Latest news with #CCO
Scoop
2 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Auckland Unifies Urban Development: New Office Centralises Growth And Investment
Mayor Wayne Brown has delivered on his key priorities of CCO reform. Today marks the establishment of the new Auckland Urban Development Office (AUDO) at Auckland Council. It's the first change of its kind for the region since the super city began. The Auckland Urban Development Office will serve as the council's development front door for investors, developers, iwi, Crown agencies, and private sector partners. Its role is to simplify engagement and strengthen Auckland Council's capability to deliver integrated, smart, sustainable urban development in areas identified for regeneration and strategic growth. The move follows the disestablishment of Eke Panuku. The new office within council will merge the functions of both Eke Panuku and council's Development Programme Office. Today also marks the Economic Development function of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited coming into Auckland Council. Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says the changes will bring functions in-house to cut down on silos between organisations, duplication, and lack of integration in planning. 'I ran on a platform of taking back control of so-called council-controlled organisations. In December last year we agreed to a package of CCO reforms to get council working effectively for Aucklanders. 'Today shows we're on track with what was promised: bringing the functions of Eke Panuku and the Economic Development arm of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited in-house. The process of reforming Auckland Transport so decision-making returns to democratically elected councillors has also begun. 'This work will improve strategic alignment between council's decisions and CCO activities, increase democratic accountability and transparency, and deliver better value for Aucklanders. This will get the council group fit for purpose to realise Auckland's growth potential.' The mayor says the Auckland population is set to grow by more than a quarter of a million people in the next 10 years, more than the entire population of Wellington city. 'If we are to make the most of the opportunities ahead, we must lay the foundations for an agreed, thoughtful approach forward. Streamlining these functions within council makes the most of what we have and sets us up to plan for the demand ahead.' He says alongside working through legislative change with government he's making sure the private sector is also on board. The Development Community Forum held last week was the first of many to improve the council-development sector partnership. There were frustrations over a lack of leadership with an agreed, single path forward, inconsistencies across council divisions, and a lack of commercial understanding. 'These are the people who shape our city: where and how we live, work and unwind – so worth listening to. There was an upbeat response in the room and nigh audible sighs of relief. They've told me that the industry hasn't had engagement like this before. They said they were on board with intensification in the right places and were ready to get on with it and make it happen.' This is the start of an ongoing dialogue with the development community. Themes from the event will inform the direction of a new office to create a thriving Auckland that makes better use of its land and buildings, attracts private investment and develops public spaces. The CCO reform of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited and Eke Panuku follows on-going reform of decision-making between Auckland Transport and Auckland Council.
Otago Daily Times
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Claim reform benefits being undermined
A "concerted" misinformation campaign around new water reforms is taking the blame for Waitaki residents not believing the benefits of creating a multi-district water company to run things, the mayor says. As part of the government's Local Water Done Well reforms local authorities need to change the way drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services are delivered. In Waitaki, three options are being considered for the future management of water services: in-house; a council-controlled organisation (CCO) wholly owned by the Waitaki District Council; and a joint CCO co-owned with three other councils. Waitaki District Mayor Gary Kircher said he was concerned about how many submissions might have been affected by the dissemination of wrong information. "It has been very unfortunate that there has been a concerted attempt to provide incorrect information and assumptions to the wider public which have not only misrepresented the actual facts, but they have also contradicted the base facts of the case," Mayor Kircher said in a council report. "It has clearly skewed the results and fed into people's natural concerns about change. "These implications raised by submitters' concerns will need to be considered and they will. "At the end of the day, we must do the best we can for our ratepayers and whether that means retaining water services or giving them up, it is my expectation that every councillor and I will do our best to deliver the best decision for long-term quality and affordability over the next 50 years or more." The council's preferred choice would have Waitaki establish a CCO with the Gore, Central Otago and Clutha District Councils in a proposal called Southern Water Done Well (SWDW). Mr Kircher said economic consultancy Infometrics was employed to "better inform" both councillors and the public about each option, the company's chief economist, Brad Olsen, concluding the SWDW proposal offered "a compelling solution" to the problem. However, mayoral candidate David Wilson said residents had given a clear "keep our waters local" message to the council. "It is insulting to imply that the submitters didn't know what they were talking about. Many of the most knowledgeable and wise people in the district responded. "The message of the people was clear." Just over 300 submissions were received, just half the amount council received during its recent submission period on the district plan. The clear winner in the popularity stakes was the in-house option, which is favoured as the first choice of 54% of submitters. The stand-alone option was favoured by 21% of submitters, the council's preferred SWDW option was favoured by 15% of submitters and 10% favoured the South Canterbury option involving a combined CCO with the Waimate, Timaru and Mackenzie councils. This was included in consultation documents even though none of those councils included Waitaki in their own consultations. Overall, "75% of submitters said they opposed collaboration between councils, with the strongest concern registered as losing local control (83%), followed by lack of transparency (64%), increased costs (60%) and 16% of submitters concerned about changes to water quality", the council 's report said. The Waitaki District Council has conducted deliberations on the proposal over the past two days, advisers from Morrison Low attending yesterday. A final decision will be made at a council meeting on July 8. The water services delivery plan must be submitted to the Department of Internal Affairs by September 3.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Ear and Now: Cannes Lions audio special
At the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, it's very easy to pick the Grand Prix winners and just celebrate that. At BE Extraordinary , a series about the winners at Cannes Lions in collaboration with Harsh Kapadia, CCO, Grey India, we peer outside the Grand Prix, and look at clutter breaking work that picked the silvers and the bronzes, but don't often get discussed. Nosotras: Me Feat. Me, DDB Chile A prominent menstrual hygiene brand in Chile, driven by its mission to empower and support all menstruating individuals regardless of gender, recently unveiled a truly remarkable campaign. This initiative centered around an artist who had recorded a song prior to their gender transition. The concept was simple yet profound: the artist performed a duet live on stage. What made it so captivating was the ingenious use of technology. Their past self, as recorded before the transition, was projected onto the stage, singing alongside their present female self. This created a powerful and moving harmony, a duet between two versions of the same individual – the current female self and the transitioning male self. The performance beautifully encapsulated the journey of transition, highlighting not only the harmony within an individual's evolving identity but also the societal tensions that can sometimes arise. On the surface, it was simply a stunning duet. Yet, once the audience understood the story behind it, the depth and emotional resonance of the performance became even more apparent. This campaign stood out for its innovative use of audio. While many brands support transgender individuals through visual storytelling, often focusing on the challenges and mental health aspects of transition, this project leveraged the power of sound. It showcased the changing voice as a testament to the journey, offering a refreshing and deeply impactful narrative. The brand, in collaboration with DDB Chile, harnessed the unique power of audio to tell a story of transformation, acceptance, and the beautiful, evolving harmony of self. Brahma Beer: From hurt to hit, Africa Creative, DDB This is the story of turning heartbreak into harmony. In Brazil, where alcohol advertising often navigates a "dark market" by associating brands with music and events, one particular beer brand, Brahma, found an incredibly innovative way to connect with its audience. Brahma had long been a prominent sponsor of sertanejo music, a popular Brazilian country genre known for its poignant lyrics about heartbreak and betrayal. While the brand also sponsored major events like soccer and Carnival, its connection to sertanejo ran deep. Traditionally, when celebrities faced personal hardships, they would often release songs detailing their struggles, turning their pain into profit. Brahma, however, envisioned something different. They wanted to shift the focus from famous stories to the everyday experiences of their fans. The brand launched a groundbreaking campaign that leveraged artificial intelligence. They invited individuals to share their own stories of heartbreak. These personal narratives were then transformed into unique songs using AI, and subsequently uploaded to Spotify. The remarkable aspect was that the individuals whose stories were used then earned royalties from these AI-generated tracks. This initiative marked a beautiful transition for Brahma. Instead of merely celebrating established musicians and famous narratives, the brand empowered every fan in the crowd to become an artist in their own right. Given that sertanejo music deeply resonates with themes of heartbreak, this campaign was particularly impactful. Brazilians, it turns out, often shy away from openly discussing their experiences with heartbreak or infidelity. Through this light-hearted yet deeply personal approach, Brahma facilitated a conversation that had long remained unspoken. They managed to turn personal hardship into a positive and engaging experience, all while making brilliant use of audio to transform individual pain into personal gain. Coors Brewing Company - Cold Activated Announcers, Alma Advertising Coors has always been synonymous with one thing: ice-cold beer. Their commitment to chill is so well-known that even their cans famously change color, signaling the perfect temperature for enjoyment. When it came time to record radio advertisements, the challenge was clear: how could they translate that signature "chill" into an auditory experience? Instead of relying on studio trickery or simulated cold environments, the brand opted for an immersive, and quite daring, approach. They wanted their voiceover artists to truly feel the cold, to infuse their voices with an authentic shiver. The solution? Ice plunges. The announcers were asked to step into tubs filled with icy water, transforming them into what the brand playfully called "cold-activated announcers." As anyone who's experienced an ice plunge knows, the extreme cold naturally alters your voice, introducing a subtle tremor, a shiver, and an undeniable sense of urgency. This unconventional method yielded remarkable results. The performances captured a genuine, visceral coldness that simply couldn't be faked. It elevated the radio spots beyond mere spoken words, adding a layer of raw, authentic emotion. This commitment to craft, pushing beyond typical recording techniques to embody the very essence of their brand, showcased a dedication to detail that resonated deeply. They could have used a freezing room or an outdoor setting, but by immersing the artists in 42-degree water and recording them directly from the tub, Coors truly made the chill palpable. Burger King - Burger to King, Happiness, a FCB Alliance Burger King's AI commentary hack was a savvy play in Gaming sponsorships. Fast-food brands have long recognised the lucrative potential of the gaming world, a space where players spend hours immersed in virtual worlds, often with a craving for convenient meals. Burger King devised an incredibly clever strategy to infiltrate this market, especially in the context of soccer video games. They noticed a unique linguistic opportunity: the presence of players named "Burger" and "King" within the game itself. This simple observation sparked an ingenious idea. With the release of EA Sports FC 25, which boasts enhanced audio commentary powered by dynamic AI, the brand saw its chance. They launched a promotion encouraging gamers to strategically maneuver players named Berger and King so they would pass the ball to each other. When "Berger" passed to "King," the in-game commentator would inadvertently utter the brand's name: "Burger to King!" By encouraging this repetitive action, they effectively tricked the game's algorithm into having its commentators mention "Burger King" hundreds, even thousands, of times. This was a brilliant, no-cost sponsorship hack. While their main competitor, McDonald's, held the official sponsorship rights with FC 25, this challenger brand found a way to organically integrate itself into the game's audio landscape without paying a cent. It's a testament to how creativity can hack technology, even when AI is driving the experience. This innovative approach demonstrates how brands can work alongside, or even cleverly circumvent, technological advancements to achieve their marketing goals, offering a compelling example of how AI can evolve opportunities rather than diminish them for creative minds. Budweiser: One Second Ads, Africa Creative DDB The only Grand Prix winner to feature in this showcase. Budweiser, understanding their fans' deep connection to music, leveraged this passion for a truly innovative campaign. They recognized that true music lovers can identify a song within its very first beats. This insight led to a brilliant concept: an "unskippable" audio challenge. The brand launched a promotion where commercials would play just the opening second of a famous song and the commercial would immediately end. This entire campaign was built around the power of audio, featuring dozens of well-known songs. Instead of crafting lengthy, intricate advertisements or playing full tracks, Budweiser opted for an engaging, interactive approach. The result was phenomenal. People weren't just passively listening; they were actively guessing the songs and, more importantly, sharing their guesses on social media. What began as a pre-roll or audio campaign quickly transformed into a highly viral social phenomenon, driven by the sheer joy of musical recognition. If you think the audio category at this year's Cannes Lions featured any other outstanding work that could find its place here, do reach out to us on prasad.s@ with the subject line: ' Cannes Lions 2025 - BE Extraordinary'
Otago Daily Times
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Big opposition to joint water CCO
A sample of submissions for a joint local government water initiative suggests officials may have a fight on their hands. The Clutha District Council meets in Balclutha today for hearings on its Southern Water Done Well proposals. Thirty-three groups and individuals are scheduled to speak to their submissions regarding the proposals, under which Clutha would join forces with the Waitaki, Central Otago and Gore District Councils to manage water services infrastructure and delivery. The council received 393 submissions during consultation, of which only the 33 from those speaking to their submissions have been made public. Of those, 29 (88%) opposed Clutha forming a jointly council-controlled organisation (CCO), the preferred option put forward by all four councils in the group. Only four favoured a joint or stand-alone CCO model, some with modifications. During consultation, Clutha District Mayor Bryan Cadogan described the joint CCO as the "least bad" solution to the latest central government push for water reform. Documents showed the four councils collectively accruing $598 million of water infrastructure debt by 2034, as they expected to spend $760m on providing improved water services in line with more stringent regulations. At the time, Mr Cadogan said the joint CCO could lead to modest efficiencies and savings for ratepayers. Other options included formation of a stand-alone CCO, or an in-house business unit. Mr Cadogan warned these options could consign Clutha to insolvency during the next decade, due to mounting infrastructure debt. Submissions against the joint council-controlled organisation cited "loss of local control" and "lack of transparency" as concerns. Submitter Alex de Boer, of Owaka, said centralisation had been demonstrated not to work. "The sums show very little advantage in rating by 2033-34. "Combining with other areas will cause loss of focus on our unique issues. "Centralisation did not work for the polytechs, hospital boards or the Auckland 'Super City'. Rates rose a lot." Council deputy chief executive Jules Witt said yesterday the council could not comment on the overall split of submissions until the hearings had been completed. "Council is still in the process of collating and analysing the submissions received. The submissions are part of the overall decision-making process of council," he said. The Waitaki, Central Otago and Gore District Councils are also seeking feedback on the proposals at present. The government will assess the council's resulting water services delivery plan and provide feedback from December. If approved, a jointly owned CCO would begin operation in July 2027.
The Star
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
AOB suspends Chengco, sanctions five auditors
The SC said AOB's findings were in fundamental and key audit areas. PETALING JAYA: The Securities Commission's (SC) Audit Oversight Board (AOB) has suspended the registration of audit firm Chengco PLT (CCO) for two years due to serious audit quality issues. In a statement, the SC said it had also imposed sanctions against five of CCO's audit partners who were the engagement partners and engagement quality control reviewers (ECQR) of three public interest entities (PIEs). This entailed the suspension of Hong Thuan Boon and Yap Peng Boon for two years. Further, Tan Wae Leng, Kong Tung Sam and Ng Kee Siang were also prohibited from accepting as clients and auditing any PIEs or scheduled funds for one year. 'The sanctions followed the AOB's findings of multiple breaches in relation to CCO's failure to comply with the relevant requirements of the International Standards on Auditing as adopted by the Malaysian Institute of Accountants when auditing the three PIEs,' the SC said. The SC added the findings were in fundamental and key audit areas. These include failures to obtain sufficient audit evidence in areas such as bank borrowings, opening balances and prior year adjustments, use of going concern assumption, other payables and accruals, revenue, cost of sales, redeemable convertible preference shares and goodwill. Also, recurring audit deficiencies were found in the areas of property development costs and fixed deposits. 'In addition, the EQCR failed to sufficiently review key audit documentation, particularly those relating to significant judgements and risk areas. This had an adverse effect on overall audit quality,' the SC said.
