Sling & Stone PR has landed the ANZ market account for American streaming platform Quibi, reported Mumbrella. 

The account signing came off Quibi’s recent ANZ launch, which included a free tier and subscription accounts for just $7 a month as a limited-time offer. 

Established in 2018, Quibi hosts streaming videos of up to ten minutes each.

“The world of entertainment has seen huge change in those ten years, and we’re honoured that one of the most exciting companies we’ve ever met has entrusted us with their storytelling,” said Sling & Stone PR founder/CEO Vuki Vujasinovic.

“It’s a huge privilege for our team to be able to work with the global Quibi team, and also the incredible talent creating content on the platform, including the likes of Kiefer Sutherland, Liam Hemsworth, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Sasha Velour, and producers like Steven Spielberg.”

The AMPR Group communications agency has started the week with a raft of new clients, reported Mumbrella. 

For the consumer products space, the new clients are Frankie 4 Footwear, PUMA Australia, and Mambo. 

The Open Markets Group stock brokerage is also a new signing.

Several clients have also retained AMPR’s services - Nissan Australia, Forever New, Bondi Sands, Village Entertainment, ZxZanerobe, Barney Cools, Cools Club and the Melbourne Fashion Festival. The AMPR’s remit with the Melbourne Fashion Festival, in particular, involves working with the Melbourne Racing Club for the 2020 Stella Artois Caulfield Cup Carnival.

Tom Organic, Multicultural Arts Victoria, and Witchery are tapping AMPR for new projects in the wings.

“I’ve been particularly proud of AMPR’s senior management who quickly put measures in place that enabled us to retain our staff and get them thinking in ways to extend our services and add value for our clients, industry

Thrive PR+Communications has earned ANZ market representation for the Samoa Tourism Authority (STA).

The new deal will see Thrive support the STA’s integrated campaigns designed to generate more interest in visiting the island-nation, with one big selling point being no local COVID-19 infections so far. A video showcasing the sights and sounds of Samoa has been produced.

Australia is one of Samoa’s major tourist markets; the STA estimated that one in every five of the 160,000 tourists who visited the country last year were Australians.

“Thrive is thrilled to be supporting Samoa’s tourism recovery efforts in ANZ. As one of the few COVID-19-free nations in the world, it’s certainly a pivotal time for the island jewel to showcase its stunning natural assets and rich traditional culture,” said Thrive managing director Leilani Abels.

Toby Hemming (pictured) has joined WPP AUNZ as its new ANZ communications and marketing chief.

The new post will see him collaborate with CEO Jens Moonsees in developing internal and external communications and marketing programs for the entire WPP AUNZ organisation.

Hemming came over to the company after overseeing the closure of his own agency, Bold Media, a few weeks ago.  He had previously led communications work at News Digital Media in Sydney and at BSkyB in London.

“Throughout my career I have worked with some of the world’s most innovative technology, media and advertising brands. WPP AUNZ’s strategic direction is in line with the huge digital growth opportunities that continue to present themselves across all markets. It’s great to have the opportunity to collaborate with such inspiring brands and leaders, to bring the company’s vision and direction to life,” said Hemming.

Brand communications agency Magnum & Co has been tapped to run the ANZ regional marketing for this week’s release of the new videogame Marvel’s Avengers (pictured), reported B and T.

Part of the game release will see Magnum and Co bring together the Australian team that won the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay event at the Sydney Olympics - Ian Thorpe, Michael Klim, Chris Fydler, and Ashley Callus – for a co-op mission in the game. 

Developed by Crystal Dynamics and published by Square Enix, Marvel’s Avengers features an all-new story campaign involving the titular superhero team as they face a new threat from the science organisation AIM.

“The game’s narrative really drove the inspiration for the launch creativeReassembling one of Australia’s most heroic teams, while celebrating 20 years since their win felt like the right way to mark the launch of this iconic new game. They’ll still need to embrace their superhuman powers,

Content marketing and communications agency Mahlab has enlisted the services of Addie Freyne as communications director, reported B and T. 

She came over after six months running an agency she co-founded, The Social Producers, as head of PR, reputation, and communications. She also previously worked at, among others, Edelman Australia, Hotwire, and Atomic PR.

Freyne’s entry came just as Mahlab is expanding its PR client base, with video conference tool Zoom as one of its most recent signings.

“I’m excited to add my experience to the originality and intelligence of the Mahlab team. As our industry strives to bring creativity to ‘unprecedented times’ and to bring empathy to ‘the new normal’ it is rare to find an agency that inspires its clients and colleagues to do both,” said Freyne.

Follow Freyne on LinkedIn.