Southern Cross Pet Insurance launches The Pawsies Awards to find the best pets and vets in Aotearoa via TBWA\NZ, MBM and Breakout Room
Southern Cross Pet Insurance (SCPI) has launched The Pawsies awards – open to anyone in New Zealand who thinks they have the Dog of the Year, the Cat of the Year and the Vet Clinic Team of the Year (looking after their pets). The new campaign has been developed by SCPI in partnership with TBWA\New Zealand, MBM and Breakout Room.
“Our dogs and cats bring us so much joy, so it’s time we had a way to truly celebrate the gift they give us,” says Melodie Vickars, CMO of SCPI and proud mum to a very spoiled cat. “We’ve launched The Southern Cross Pet Insurance Pawsies to help showcase New Zealand’s finest felines and precious pups, and to find the vet clinic team which is doing everything it takes to help our pets live their best lives.”
The Pawsies are supported by a multi-media campaign including radio, digital, OOO and sponsored content – all designed to bring Kiwi pet owners out in numbers to show off every proud puss and devoted dawg.
Says Vickars: “We’re looking for the most characterful dog and cat in Aotearoa. Personality will be key to our winners’ success, so make sure when you nominate your ngeru/cat or kurī/dog, that you choose a picture and craft a description which best captures their special personality.
“When it comes to nominations for the outstanding veterinary clinic team award, we want to hear about how they have helped your pet live its best pet life – we’re their biggest fans, now we want to hear their stories and celebrate their mahi.”
The winners of Dog of the Year and Cat of the Year for 2025 will each get a swag of great prizes including a Pickle’s Pawtrait, a $500 pet store voucher, 1 on 1 virtual training with Mark Vette, the opportunity to be world famous in Aotearoa thanks to a billboard display and, of course, an exclusive and very desirable Pawsies trophy – made right here in Aotearoa.
Likewise, the winning vet clinic team will get a ‘kit out your kitchen’ pack for their lunchroom, special award pins and their very own Pawsies trophy to display in their practice rooms.
Adds Vickars: “Kate Winslet may keep her Oscar in her downstairs loo, but we reckon The Pawsies trophy will take a rather more salubrious pride of place in three lucky locations for best dog, best cat and best vet team.”
Southern Cross Pet Insurance
Melodie Vickars: Chief Marketing Officer
Kristen Gernandt: Marketing Manager
Anna Holley: Marketing Manager
Christina Samosir: Digital Marketing Executive
Melanie Kozak: Engagement and Marketing Data Lead
Aidan O’Donnell: Marketing Manager
Rakesh Prasad: Lead Developer
Sue Hamilton: Communications
TBWA\New Zealand
Shane Bradnick: Chief Creative Officer
Ashley Wilding: Creative Partner
Daniel Davison: Creative Partner
Michael Gillard-Allen: Art Director
Crystal Hay: Copywriter
Simon Mills: General Manager
Monique Seil: Senior Business Director
Erin Kelly: Senior Business Manager
Rachel McClennan: Senior Business Manager
Luke Kelly: Planning Director
Mark Paisey: Senior Print Producer
Carl Moody: Director Bootleg Design (physical trophies)
Jodie Hari: Head of Production
Blair Walker: Head of Post-Production
Hayden Cook: Senior Motion Designer
Timo Lenton: 3D Motion Designer
MBM
Nureete Burnie: Business Director
Annie Shaw: Digital Director
Lauren Bezuidenhout: Search Director
Dorothy Nazareth: Digital Manager
Alex Aroa: Senior Implementation & Biddable Specialist
Bonita Pieters: Media Planner Buyer
Mia Donovan: Media Assistant
Gabe Cepe: Implementation Assistant
Sophie Martin: Senior Social Manager
Breakout Room
Kat Day: General Manager
Sophie Dawson: Account Director
Gareth McDade: Designer
Gael Lanigan: Content Producer