The National Business Review is shaking up its online subscription model by offering individual companies and all their staff a flat-rate fee of of $249+GST per quarter to gain access to its online content. Read more »
Television viewing in New Zealand is at its highest ever level and television advertising took the top spot off newspapers for the first time ever last year according to the ASA ad revenue figures. So reports of its death appear to be, as the saying goes, greatly exaggerated. Of course, recording technology means interruptive advertising ain’t what it used to be and you can’t just buy attention like you used to, but despite the many digital distractions that are now available to brands and agencies, the power of a good TV ad is still unquestionable, primarily because it is one of the best ways for brands to convey emotion, tell stories and, in most cases, get their messages in front of as many humans as possible. Read more »
Who’s it for: RaboDirect by Shine and String Theory
Why we like it: It’s a common trick for challenger brands in the banking space to target the big boys, but this spot communicates the savings message and it’s very well made (take a bow, String Theory and Toybox). And, as one … Read more »
In late 2010, FMG shacked up with Saatchi & Saatchi Wellington, embarked on a bit of a brand refresh and ramped up its advertising, both to position itself as risk advice specialists with an in-depth understanding of the unique issues New Zealand farmers face, but also to try and move it further into the mainstream insurance market. And it’s taken a fairly novel, and some might say fairly un-rural approach to attract customers: a YouTube channel that was launched mid last year.
APN launched its weekly street-zine Volume on September 6, 2011 and started competing head-on with Groove Guide and a host of other online outlets. But the tough music/youth/pop culture media market has claimed another victim, because APN has decided to discontinue the print edition after just 33 issues—and on the first day of NZ Music Month. Read more »
There’s been a bit of chatter in the media recently about whether MediaWorks will renew its licensing deal with CBS and whether the end is nigh for its flagship current affairs show 60 Minutes. That decision is still up in the air, but what is clear is that 60 Minutes host Mike McRoberts and new arrival Guyon Espiner are involved in a new international current affairs show called Three60 that’s screening on Sunday mornings and is being sponsored by Massey University. Read more »
When it comes to challenger brands in the financial space, the ‘watch out for those big greedy, sneaky banks’ theme is a fairly common one. Kiwibank has been on that buzz since ages ago, NZCU launched its get your bank off your back campaign last year and now RaboDirect and Shine have taken a similar approach with the ‘Greedy Banks’ campaign. Read more »
The relative lack of sun—and therefore barbecues—over the summer months hasn’t been ideal for the booze industry (craft beer continues to grow, while the overall beer market is thought to be down around five percent). But as the inside months approach and the rugby season gets into full swing, Tui’s new ’Halftime Distractions’ spot by Saatchi & Saatchi and The Sweet Shop’s Stuart McDonald (he of Summer Heights High fame) is hoping to ensure the boys will focus on the brown stuff should they be required to provide for the group.
Supporters of publicly-funded media in New Zealand are feeling fairly tormented at present, with the National Government’s apparent ‘nice to have’ stance manifesting itself in a five year funding freeze for Radio New Zealand and the imminent switch-off of TVNZ7. But Nielsen’s Year That Was report, which includes info on New Zealand media trends, has provided more proof of the importance—and popularity—of Radio New Zealand National by showing it was the top ranking radio station in New Zealand in 2011 with a market share of 11.1 percent. Read more »
At last, a handbook for PR at its best. Spin was turned into an art form by former Tony Blair acolyte, Alistair Campbell, during the second Gulf War. So it’s been a surprisingly long time before someone finally codified this … Read more »
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Who’s it for: New World by Colenso BBDO/.99 and Finch
Why we like it: A long overdue brand refresh for New World, which has been battered by the big-spending Countdown in recent years. All three ads from the new campaign are bang on in terms of visual storytelling, but for us, the ‘I’m Big Day’ spot takes the biscuit. Check out the other two here.
Who’s it for: Sky by DDB and Exit Films
Why we like it: It would’ve been easy to splice together a highlights package of joyous finely-tuned athletes winning things and crowds enjoying themselves, a la the RWC campaign. But we reckon getting inside the heads of the athletes who are competing and showcasing some of the nuances of the Olympic disciplines is a much better—and much more interesting—approach. This one gets the nod because it was filmed in Invers. Check out the other spots here.
Who’s it for: Subaru by Barnes, Catmur & Friends and The Craft Shop
Why we like it: Subaru has embraced the typical automotive advertising approach in the past, with a campaign showing shots of its cars driving through beautiful, often rugged terrain. But it’s added a layer of interest—and a layer of BC&F humour—in this animated number.
The power of TV advertising, as shown through the story of a dog and his friend.
The power of an energy drink, as shown through cat-toast.
Aussie vodka makes fun of Poles—and parkour (here’s another one).
Lynx’s ‘invisible ad’ in Sydney.
BMW ensures your head is in the right place.
A solar powered brochure that just won gold at the One Show.
First came The Force, now comes The Fan.
Stay at The Star Sydney and there will be stories.
The Argentinian Olympic kerfuffle.
A banner ad that aimed to inspire the world’s longest click.
An amazing, Bafta award-winning short film by Mikey Please.
A font-based newspaper whoopsie, Nicholas Cage can play everyone, watch the planet being conquered and a very handy business name generator.
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