GMHBA celebrates 90 years of community-driven care in new campaign via Howatson+Company

GMHBA has launched a new brand campaign via Howatson+Company, that celebrates 90 years of community-driven care — a legacy born from grit and grounded in people looking after each other.

Drawing on GMHBA’s rich heritage, the campaign spotlights the enduring spirit of care that remains at the heart of the brand today.

Paying tribute to the organisation’s roots — formed by local cement workers in Geelong during the Great Depression — the campaign features imagery of working hands, community connections, and genuine moments of care, brought to life through the campaign line: “Caring since 1934.”

The campaign showcases how GMHBA continues to care for its members through exclusive product benefits, such as no excess for same-day hospital procedures, and also leans into the brand’s partnership with the Geelong Cats, featuring AFL star Patrick Dangerfield.

“At GMHBA, we’re not just another health insurer,” said GMHBA CMO Helen Stevens. “We’re a community-based, not-for-profit organisation with a legacy built on trust, shared values, and a relentless focus on our members’ and patients’ wellbeing. This campaign is about reconnecting with who we are and celebrating the journey that brought us here, while showing how our heritage continues to shape the high-quality, personalised care we provide today.”

The campaign was created by GMHBA’s creative agency, Howatson+Company, who have worked with the brand since 2022. Media agency Half Dome led the media strategy, with a strong focus on the AFL grassroots community and creating impact across metro Melbourne.

Andrew Drougas, Managing Director at Howatson+Company, said: “This new brand platform for GMHBA was an absolute pleasure to work on. Going to the providence and truth of why GMHBA exists is powerful and distinctive – 90 years of care and still going strong for its members.”

Rawanne Auda, Client Partner at Half Dome, added: “Having worked with GMHBA over several years, we understand the strength of their story and the communities they serve. For this milestone campaign, we’ve carefully shaped a channel mix that brings their legacy to life, leveraging the scale of broadcast channels and the authenticity of AFL partnerships to connect with members old and new. It’s been a privilege to help celebrate 90 years of care with a campaign that stays true to who GMHBA is and where they’re headed.”

The campaign will roll out across commercial television, digital video channels, radio, out-of-home billboards, and social media, speaking directly to the communities GMHBA has supported for generations.

“Our story is unique, and we’re proud of that,” said GMHBA CEO David Greig. “We’re investing in the long-term health and trust of our members. This campaign is a celebration of what makes us unique, and a promise that we’ll continue to be here, delivering care with heart, for many years to come.”

GMHBA
CMO: Helen Stevens
Head of Brands & Media: Johanna Gemmill
Performance & Growth Manager: Sarah Kildea
GMHBA Brand Manager: Lee Sampson
Campaign Planner: Sagar Shah
Designer & Content Creator: Emily Solomano
Marketing & Sponsorship Specialist: Megan Discher

Creative Agency: Howatson + Company
Executive Creative Director: Jeremy Hogg
Creative Director: Simon Friedlander
Senior Art Director: Huei Yin Wong
Senior Copywriter: Madeleine Semit
Studio Lead: Simon Merrifield
Senior Finished Artist: Patrick Rivera
Producer: Charlotte Breene
Editor: Fraser Kelton
Managing Director: Andrew Drougas
Group Business Director: Ben Peachell
Senior Business Manager: Jemima Armfield

Production Company: The Pool Collective
Sound: Heckler Sound

Media Agency: Half Dome
Client Solutions Managers: Melanie Tsardakis and Floriana Deleo
Client Solutions Director: Madeleine McConnachie
Client Partner: Rawanne Auda
Head of Clients: Will Harms
Activation Executive: Arielle Akimana
Activations Manager: Natalie Blazevski
Senior Activation Manager: Delana De Silva
Activations Director: Harry McGovern
Senior Investment Executive: Brooke Kendrick
Investment Manager: Holly Elstoft
Investment Director: Michelle Hartley
SEO Director: Riccardo Ilari
Strategy Partner: Michelle Tempest
Head of Strategy: Adrian Cosstick

Want to leave a comment? Share your thoughts below, making sure to include your full name and email address. If you have a news tip or story idea, please feel free to email ricki@campaignbrief.com.