Monday 11 February 2019
For more than 30 years through events such as ASB Polyfest, Diwali and Auckland Lantern Festival, ASB has celebrated
diversity through a range of sponsorships which the company is heroing in its latest ad.
Fronted by writer and performer Courtney Sina Meredith, the piece centres on a bespoke poem crafted for ASB by Meredith,
encouraging people to celebrate their differences and be who they are.
“When I wrote the poem I was thinking about the connections between us all, and how important it is to keep reaching out
- to reach beyond our comfort zones, to be open to new ideas and different ways of being, and to discover the strength
that exists in vulnerability,” Meredith said.
“I also just approached the text from a place of celebration and abundance - the words flowed from there.”
ASB general manager of marketing Shane Evans says Meredith, who is of Samoan, Irish and Cook Island Maori descent, was
perfect for the campaign, offering a unique and intelligent perspective on modern New Zealand.
“Our brief for Courtney was really to highlight the work ASB does across our diverse sponsorships,” Evans said.
“We have been big supporters of events such as Diwali, Polyfest and Auckland Lantern Festival for a number of years now
and we think that’s something worth celebrating.”
ASB brand campaigns manager Emma-Rose Forrester said it was exciting to include ASB’s own people in the ad.
“Everyone highlighted in this piece either works for ASB or is part of our ASB family in some way. I think we have
created something really powerful and special.”
The piece, which will be running through to mid-March, was created by advertising agency True.
Chief creative officer Craig Pethybridge says the idea behind the campaign was around inclusivity, equality and
prosperity.
“We wanted the piece to be an anthem for progress, to encompass the feeling of being included, understood and accepted,”
Pethybridge says. “Because ultimately this is progress for everyone.”
Meredith said the poem spoke to how she felt about the world, adding that there was an alignment of values between
herself and ASB.
“We came together to make something special that aims to empower others to be their best selves, I can't think of a more
beautiful kaupapa.”
ASB has been the naming rights partner for ASB Polyfest for more than 30 years and has helped the festival grow into the
major community event it is today. It has also helped as a major sponsor of Diwali and Auckland Lantern Festival for a
number of years.
For more about ASB’s community and sponsorship involvement, please visit https://www.asb.co.nz/community
ENDS