Air New Zealand launches global brand campaign
Air New Zealand has launched its first global brand campaign in the UK, starring acclaimed actor Sam Neill.
The New Zealand-born star of Jurassic Park, The Tudors and Peaky Blinders among others, fronts a campaign that showcases to travellers why the airline is a ‘better way to fly’ to New Zealand.
Neill takes centre stage as the voice of CGI character Pete – a kiwi bird that wants to see the world but is hindered by his inability to fly. That is until Air New Zealand steps in. Pete takes viewers on a journey, seeing the flying experience onboard Air New Zealand through the eyes of a kiwi bird.
Neill said: “Air New Zealand were kind enough to ask me, and in all humility, I thought I was the best person for the job. I am very proud to be a New Zealander and I guess that’s what being a Kiwi is.”
Sam Neill with Pete the kiwi
The film highlights the many ways travellers can fly to New Zealand with Air New Zealand, including its daily service from London Heathrow to Auckland via Los Angeles, as well gateway options across Asia and North America operated in conjunction with its partner airlines.
Pete samples the airline’s famous Kiwi service dubbing it ‘New Zealand in the sky’ as well as enjoying the delicious award-winning onboard food and wines, and even bumping into Sam Neill himself in the Business Premier cabin. Pete also tells other passengers about all the best things to do in New Zealand – inspiring British travellers to book their next adventure onboard Air New Zealand.
The Better way to fly campaign aims to drive both awareness and consideration, and will also be rolled out in the USA, Asia and South America.
The marketing approach will be predominantly digitally-led across earned and owned media channels, with UK-based digital agency Agenda 21 executing the paid media strategy on online platforms to support the microsite betterwaytofly.co.uk.
The campaign follows the success of a similar marketing approach launched in Australia late last year featuring a CGI goose named Dave who has been convincing Australians that Air New Zealand offers a better way to fly long haul to North and South America.
Sam and Pete enjoy the flight
Jodi Williams, Air New Zealand’s general manager of Global Brand and Content Marketing said: “The aim of the first burst of this campaign is to capture the attention of British travellers interested in visiting New Zealand leaving our audience with a strong brand connection and a better understanding of our award-winning product, famous onboard hospitality and the many routes we offer down to beautiful New Zealand.
“We have done a great deal of research to gain insight into British travellers’ habits and their understanding of Air New Zealand. Our focus is on breaking down the distance barrier to visiting New Zealand by showcasing the comfort of our onboard product and our award-winning service, while also illustrating our various stop-over options should travellers wish to break up their journey.”
Joanna Copestake, Air New Zealand’s general manager UK/Europe added: “We have fantastic brand loyalty with ex-pat New Zealanders based in the UK, as well as those British travellers visiting friends and family and our aim with this campaign is to expand this brand affinity to a broader base of UK consumers through the loveable Pete the kiwi.”
Watch the full length better way to fly video here.
