Waihi-based ad firm scoops gold at awards

Waihi-based advertising company S-M has brought home gold from the Promax BDA awards.

The awards aim to celebrate the world's best brand, creative and marketing initiatives within the television industry as well as the agencies and network creative departments responsible for them.

This year TVNZ led the way in the medal stakes with TV One and S-M's One Love Rugby World Cup campaign which turned out to be one of the most successful campaigns of the night, winning three golds for best Sports Promo, Best Sports Campaign and Best Special Event campaign.

"The One Love campaign at its heart is a celebration of community. The ads have stood out because of the colourful community-focused people like Moe Stevens, Denise Morgan, Clarke Koopu and the many others with a genuine love of living here. Hopefully it also encourages families to become involved in the now world famous Waihi Rugby Club. As Dave Croker said in the ad, 'It's no wonder we keep winning the rugby ... we just keep breeding them!'," says Scott Spicer, creative director of S-M.

"Needless to say, it's always great to put one over the Aussies as well of course."

During the past few years S-M has produced on-air campaigns for TV One and added high quality consistency of message across many of its flagship offerings, including TV One's brand and One News, as well as the hugely successful recent launch campaign for New Zealand's Got Talent and the Coronation Street 50-year celebration.

"Waihitians" also feature in the recent Water Safety NZ advertisements and TV One's promotion of Sunday Theatre.

"Waihi is a vibrant place with vibrant people, it's great to show this off to New Zealand," says Scott.