House and garden brand Unilever has released a short film about a weary tree that leaves the rainforest, after the realisation it might be safer in the city.

It’s a conversation that happens twice a year, once near the beginning and once near the end. Do the clocks go back or forward one hour? The conversation was probably the result of many arguments back in the day before the internet and smartphones came along and adjusted time automatically for us. But still, the debate continues. That’s what Leigh Hart, Millen Baird and Jason Hoyte have tapped into for this new Hellers ad, by Moon Media in conjunction with Simpatico Advertising, in probably the most confusing way possible.

At the moment, it is near impossible to escape the rugby madness that has hypnotised the nation. Many of our beloved products from the supermarket have turned black, one of which being Anchor’s milk bottles, which turned the shade in support of the All Blacks. Dow Design provided us some insights on what makes good product design, and what sells.

Southern Cross, Beats, ASB and Meridian Energy win the applause this week.

Last Thursday Doritos released ‘Rainbow’ Doritos in support of LGBT teens, which were available to every person who donated to Dan Savage’s ‘It Gets Better Project’. The cheesy rainbow snacks sold out in just two days.

Brands are increasingly looking to produce online content that viewers find entertaining enough to share. And as part of its sponsorship deal with the Winter Games, Audi set out to do something a little different by inviting a collection of 20 lucky Kiwis to attend a pop-up bistro event high up in the Pisa Range hosted by celebrity chef Simon Gault.

Southern Cross Health Society has gone the emotional route with its new campaign via Barnes, Catmur & Friends consisting of an ad narrated by an old man giving advice to his younger self along to a series of clips of his most significant life experiences and the lessons he’s learned.

Beats by Dre has a mixed reputation among sound bogans for the audio quality of its products, but it is renowned for the quality of its advertising and the brand has managed to worm its way into popular culture by getting endorsements—paid and otherwise—from stars like Lebron James, Richard Sherman, Serena Williams, Neymar Jr, Nick Kyrgios, Kobe Bryant and Lady Gaga. Now it’s moved onto rugby, with All Black captain Richie McCaw putting in the acting performance of his life to make what is one of the best rugby-related ads of the past few rugby-filled months.

With the Rugby World Cup about to start tomorrow morning, there are bound to be a few tired All Black fans over the next six weeks. There’s already a campaign from NZME called Push Back for Black that asks employers to go easy on rugby-loving employees. But if there’s no leeway from the boss, then ASB is ensuring Kiwis get some extra stamina through stimulants.

Meridian Energy has released a new campaign via Barnes, Catmur and Friends with its poster boy Jeremy Wells (clothed this time) about its use of renewable energy and how we can ‘Save the world right from our sofas’. Wells also stars alongside Freddy the goat, who makes a brief albeit important appearance.

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

As Dr Evil said: “I’m with it, I’m hip, takka takka takka takka … ” And it seems the NZ Police have taken a leaf out that book and tried to get down with the kids to warn them to stay safe during the Rugby World Cup.

Nobody expects a fast fashion chain to be both inclusive of all walks of life and sustainable in its ideals, but H&M has surprised everyone with its ‘Close the Loop’ ad. People of almost every religion, size and gender are featured, looking sleek and stylish in the company’s gears.

Everyone loves a quiz. That’s why TVNZ is bringing back Mastermind next year. And the Marketing Association is putting the industry’s direct knowledge to the test to draw attention to the fact that it’s time to get your entries in for the NZDM Awards.

There’s been plenty of talk about the haka in recent days, as there always is when the All Blacks head to Europe. And there’s been plenty of brand activity involving virtual reality recently too, with everyone from Kellogg’s to Contiki getting in on the action. Now AIG, the major jersey-hogging sponsors of the All Blacks, have combined both of those things for the Haka 360˚ Experience.