Supercheap Auto Announces Winner OF Ad Competition

Six film students from Brisbane have picked up a $20,000 cash prize and more than $150,000’s worth of national television airtime after taking pole position in Supercheap Auto’s national advertising competition.

QUT students Nick Harris, Nicholas Laube, Michael Turner, Mateuse Pingol, Briana Goodchild and Anwen Towne, raced ahead of nine other finalists to take out the number one spot in Supercheap Auto’s Bathurst Big Break challenge.

The competition tasked entrants with scripting, filming and producing a 30 second television commercial reflecting their interpretation of the Supercheap Auto brand and attracted almost 400 entries, from everyday car enthusiasts to amateur filmmakers and Hollywood producers.

The QUT team’s film, ‘Fuelling His Desires’ was created as a single camera production assignment as part of their course. It was shortlisted for the top 10 by an expert panel and put to consumer vote throughout September.

Filmed on a shoestring budget and starring two of the team’s friends, ‘Fuelling His Desires’ amassed more than 17,000 votes while second place went to Sydney film maker Kacey Baker’s ‘The Grub’ with close to 15,000 votes. Third place went to Wollongong-based Jamie Lepre’s ‘SuperCHARGED’.

More than 90,000 people voted in the user generated competition and the winning ad was screened to more than two million television viewers during Sunday’s broadcast of the iconic Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 on Channel 7.

Those who didn’t make the number one spot weren’t left empty handed with each of the nine runners-up receiving $1,000 cash. Consumers were also included in the prizing bonanza with voters automatically entered into a draw to win a brand new Holden SS Commodore valued at $65,000.

Film director Nick Harris said winning the competition would give a huge boost to their individual film making and creative careers.

“Put simply, we’re over the moon – it was totally unexpected and we’re beyond excited to have come out top,” he said.

“Besides the fact we all very much needed the cash, the airtime we won is just phenomenal.

“Winning the Bathurst Big Break competition is something we will all be proud to put on our resumes and know it will stand us in good stead for our future careers.”

The majority of the QUT team said they’d be spending the prize money on travelling overseas. Ironically, Mr Harris will be investing his on fixing up his car.

Supercheap Auto marketing manager David Bauer said ‘Fuelling His Desires’ had led the charge from the outset.

“The ad really captured the imagination of the public and was ahead of the pack from day one of voting,” he said.

“Saying that, all 10 shortlisted commercials were of exceptional quality and we were amazed by the creativity shown by our fans.

“This was the first time we’d asked our fans to get involved with our television campaign and we were thrilled with the response. Almost 400 entries flooded in from around Australia and it was a hard task to whittle the final shortlist down to just 10.”

Mr Bauer added that he and the Supercheap Auto team were excited to see where the win would take Nick and his friends.

“We hope their win will provide them with a solid platform to jumpstart their film making and creative careers,” he said.

Check out nine other shortlisted ads below.

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