Welcome to the automated Brand Tracker diaries.
Winners announced at the 2026 Effie Awards Aotearoa
Source: https://stoppress.co.nz/awards/winners-announced-at-the-2026-effie-awards-aotearoa/
Goal: Recognize effective advertising and marketing communications
Summary: The winners of the 2026 Effie Awards Aotearoa were announced, celebrating the most effective marketing campaigns in New Zealand. The Grand Effie was awarded to AA Insurance and McCann New Zealand for their campaign 'Living a little freer', which also won gold in the Sustained Success category. 2degrees and TBWA ew Zealand received the Hardest Challenge award for their campaign promoting industry parity. McCann New Zealand was named Most Effective Agency of the Year.
Disabled survivors of abuse in care shape creative platform in response to inquiry
Goal: To improve record keeping practices in disability care providers.
Claim: My experiences matter.
Media: Videos, postcards, posters, DSS website, provider forums, New Zealand Disability Support Network newsletter, Archives New Zealand
Summary: Disability Support Services partnered with All is for All to create a platform addressing poor record keeping in disability care, following findings from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. The initiative focuses on enhancing how care providers manage and enable access to care records, emphasizing that these records reflect individuals’ experiences and identities. Survivors of abuse contributed to the project by shaping its message, which underscores the importance of understanding and respectful documentation.
Asparagus launches its own election campaign
Source: https://stoppress.co.nz/campaigns/asparagus-launches-its-own-election-campaign/
Goal: Encourage more New Zealanders to eat asparagus this spring
Claim: No spin, just spears
Media: Billboards, letterbox flyers, social media
Summary: The NZ Vegetable Council and The Media Lab have launched a tongue-in-cheek election campaign titled 'Two ticks for asparagus' to encourage New Zealanders to eat more asparagus. Featuring a fictional candidate named Hugh Greenspear, the campaign uses familiar election themes to promote asparagus as a seasonal food option and aims to engage shoppers to support local produce during the asparagus season peak in October.
Coastguard appoints Quantum Jump as creative agency
Source: https://stoppress.co.nz/news/account-wins/coastguard-appoints-quantum-jump-as-creative-agency/
Goal: Increase brand awareness and support for Coastguard among the public
Media: Digital and media strategy
Summary: Coastguard Tautiaki Moana has appointed Quantum Jump as its creative agency for their summer campaign, with Lassoo Media handling media strategy. The initiative aims to enhance brand presence and involve Kiwis in supporting volunteers who provide safety on the water. The campaign reflects understanding the emotional aspect of Coastguard's mission as it seeks to engage community support through various communication channels.
Sealord reels in the win for Kantar’s July Ad Impact Award
Source: https://stoppress.co.nz/awards/sealord-reels-in-the-win-for-kantars-july-ad-impact-award/
Goal: Encourage people to embrace their love of fish
Claim: Hold your fish up high
Summary: Sealord's campaign, 'We love fish', won Kantar's Ad Impact for July 2026 by turning social norms into a playful rebellion, encouraging New Zealanders to be proud of their love for fish. Featuring relatable and humorous 'fishame' moments, the campaign distinguishes Sealord from competitors and motivates consumers to consider purchasing fish, aiming to position the brand as a trendsetter in the seafood category.
Urban List launches Signal Sessions to hear from NZ marketers
Source: https://stoppress.co.nz/news/urban-list-launches-signal-sessions-to-hear-from-nz-marketers/
Goal: To create space for conversations that rarely happen in boardrooms but shape the future of marketing.
Summary: Urban List has launched Signal Sessions, an initiative focused on facilitating important marketing conversations among industry leaders in New Zealand. The first event, held at Kemuri Hi-Fi, emphasized listening to the needs of the industry rather than presenting. Discussions covered various topics, including budget pressures, AI, and the future of media partnerships. The aim is to cultivate ideas based on the market's insights rather than solely the company's perspective.
SCG and dish finalists in Auckland Business Awards
Source: https://stoppress.co.nz/awards/scg-and-dish-finalists-in-auckland-business-awards/
Goal: To showcase SCG's excellence in sustainability and marketing
Claim: Recognising innovation and creativity in business
Media: Social media, print
Summary: SCG and food magazine dish have been named as finalists in the 2026 2degrees Auckland Business Awards for their commitment to sustainability and outstanding marketing efforts. SCG is recognized for its sustainable practices and the success of dish magazine under CEO Sarah Tuck, who noted significant growth in readership and sales. The awards aim to honor innovation in various business sectors.
TrailLite Group and Quantum Jump launch Roadcraft
Source: https://stoppress.co.nz/campaigns/traillite-group-and-quantum-jump-launch-roadcraft/
Goal: Build anticipation and excitement for the launch of a new motorhome brand
Claim: Built in New Zealand. Born for the open road.
Media: TVNZ, Three, Neon online placements, social, digital display, YouTube
Summary: TrailLite Group has collaborated with Quantum Jump to introduce Roadcraft, a new motorhome brand designed for New Zealanders. The campaign, inspired by movie promotions, consists of four acts to generate excitement leading up to the launch at the NZMCA Hamilton Show in September 2026. The campaign features a behind-the-scenes video showcasing the design process to emphasize local craftsmanship.
ThinkTV’s 17 Second Challenge: ‘Great ideas can come from anywhere’
Source: https://stoppress.co.nz/news/media/think-tvs-17-second-challenge-great-ideas-can-come-from-anywhere/
Goal: Showcase creative talent in New Zealand's media agencies
Claim: Great ideas can come from anywhere
Media: TVNZ, Sky
Summary: ThinkTV's inaugural 17 Second Challenge celebrated creative talent from New Zealand's media agencies by inviting teams to develop the opening 17 seconds of an advertising campaign. PHD emerged as the winner with their entry 'What the…?!', showcasing how creativity can come from various roles within the industry. The winning entries will be featured in ThinkTV’s larger campaign, promoting the significance of attention on television.
Shoptalk expands healthcare footprint with launch of Medtalk
Goal: To provide relevant healthcare-focused advertising in medical environments
Claim: Contextual relevance matters in healthcare advertising
Media: Digital out of home
Summary: Shoptalk, formerly known as Giggle Entertainment Network, has launched Medtalk, a healthcare-focused digital out of home network that spans over 165 medical venues across New Zealand. This initiative reflects a deliberate approach to creating advertising content that resonates within healthcare settings, catering to a wide array of advertisers, including pharmaceutical companies and retail health brands, in environments where health and financial decisions are top of mind for the audience.
2026 Beacon Awards winners announced
Source: https://stoppress.co.nz/awards/2026-beacon-awards-winners-announced/
Goal: Identify a new media opportunity for consumer relevance
Summary: The 2026 Beacon Awards celebrated outstanding achievements in New Zealand's media and advertising sector, culminating in the Best in Show being awarded to PHD Aotearoa and Pak’n’Save for their innovative campaign, 'Anything can be a gift at WRAP’nSAVE'. The judges praised the campaign for its strong consumer relevance and flawless execution. TVNZ was named Media Business of the Year, while Together was recognized as Media Agency of the Year.
Sealord argues Kiwis should be louder about their love for fish
Source: https://stoppress.co.nz/campaigns/sealord-argues-kiwis-should-be-louder-about-their-love-for-fish/
Goal: Encourage New Zealanders to be prouder about their love for fish.
Claim: Hold that fish high and proud.
Media: TV, digital, social, out of home
Summary: Sealord has launched a new long-term brand platform called 'We love fish' to encourage New Zealanders to embrace their love for fish despite social and practical barriers. The campaign features a launch film directed by Damien Shatford, depicting a skipper on a mission to combat the issue of 'fishame', where people feel guilty about eating fish in public. The campaign aims to normalize fish consumption and includes a variety of media channels across the nation.
TVNZ to bring Fifa World Cup 2030 broadcast to NZ
Source: https://stoppress.co.nz/news/media/tvnz-to-bring-fifa-world-cup-2030-broadcast-to-nz/
Goal: To provide coverage of the Fifa World Cup 2030 to New Zealanders
Claim: Bringing football back to Aotearoa
Media: TVNZ 1, TVNZ+
Summary: TVNZ has announced it will broadcast the Fifa World Cup 2030, offering both free-to-view and pay rights. The previous tournament saw record viewership, and the network aims to build on that momentum as football continues to grow in New Zealand. CEO Jodi O'Donnell highlights the significance of the event for the country and the local coverage it brings, alongside ongoing football events leading up to the tournament.