Hilux ad gathers gold gongs

The latest Toyota Hilux advert has scooped a clutch of top awards at an annual event to celebrate the best of commercial communications.

Advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi took out three gold gongs for the “Unbreakable Bond” commercial, in copywriting, film and video for a TV spot over 30 seconds, and integrated.

The company’s 21-year partnership with Toyota NZ scooped the 2021 Brand Axis award, which recognises successful creative collaborations between agencies and marketing clients. 

Production company Sweetshop scored a hat-trick of golds – in cinematography, direction and editing categories – for its work on the Hilux adverts.

Toyota NZ was also named client of the year at the prizegiving that attracted more than 800 people to a glittering ceremony in Auckland on March 18.

An advert for Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency called “Doors”, below, was also among the winners and collected five gold awards.

The campaign led to Clemenger BBDO triumphing in the TV, cinema and online above 30 seconds category, Good Oil prevailed in the cinematography, direction, and sound design sections, and The Editors claimed gold for editing.

The Commercial Communications Council Axis Awards is held each year and judges handed out 45 gold prizes in 2021. 

Top prize, the Grand Axis, went to Clemenger BBDO and the NZ government for the Unite Against Covid-19 campaign, which was designed to help bring together the nation during the pandemic outbreak in 2020.