Whittaker’s has unveiled a new brand campaign featuring Kiwi actor Karl Urban, reflecting its family-owned, New Zealand-made values, and sense of fun.
The campaign, shot in recognisable locations around Wellington, features Urban as Whittaker’s founder J.H Whittaker visiting from the past in a chocolate time machine to bring joy to the lives of the people he meets.
Siblings Matt and Holly Whittaker, Whittaker’s co-Chief Operating Officers and great-grandchildren of J.H. Whittaker, say this is a significant milestone for Whittaker’s after working with brand ambassador, Nigella Lawson, for nearly a decade.
“We loved working with Nigella for all those years and she has been instrumental in building our brand based on our unrelenting commitment to quality. We’re pleased that she remains a passionate Whittaker’s Chocolate Lover, but we’re also very excited about our new chapter,” says Holly.
Karl Urban says he is delighted to bring the character of time-travelling J.H. Whittaker to the screen in this new campaign for Whittaker’s as he is a fan of the chocolate.
“I absolutely love Whittaker’s. It is one hundred percent my favourite chocolate in the world and I’m proud to be associated with such an awesome, iconic Kiwi brand.
“When I’m working overseas for extended periods, Whittaker’s chocolate is the one thing I have sent over – a little home comfort that’s an essential part of my day,” says Urban.
A team of locals worked with Whittaker’s on the campaign including Director, Peter Burger and Waitemata Film Company, along with Whittaker’s agencies of record, MBM for creative and marketing and AKQA for digital.
The chocolate time machine was made by Human Dynamo, a creative company that supplies design, model-making and technical fabrication from its studio and workshops in Miramar, Wellington.
Matt Whittaker says the Whittaker’s team was fortunate to have had access to world class talent and creatives right here to create the new campaign.
“We really value the contribution that everyone involved has made to this, and we can’t wait to hear what Whittaker’s Chocolate Lovers think of it,” says Matt.
The new campaign went live across TV, online video, cinema, digital, social and Out of Home from 12 June, with new products to be launched soon.
