Sarge and Jac lead an army in Budget Direct’s 20th anniversary spot via 303 MullenLowe
Joined by an army of Budget Direct employees, Special Detectives Sarge and Jac are back in Budget Direct’s latest campaign instalment created by 303 MullenLowe, Sydney.
The new spot simply titled “Budget Direct’s 20th Anniversary”, marks a major milestone for the company. With Sarge & Jacs on horseback, the 1500 strong Budget Direct army, salute over 3 million Australians that Budget Direct has insured, and sees the insurer looking forward to even bigger and better things to come.
Says Jonathan Kerr, CMO at Budget Direct: “We made this advert to celebrate the amazing team of people that make Budget Direct the success it is today and to thank the millions of Aussies that have trusted us to provide their insurance in our first 20 years.
“The advert very deliberately features real Budget Direct employees and captures the true spirit of our company, during what is a difficult time for many Australians.
“We have a very positive story to tell, one that has helped countless Aussies save, while also being there for them at claims time. We hope our advert serves as a very positive reminder of what can be achieved when people get behind a common goal.”
As well as launching the 20th Anniversary campaign, Budget Direct is also announcing a range of actions and initiatives to help its customers and the broader community during the COVID-19 situation. These include:
• Financial Hardship Assistance Options for customers currently experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. This assistance is designed to keep eligible customers covered, during this difficult time, while helping to reduce their financial burden.
• Budget Direct is paying its Small & Medium sized suppliers faster than its contracts require, in order to improve their cashflow position and support these great businesses that are an important part of our success.
• Accelerating Budget Direct’s support of the Act For Kids charity. In April Budget Direct brought forward its annual fundraising donation, to provide much needed funds at a time when AFK is needed more than ever. This $135,000 donation takes our annual donation to AFK, past $300,000 for FY20.
• Budget Direct is making its new Budget Direct Money Manager service free to all Budget Direct customers. This new premium app/service provides a platform to help all of Budget Direct’s customers manage their daily finances better, at a time when good budgeting is vital.
• In April Budget Direct will announce the recipients of the $100,000 Budget Direct Bushfire Recovery Fund that Budget Direct committed to in February. These donations are on top of Budget Direct’s normal claims obligations as an insurer, and will take our community support donations for this event to over $150,000.
• Budget Direct will shortly announce its significant support of a new not-for-profit service that will make it far easier for Australians to support their favourite local small business, during this difficult time.
The advert itself was shot by Danny Kleinman through Good Oil / Rattling Stick and photographed by Mat Baker through Louis & Co.
Says Nick Cleaver, CEO, 303 MullenLowe Australia: “Budget Direct is a challenger brand driven by a very special bunch of people with a passion for delivering quality insurance products at a lower cost. As an organisation they have the underwriting smarts to deliver that but as important is the zeal of their people and the culture of the company. This epic commercial vividly brings that passion and drive to life while also having a little fun at the same time.”
The TV/Online ad launches on April 19th 2020, across Metro, Regional and Foxtel TV as well as BVOD and Youtube. It will be supported via a range of other media.
Budget Direct
Chief Marketing Officer – Jonathan Kerr
General Manager – Brand & Media Marketing: Warren Marsh
Marketing Manager – New Customer Acquisition: Catherine Harty
303 MullenLowe
Executive Creative Director – Scott Huebscher
Head of Art – Adam Whitehead
Head of Copy – Sean Larkin
Art Director – Zac Goldberg
Copywriter – Craigo Merrett
Managing Director – Joanna Gray
Group Business Director – Ben Glasson
Head of Strategy – Jon McKie
Head of Broadcast – Meredyth Judd
Production Company – Good Oil / Rattling Stick
Director – Daniel Kleinman
DOP – Ginnie Loane
Executive Producers – Sam Long / Johnnie Frankel
Producer – Chana McLallen
Editor – Mark Burnett @The Editors
Post Production – Alt.vfx
VFX Supervisor – David Edwards
VFX Producer – Celeste Fairlie
Music and Sound Company – Sonar Music
Executive Producer – Sophie Haydon
Sound Designer – Timothy Bridge
Stills Photographer – Mat Baker, LOUIS & CO
Stills Digi Op – Carl Baker, LOUIS & CO