This week, telco One New Zealand, received the most bizarre endorsement. It came from the US’s Zombie Research Society. The cultural and academic organisation believes One NZ now has the ‘most zombie-resilient’ network in the world. That is all thanks to the launch of One NZ Satellite, that allows TXT messages to be sent via a network of satellites in space rather than relying on terrestrial cell towers – and no doubt to the efforts of Special PR. Launched late last year, One NZ Satellite allows customers with an eligible One NZ phone and plan to send and receive TXTs when they are outside of traditional cell-tower coverage, wherever they can see the sky.
To mark the occasion, One NZ has released a humorous post-apocalyptic piece of social content, directed by Sweetshop’s Tom Sainsbury and fronted by actor, Cliff Curtis. Curtis, known for surviving an apocalypse in his role in Fear the Walking Dead, is seen trekking across a farm and through the bush, fighting off zombies with his mobile phone – in more ways than one.
The Zombie Research Society is a research group that studies disaster management through an apocalyptic lens, and while an undead uprising is unlikely, its endorsement does underscore that New Zealand is now better prepared for when the next disaster strikes.
Matt Mogk, founder of the Zombie Research Society, says, “Due to its remote operation from space, rather than a terrestrial network of cell-towers on the ground, One NZ Satellite has more capacity to withstand damage and maintain connection in a disaster…or zombie apocalypse.
The hero film is accompanied by two 30-second executions, each targeting businesses in the agricultural and transportation sectors, which have employees that often find themselves in the middle of nowhere and without coverage.
Special PR New Zealand managing director Kelly Grindle, commented, “While I hope the undead don’t start rising anytime soon, the campaign speaks to a deeper truth: resilience in communication matters. Whether you’re on the farm, off the grid or facing a zombie outbreak, One NZ has your back.”
Credits:
Client: One NZ
Head of Brand, Susannah Winger
Brand Lead, Emma Cleal
Marketing Lead, Hayley Motson
Agency: Special PR
New Zealand Managing Director: Kelly Grindle
Chief Creative Officers: Jonathan McMahon and Lisa Fedyszyn
Group Strategy Director: Jolene D’Souza
Head of Creative: Duncan Killick
Executive Producer: Liz Garneau
PR Director: Harry Willis
Senior PR Manager: Jessica Walker
Account Executive: Natalie Sheers
Production Company: Sweetshop
Director: Tom Sainsbury
Executive Producer: Ben Dailey
Producer: Jimena Murray
Cinematographer: Adam Luxton
Editor: Simon Price
Colour: David Gibson
Online & VFX: Stu Bedford
