The Best NZ Ads of the Last 50 Years – What Can We Learn From Them?

Want to know what makes an ad truly brilliant? In this first episode of 2025, we speak with John Miles, CEO of the New Zealand Marketing Association, who embarked on a mission to celebrate the Association’s 50th anniversary in a way that captured the hearts of Kiwis across the country.

At the end of 2024, John set out to uncover New Zealand’s greatest ads from the past five decades. With the backing of over 12,500 public votes, he turned it into a nationwide celebration of the marketing moments that have shaped our culture. From Crunchie’s Great Train Robbery of the 1970s to the unforgettable Tina from Turners, the campaign resonated with audiences and culminated in a spectacular 50th birthday celebration for the Marketing Association.

John takes us behind the scenes of this massive campaign and shares valuable insights, including:

- The key elements that gave these ads such strong cut-through

- Why Kiwi marketing became more risk-averse after 2010 and what we can learn from it

- How humour, storytelling, and bold ideas still have the power to connect with audiences today

The campaign results were impressive:

- 3,200 new sign-ups to the Marketing Association

- 111,000 page views

- 12,500 public votes

-National media coverage in NZ Herald, Business Insider, and Seven Sharp

- A sold-out birthday event with 470 attendees This episode is packed with insights and inspiration to help you create marketing that stands out and captures attention. Tune in now to rediscover what makes marketing magic.

Explore all the greatest ads here: https://marketing.org.nz/greatest-campaigns-of-the-decades