Zombies just wanna have fun

Ad Nut has come to know that when director Damien Shatford (represented by Sweetshop) is responsible for a new campaign, it's going to be fun to watch. And this new spot for New Zealand soft-drink brand Lemon & Paeroa, through DDB New Zealand, is no exception. 

Turning zombies into sympathetic characters who are concerned with having more fun—rather than more brains—is a great concept. And the execution here is dead on. (See what Ad Nut did there?) 

The 'Best day ever' campaign includes TV, cinema, social and digital.

The spot is also a clever sequel-in-spirit to an earlier campaign from the same brand and agency (but a different director), which had another pair of buddies enjoying a special day out together:

PS: One of Shatford's ads, 'I'm drinking it for you' for DB Breweries, just won seven awards at Spikes, including the Grand Prix in Music; golds in Digital, Digital Craft and Radio & Audio; silvers in Entertainment and Film; and a bronze in Film Craft.

CREDITS

Client credits: Lemon & Paeroa
General Manager Strategy & Brand: Wendy Rayner
Head of Marketing and Design: Angela Broad
Marketing Manager: Laura Knight

Agency credits: DDB New Zealand
Regional Chief Creative Officer, NZ/AU: Damon Stapleton
Executive Creative Director: Gary Steele
Creative Director: Rory McKechnie
Senior Art Director: Zac Lancaster
Art Director: Sarsha Drakeford
Copywriter: Sylvia Humphries
Managing Partner: Nikki McKelvie
Senior Business Director: Crystal Clark
Executive Planning Director: Lucinda Sherborne
Business Manager: Violet Hong
Business Manager: Ravina Raju
Executive Agency Producer: Judy Thompson
Agency Producer: Samantha Royal

Production Company: Sweetshop
Director: Damien Shatford
Executive Producer: Ben Dailey
Producer: Lynnette Gordon
DOP: Marty Williams
Editor: Tim Mauger
Post Production online: The Machine Room
VFX: Stu Bedford
Colourist: Dave Gibson
Post Producer: Hannah Walker
Music: Sheryl Crow – All I Wanna Do
Audio: Jon Cooper, The Coopers
Photographer: Troy Goodall
Music Licensing: Jonathan Mihaljevich, Franklin Road

Ad Nut is a surprisingly literate woodland creature that for unknown reasons has an unhealthy obsession with advertising. Ad Nut gathers ads from all over Asia and the world for your viewing pleasure, because Ad Nut loves you. You can also check out Ad Nut's Advertising Hall of Fame, or read about Ad Nut's strange obsession with 'murderous beasts'.