The highlights of Auckland Football Club (AFC)’s history-making debut season have been recorded in a most unexpected way by sponsor ANZ and agency, TBWA\NZ. In vinyl. The limited-edition vinyl that reimagines eight unforgettable highlights from the team’s inaugural year – including the best-ever start by a debut team in the Australasian Men’s National League (six straight wins), the longest time before conceding a goal (532 minutes), and sell-out crowds that set new attendance records for A-League Men’s games in New Zealand.
150 hand-numbered vinyls fuse sport, sound and street culture – and reshape what modern sponsorship can be – favouring ideas that live in culture and resonate with fans beyond traditional sports marketing. Record Season is a creative tribute and heartfelt thank you from ANZ to Auckland, recognising the energy, pride and belief the city has poured into its newest professional team.
The limied-edition records, pressed in Auckland by Holiday Records, have been gifted to players, superfans, and proud Aucklanders. The soundtrack of AFC’s debut season is also available to stream on Spotify.
TBWA\NZ CCO Shane Bradnick, stated, “From Day One shirts to Record Season, we’ve treated this sponsorship like a creative platform, not a logo placement. Record Season is more than a piece of vinyl – it’s a thank-you note to Auckland, crafted in a way that only a culturally driven brand could do. We wanted to create something that felt genuinely special – a lasting, physical tribute to an unforgettable debut year.”
“This season has been about more than football; it’s been about building something our city can believe in,” added Nick Becker, chief executive officer at AFC. “From the roar of the crowd to those spine-tingling moments on the pitch, Record Season captures the heartbeat of our debut year. ANZ has been with us every step of the way, and we’re delighted with the tribute.”
“AFC have given this city a much-needed boost of energy, fostering a sense of pride and community, and we’re really proud to have supported them since day one,” commented Antonia Watson, CEO of ANZ.
Record Season follows last year’s Day One campaign, where ANZ gave away more than 200 limited-edition AFC shirts across the city in the lead-up to game one driving fans on a hunt through Auckland and building hype before a ball was even kicked. The shirts became instant collector’s items, and the campaign helped launch the Auckland Forever platform, celebrating the unique bond between city, club, and community.
The Record Season vinyl drop also coincides with a full-scale OOH and social campaign currently live across Auckland, with a simple but heartfelt message from ANZ to the city – “Thank You Auckland.”
Credits:
Client: ANZ Aotearoa
Group CMO: Astrud Burgess
General Manager Marketing: Matt Pickering
Head of Brand & Advertising: Michael Reynolds
Head of Sponsorship: Sarah Rogan
Sponsorship Manager: Emma Harvey
Brand Manager: Alex Pipes
Sponsorship Manager: Campbell Kerr
Agency: TBWA\New Zealand
Chief Creative Officer: Shane Bradnick
Chief Executive Officer: Catherine Harris
Creative Partners: Ashley Wilding & Daniel Davison
Design Director: Gabrielle Teasdell
Creative Director: Ashwin Gopal
Group Strategy Director: Mark Lloyd
Managing Partner: Priyanka Patel
Business Director: Ben O’Neill-Gregory
Business Manager: Stephanie Fairey
Producers: Amy Saunders & Mark Paisey
PR: Eleven
Client Partner: Eleisha Balmer
Senior Consultant: Huia Ngapo
Account Manager: Madi Hewett
Audio Production: Franklin Road
Vinyl Production: Holiday Records
