Republik and Chemistry Interaction both score Gold at the 2015 ECHO Awards in Boston

New Zealand agencies Republik and Chemistry Interaction have both scored Gold at this year’s International ECHO Awards held in Boston.

Republik scored Gold for its ‘Haus of Versant’ campaign for Fuji Xerox. In addition, the campaign was recognised as one of the top Business-to-Business campaigns globally, and was one of three campaigns short-listed for the prestigious Diamond ECHO for International Best in Show.

Republik director Paul McNamara describes it as a fantastic result. Says McNamara: “To be up here with the best in the world and again be awarded gold is hugely rewarding. It’s a great story of sustained effectiveness for Republik and Fuji Xerox. We won Gold at the ECHO’s back in 2011, a Gold and the Diamond last year, and now Gold this year, all for technology product launches for Fuji Xerox.”

McNamara was also quick to credit the team at Fuji Xerox for their role in the result: “Steven Caunce, Amber Henderson and Alistair Egan are fantastic to work with. They allow us to push the creative boundaries to deliver great results. The campaign has exceeded Fuji Xerox’s sales targets and delivered a record breaking ROI, making it a hugely successful campaign. Ultimately, that’s what it’s all about.”

Fuji Xerox’s Steven Caunce was in Boston to accept the award and he couldn’t be happier.

Says Caunce: “It’s absolutely delivered in every respect. With the success we’ve enjoyed over the past few years, the bar has been set extremely high. It begs the question… What are we going to do next?”

Chemistry Interaction’s ‘The Long Way’ for Honda Pioneer picked up the other Gold.

Susan Young and Patrick Murphy, Chemistry’s creative directors, are over the moon with the result. 

Says Young and Murphy: “We’re stoked to be up there with the best in the world, and it just proves that New Zealand continues to punch above its weight on the international stage.

“We’re privileged to work really collaboratively with our clients and there’s a real sense of trust, which is a recipe for great creative work.”

Says Joseph Silk, director, who was there to pick up the award in person and is attending the DMA Annual Conference: “Huge credit must go to the team at Blue Wing Honda, who backed this ambitious idea and gave us total creative freedom, which really paid off in the results.

“You have to be here to get a sense of just how huge this award show is  – with over 500 international entries, you really are amongst the best.”

Says Sam Ramlu, director of Method Studios, who worked with Chemistry on the campaign: “It’s great to be recognised for our digital work on the international stage and alongside such an esteemed group. Being one of only two New Zealand agencies to pick up a gold makes the win a whole lot sweeter.”

The campaign, aimed at farmers, created a personalised virtual test-drive which sold out the entire first shipment of Honda Pioneers before they even reached New Zealand’s shores.

Colenso BBDO scored a Silver in the Consumer Products category for Pedigree ‘K9FM’ and a Bronze in Product Manufacturing and Distribution for Fonterra Brands Ltd’s ‘Yes Sticks’.

.99 scored a Bronze in the Not for Profit category for Leukemia Blood Cancer NZ ‘Shave for a cure’.