FY2018/19 has ended with a three percent decline in agency spend according to SMI data, with Outdoor being the only media reporting growth across the year. The result comes after June saw the strongest results for the year, with an 8.1 percent year-on-year increase to reach $91.4 million.

In a return to brand advertising after a five-year hiatus, Volkswagen New Zealand’s latest campaign shows that sometimes it’s worth being the younger sibling.

David Shirley and Melina Fiolitakis from FCB have taken away the Grand ORCA and People’s Choice Award for the 2019 Outstanding Radio Creativity Awards (ORCA) run by The Radio Bureau.

After years of missteps, Air New Zealand has today launched a new safety video that gets to the point, without patronising its audience. ‘Air All Blacks’ has launched in support of the team ahead of the World Cup in Japan next month – and it’s a star-studded line-up. And critics of the airline’s previous video can rest assured, there isn’t a single rap wannabe in sight.

Rainger & Rolfe has won the Texas Chicken account as the chain looks to start cranking up the heat in the market.

Independent agency True has been appointed the brand agency for STIHL and STIHL Shop in New Zealand following a competitive pitch.

Cystic Fibrosis New Zealand has launched a new campaign aiming to raise vital funds and awareness for New Zealand’s most common life-limiting genetic condition – all while cutting through charity clutter.

Auckland City Mission and 99 hope to raise awareness about the growing food crisis in Auckland with a hard-hitting ad about living below the breadline.

Hard-working Dentsu staff are among the targets of a campaign for My Food Bag’s new ‘Made’ meal range, by Saatchi & Saatchi and Zenith, that pokes fun at people’s busy lives.

New Zealand Transport Agency’s latest campaign hopes to get Kiwis talking about drug driving in Aotearoa.

The viewers have spoken, and New Zealanders have named their favourite ads on television, covering off weddings, birthdays, bank heists and everything in between.

Total digital revenue in New Zealand continues to climb, reaching $275.4 million in the first quarter of 2019, achieving 12.6 percent growth on the same quarter in 2018, following five consecutive quarters of double-digit growth.

Used car dealer 2 Cheap Cars has been fined $438,000 for its use of “warranty waiver” documents and marketing statements described as “deliberately misleading”.

When Kiwibank went to market and asked for agencies to get involved with an ‘unpitched’ pitch process, some of the best agencies, one-man-shops and consultancies threw their hats into the ring. After a thorough process, Kiwibank has appointed 99 as its lead strategic and creative agency partner, responsible for all above the line brand and retail work.

Radio Hauraki will be observing a ‘No Talk Day’ on 9 August in association with Movember Foundation New Zealand, following a similar initiative by Triple M Australia.

DDB Australia/New Zealand has announced Damon Stapleton’s promotion to regional chief creative officer Australia/New Zealand. Stapleton previously held the role of chief creative officer at DDB New Zealand.

The music we love is made up of many influences, including where we live. In its latest campaign, Smirnoff Pure and YoungShand tapped into the unique vibes of New Zealand and set out to help Kiwis discover the music that moves the cities and suburbs they call home.

New Zealand out-of-home media continues to gain momentum, delivering 16 percent growth in the first half of 2019, compared to the same period in 2018. OMANZ members cite a range of key drivers, including the strong adoption of digital out-of-home from new categories, alongside increased spend from traditional category supporters.

Dentsu Aegis Network has announced the acquisition of Davanti Consulting Ltd (Davanti), a New Zealand-based technology and business consultancy into Isobar Group.

Disguised as big blockbuster trailers, Vodafone’s latest cinema spots encourage cinemagoers to turn off their phones before the film begins.

Sportswear retailer Stirling Sports has launched a new campaign with Motion Sickness, celebrating the diversity of its customers and asking people to rise above their “haters” and prove them wrong.

The Pond has added a new digital recruitment lead to its leadership team ­– Hayden Baker.

This year, digital advertising is blowing out 25 candles as the first banner ad was placed a quarter century ago. At last week’s Adobe Symposium in Sydney, the milestone was celebrated with Adobe APAC head of advertising cloud Phil Cowlishaw taking a trip back in time to see how digital advertising has gone beyond banner ads and how marketers need to be considering more than just clicks.

The New Zealand media agency advertising market has finally returned to growth in May with a 2.3 percent year-on-year increase in agency bookings to $87.3 million.

Trade Me has chosen to partner with Clemenger Group agencies Clemenger BBDO Wellington and Colenso BBDO Auckland after a four-way pitch.

The NZ Transport Agency’s latest road safety campaign ‘Let Driving Distract You’ positions the car as a chance to escape the noise of messages, notifications and distractions offered by your cell phone.