A tribute to 2020

AUCKLAND, Friday: With many Kiwis unable to return home this holiday season, Contagion and Villa Maria have launched a digital campaign that aims to capture the sentiment of the festive period where the only option to connect with friends and loved ones between New Zealand and the world is from afar.

Showing a real-life family celebrating the holiday season, the home video-style content shows children excitedly unwrapping gifts, while dad carves the Christmas ham, grandad shares a joke, family photos are taken, and glasses of Villa Maria wine are poured.

Acknowledging the impacts of Covid-19, and how thousands of families are unable to be reunited with loved ones across the border this year, we then see grandad connecting with his daughter and meeting his new granddaughter for the first time via video. A touching tribute.

Villa Maria’s creative, media & digital agency partner is Contagion Auckland. Contagion founder/ceo Dean Taylor says that with half a million New Zealanders expected to return home within the next two years, all of whom have been unable to visit their homeland since the borders closed, video calls will take centre stage at Christmas.

“With half a million Kiwis coming home over the next two years, video calls will take centre stage at Christmas.”

Connecting virtually with her own UK-based family is more poignant this year than ever, said Sarah Szegota, head of marketing & communications for Villa Maria. “The creative is relatable for so many of us at Villa Maria, and we believe it will be for many families around the world.”

Dean Taylor also feels a personal connection with the creative: “There are millions of families this Christmas who won’t get to see their loved ones, including my 80-year-old mum in the UK who gets teary while seeing her grandkids over Zoom.

“This year many moments have been lost and we need them more than ever. Villa Maria is a key part of many family moments, so we wanted to remind people that being together is everything, even when they can’t actually be there. Just ask my mum.”

Launched on Friday, the campaign will be shared with consumers in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the UK and USA all the way through the holiday season, to encourage friends and families to make those video calls, raise a glass and share special moments from afar.

But who was the director?
Aussie hidden camera experts Truman Films have done a great job –Contagion should’ve acknowledged a talented directorial team.

CREDITS

Agency: Contagion
Production Company: Truman Films
Client: Villa Maria Winery