Wilson Everard launches the ultimate tool box!

Using the theme line “Hard working underwear”, Wilson Everard has launched a new campaign for Tradie by Sojo.

“We needed a campaign that would appeal to both sexes as women often buy the underpants for their men” said Sojo marketing manager Ben Goodfellow. “And judging by the response we’ve been getting the cheeky campaign is working its pants off!”

The launch campaign includes the Herald Sun and Daily Telegraph, bus backs in Melbourne and Sydney and EyeShop panels outside BigW stores in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane.

For more information please contact Nick Hickford on 03 9867 5100.

After 21 Years, A new Boss!

This week there is a new face at Wilson Everard - Nick Hickford has arrived to take up the role of CEO.

David Mattingly has been urging us for at least 10 years to get one so we’ve finally taken his advice.

As you would expect, it has taken us over 12 months to find the right bloke and convince him to make the move.

Nick was previously in a similar position for almost 9 years at The Bridge - a highly successful marketing and advertising consultancy here in Melbourne.

Prior to that he was in brand management at National Foods, Eveready Energizer and Sanitarium before ending up as Berri’s Director of Marketing.
Originally from the client side as you can clearly see, Nick describes himself, somewhat self effacingly, as a “marketer who knows advertising”.

At Wilson Everard, Nick will be very “hands-on” as he can conduct workshops with client marketing teams, mentor client and agency staff and advise on marketing strategies, their implementation and ultimately, ad campaigns.
We think Nick will be the “Yin” to the Wilson Everard “Yan” and will ultimately make this agency an even better business partner for our clients.

You can contact Nick on 0411 698 438 or at nick.hickford@wilsoneverard.com.au

Wilson Everard help Ted's Cameras capture life!

Ted's Cameras general manager Nic Peasley has announced a major rebranding initiative, accompanied by a return to Television advertising. In his new role heading up Ted's following the retirement of Richard Robertson, Nic Peasley said “We have spent 12 months researching and modelling a new brand position with our partners at Wilson Everard and have commenced the rollout this month.” “Research showed that brand recognition for Ted's is extremely high, in fact the highest of any camera retailer in Australia, as is the trust factor in terms of product knowledge and making the right recommendations.” “We need consumers to see and feel how the right choice of camera combined with a full suite of photofinishing options will help them capture life the best possible way.” Ted's TV campaign is supported by extensive catalogue distribution and national press.

Wilson Everard goes Solar!

In another new business win, Wilson Everard is helping Akora Energy create a disturbance in the green power market with their new campaign for solar.com.au. The TV commercial which started running on Sunday features a power meter spinning in reverse and is supported by an online search campaign with ReachLocal to help generate leads.

Wilson Everard retains Autobarn creative account

Wilson Everard retains Autobarn creative account After a lengthy review process Wilson Everard has retained the Autobarn creative account and re-launched the brand with the first in the series of animated TV commercials in time for the peak selling period around Father’s Day. The first character is a Chrysler ‘Mobster” using the theme line “Autobarn. Cars love it”. More characters will be released in the future.

HoMedics massages sales with a new TV campaign

HoMedics has launched a new campaign on Pay TV to promote its foot, neck and back massagers. Created by Wilson Everard Creative Directors Jeremy Wynne and Justin Groves, the campaign features three 15 sec TVC’s, each with a simple, memorable twist.

“Getting noticed in the aggressive retail market is harder than ever, particularly in the area of electrical goods where everyone is slashing prices and producing TV ads that scream at the public. Since the launch of the campaign, we’ve heard that people have been specifically mentioning the ads when they’ve gone in store to buy the product.” said HoMedics boss Paul Harrison. “It’s just the kind of cut-through we were looking for. As a company that’s constantly improving and updating its product line-up, it’s also good to know that the commercials have been designed to accommodate new product models as they come along.”

Vale Bill Hunter -The Big Aussie

I knew Bill Hunter was the future 'face of BHP' after seeing The Dismissal –his portrayal of Rex Connor was a tour de force.

Two years later we were in Karratha and Mt Newman in WA making the first of what would be a mammoth (for the ad industry), thirteen ads for BHP around the nation and around America.

Each ad was written for Bill –all sixty seconds and with plenty of 'space'. Mike Brady had written the score for a TAA pitch years before and we took it over as the unofficial BHP 'anthem'.

But Bill was the heart and soul of the campaign –I wrote every ad but Bill's delivery made every ad believable.

Most were shot by DOP/Director Ian Baker whose eye always captured the romance of even the toughest environments.

Bill was a great storyteller and as such they weren't really ads at all but a sort of Australian Industrial Geographic.

Over three years we spent a lot of time in remote locations and even on board a large bulk carrier –and Bill never complained –in fact I reckon he loved it.

In one ad we had a bloke walk between Bill and the camera as he was delivering a line to make it more 'real'.

Bill wasn't supposed to acknowledge him but he paused, slapped him on the shoulder as he passed and said 'G'day Kenny' and finished the take.

It was unrehearsed, unscripted and unbelievably good –it was Bill.

Like everyone else who ever worked with him, I wish I'd had the opportunity to say 'see ya mate' to a great bloke.

But in the end I have the satisfaction of knowing I got the casting exactly right because more than any conglomerate –Bill Hunter was truly The Big Australian.

Andrew Wilson