The Returning

AUCKLAND, Today: Northern NZ agencies are putting on a brave face as many return to the office to celebrate their escape from the horrors of State 3.

Big MD Ant Salmon said: It was a unanimous view after the first lockdown that ‘WFH’ is not for us, so we’re coming back today with a couple of people staying home as a precaution.

“We’re fortunate to have a smallish team in a largish space, so it’s relatively easy to comply with the requirements.

“Not many of our clients coming back this week.”

FCB ceo Paul Shale said: “Last time we found that people were thrilled to be back at work. This time should be the same – just with a lot more cloth masking the happiness.”

Wright PR’s Nikki Wright said: “Out team of 10 are back at work together in our sunny Shortland Street office.

“We came back to a fridge with no milk and slightly thirsty plants but that was easily fixed. 

“There is a definite feeling that this isn’t over and we could easily bounce between level 2 and 3, which is destabilising.”

“It’s great to have the team back together again, sharing stories of Lockdown Part 2 and enjoying some respite from the endless Zoom meetings.

Chemistry director Joseph Silk said: “We’re in high spirits –laced with an undercurrent of concern.

“The general consensus is that the second lockdown has been much harder for us all than the first one, even though it was shorter.

“There is a definite feeling that this isn’t over and we could easily bounce between level 2 and 3 which is destabilising.

TBWAEleven PR’s Ian Benet said: “Maybe go with ‘elbow-bumping’ instead? Not sure if fist-bumping is quite right at the moment.

“Small team in the office this week that will be gradually increased over the next few weeks. We’ll be back as app-using, mask-wearing, hand-washing, elbow-bumping pirates.

MSL’s Isobel Kerr-Newell, speaking on behalf of Publicis Groupe NZ agencies, said: “Our Auckland agencies will be reopening today with up to 50% of staff working in the offices and the remainder continuing to work from home for a two-week period.” [MSL is the groupe’s global PR network].

Agency soundbites were still hitting the M+AD Inbox when this edition went to press – we’ll run these tomorrow.