Brother New Zealand launched its first Aotearoa-facing brand platform this week via Wave Agency. The platform offers a fresh take on tech-marketing led by a new tagline ‘It just works’ and campaigned with an artful TVC and a spread of straight-talking billboards across the country.
“It’s been a really lovely process working alongside Brother to get to this point,” says Craig Parker, Creative Director at Wave Agency.
“We’ve found a positioning together that’s different, honest, and true to who Brother is.”
Brother has been operating in New Zealand for more than 60 years, offering print technology and services as well as craft, sewing and labelling devices for business and home. This is the first major refresh of the brand on a local level in recent years.
Parker says ‘It just works’ was born in response to the exaggerated promises of modern technology advertising – instead owning quality as a benefit. “We are so often bombarded with commercials where tech products promise the world. All you need your printer to do is work, and work well.”
The film (in 45, 30 and 15 second edits) pulls Brother’s customers to the forefront, showcasing the exceptional and the ordinary of everyday business, with printers given a subtle nod as a background character.
Julie Chappell, Marketing Manager at Brother New Zealand says the campaign is an ode to Brother’s customers who are ‘making the magic happen’.
“We wanted our ad to hero the work our customers do, not the work we do. “They’re coming up with the big ideas, they’re putting in the late nights, they’re juggling school projects and business proposals – we just make sure that runs smoothly, that we don’t disrupt the day,” says Chappell.
The on-demand commercial is supported by print, radio, digital and OOH, all stating what a Brother printer doesn’t do. “It is a brave choice for a technology business to actively not list off functions and product benefits,” adds Parker.
Eagle-eyed Kiwi’s may spot that Brother’s iconic jingle is absent from the TVC, a decision that Chappell said wasn’t an easy one. “The jingle has graced our airwaves for decades, so it was a tricky choice to evolve from something that’s so linked with our brand. It was important with this platform to re-establish Brother in a more modern light, so it has been replaced with three contemporary notes to the words ‘at your side’.
“We’re grateful to have partnered with Wave to take Brother to this exciting place,” she says.
With Brother, it just works.
For over 60 years Brother has been making technology and providing support for New Zealand homes and businesses, so you can get on with what you need to. Whether you’re coming up with the next big idea, putting in the hours on a part-time project, or finally tackling that pile of admin, life runs smoother when things just work. With access to the latest technology, and best-in-class products, all you’ll have left to do is focus on what you do best.
We don’t make tools to change the world. We make them so you can.
