Air New Zealand employs two national icons in global campaign

Air New Zealand, known for turning the in-cabin safety video into an advertising format, has heeded Ad Nut's strategic advice, or at least it seems that way. In July, after the airline's weirdest safety video yet, Ad Nut wondered "how long the brand will continue to spend on elaborate videos that only reach the people who are already sitting on one of the airline's jets" (see "Did you know Katie Holmes and Cuba Gooding Jr created New Zealand?").

And now, lo and behold, the airline has launched a global campaign, through Auckland-based True, which features the tried-and-true trope of a cheeky talking animal. In this case it's a kiwi named Pete, and it's voiced by actor and New Zealand native Sam Neill, who also appears in human form in the video.

The campaign has just launched in the UK and US, and will also reach Asia and South America. True is also responsible for the airline's safety videos, which will hopefully continue with their usual loony antics.

By the way, Ad Nut is not quite delusional enough to think that Air New Zealand actually took Ad Nut's advice. Probably.

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