Ad Dads

One of the most inspiring speakers at the 2024 Digital Marketing World Forum was Christian d'Ippolito, Head of Marketing and Development at Steel Warriors. He talks about how he has taken skills learnt in the ad industry to help fight knife crime and build community through Steel Warriors. He also talks us through two of his favourite ads, this super-simple print ad for Coke Light and the inimitable Mr. W.Support Steel Warriors by purchasing one of their Gym Shark Ts or making a donation here.

Today's episode sees us catch up with Charlotte Armstrong(Class of 2020). She talks about her work directing F1 legend Lewis Hamilton, trying to blag a Rolex, and her move to LadBible. Dan and Matt then take a look at some of the weirdest ads we've seen in a while, Charlotte's favourite and another from 1882.

Matt and Dan sit down for their first pub chat in London. Kat Beresford is an old theatre mate of Matt's from way back in his Dunedin days. We talk about cats, periods and Instant Kiwis.Here are the ad links:Instant KiwiExamTruckerHeavy metalFishingI feel like I need something elseGet a permSports NY LibidoPot NoodleRussian Tampax

A detour up to Birmingham let us record this episode in the Media Production studios at Birmingham City University. Sam Coley talks a bit about being a kiwi in Birmingham then leads us down a trail of chocolate ads. We talk about Milky Bar, Crunchie, Creme Eggs & Scorched Almonds and Sam's generous walking tour of the city which included stops at the Mailbox, BBC Radio and a peek through the window at some celebrity art. Bonus ads mentioned: Tina Fey - Booking.com vs Christopher Walken - BMW. These came out within a month of each other. Which do you think is better (worse)? Email us at addadsnz@gmail.com with your thoughts.

Raymond Otene McKay brings the energy in our first episode of Season 3. One of Dan's old classmates, Ray and his wife Laura head up Run, a small indigenous agency with big mana and huge reach. We talk about neurodiversity, uni days and some of Run's recent successes - the Manaakitanga Pencil and a collaboration with Tawhirimātea for Aotearoa's first Matariki public holiday. Our new editor, Ariki Perana from Poynton Studio, sits in on our session and brings his big brain and some academic rigour to our chats. (Paper link TBC)

Back in the studio in Auckland, the Ad Dads give an update on their trip home and what's happening in Season 3.

London threw us a party on our last day, it was a bit gay. We loved it.

Our last full day in London, a few more catch-ups and getting ready to go.