A round of applause to McDonald’s NZ, Air New Zealand and Countdown NZ.

When the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction report was released in December last year, it painted a grim picture. “New Zealand is experiencing a rising tide of mental distress and addiction,” it said. “The cost of poor mental wellbeing and addiction is high. It is a high cost to individuals, families and whānau, businesses and organisations, communities, government and the country as a whole.” While the spotlight has been shone on specific demographics, one sector that is also toiling under pressure is our creative industries. We all know the squeeze of creative work well: late nights, long hours, client demands, unrealistic deadlines, impostor syndrome, self-criticism. This, coupled with the sensitive disposition creative people tend to have, often creates an environment where mental health issues can flourish. In part one of a series, Elly Strang looks at the scale of the mental health problem in New Zealand’s creative industries.

Every Saturday for the last 16 years, the Weekend Herald’s glossy lift-out lifestyle magazine, Canvas has indulged readers with its signature blend of leisurely weekend content while sister lift-out Weekend has given readers a rundown on the weekend’s happenings. Now, the pair are joining forces to make a one-stop-shop lift-out for weekend content. We chat with NZME Weekend magazines editor Sarah Daniell about shaking things up.

Our weekly wrap of good things, strange things, funny things and other things from inside the intertubes.

Pead PR’s ownership has had a changeup this week, with managing director Sarah Munnik and group account directors Anna Farrera and Louisa Kraitzick joining CEO and founder ​Deborah Pead as shareholders.

The local marcomms industry has come together to help Pet Refuge New Zealand — a charity aiming to build the country’s first shelter dedicated to housing pets affected by family violence — with a campaign that’s raised over $250,000 in its first week.

Kiwi insurer Tower has announced the appointment of Shine as its strategic and creative communications agency, as well as its partnership with MBM for media planning and services. Both appointments follow a competitive pitch process.

A round of applause for NZTA, Discover Rotorua and Sylvia Park.

At any one time in New Zealand, there are hundreds of people speeding in cars who don’t want to be. In a new campaign, NZTA and Clemenger BBDO shine a light on who has to cope with the consequences of losing control of a car at high speed – and it’s not just the driver.

EightyOne’s announced Chris Bleackley as its full-time executive creative director alongside the appointment of new team members and a new offer called Drive-thru.

Rotorua’s connection to the natural world is on show in a new campaign for Destination Rotorua by KingSt Advertising and Marketing.

Our weekly wrap of good things, strange things, funny things and other things from inside the intertubes.

Clemenger BBDO creative JP Twaalfhoven was a finalist in the Side Hustle category at D&AD Awards 2019 for KYT – short for ‘Keeping You Together’ – bags handcrafted and designed for life with diabetes. The idea stemmed from his partner and co-founder Bridget Scanlan’s own Type 1 diagnosis eight years ago. He travelled to London to present live on stage at D&AD and on his way talked StopPress through the bags.

Sanitarium’s new out-of-home campaign uses bold colours and hands popping out of holes to remind Kiwis about their breakfast cereals.

PHD Group has announced the appointment of Nick Scott as strategic partnerships director, and the promotion of PHD group business director Helen Brown to group investment director.