Following a successful return at the 2024 NRL Grand Final, Bundy Bear has well and truly awoken from his fifteen-year hibernation, appearing in three new entertaining TVCs as Bundaberg Rum continues the rollout of its new Forever Classic brand platform.
Leo Australia’s three 30-second TVCs are all about making good times with mates timeless, through classic stitch-ups, classic moments, classic products and serves. Bundy, recognised by almost 70% of Aussies over 18 who drink alcohol, engages with his group of mates engaged in a game of one-upmanship in three scenarios – Scam Artist, Roar and Rug – all filled with Bundy Bear’s cheeky, larrikin nature, showing how a Bundy is best enjoyed among mates.
The TVCs were directed by Mr Inbetween’s Nash Edgerton, and fully animatronic 7-foot Bundy was created by Academy-award-winning costume and prosthetics house, Odd Studio.
Hayden Abercrombie, marketing manager – rum at Diageo Australia,stated,“As we head into footy season, we know there’s no better drink to have in hand than an ice-cold Bundy. We’re thrilled with this next stage of Forever Classic, cementing the Bundy Bear at the front of Aussie hearts and minds as we gear up for many more timeless moments.”
Tim Woolford and Tommy Cehak, executive creative directors at Leo Australia, added, “Bringing the iconic Bundy Bear back to our screens after such a long hibernation has made for a hell of a good time. Stitching up your mates, and drinking rum, does it get any better than that?”
The TVCs will be supported by an Australia-wide OH campaign over the coming months, exploring the theme of classic stitch-ups, as well as targeted contextual billboards in Bundy Heartland centres across NSW and QLD.
Credits
Client: Diageo [Bundaberg Rum]
Bundaberg Marketing Manager: Hayden Abercrombie
Senior Brand Manager: Emma Ryan
Assistant Brand Manager: Laura Rey Rodriguez
Marketing & Innovation: Mark Mcleod
PR & Culture Lead: Joanna Walsh
Creative Agency: Leo Australia
General Manager: James Walker Smith
Chief Creative Officer: Andy Fergusson
Chief Strategy Officer: Catherine King
Executive Creative Directors: Tommy Cehak & Tim Woolford
Copywriters: Bill Scheggia & Kevin Ma
Art Director: Lewis Catalano
Senior Designers: Johnson Diep & Tiffany Wilson
Group Account Director: Tyson Mahon
Senior Business Director: Thomas Smyth
Senior Integrated Producer: Libby Spark
National Director of Production: Michael Demosthenous
Media – Hearts & Science
Production Company: Collider
Managing Partner & Executive Producer: Rachael Ford-Davies
Director: Nash Edgerton
Executive Producer: Tom Slater
Producer: Serena Paull
Production Manager: Celia Tulevski
1st AD: Adam Wareham
Director of Photography: Crighton Bone
Production Designer: Mike Price
Animatronics: Odd Studios
Post Production: ARC Edit
Post Producer: Olivia Reddy
Editor: Drew Thompson
Colourist: Fergus Rotherham
Online: Richard Lambert
Sound: Massive Music
Designer: Damian Waldell
Sound Producer: Alexa Tonkin
Photography Studio: Sam I Am
Photographer: Toby Burrows
Executive Producer: Rich Cole
Senior Producer: Melanie Reardon
