A CAANZ Digital Leadership Group (DLG) survey has revealed that more than two thirds of New Zealand businesses believe social media is a key tool in increasing customer engagement and loyalty.

The survey also found that 70% of respondents believed social media allowed businesses to develop more meaningful one-on-one relationships with customers, which in turn allows agencies and marketers to gain a greater insight into customer thinking.

DLG Chair Tony Gardner said the survey provided a very useful snapshot of where New Zealand businesses are at regarding the use of social media.

Read more about the survey results.

The CAANZ Digital Leadership Group (DLG) is holding a Social Media in Business forum on Thursday 11 March at the Rendezvous Hotel Auckland. Keynote speakers include Dell’s US-based Andrew Lark, Orcon’s Duncan Blair, Australia-based Chris Chambers from Tourism Queensland, and Jayson Bryant from The Wine Vault. Visit the CAANZ website for more info and to register. Tickets are limited, so we'd suggest getting in sooner rather than later.

In only its second year of operation, the CAANZ Grad Programme has grown from 8 placements in 2009 to 18 placements in 2010.

This year’s intake saw 121 grads vying for 12 placements, with 28 people being shortlisted across the account service, media and experiential marketing roles.

The respective selection panels were so impressed with the quality of candidates that 14 placements were offered on the selection days, and a further four roles were offered in the days following.

The Grad Programme continues to go from strength to strength, which bodes well for the future health of the industry.

Entries are now in for this year’s AXIS Awards, and judging kicks off this week. Finalists will be announced on Friday 19 February. International judges include Bill Wright and James Dawson-Hollis from Crispin Porter + Bogusky in the US; John Hunt, Worldwide Creative Director of TBWA based in South Africa; and Justin Drape from Three Drunk Monkeys in Sydney. The show takes place on Thursday, 25 March at Orams Marine.

And don’t forget about the CAANZ Creative Function. World-class creative talent in the form of John Hunt, Bill Wright, James Dawson-Hollis and Justin Drape will share their respective stories and secrets. Cost is $80+GST for members, $95+GST for non-members, venue is The Floating Pavilion in Auckland’s Viaduct. Tickets on sale from Monday, 1 March. Visit the CAANZ website for more details.

It’s that time again – time to show the world how it’s done.  Take all that great work you’ve done during the year, enter it now, and you could be walking away with a sweet prize, as well as a trophy for your troubles.

Entries are now open!  Let your awards do the talking this year – visit the CAANZ website to register.  Deadline for entries is Monday, 8 March 2010.

Courtesy of new sponsor, For the Love of Travel Magazine, this year's CAANZ Media Awards will see the winners of the Media / Entertainment / Travel and Leisure category jetting off to one of the world’s top travel spots! More details to follow.

A big thanks to our sponsors:

TVNZ, NZ Post, Fairfax Media
Admedia, Adshel, APN Outdoor, Canvas/NZ Woman's Weekly, For the Love of Travel Magazine, Job Media, MTV Network, NBR, Nielsen Media Research, nzherald.co.nz, The New Zealand Herald, TV3, The Radio Bureau, Sky

Top Shelf’s The Ad Show makes its debut on TVNZ7 on 18 February.

NBR columnist Hazel Phillips will host the studio chat show-style programme, and viewers will get a behind-the-scenes look at how ads are made across the industry.

The production team is keen to get their hands on your creative goodies, so if you have ideas or work in progress you’d like to contribute, let them know. Hey, you could even end up on the show having a rant about something advertising related.

The show follows in the footsteps of ABC Australia’s successful Gruen Transfer hosted by comedian Wil Anderson.

To contribute ideas, email hazel.phillips@gmail.com.

As a CAANZ preferred supplier, NZ Office Supplies are offering members who open an account and place an order before the end of March a voucher from Mobile Massage Corporate. The voucher is for two hours, which can be split between employees, and the masseuse comes to you, so there’s no travel or timing issues. For more info, check out the CAANZ website.

CAANZ is now inviting submissions for the March Creative Showcase. Send us a sample of your latest creative work and the CAANZ team will select its fav to add to the Creative Showcase on the CAANZ homepage.

Entries close on Friday 5 March 2010 and campaigns must have launched within the six weeks prior to this date. Please click here for the entry instructions.

Congratulations to Special Group, who were the CAANZ team’s pick for December with their attention-grabbing Iggy Pop TVC Together Incredible for Orcon.

Welcome to new indie agency Josh & Jamie, who recently joined the CAANZ family. The pair will be familiar faces to many of you, both having spent time at Clemenger BBDO, Meares Taine, Ogilvy and Colenso BBDO. Check out their new website here.

This month we also welcome Naked Communications, helmed by Matt O’Sullivan and Simon Bird. Read all about their New Zealand venture here.

My name is Lauren and I like writing. I started with CAANZ in early December 2009, but before that I was a Junior Copywriter at HainesAttract down the road from here. I like being a Membership & Events Coordinator, but Rick, my boss, says I’m not allowed to write creative meeting minutes, only standard ones. So every now and then I sneak in a cool word like “gallimaufry” just to test him. My Dad said I should work in advertising because I swear a lot, and I’d never get a job anywhere else using language like that. Well, I spent two years working at Muffin Break when I was 15, so I guess I showed him. My favourite animals are cats, but not those skinny ones with no fur, they freak me out. I love getting emails, so feel free to drop me a line. Or write me a letter. I get to open mail at CAANZ, but it’s never for me, only other people. The only thing I get is a shopping catalogue from Japan, but it’s all in Japanese, and I don’t speak Japanese. So don’t write me any letters in Japanese – I might not reply.