Every year, StopPress asks players in the local industry for their reflections on the year that was. Here’s what Alana Schultheis, Agency Manager at Word of Mouth, had to say.
- Favourite local campaign
Right now it would be the new Toyota Hilux campaign, I think only released in the last few weeks, very perfectly New Zealand. Another top one was the New World Little Garden animation, which was so well done. Also the Shop Local campaign that Stanley Street produced, great message there.
- Favourite international campaign
Heineken (The men order cocktails and women beer and get given the wrong drinks due to old stereotypes).
- Least favourite campaign
Lighting Direct.
- Pick three words to describe 2020
Adaptability, innovative, resourceful.
- Most memorable moment from lockdown?
Turning the deck into a ‘local restaurant’ or work lunches, with the bubble, and walking in the middle of main roads as there were no cars around. The bird song and the quietness with no cars/traffic.
- First thing you did in Level 1?
Went to the Northcote Tavern with family and friends – supported local places.
- First place you’ll travel to when borders open?
Probably Australia first, to test the waters.
- Heroes of 2020
Dr Ashley Bloomfield and all the doctors and nurses, and other essential workers around the world.
- Villains of 2020
Covid-19.
- What have you learnt about the world this year?
How communities all around the world support each other – I loved how Italians would sing to each other from their balconies, gave you a sense of the world as one.
- What personality trait got you in the most trouble this year?
Speaking up.
- What achievement are you most proud of this year?
Word of Mouth has come through lockdowns in an even better position than when the year started, which I credit to the amazing people we represent, and the amazing Word of Mouth team and their hard work.
- Silver lining of 2020?
Flexible office hours, not sitting in traffic, better work home life balance, more productive, happy staff and happier dogs.
- Best brands of 2020
Marle.
- Lamest trend of 2020
Banana bread Instagram posts.
- Best innovation
Remote working / Zoom meetings.
- What died in 2020?
Mundane tasks.
- Guilty Netflix obsession?
Money Heist (not guilty about that one), The Crown – re-watching all of the old eps would probably be a guilty obsession.
- Twitter or Instagram?
Instagram.
- What should be uninvented?
Buzz words.
- What’s the biggest mistake agencies will make in 2021?
I think going back to old habits in the workplace. I think giving staff the option to work from home or have more flexibility leads to a happier work environment and more constructive productivity, having the work/life/home balance has worked so well this year.
Year in Review is brought to you by Discovery New Zealand.
