We live in sad times. And they just got sadder, because artists Aric Snee & Justin Crowe have released an amazing new narcissistic development, the selfie-arm, ‘a sarcastic solution to the problem of being alone.’ PLUS: the wonders of solo chatting.

In 2011, Kiwi-born Robin Leonard founded AllFamous Digital in the Philippines, and inevitable ups and downs that have come with it have taught him some important rules about running a business in the digital marketing space.

In an effort to remind Russians to watch their speed, BBDO Moscow has produced a smart YouTube-based campaign for InTouch Insurance that only shows an accident happening when viewers fast-forward an otherwise boring ten-minute video of a car driving along the road.

Stem Creative has released the first three episodes of its six-part satirical web series called Agency, just a few short months after the creators came up with the idea. And the result is a humorous look at the trials and tribulations of the advertising industry through the eyes of three “hapless but genuine and enthusiastic marketing wannabes” at a small creative marketing agency in Wellington.

Four-person Swedish agency Dogwash has released a quirky campaign that allows ad folk to accurately express their thoughts through a catalogue of emojis that can be downloaded from the app store. And since most agencies always have one eye on the gong, the emoji suite includes Cannes Lions, Clios, D&D Pencils and a host of other award-themed options.

The freelancer experience has until now been typified by making contacts and hoping that they require your services on a regular basis. And while this approach has seen freelancers make ends meet for generations, it isn’t best case scenario for any of the parties involved. Freelancers are often left without work for long stints while agencies and clients might only have a limited list of potential workers, who might not always be available. So, in a bid to make freelancing in the local market more accessible and practicable, Greig Cranfield, who has until now served as digital specialist recruiter at Razzbri, launched Yudoozy, an online recruitment service that links freelancers to clients.

Game of Thrones has seemingly become to Ireland what Lord of the Rings is to New Zealand: a perfect opportunity to market stunning landscapes to fans of the series. And for this reason, Tourism Ireland and HBO have been surprising Ireland’s residents and visitors by scattering fantastical Game of Thrones props around the country to promote the show while simultaneously promoting Ireland as a tourist destination for Game of Thrones fans, or anyone who admire the stunning landscapes in the series.

Everyone’s so busy these days. So busy, it seems, that there’s not even enough time to get changed, as evidenced by Australian surfing brand Quiksilver’s release of a line of suits in Japan that you can wear surfing.

Celebratory chest bumps for Sky, Canon and AA Smartfuel this week.

It seems that many aspects of life are crossing over to the digital realm these days down to the way we communicate, work, shop, read – the list is endless. Ikea has taken this idea one step further, offering an online virtual wedding service.

While some car brands have attempted to get cars running on water, Toyota has taken a different approach, proving to the public that it has a car that quite literally runs on bullshit.

As technology continues to develop and become more readily available, it gives ad agencies the means by which to evolve the traditional media channels—and this is particularly prominent in the out-of-home advertising category. Locally, we’ve already seen billboards update in real-time during the elections, we’ve seen selfies linked from Twitter to outdoor digital screens, and we’ve had outdoor creative adjusting in accordance with the temperature. And now, Ogilvy & Mather in Hong Kong is taking it a step further with a new anti-littering campaign that uses the DNA of litterbugs to create digital faces that have a resemblance to the actual people who dropped trash on the floor.

This past weekend marked 100 years since the Anzac forces landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula. As a result, ceremonies and events were run up and down the country resulting in exhibition openings, parades and the building of a gigantic poppy. To put the scale of the event in context, the New Zealand Government alone is estimated to have spent around $42 million on centenary commemorations—and this only paints part of the picture given that promotional spending by brands is difficult to tally. And while most of the activations were in good taste here and across the ditch, the event once again served as a reminder of the fine line between commemoration and commercialisation of a tragic day in history. Here’s a rundown of some of the activations that took place.

The Apple Watch has, as expected, created plenty of chatter. And it’s now launched three TV ads showcasing what it can do—and, perhaps unintentionally, what it can stop.

Roy Morgan may have shut the doors of its New Zealand office, but it’s still checking up on Kiwi brands for its New Zealand Customer Satisfaction awards. And New World, Care Chemist, Max, Robert Harris Café, Noel Leeming, Kathmandu and Powershop have all celebrated their first wins.

One of the persistent public views that exists around marketing and advertising is that these industries are great manipulators of us all, creating in us silly desires and passing fancies that divert us from a virtuous life path and empty our wallets with the skill of a pickpocket. And when one looks at something like the furore created by Lewis Road Creamery around chocolate milk, it’s pretty easy to see how people might start musing on this. But the truth is that we are a much less Machiavellian lot than our fancy milk would suggest.

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