Colenso BBDO puts up a fight
There’s nothing quite like a very public dog-fight to garner attention. But not an animal dog-fight mind you.
On Sunday, Colenso BBDO launched another clever visual spectacle on public eyes with a re-enactment of a WW11 dogfight in honour of the epic new TV ONE miniseries, The Pacific. The ten-part mini-series focuses on the stories of three marines during America’s battle with the Japanese in the Pacific during World War II.
Utilising the expertise of the New Zealand Warbirds Association and pyrotechnics company Van Tiel, those in Mission Bay watched as a real New Zealand Kittyhawk took on two Japanese fighter planes.
“We were very pleased with how it went, there were thousands and thousands of people there,” says Colenso BBDO account director for TVNZ Celeste Pulman.
That’s not to say a few heart-rates didn’t rapidly rise in the build-up. “It was really, really nerve racking because we didn’t have a trial run and there were thousands of people on the beach,” says Pulman.
But Pulman says Van Tiel and the New Zealand Warbirds Association had already worked together in the past, so they knew what to do.
The aerial feats is just one many clever acts as part of Colenso BBDO’s advertising campaign to launch the new show.
Last week a giant mural featuring hundreds of copies of authentic letters sent by marines, along with photo’s, was unveiled on Symonds Street. The letters, complete with browned edges and yellowing paper, were also sent out to random households as part of the promotional effort.
The Pacific, produced by Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg and Gary Goetzman debut’s tonight at 8.30pm on TV ONE.
Andy
April 13, 2010
They weren't Japanese and they weren't fighter planes.
Andrea Bracey
April 13, 2010
Absolutely great spectacle and free -
Glenn Williams
April 13, 2010
And a truck load of cash spent on a show that was already set to out rate anything else in the time slot. Award winning advertising? Perhaps. Money pissed down the drain? Definitely.
Doug & Co
April 13, 2010
Another campaign shot down in flames..( excuse the pun )
Francesco
April 13, 2010
The Planes… The Planes……
Gerry Kookmeyer
April 13, 2010
I'm confused. Is Deidre the PR machine for BBDO? Some of the language used had me reaching for the … bucket.
Reg Briggs
April 13, 2010
Watched and enjoyed by thousands of ordinary people. Crowds of people also showed heaps of interest in the ten genuine WW2 jeeps and half track parked up by the old church for the occasion. Good clean fun.
Bill
April 14, 2010
I think its a brilliant piece of advertising/entertainment! I cant see why people do not just sit back and enjoy them.