The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age have revealed a major brand and subscriber campaign focused on their brand purpose – to foster independent thinking and open understanding.
The new campaign, created by advertising agency BMF, will run across television, BVOD, cinema, digital, social, outdoor and print. It aims to highlight the broad, independent perspective provided by the newspaper’s journalism.
The creative highlights the role both mastheads play in sparking public debate and discussion in Australia and features their award-winning photojournalism.
The “Minds Wide Open” platform champions the benefits of Australians tuning into different perspectives, offering balanced news in a category of bias.
It comes after a year of record subscriber uptake in 2020 for both The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age as readers turned to them amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“2020 was a year of significant growth for our brands. In 2021, we need to assert our role in provoking the conversations Australia needs to progress, beyond the relentless news cycle. Both to create and retain tomorrow’s subscribers,” said Kristen Turner, Nine’s head of consumer subscriptions.
“Our new campaign draws on extensive customer insights and speaks to the incredible journalism we produce. It also speaks to the unique role The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age play within our political and social discourse. We believe the distinct and bold platform BMF has created will strengthen our position as Australia’s leading mastheads and continue to drive connection and growth for our brands.”
The campaign television commercial directed by Patrick Clair – winner of two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Main Title Design for his work on True Detective and The Man in the High Castle – takes aim at closed minds everywhere.
“As Aussies we value being open as a culture, but our ability to understand differences has been fading due to filter bubbles and echo chambers. The Herald and The Age offer balance over bias, reporting from the centre, not a side to inspire debate over division,” said Christina Aventi, BMF chief creative officer.
“Every day, Sydney Morning Herald and Age journos pry open the truth and are unflinching in the face of threats. We hope this campaign does justice to their grit and resolve,” said David Roberts, BMF creative director.
Creative Agency: BMF
Chief Creative Officer: Alex Derwin
Creative Director: David Roberts
Art Director: Jack Robertson
Copywriter: Rob Boddington
Head of Art & Design: Lincoln Grice
Designer: Mina Melis
Chief Strategy Officer: Christina Aventi
Planning Director: Sarah Hood
Chief Executive Officer: Stephen McArdle
General Manager: Paul Coles
Group Account Director: Anna Lawrenson
Head of TV: Jenny Lee-Archer
Agency Producer: Claire Seffrin
Director: Patrick Clair
Production Company: Sedona Productions
Executive Producer: Kim Wildenburg
Lead Design and Compositor: Eddy Herringson
Lead Animation and Compositor: Laura Heath
Music and Sound Design: Stare Crazy
Production Director: Karen Liddle
Integrated Producer: Simone Plaza
Digital Producer: Dani Kartika
Front-end Developer: King Tan
Finished Artist: Gabriel Mangulabnan
Photography: The Sydney Morning Herald & The Age
Client: Sydney Morning Herald & The Age | Nine
Head of Consumer Subscriptions: Kristen Turner
Head of Brand and Acquisition: Belle Tayler
Brand and Acquisition Manager: Leah McNeil
Brand and Acquisition Executive: Diana Wilson
Internal Design Lead: Hannah Eldridge
Internal Copywriter: Andy Maher