International recognition for Vector safety DVD

MEDIA RELEASE
21 June 2010

International recognition for Vector safety DVD

International plaudits are flooding in for a safety video viewed by thousands of Vector employees and contractors throughout New Zealand.

Kiwi entertainer Pio Terei fronted ‘Crossing the road to safety’, a DVD produced for Vector by Auckland motion media company Omnicron, which swept aside entries from around the world to take out first prize in the safety category at the 31st Annual Telly Awards in New York.

The awards attracted 11,000 DVD entries in an array of categories and Omnicron’s Andrew Eggelton, the DVD’s producer, says the video has been praised by the US judging panel for its creativity and technical excellence.

Vector’s win has been quickly followed by a third place and Certificate for Creative Excellence in the prestigious 43rd annual US International Film and Video Festival – an equally tough competition also featuring entries from 25 countries.

The Vector entry is the only success from a New Zealand company in the Los Angeles event which followed on from the New York win.

Vector Chief Executive Simon Mackenzie says the video has been extensively used at safety training days around New Zealand and has been well received by staff.

“The personable nature of Pio quickly captured the imagination of viewers while delivering critical safety and best practice messages for Vector’s staff and contracted service providers like Northpower, Electrix, Treescape and other contractors,” says Mr Mackenzie.

“Safety is paramount in our operations. Vector is totally committed to the safety of staff, contractors and members of the public and it is important we have complete staff buy-in to health and safety procedures.

“We have an extensive health and safety programme and we launched this DVD at our annual health & safety day which is held throughout New Zealand. People attended in Christchurch, Wellington, Taranaki, Hamilton and Auckland. We had 2000 people attend a session held at Vector Arena and we continue to use the video during staff inductions.”

In acknowledging the work of Pio Terei and Omnicron, Mr Mackenzie says the awards are a reminder of how well local businesses can compete on the international stage.

“It only took four days to shoot in Henderson late last year - with 10 crew - and apart from Pio, the entire cast was comprised of Vector employees,” says Mr Eggelton.

“Editing was completed in less than two weeks but the real key to it was the presence of Pio. He is a huge ambassador for safety in New Zealand and he relates very well to everyday Kiwis.

“We wanted Vector staff to connect with the theme of the video from the moment it started so we began it in quite dramatic fashion with a car accident. From there it’s one mans journey and the viewer is learning through Pio’s eyes.”

ENDS

To view the DVD go to: http://www.vector.co.nz/safety

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