One New Zealand brings Jade’s journey home in third chapter of ‘Finding Jade’ via McCann NZ
One New Zealand has released the latest chapter of the “Finding Jade” tale via McCann New Zealand (formerly FCB Aotearoa), continuing its story of human connection and personal discovery for the third year in a row.
The story picks up with Jade’s return home, and his two families meeting for the first time on New Zealand soil. With Jade’s best friend Pepper (who is an “entirely different woman”) – putting her digital investigative skills to the test, the group travel around New Zealand from the manicured lawns of East Auckland to the top of Mount Earnslaw, and everywhere in between, on a quest to find Jade’s biological dad.
This chapter is the first of the saga to take place entirely in New Zealand, giving One NZ the chance to lean into what makes the country so special – highlighting the land, people and places that make New Zealand unique. Along the way, it showcases some stunning local scenery, introduces a host of new characters, drops in a 90’s Shortland Street star cameo, and gives centre stage to one very remote toilet, celebrating the company’s strategic national partnership with the Department of Conservation (DOC).
The third instalment, directed by Steve Ayson, builds on One NZ’s “Let’s Get Connected” brand platform, demonstrating how digital technology enables authentic human connection and personal discovery – from finding lost connections and discovering new passions, to rediscovering heritage.
Says One NZ’s Brand Lead Kamran Kazalbash: “The “Finding Jade” odyssey captures the importance of those deep human needs, such as connection, belonging and identity, and sheds light on how our technology can empower those needs. This chapter of the journey has given us the opportunity to explore the unique small towns and sights of New Zealand, further expanding into a world that resonates with Kiwis everywhere. It has been wonderful revisiting Jade, and we are looking forward to seeing how this story will continue to unfold.”
Says McCann NZ Creative Director Alan Jones: “Finding Jade is the biggest, most all-consuming, campaign we’ve ever taken on. And it keeps getting bigger. Three years in, we’ve built a world with its own lore, in-jokes, and occasional random cameo. The challenge for us now is to outdo what came before. Keep it surprising, keep it popular, and give people something they want to rewatch (voluntarily). It’s a job that’s equal parts fun and terrifying. Which, in our experience, is a good sign.”
The campaign will roll out across broadcast, online (YouTube, VOD, social), OOH and digital display from today.
Client: ONE NZ
Agency: McCann New Zealand (Formerly FCB Aotearoa)
Chief Creative Officer: Leisa Wall
Creative Director: Hywel James
Creative Director: Angelo An
Creative Director: Alan Jones
Production Company: 3&7
Director: Steve Ayson
Producer: Tiffin
Casting: AKD Casting
DOP: Marty Williams
Offline editor: Simon Price
Visual FX: Blockhead VFX
Colourist: Matic Prusnik
Sound design & Music: Cam Ballantyne / Beatworms
Register for FREE HERE and receive the Campaign Brief Daily Bulletin and/or the global Best Ads Best of the Week Bulletin. Subscribe to Campaign Brief Magazine.
#More Creative News #No paywalls #No annual membership fees
Subscribe to Portfolio & Reel for current listings of Australian and NZ ad agency and production company leadership and key personnel