The IPA has launched ‘Media Climate Charter,’ a tool designed to help agencies/marketers measure and accordingly reduce the carbon impact of their media plans.

The calculator or the tool enables its member agencies to measure the overall emissions from media planning, buying and distribution and know where they need to reduce carbon running clients’ campaigns impacting climate.

The tool is created by the members of the IPA Media Climate Action Group including The7Stars’ Anuschka Clarke, Mindshare’s Rob McFaul, Mediacom’s Helen Brain and Pauline Robson, PHD’s Frith Hofmeester, MGOMD’s Tim Pritchard, Havas MG’s Tony Mattson and Rapport’s Jack Monaghan.

Top UK agencies that are responsible for over £7bn in 2020 media billings have signed up to use IPA’s tool. These include Hearts & Science, Carat, MindShare Media, Essence Global, Goodstuff, Havas Media Group, Initiative UK, iProspect, MediaCom, Starcom, The7Stars, MGOMD, OMD, Zenith, PHD Media, Spark Foundry, Wavemaker, The Kite Factory, UM, and VCCP Media.

The tool has been developed to address five areas outlined by the cross-industry initiative, called Ad Net Zero. This industry-wide initiative proposes action on 5 fronts; 

1. Advertising businesses’ own operations
2. Advertising production
3. Media buying and planning
4. Awards and events
5. Using advertising’s positive influence

IPA President Julian Douglas said, "The calculator sets the pathway for sustainable transformation to a zero-carbon future. The science is clear and that the solution requires every single one of us to respond and transition.

"We can’t succeed acting alone – we need fully committed industry-wide coalitions that drive the change we need to see. Climate Charter members will join a community of motivated media agencies, which together can solve problems, share lessons and inspire the 10x change that we know is required," he added.

The charter will also provide guidance, research and recommendations supporting other initiatives such as AdGreen and #ChangeTheBrief, which will also aim to lower agencies’ carbon impact.

Former US President Donald Trump has launched his own communications platform named ‘From the Desk of Donald J Trump.'

According to media reports, this move has come ahead of Facebook's independent oversight board's decision on whether to permanently suspend Trump from the platform. 

He was banned from social media platform Twitter and suspended from Facebook in January, following the Capitol riots, after he tweeted to his supporters who attacked the US Capitol disrupting lawmakers as they were about to certify Democrat President elect Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election. The posts allegedly incited violence.

Donald Trump, along with former first lady Melania Trump, had also launched a website of the 45th President of the US, earlier in March. As per reports, the website was launched with a purpose wherein Trump supporters can request their participation in the events, submit letters and ask for personalised greetings through it.

A subsection of Trump’s website, the communications platform will allow the former US president to communicate directly with his followers, post pictures, videos, comments, and articles.

René de Monchy has been appointed to the role of Tourism New Zealand’s Chief Executive.

“René has been an instrumental member of the Tourism New Zealand Executive Team for over five years and has done a fantastic job as interim CE over the past few months in a uniquely challenging time for the sector and the organization,” says Tourism New Zealand Board Chair, Jamie Tuuta.

“René is a strong advocate for working with the government and the sector to ensure that it enriches Aotearoa, and this will be particularly important as borders start to open.”

Tourism New Zealand continues to have a firm focus on encouraging domestic visitation to support New Zealand’s recovery, and with news this week of quarantine free travel with Australia about to open up, the team is working with the sector to get Australians booking and to ensure that the industry is ‘Australia ready’.

The organization is also working hard keeping New Zealand’s brand alive in other core markets for the eventual return of overseas visitors.

“Tourism is important to New Zealand’s recovery and as we get closer to the return of international visitors, it is incredibly important that this is balanced. While ensuring tourism enriches our home, communities, and people. I look forward to working closely with the government and the sector to achieve this.” says new Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive René de Monchy. 

DoubleVerify ("DV"), a software platform for digital media measurement, data and analytics, today announced the appointment of Doug Campbell as Chief Strategy Officer. In his role, Campbell will be responsible for global strategy and corporate development. He will report to Mark Zagorski, CEO of DoubleVerify.

“I’m excited to add Doug to our outstanding senior leadership team,” said Zagorski. "From Magnite to Nielsen, he has demonstrated a track record of success and achievement and brings exceptional experience and knowledge to the Chief Strategy Officer role. I look forward to Doug’s leadership as we continue to build momentum, expand globally and deliver on our mission to build a stronger, safer and more secure digital advertising ecosystem."

Campbell has more than two decades of experience successfully growing public and private companies in the arenas of advertising technology, connected TV (CTV) and over-the-top (OTT) video, digital measurement, data analytics, and software-as-a-service (SaaS). Prior to joining DV, he was Chief Strategy Officer at Telaria (NYSE: TLRA), where he oversaw the successful merger with Rubicon Project (NYSE: RUBI) and the acquisition of SpotX to form Magnite (NASDAQ: MGNI) – the largest global, independent sell-side platform.

Previously, Campbell was Chief Operating Officer at eXelate where he led the sale of the company to Nielsen (NYSE: NLSN) and went on to serve as Nielsen’s Senior Vice President of Global Strategy and Corporate Development, where he oversaw strategic acquisitions in digital media and consumer measurement. Prior to eXelate, he was an entrepreneur and held various leadership positions at local digital media pioneer, WorldNow. Campbell began his career as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch.

“I’m thrilled to join a company as trusted and innovative as DoubleVerify,” said Campbell. “DV has taken the lead in providing sophisticated measurement solutions that power media quality and performance in virtually every media environment – including priority, high growth channels like CTV. I look forward to leveraging my industry experience to help strengthen our leadership position globally and accelerate company growth.”

BBC Studios will align the key markets of India, South East Asia, Japan and Korea, in a group to be led by Phil Hardman as the new SVP & GM – Asia, BBC Studios. The appointment was announced today by Jon Penn, EVP, APAC, BBC Studios, as he outlined a simpler, more agile APAC structure to help drive future growth in the region.

In this new role, Phil will lead the Global Distribution teams working in Singapore, Mumbai and Seoul, as well as hold responsibility for developing the Asia growth strategy across the region, in territories including India, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam.

Until recently, Phil was the SVP Commercial Strategy for Asia, and last year he also took on the acting lead role of SVP & GM Greater China, while recruitment was underway. This organisational change streamlines the BBC Studios APAC business structure, headed up by Phil Hardman as SVP & GM Asia, Ding Ke as SVP & GM Greater China and Fiona Lang, as GM Australia & New Zealand, who will all report in to Jon Penn. A new Strategy Manager for Asia will also be appointed to support the region and report into Jon.

Leading the region’s new content direction as it explores new partnerships and platforms, Ryan Shiotani will move from his current role as SVP & GM of South and South East Asia into a key new role as SVP Content, Asia & Greater China. He will be the regional editorial lead across existing and new branded services, as well as advising on brand and content strategy in Asia and Greater China.

Jon Penn said: “Phil has demonstrated through his contribution over recent years that he is a strategic thinker and leader who will help turbo-charge our growth in the region. Along with Fiona and Ding Ke, I have three formidable commercial leaders in APAC who will help us identify and build on the opportunities in this rapidly evolving market. The key to our success lies in our premium offering and I am pleased that Ryan, who is a consummate content expert, will be our editorial lead, working across our services and brands in Asia and Greater China.”

Amid the growing COVID-19 pandemic, the Tokyo 2020 will be postponed to 2021. According to latest reports, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that the 2020 Olympics will be postponed and held in 2021.

News reports quoted IOC member Dick Pound announcing that the 2020 Summer Olympics will be postponed to 2021 and details will be worked out in the coming weeks.

“On the basis of the information the IOC has, postponement has been decided,” Pound said in a phone interview with USA Today. 

“The parameters going forward have not been determined, but the Games are not going to start on July 24, that much I know… It will come in stages. We will postpone this and begin to deal with all the ramifications of moving this, which are immense,” he was quoted.

On Sunday, Canada became the first major country to withdraw from this summer's Olympics and Paralympics. The Canadian Olympic and Paralympic committee said it had taken "the difficult decision" to pull out after consulting athletes, sports groups, and the government."

Publicis Groupe has appointed Sanjay Chaudhari as CEO, Publicis Groupe, Sri Lanka.

The appointment comes after Arosha Perera stepped down as CEO, Leo Burnett, Sri Lanka.

As CEO, Chaudhari will take on the reins of all Publicis Groupe agencies, including Leo Burnett, in Sri Lanka, with immediate effect.

He joins the Publicis Groupe with over 28 years of experience leading businesses on a global and regional scale.

Chaudhari has led and built brands like Unilever Ponds and Dove, Coca-Cola, American Express, Philips, Gillette, Duracell, and Motorola among others.

In his previous stint, he was Senior VP, Regional Client Services Director, Gillette and Duracell, for Grey Group, Singapore, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Prior to this, he was General Manager for Global Brands including Coca-Cola, American Express, Unilever Dove, Philips and Motorola, for Ogilvy, based in Tokyo.

On the announcement, Saurabh Varma, CEO, Publicis Communications, South Asia, said: “The Publicis Groupe is deeply committed to the Sri Lanka market and we will continue to bring the best-in-class solutions for our clients. I am thrilled to welcome Sanjay to the Publicis Groupe family. His depth of international experience of leading world-renowned brands and his understanding of business cultures is unparalleled. I am confident that Sanjay will build on Publicis Groupe’s momentum in the region and will take the Groupe to even greater heights. I would like to thank Arosha for being a great business partner and wish him the best for his future.”

On being appointed, Chaudhari said: “The Publicis Groupe has gained significant momentum in the last two years owing to the “Power of One” business model which has worked wonderfully for the network. I’m excited to join the Publicis family and build the “Power of One” agenda in Sri Lanka and deliver more integrated creative solutions for our clients. I look forward to working with Saurabh and the entire Publicis Groupe team.”

Arosha Perera said: “It’s been a great journey for me at Leo Burnett, Sri Lanka. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the clients and our extremely talented people. This is what I’m going to miss most. I’m moving on to explore things that I have always wanted to, but just never had the time to do. I wish Saurabh, Sanjay and the entire Publicis Groupe the very best.”