Movings and Shakings: New hires for Undertow Media, Reefton Distilling; Strong ratings for TV news

Every week, StopPress hears about new appointments as well as new business ventures across marketing, advertising, media and communications. As we all know, we work in an industry that is on the go all the time, filled with talent and exciting happenings. This Movings and Shakings column will provide a key summary of all of the movements within the industry we know about.

Is your latest hire, or new company missing from this list? Let us know by sending an email to editor@stoppress.co.nz.

Undertow Media welcomes new hires and new clients

Following the closure of Newshub last week, former Digital Features Editor Ireland Hendry-Tennent has joined the Undertow Media team as Senior Account Manager.

She’s among three new hires at the independent agency, including two new graduates Ruby Hayes and Klara Allen as Account Coordinators. Hendry-Tennent previously led Newshub’s digital news team as Senior Digital Producer and before that, was Digital News Director at Newstalk ZB.

Undertow has also landed several new accounts including Crocs, the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT), TrailLite, al.ive body, BOOST LAB and OnlyGood.

Reefton Distilling expands team with Business, Brand Ambassador roles

West Coast spirits distillery Reefton Distillery Co. has expanded its team with multiple new roles, including two Business Development roles and two Brand Ambassadors.

Caleb Roberts and Trace Dulieu started their Business roles in April and have been integral in supporting customers and further develop on-premise and off-premise sales in New Zealand.

Roberts has worked previously for DB Breweries/Heineken as well as a Business Relationship Manager in the banking sector. Dulieu has held similar roles with Asahi Beverages New Zealand Limited and Pernod Ricard.

The distillery’s CEO, Patsy Bass, says the team is pleased to have Dulieu and Roberts fill these roles: “They both exhibit high drive, energy and a passion for the beverage industry.”

Also joining the team are two Brand Ambassadors, both University of Otago alumni, proud West Coasters, and Reefton Distillery Co’s employees from the early days.

Beth Scott and Nick Secker have been friends since their time at uni and are experienced distillers in their own rights.

Secker was the distillery’s first distiller back in 2018, and quickly moved into the position as Head Distiller. Scott joined the team the following year, taking up a lead role in new product development, and later lead the team of production assistants.

While Scott and Secker have moved into different roles, they see themselves as part of Reefton Distilling Co. family for life and are excited to represent this brand as ambassadors.

Strong ratings for TV news

In its latest update, GroupM reports the final week of Newshub and AM on Three delivered strong ratings for Warner Bros. Discovery as audiences tuned in to catch the last broadcasts.

Finishing up on Friday July 5, Newshub had its best rating week of the year, peaking with its finale which drew in over 389,000 viewers – the most watched broadcast since the 2021 lockdown.

AM’s final episode, which aired on Friday morning, drew in 84,000 viewers.

The Stuff-produced ThreeNews, which kicked off the next day, secured an average viewership of 225,000 over its weekend editions.

Refreshed format for Shorty Street

Te Reo Tātaki (TVNZ) and South Pacific Pictures have announced New Zealand’s longest running soap Shortland Street will return in 2025 with three new episodes a week instead of its usual five.

TVNZ has identified that three episodes per week is the sweet spot for multi-night viewings, especially amongst the younger audiences of Shortland Street.

TVNZ CEO Jodi O’Donnell says, “The TV environment is changing fast and we’re moving with our viewers. For some time, we’ve been reimagining what is possible for Shortland Street and we’re delighted to be able to continue the much-loved show with this new, creative format.”

It’s the most-streamed local series on TVNZ+ with 20.1 million streams and boasts a cumulative broadcast reach of 2.2 million viewers in 2023.

Val Morgan welcomes two to NZ Sales Team

Val Morgan Group has welcomed Toby Wiseman and Rashika Roberts as Group Sales Manager to its New Zealand Sales Team.

Wiseman, who has experience from previous roles at Nine in Australia and at Fairfax Media, will be working across VMO.

Roberts is coming from a role at Warner Bros. Discovery and will be working across Val Morgan Cinema and Val Morgan Digital.

Val Morgan Sales Director Matt Tremain says, “We’re delighted to welcome both Toby and Rashika to our sales team as we continue the expansion of the entire Val Mogan offering. Both bring a wealth of experience and we couldn’t be more excited to have them on the team.”

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