Cannes Contenders: New Zealand

ASB - Benee Bagels

Before we begin, put on your headphones, sit back, and listen to the most calming song in the world. It's a collaboration between New Zealand's biggest popstar, Benee, and scientifically proven therapeutic calming imagery. 

The music video, called Bagels, has become a #1 hit on the NZ singles charts and has over 10 million streams to date. 

It's not just a popular song but has also helped calm an entire generation of listeners.

Uber Eats - Cliché Codes

We have all been there before, a brief hit your desk to do something for the upcoming Rugby World Cup for one of your biggest clients. The problem is that you can’t do anything without massive sponsorship deals and all those rules around it, which means most of the time you are locked out. 

That’s why I love this piece. 

You see, Uber Eats sponsors New Zealand’s national rugby team, but they didn’t sponsor the Rugby World Cup, and they couldn’t say anything about it. So, they got players to do the talking for them. Introducing Cliché Codes, where in real-time, Uber Eats turned clichés said in post-match interviews into time-sensitive discount codes to be redeemed. 

It was a great win for everyone.

2 Degrees - Good Tings, The First Phone Safety Programme

I really love this idea. Unfortunately, it came a few years too late for my daughter as she could have really benefited from it earlier. 

If only she had gotten this when she was younger, I wouldn't have had to deal with her constant phone-related issues. But this new unboxing experience is not only entertaining, but it's also educational. The creators have made safety lessons and contracts fun, which is no small feat when dealing with the teenage attention span. 

And, let's be real, we all know how important it is to teach our kids about online safety these days. So, kudos to the team for coming up with something that's both informative and engaging.

Whiskas - Meowzer

In New Zealand, dogs are popular, but with the pandemic and people heading back to work, owning one can be challenging. 

That's where Whiskas comes in with their new creation, The Meowzer’s, offering all the perks of owning a dog, but with less hassle because it's a cat. 

As a cat lover, I'm all for it!

VW - GreenPrint

Full disclosure on this one, as it is from us here in New Zealand for VW and their iconic Kombi. What used to be the symbol of progressiveness for its owners who believed in a better world has now become the very symbol against it, as it's still a petrol vehicle. 

To help those who love their Kombi and the environment, Volkswagen has created the Greenprint, an open-source set of plans that anyone can use to turn their Kombi into an EV in 20 easy-ish steps. 

We have made an all-in-one kit available, or owners can source the parts themselves with our approved list and not pay us a cent. 

We believe that the best car for the planet is an old one and by helping our fans get back to fighting for a better world with the icon they all love.