To celebrate the launch of a new book featuring a who’s who of the marketing world sharing their stories about the ‘larger-than-life and times of David ‘Devo’ Walden”, we’re republishing the entry from his long-time partner in crime at Whybin\TBWA, Andy Blood.
Browsing: Andy Blood
Industry happenings at Special Group, Colenso BBDO, Ipsos and Toybox.
As the recovery mission for the submerged plane thought to be holding the bodies of Eric and Kathy Hertz kicks into gear, tributes are flowing for the 2degrees chief executive—and plans have been put in place by the company to continue his mobile mission.
Despite the huge amount of customer data energy companies have at their disposal, not many of them have used that data well to create useful tools for customers to manage their power consumption. Some might say that’s because it’s in the interests of energy companies for their customers to use more energy, even though it might not be in the best interests of society as a whole. But following in the footsteps of Powershop’s useful online usage meters and hints on how to reduce consumption, Mercury Energy has also come to the utility party with a new product called the Good Energy Monitor, or GEM.
After nine years at TBWA\, Andy Blood, one of the industry’s most awarded, respected and well-liked creative directors, is handing the reins to Toby Talbot. How’s that for disruption.
It’s all go at TBWA\ at the moment, with Todd McLeay set to step into the big shoes of Dave Walden soon and Toby Talbot set to take over from Andy Blood in March. And, following on Steve Kane’s shift, it’s added two more DDB scalps, with Lisa Fedyszyn and Jonathan McMahon joining as creative directors.
Resigning Whybin’s boss David Walden scotches rumours he’s retiring, predicts tremendous years ahead for agency and self.
After seven years with DDB Group, and three in the role of experiential creative director, Steve Kane has taken a role as “a senior, multi-faceted creative director” at Whybin\TBWA, where he will work under executive creative director Andy Blood.
The fusing of two financial entities that between them have nearly half of the population on their books is a massive—and massively complicated—task, both logistically in terms of back-end systems and emotionally in terms of assuaging customers’ fears through communications. It’s been in the planning for a while, of course, and in response to yesterday’s official announcement that ANZ would be phasing out the National Bank over the next two years, Whybin\TBWA is about to launch a big integrated campaign that “heralds the start of a new era for ANZ and reassures customers they will be getting the best of both worlds”.
TBWA’s ‘The Mission Continues’ for 2degrees took the annual Colmar Brunton Ad Impact award, and it’s continued its winning streak by claiming victory in the August round for its 100% Middle-earth campaign for Tourism New Zealand.
The 100% Pure New Zealand campaign is now in its 13th year, is held up as a master-class in tourism marketing and has helped turn New Zealand into one of the strongest country brands in the world. And Tourism New Zealand is aiming to replicate the international influx of visitors following The Lord of the Rings trilogy with the release of a new global campaign by the Sydney and Auckland offices of Whybin\TBWA and Curious Film that “invokes the magic of Middle-earth”.
As 2degrees closes in on its millionth customer, Whybin\TBWA launches its latest 60 second brand TVC for them, The Mission Continues, with the inimitable Rhys Darby.
It’s tough to make a buck in the music industry these days. But those creative types can sometimes make a pretty penny if they sell their soul and head into advertising. And it seems a few musos have left their instruments behind for scamp pads and sharpies of late, with Dave Gibson joining DraftFCB, the Kids of 88 starting at Barnes, Catmur & Friends and P-Money coming on-board at TBWA\.
MediaWorks has been in the news a bit recently, with the unexpected departure of its TV wunderkind Jason Paris and continuing discussion about the sizable debts of its owner Ironbridge. But it’s not all bad: its two-channel strategy appears to be paying off in terms of share, ad revenue is up and general manager of integration Melanie Reece says the “sleeping giant” of branded content and product placement is starting to wake up, as evidenced by the success of New Zealand’s Next Top Model and the inclusion of new sponsors like 2degrees into the show.
…as Kerry Smith is farewelled; Tequila finds its new general manager after a lengthy search; Mango adds three new fruits; and one of The Sweet Shop’s directors gets the nod for his film to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.
Following a competitive pitch, TBWA\TEQUILA\ has announced a new relationship with The Starship Foundation, further cementing the charitable work it has been doing with Mercury Energy and ASB, which are both five star sponsors of the foundation.
A DIY envelope made of steel and copper by independent entrant Barak Yahav has taken home the Best In Show prize at this year’s Art of The Envelope awards.
The 2009 finalists for the Art of the Envelope awards have been announced and a panel headed up by TBWA\Whybin’s Andy Blood will announce the winners on Thursday night.
Andy Blood, Partner and Group Executive Creative Director at TBWA\Whybin, will be stepping up to plate to judge the entries for the 2009 Art Of The Envelope awards, which take place on 26 November at Fables, Newmarket.Huffer founders Dan Buckley and Steve Dunstan will MC the event.
Fiona …