Australians to promote NZ

By Karyn Scherer

Don't be surprised if the Tourism Board starts promoting platypuses and kangaroos as part of its new campaign to sell New Zealand as the ultimate destination for the new millennium.

Major staff changes at the advertising agency handling the controversial account have meant almost everyone overseeing the board's new campaign is an Australian.

Just weeks before the campaign is due to be revealed to the tourism industry, M&C Saatchi has confirmed its New Zealand head, Paul Jeffreys, is leaving and will be replaced by an Australian, Marie Jackson.

The departure of Mr Jeffreys is the latest in a string of staff changes which has left the agency without any of the original partners it started with just three years ago.

It has also raised eyebrows in the industry, given that the agency is in the middle of a pitch for the lucrative Vodafone account.

Mr Jeffreys insisted yesterday his departure was amicable. The agency has stressed his replacement has extensive experience in tourism, after overseeing the tourism campaign for the state of Victoria since 1993.

She will probably feel at home - the agency is about to employ a new creative head who is also an Australian. Its Sydney-based regional creative director is also temporarily working in its Wellington office on the account, and its Australian-based chairman, Tom Dery, has also been closely involved.

Mr Dery, currently in New Zealand overseeing the business and hiring new staff, said: "The job that the New Zealand Tourism Board is looking to get done is to promote New Zealand on the world stage ... To do that job you don't ... actually have to be a New Zealander."

M&C Saatchi took over the account in April after the Tourism Board dumped its original choice, Saatchi & Saatchi , in March.