Revealed: the most creative and effective ads from 2022, judged by consumers. And the secrets behind their success.

New research confirms the rising cost of living is putting increasing pressure on New Zealanders, with sustainability commitment and behaviours taking a backseat. 72% of respondents to Kantar’s 2023 Better Futures report, released today in conjunction with the Sustainable Business Council (SBC), named cost of living as their primary concern – and 90% also named it as the leading consideration when purchasing a good or service.

The first Kantar Ad Impact Award of 2023 goes to Hellers for “Happy 38th Birthday Hellers”. The TVC takes a trip down memory lane highlighting campaigns of the past, as always with Leigh Hart as the face of the ad.

Kantar have identified that digital advertising that evokes strong emotions are four times more impactful for brands. This insight, while not completely novel, is very relevant for New Zealand marketers who face challenges in figuring out how to be most effective in the digital space.

Out of 159 TV ads tested as part of the 2022 Kantar Ad Impact Awards, Whittaker’s television commercial ‘Whittaker’s J.H. Returns’ has taken out the top spot, receiving the Supreme Ad Impact Award. Throughout 2022, Kantar’s monthly winners demonstrated a strong presence of Kiwi brands that created impactful copy with themes showcasing brand history, authenticity, local pride, and using quintessential Kiwi humour to help endear them to consumers. Once again as in 2021, based on the metrics that matter in creating impactful advertising, another local brand has triumphed.

Kantar New Zealand Issues February Update The Kantar New Zealand Issues Update is designed to help our clients stay better connected to their customers. This latest round-up includes: The top 3 things that New Zealanders are thinking about the most Where consumers are spending more money and where they are spending less These findings showcase just [...]

The November Kantar Ad Impact Award goes to Whittaker’s “The Gift of Great Taste” advert from their “Best is Always Better” campaign series. The chocolate time machine returns along with J.H. Whittaker – teaching the gift of giving and spreading the joy that is Whittaker’s chocolate, perfect for the festive season.

As the year comes to a close, I can’t help but reflect on a report I read this time last year: “Into the Metaverse” by Wunderman Thompson. Admittedly, this was the first time I had heard the term, metaverse, but my attention was well and truly piqued, and to be honest, I was 'wowed'. A new iteration of the internet, web3, virtual societies, omniverse, digital twins, connected and persistent spaces, virtual goods, interoperable, avatars, tokens, NFTs… the list goes on… my vocabulary was changing by the minute as I enthused myself with a new language.

The October Kantar Ad Impact Award goes to Kāpiti’s “Too Good To Share” advert. With its playful, yet short and simple story line that is easy for viewers to follow, it engages its audience and makes them love the brand while also standing out vs other yoghurt brands – setting their brand apart.

For the second consecutive year, Sharesies has topped the annual Kantar Customer Leadership Index, New Zealand’s leading ranking of the best brands for customer experience.