Marcomms conglomerate WPP AUNZ has activated a New Zealand division of satellite agency VMLY&R.

The company announced today that the new branch will be an amalgamation of Y&R’s Wellington office and the Assignment Group. Current Y&R Wellington MD Fleur Head is to lead the new VMLY&R Wellington branch. James Mok is already in place running VMLY&R’s Auckland office.

VMLY&R AUNZ executives Aden Hepburn and Pete Bosilkovski, and WPP AUNZ New Zealand managing director Sven Baker are the NZ teams’ superiors.

“Combining Assignment and Y&R with the vast scale and capability of VMLY&R globally will create an incredibly exciting opportunity to build an agency capable of delivering truly connected customer experiences,” said Baker.

NBN Co has hired former Nokia Oceania marketing/corporate affairs boss Tim Marshall to run the PR department.

Mumbrella reported that Marshall came in as a replacement for Dan Chamberlain, who recently left the company to handle the PR effort at AWS.

Marshall has a good combination of media and marcomms experience. He has undertaken multiple freelance projects and spent five years at CommsDay as managing editor and chief editor, then served with Senator Stephen Conroy as senior media advisor.

His foray into corporate communications began with a non-executive director job at the Comms Alliance then at Nokia Oceania for almost nine years as external affairs director for Australia then later Oceania, and as marketing and corporate affairs chief.

Keep in touch with Marshall on LinkedIn.

Hair products manufacturer Kristin Ess has enlisted the services of PR agency Lucky Bird.

Mumbrella reported that the new deal calls for Lucky Bird to run PR and influencer work for Kristin Ess’ market presence in Australia.

Retailer chain Priceline started carrying Kristin Ess products last year via local distie Distinct Brands. These include shampoos, pomades, and styling irons.

“Little Bird PR is renowned for their extensive knowledge and expertise in launching new beauty brands into the Australian market, and we know they will get the cut through that the brand deserves,” said Distinct Brands MD Jared Fisher.

“The Kristen Ess brand is already resonating with consumers and we are looking forward to an exceptional year ahead.”

The Brisbane offices of VMLY&R has added retail pharmacy chain TerryWhite Chemmart to its clientele.

The new deal calls for VMLY&R to use its services for building awareness of TerryWhite Chemmart through in-store promotions, digital, and ATL solutions. The chain has at least 450 branches all over Australia.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with the brilliant team at TerryWhite Chemmart. They have bold growth aspirations and we can’t wait to tell the unique story of their brand with fresh, category-defining work,” said VMLY&R Brisbane managing director Adam Kennedy.

PR outfit AgencyB&Co has won the account for Sydney Airport.

The new deal calls for AgencyB&Co to work alongside the airport’s in-house marketing team in creating campaigns to promote developments in and around the complex.

These include the various retail outlets in Terminals One to Three and new stores about to open over the rest of the year.

“The AgencyB&Co team and I are greatly looking forward to bringing to life Sydney Airport’s first-to-Australia and first-to-Australian-airport brands in fashion, beauty, lifestyle, news and tech, while drawing attention to the unique retail concepts available including HEINEMANN Tax & Duty Free’s extensive duty free experience, Mike McEnearney’s Kitchen by Mike offering and legendary US restaurateur Wolfgang Puck’s only dining concept in Australia - The Bistro by Wolfgang Puck,” said AgencyB&Co managing director Sally Burleigh.

WPP AUNZ satellite agency Pulse Communications has completed a full rebrand of its operations, with a new business model and fixed trade name as the most notable changes.

The agency announced this week that it will now be called just Pulse.  

The business model change is focused on what Pulse calls the “Minorstream.” Designed with support from WPP member agency GroupM, Minorstream is aimed at gearing PR brand campaigns to more properly identified audiences. This tactic aims to design campaigns centred around sub-cultures in order to generate a more effective reach.

Integrated communications agency WE Buchan has welcomed new clients and staff into the fold.

On the staffing side, Canadian Samantha Eng comes in as account director for corporate. She brings with her ten years of communications experience, gained from serving in the Nova Scotia Health Authority and two Toronto agencies, among others.

Marissa Zammit is onboard as senior account director for investor relations. Her communications career spans almost 20 years, which includes stints at Macquarie Bank, CBA, and Charter Hall, Nutrimetrics Australia and Uplift Media. She recently wrapped up seven months as director at Cannings Strategic Communications.  

Charlotte Wood is in as account director for consumer.

WE Buchan’s new client signings are all on the tech circuit.

UiPath offers robotic process automation solutions for business operators. Bid Energy specialises in energy spend management solutions while Knosys is a Melbourne-based knowledge management software vendo