Wellington City has put a remarkable spin on the city’s image for crap weather – by creating a campaign selling the place as the ultimate winter urban destination.
“Following a bumper summer season, we’re calling on the country to make the most of their winter by ensuring that every day doesn’t become everyday,” said Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency ceo Chris Whelan.
The campaign launched nationwide yesterday (Sunday 10 April 10). It’s never just winter when it’s in Wellington,urges New Zealanders to escape the doldrums of winter with weekends filled with colour, culture and cuisine in the capital.
Whelan says the campaign is designed to showcase just how much fun can be had throughout the compact, walkable city – regardless of the weather.
“As well as the great cultural indoors, there’s a trail of new eateries, stores and David Jones opening up, along with a great schedule of events and performances,” he said. “Combine that all with the spirit of this city and the strength of its coffee, and you’ve got the perfect winter pick-me-up.”
The campaign was designed in partnership with Wellington agency Special Ad Service, whose principal Scott Henderson (ex senior creative at Clemenger, Saatchi, Ogilvy, Y&R) says that evolving the successful It’s never just a weekend when it’s in Wellington brand campaign for winter was a rewarding challenge.
“The key challenge was to highlight the specific benefits that a winter Welly weekend brings, while ensuring that the assets and momentum of the umbrella campaign were leveraged to maximum effect, and introducing a rich visual style as unique and sophisticated as Wellington winter itself.”
The result is a multi-faceted campaign that launches on TV, cinema and online with four new seasonal video edits, set to a bespoke soundtrack composed and performed by Wellington musician Louis Baker.
Supporting media will then come through across targeted print, outdoor and digital placements, highlighting the importance of winter escapes and why Wellington is the best place for them.
It’s important for Wellington to maximise winter’s potential, Whelan says. “Wellington’s visitor economy is growing significantly, with domestic commercial guest nights tracking at 7.5% growth in our financial year to date.
“But we’re not here to just host guests while the sun shines. Wellington is a great year-round destination and WREDA works closely with industry to drive sustainable business and retain the vibrancy for which this city is well known and loved.”
Domestic visitation accounts for around two-thirds of Wellington’s 2.6 million annual commercial guest nights. Between 2010 and 2015 domestic guest nights in Wellington grew by 22% in the period from May-July, compared with 18% across New Zealand as a whole.
Last May-July alone, Wellington domestic commercial guest nights rose by 10% compared with 2.5% across the country.
“We’re making good headway, but it’s still a fairly volatile season impacted by external factors such as sporting and business event schedules,” Henderson said.
“It’s never just a winter when it’s in Wellington is about showing what an incredible time can be had in the city any given weekend.”
CREDITS
Client team: Angela Monaghan & Wendy Brehaut
Creative agency: Special Ad Service
Production partners: Dusk VFX / Inject Design
VFX Artist: John Strang, Dusk VFX
Editor: Jeff Hurrell
Music: Performed & written by Louis Baker
Audio production: Munki Studios
Design Director: Harry A’Court, Inject Design
About WREDA
The Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency exists to catalyse economic growth in Wellington and to advance the prosperity and liveability of this great region. We are a Council-Controlled Organisation, with responsibilities across business development, destination marketing, events and venue management.
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