in strategy, creative and client service as it expands across the Tasman.
Movings & Shakings
Contagion welcomes Jake Calder to the team
Contagion is excited to announce the appointment of Jake Calder as digital performance and innovation lead.
Campaigns
Ikea marks its arrival in Aotearoa with ‘Ikea, everywhere’
With just a few days into opening, Ikea has launched a localised market-entry campaign, ‘Ikea, everywhere’.
Partner articles
Digital rewards made simple with iGoDirect
Keeping your customers happy is about to get much easier for Kiwi businesses, with high-tech rewards and promotions platform iGoDirect.
News
Ikea open in Aotearoa
It’s been almost a decade coming, but Ikea is officially open in Aotearoa. StopPress deputy editor Zahra Shahtahmasebi was at the December 4 launch party. The trip came with a hot dog and a Djungelskog.
Media
Prominent rural broadcasters join forces
Andy Thompson and Sarah Perriam-Lampp will join forces to launch an innovative, multimedia rural radio show in 2026.
Campaigns
Crusaders launches new brand platform
Crusaders, in partnership with Plato, has launched a major brand platform celebrating the people at the heart of the club.
Movings & Shakings
MediaWorks updates local line-ups in Manawatū, Wairarapa and Rotorua
MediaWorks has announced major regional programming changes for 2026, reinforcing its commitment to a strong local presence.
News
IMANZ celebrates 2025 with new annual awards show
On December 3, Independent Media Agencies NZ held its end of year Connect Event, hosting 180 of its members and partners at MediaWorks.
Campaigns
Love Taupō joins the Ikea craze
LOVE Taupō partnered with Christchurch agency Make to creatively join the ‘Ikea mania’ sweeping Auckland this week.
Movings & Shakings
NZME appoints David Linklater as editor of Driven Car Guide
NZME has appointed David Linklater as editor of DRIVEN Car Guide, as the publication continues to expand across print, digital and video.
StopPress exclusives
How Juliet Peterson is shaping Sky’s future: What the new combined portfolio means for advertisers
Sky’s Juliet Peterson reveals new ad opportunities, expanded reach and digital innovation following the Discovery NZ acquisition.
Accounts
Lassoo Media builds momentum with four major wins
Following its Media Agency of the Year win at the 2025 Beacons Awards, Lassoo Media has secured four new major accounts.
Awards
Entries open for 2026 IHAC Awards
Entries are now open for the In-House Agency Council’s annual awards, celebrating in-house and hybrid creativity across the Tasman.
News
Together celebrates Independents’ Day as new government rules come into effect
Independent media agency Together names December 1 “Independents’ Day” as new Government Procurement rules come into effect.
Media
The Bakery Collective and Veterans’ Affairs release Finding our Way Back
Finding Our Way Back is a short documentary following three veterans as they navigate the challenges of life beyond service.