AUCKLAND, Today: Contagious has named its 2026 Contagious Pioneers, recognising 11 agencies that have kept clearing one of marketing’s tougher creative bars.

AUCKLAND, Today: Neon is unveiling a refreshed brand identity and new campaign today, marking a new chapter for the local streaming service, alongside a stellar lineup of new and returning content for audiences across the motu.

AUCKLAND, Today: Kate Stanners has been named Jury Chair of the 2026 Cresta Awards, bringing one of the industry’s bigger creative CVs to the top seat.

AUCKLAND, Today: Hayu is giving Kiwi viewers a bigger couch-menu problem, with the streamer expanding beyond reality TV into movies, iconic series and premium scripted shows.

AUCKLAND, Today: There’s been a changing of the guard at the Comms Council, with Angela Watson, CEO of Colenso BBDO, elected President of the Board.

AUCKLAND, Today: Beauty lovers, clear some bathroom cabinet space. The Viva Beauty Awards 2026 are back, celebrating the products, people and wellness ideas shaping New Zealand’s beauty scene.

AUCKLAND, Today: Honda New Zealand has handed Thompson Spencer the creative keys, appointing the full-service creative and media agency as its Creative Partner after a competitive process among existing agency partners.

AUCKLAND, Today: Dentsu is making another move to simplify how it shows up in Australia and New Zealand, reshaping its Customer Experience Management practice across the region.

AUCKLAND, Today: McDonald’s NZ has found a new use for its leftover pickle juice, teaming up with Auckland FC to bring the salty stuff to the sidelines.