Australia has a fantastical reputation in the US for being overrun by creatures that kill. Special (Australia & US) has played into the fear with a subtly humorous but striking visual US campaign for Bonds. Two hero films, one fronted by wildlife star, Robert Irwin, the other by musician, Tkay Maidza, show how Aussie males stay so relaxed in the face of deadly wildlife.
They wear comfy undies.
The campaign offers US men the chance to be as laid back as Australians are (another fantastic idea about Australians).
The films were directed by Exit’s Stefan Hunt, with stills captured by Sam I Am’s Lula Cuchhiara. Everything was captured in-camera – snakes, spiders, Australia’s crankiest croc, Elvis, and Robert Irwin’s chiseled physique (no CGI necessary). The fearless Australian talent model their favourite Bonds undies effortlessly while posing in the midst of danger. Bonds has their backs – and bums – covered.
Ryan Fitzgerald, ECD of Special Australia, stated, “Two things are widely known about Australia in the US: the laidback nature of our people and our unusually high concentration of dangerous animals. Less commonly known is how the former stays true in the presence of the latter. The secret? Our very comfy undies. We’re excited to share this gift with our American friends.”
“Bonds have been keeping Aussies comfy for over 100 years, so launching in the U.S. is an exciting new chapter for our brand. We’re thrilled to introduce our iconic underwear and signature Aussie spirit to Americans – and help them level up their top drawer with down under comfort. Made for Down Under features Aussie legends Robert Irwin and Tkay Maidza – backed by an epic cast of snakes, spiders, lizards and crocodiles,” added Kedda Ghazarian, head of marketing, Bonds.
The Made for Down Under campaign will roll out nationally in the US across OOH, digital, social, SiriusXM podcast network, connected TV and Amazon, beginning 3 April and running through the rest of the year.
Credits
Client: Bonds
Head of Marketing: Kedda Ghazarian
Senior Brand Manager: Edwina Moller
Creative Agency: Special Australia
CEO & Partner: Lindsey Evans
CCOs & Partners: Tom Martin & Julian Schreiber
CSO & Partner Melbourne : Rebecca Stambanis
Managing Director Melbourne : Sasha Firth
Business Director: Marnie Dunn
Head of Strategy, Melbourne: Nathan Rogers
ECD Melbourne: Ryan Fitzgerald
Creative Directors: Joe Ranallo, Will Winter-Irving
Social Creative: Eliza Smith, Heidi Rabbitts
Design Director: Sabine Schwarz
Design: Sarah Ristevski
Head of Film + Content Melbourne: Sophie Simmons
Senior Producer: Glen Mcleod
Creative Agency: Special US
CEO & Partner: Kelsey Hodgkin
Group Strategy Director: Janet Shih
Film Production Company: Exit
Managing Partner: Wilf Sweetland
Executive Producer: Leah Churchill Brown
Director: Stefan Hunt
Producer: Luke Kneller
DoP: Max Walter
Editor: Lucas Vazquez
Grade: Fergus Rotherham
VFX & Online: Alt.VFX
Sound & Music: Sonar Music
Head of Production: Haylee Poppi
Sound Engineer: Andy Stewart
Composer: Josh Pearson
Stills Production Company: Sam I Am
Stills Photographer: Lula Cucchiara
Stills Executive Producer: Rich Cole
Stills Senior Producer: Henry Richardson
Social & TikTok Videographer & Post Production: Luke Tysoe
Media Agencies: Hearts & Science & Flywheel
Talent & Media Relations: Rose Pengelly @ ARC Factory
