Another crop of bright young advertising things has been put through their paces at AUT University’s School of Communications this year. And, with 12 of the 19 students who showed their wares at the end of year show getting placements, Paul White, senior lecturer/creative director of the Ad Creativity course, says it was a pretty good vintage. Here are some of the things that did and didn’t tickle his fancy in 2010.

At a time when cringey Christmas e-cards and PR naffery come thick and fast, it’s nice to see something that doesn’t make you want to scratch your eyes out. The latest Stella Artois retro fest to hit New Zealand screens, ‘She is a thing of beauty’ by Mother London, is a gem. And the “customised musical e-card” viral Une Superproduction Musicale that’s been released for the festive season is too. It’s part of a digital campaign to build on Stella Artois’ heritage as a premium beer originally crafted for Christmas and the vid has a retro ice-skating theme, self-deprecatingly crappy lyrics, a weird looking frontman and a personalised message from the sender to the recipient that can be sent via email or Facebook. Check it out here. We can only hope a southern hemisphere version is made next year.

The recent Law Commission report Alcohol in Our Lives: Curbing the Harm, made 153 recommendations to the National government. Some of those suggestions have formed the basis of the Alcohol Reform bill. And, now that the government’s position on booze has been clarified somewhat, the Advertising Standards Authority has decided the time is right to establish an independent panel to review the Code for Advertising Liquor. 

Affinity ID announced last week that it would be opening an office in Australia. And the Christmas cheer has continued this week with news that it took home two big trophies at the Database Excellence Awards in the US for its impressive and rather complex work with Progressive Enterprises.

It’s been a big year for DDB New Zealand. And it’s finishing on a high note with the launch of a massive new McDonald’s retail campaign in Australia and New Zealand that features (well, kind of) Shane Warne.

It’s the most popular energy drink in Australasia, it’s currently available in 18 countries including the UK, Holland, Sweden and Argentina, its marketing campaigns with Colenso BBDO have won a host of prestigious awards, and it’s clocking up $250 million worth of exports each year. Well, that’s set to rise, because Frucor Beverages has announced that V will soon be available in Spain thanks to a partnership with Frucor’s Spain-based sister company, Orangina Schweppes.

… as RadioLIVE’s Maggie Barry throws in the towel, Sarah Stuart takes over as editor of Woman’s Weekly, Rapp Tribal welcomes two new deputy creative directors, MediaWorks says goodbye to some experienced journalistic campaigners, Chris Rudd leaves ACP Magazines and Tourism New Zealand fills its boots with five new hires.

They took out the 50 cent classic category at the Art of the Envelope awards recently, and now the AUT University pair of Christabel Spong and Erin Gulyas have taken out the 2010 Student Marketer of the Year Award with their campaign for the annual launch of Westpac’s tertiary package ‘Westie Pac’.

Design-led, Christchurch-based advertising agency Strategy has bolstered its Auckland offering and added the similarly design-led talents of Seven to its roster.

Like retailers, charities are also fighting for New Zealand’s Christmas dollar. So it takes something pretty special to rise above the rabble. And this year’s campaign for the Auckland City Mission by Publicis Mojo is heavenly. Or, more accurately, angelic.

‘Tis the season for giving and StopPress has got four summery hampers to dish out—one from Regal Salmon and Selaks worth $150, two from Nosh and Va Va gourmet worth $120 each and one from L’Oréal worth $300. Don’t say we’re not good to you. All you have to do is add your planned Christmas indulgence to the comment wall (StopPress is gunning for a few bottles of Emerson’s, a couple of Fergburgers, a 12 bird roast and a Heston Blumenthal style edible house) and we’ll send out the goodies to the most indulgent.

Unlike the company car or yesterday’s long lunch with the agency, there is no FBT* on what is certainly one of the best fringe benefits of being a marketer. Hell, you can even claim the GST* so the finance director won’t be breathing down your neck. Actually, he’ll probably congratulate you on such a prudent purchase. So, for less than a bottle of shabby pinot at the local watering hole, you can get a year’s worth of essential marketing, advertising and media intelligence. So get out the company credit card, buy a subscription and get 25 percent off the price in the shops. One year (six issues) = $34.80 + GST.

M&C Saatchi has had a good run of it recently, picking up the NZTE account to add to the seven other pieces of new business it won during the year. And, after a competitive pitch, it has picked up some more goodies, winning the advertising and digital communication services account for NZ Post’s new start-up directory service Localist.