Philip Morris – the largest tobacco company in the world – has declared it will transform the tobacco industry in support of New Zealand’s Smokefree 2025 initiative. In time, it plans to stub out its cigarette range – which includes Marlboro, Parliament and Virginia S and move towards a future of fruity, trendy vapes and e-cigarettes. It’s a tactical maneuver from the giant cigarette corporate as alternative cigarettes slowly receive validation by scientists, governments, and consumers – but is the move really a ploy for Smokefree 2025, or more of a smoke screen by Philip Morris? And in the midst of all this, has its sudden departure from cigarettes led to a branding identity crisis? We speak to the managing director, James Williams, who explains the company’s foray into the smoke-free market.

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

Yesterday, Hell Pizza and BC&F Dentsu challenged the idea of Valentine’s Day with a campaign promoting a night for one, rather than a night out with the masses at a restaurant or bar.

FCB has confirmed the appointment of Slade Gill as a creative director.

House of Travel’s in-house team has launched a new brand campaign, ‘Better Together’, that uses real customer stories to show the importance of working with a travel agent when booking overseas trips.

Nestlé has launched a campaign to celebrate the iconic Kiwi ‘Original Kiwi Dip’.

​DB is making a song and dance about its DB Export Low Carb beer, with an original song and music video called ‘I’m Drinking It For You’ by Colenso BBDO and The Sweetshop.

A round of applause for BNZ, Trade Me, ASB Bank and DB Export.

ASB Bank is celebrating diversity through poetry in its latest ad.

Bank of New Zealand has 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.

Company directors will need more than basic business accumen to execute leadership while technology becomes more prevalent and shareholders more engaged.

Education New Zealand (ENZ) has appointed Special Group as its creative agency partner for its upcoming global brand refresh.

FCB New Zealand has won the New Zealand Post creative business.

At the beginning of the summer, Monteith’s launched a new partnership with New Zealand Cricket and introduced its beer and ciders to stadiums and cricket ovals. Since January, that offering has evolved into a campaign giving fans the chance to win prizes by taking pictures of their match cups. We spoke to DB’s marketing director Sean O’Donnell about creating the perfect fan experience.

Auckland University of Technology students got the chance to muck in on a major summer outdoor campaign this year, thanks to a partnership with The Business Marketing Group and QMS.

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

Deals, expansions and acquisitions across the Industry.

Trade Me has given a voice to discarded items in a cheeky new campaign by VMLY&R Wellington and MBM.

For Pride 2019, Spark and OutLine have shone a light on parents of those in the LGBTQIA+ community, with a particular focus on the trans community.

With Investec Super Rigby kicking off this month, Special Group and cricket player Brendon McCullum are helping build excitement with a campaign showing the risks the players take to secure a win.