Tyler Brûlé’s media empire makes a point of avoiding the path that its contemporaries in print have taken over the past five years. Instead of investing in magazine apps, a social media presence, or web content strategies, Monocle, the magazine he launched in 2007, doubled down its analog output and now has two resort newspapers, stores in three continents, a cafe, and a 24 hour radio station.

Bacon roses, a cat with a heart on it, or perhaps just a laid-back, low key fight. The list of options available to show you love on this most romantic of days is almost limitless. And Mitre 10 has helped aspiring romantics by offering instruction on how to play a tool-based love song.

The liveblog kicks off from 7:30am. Teddy Goff is the digital director of President Barrack Obama’s data-driven 2012 re-election campaign. He discusses how he and his team raised more than US$600 million, and harnessed an online following of more than 78 million to find victory.

ANZ Bank took over as Black Caps sponsors from National Bank, when it absorbed the brand last year. Even though it’s new to the game of cricket, it’s already producing cringe-worthy TVCs with the best of them. Plus: ASB introduces its bearded wonder.

According to entrepreneur Nick Hindson, New Zealand is ranked second in the world in the number of new businesses that are started up, but more than half don’t last the distance. So, in an effort to teach New Zealanders—be they school children, corporate ballbreakers or budding entrepreneurs—about business sense and financial literacy in a more entertaining way, he has created a new board game called Market $hare, which features 64 real New Zealand businesses. We’ve got a couple of games worth $89.99 to give away and all you have to do is tell us what the next addition to the Monopoly board will be after the cat was chosen recently following a public vote.

Last week BNZ Bank sent members of the media blue cakes in the shape of a brain, prompting us at StopPress to theorise the upcoming launch of a youth orientated product based around zombies. It seems we were half right.

The New Zealand Rugby Union is on a mission to prop up the national game with more corporate money. Last year, AIG stuck its name on the All Black jersey. And now Pink Batts has signed up for a three year sponsorship deal that will see New Zealand’s referees stepping out in pink for the Investec Super Rugby, ITM Cup and renamed Pink Batts Heartland Championship. But, unfortunately for some sporting sadists, they won’t be forced to wear actual Pink Batts like the 2008 Snug campaign.

The print newspaper industry continues to struggle with retaining readers in a difficult time for the sector, with the latest circulation figures from the Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC) showing losses almost across the board.

SparkPHD NZ is through to the Festival of Media Asia 2013 Awards shortlist with campaigns for Rexona and TRESemmé, the only Kiwi agency to make it to this stage.

Despite social media creating a sticky hive of internet activity, many marketers still discount its effects on B2B buyers. Which is great news – for their competitors. Steve Ballantyne talks about the nitty gritty benefits of using social media in securing B2B relationships.

David Walden stepped down as the CEO of Whybin\TBWA yesterday, after 14 years at the agency’s helm. Although many had predicted his resignation following a massive sell off of shares last year, very few picked former APN chief operating officer Todd McLeay to replace him.

Resigning Whybin’s boss David Walden scotches rumours he’s retiring, predicts tremendous years ahead for agency and self.