New shop Contagion to partner Publicis umbrella operation Vivaki on Tourism NZ business

DeanTaylor, the former CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi Singapore and KL and his wife Bridget (of Gruen Transfer fame and ex deputy CD of DDB NZ), who returned to New Zealand from Singaporelast month, have confirmed earlier reports they have formed a newsocial media company called Contagion. And effective from October,Contagion will partner with Vivaki (the Publicis umbrella operationthat oversees Starcom, ZenithOptimedia & Razorfish in NZ &Australia) to lead the Tourism New Zealand business won by Razorfish.

Specifically, Dean Taylor will take a strategic oversight role on theTourism New Zealand business across all the global Razorfish campaignactivity, and work closely with TNZ creative partners Assignment andHill & Knowlton.  

Says Vivaki chairman Kevin Malloy: “I amdelighted to be working with Dean, we see the Contagion role as a keypart of the overall mix on Tourism New Zealand in these times of greatmedia change.”