Who’s it for: Mt Ruapehu ski field by Bettle and Associates
Why we like it: Here at the StopPress HQ nothing hits us harder in the feels than archive footage of people enjoying the slopes in what is presumably clothing made of some warm, yet unbreathable fabric. What can we say, we have a niche. Just think about the bite of the cold wind whipping that small child’s face as he slides down the mountain with no ski jacket. Truly moving. This will be hard to believe but we are not skiers (crazy, right?) and yet we’re now considering life passes to Mt Ruapehu just so in 30 years time we too can have our own This-Is-Your-Life-style skiing montage.
Who’s it for: Meadow Fresh by Pitchblack Partners
Why we like it: It seems this week’s ads are nostalgic in flavour, and we love it. Remember the simple pleasure of popping into the dairy as a wee tot? Well, it’s perfectly summed up in this sweet ad (although, we don’t actually remember feeling that excited about buying milk, but then, we grew up in the times of 5 cent coins (RIP) and 5 cent pick ‘n’ mix so we had a charmed youth). Meadow Fresh is encouraging parents to loosen the leash a little on their children, helping them grow in confidence and independence – bold in an age of helicopter parenting and stranger/danger.
Who’s it for: Lion’s Tokyo Dry by DDB
Why we like it: Ah, ‘Slice of Heaven’, a song so ingrained in the country’s psyche, it’s hard to imagine people being particularly fond of alternative versions. Just ask any expat community, literally anywhere, about what happens when this comes on in the club and they’ll say it’s like a person’s patriotism rests on whether they know the words of the verses well enough to confidently sing – as if Slice of Heaven is the people’s national anthem of our fine land. Yet this version certainly gives ole Dave a run for his money. It’s fresh, exciting, inventive and the beat kills. A+ in our eyes.
Who’s it for: Ronald McDonald House Charities New Zealand by DDB
Why we like it: What could be more important than protecting children during times of crisis? Unfortunately, it’s not possible to protect patients from how ill they are, but we can all make them and their families comfortable and give them joy during horrible times. The RMHC New Zealand has been doing an incredible job at just that for decades, and now they’re asking the nation to join their campaign to raise awareness about what they do and drum up donations to support them doing it. This is an incredibly sweet campaign that captures the wonder of childhood and reminds us to do what we can to help.
Who’s it for: Hauraki by NZME Vision
Why we like it: Posted here without context, we know what you’re thinking: what’s going on? Why is Jeremy being so, well, Jeremy about this extremely odd music-based quiz? Short answer, Radio Hauraki is running a Signature Series for the next few weeks, where the masses get to vote for a band’s most defining song, which will thus become the official signature tune of that artist. Our guess is the name of the game is it’s not always the obvious choice – something that is backed up in the people choosing Immigrant Song as Led Zeppelin’s signature number. Fair enough. Side note: this is not how name association games work. All participants must answer at the same time so as not to be influenced by other answers. But each to their own, we suppose.
