Wild Turkey And Matthew McConaughey Recognise Aussie Local Legends
Wild Turkey and Creative Director Matthew McConaughey, in partnership with Eleven, unveil a new Wild Turkey With Thanks initiative. The integrated campaign is shining a light on Australian Local Legends who have stood with conviction supporting their environment and communities throughout the crises of 2020.
Wild Turkey’s With Thanks is a global, annual platform, wherein the brand gives thanks to those who have demonstrated an unwavering conviction by giving back to their communities. The program was launched locally in Australia last November, following Matthew McConaughey’s visit to Sydney. The ongoing initiative is a central part of Wild Turkey’s local efforts to protect and preserve the wilderness for future generations.
A percentage of proceeds from Wild Turkey’s cabin, The Reserve launched last year, and Wild Turkey bottles sold in November and December will be donated to the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife in support of bushfire regeneration.
Beyond Wild Turkey’s annual donation and support for wilderness regeneration, the With Thanks platform gives thanks by profiling three Australian Local Legends from bushfire-affected regions. Wild Turkey’s Creative Director, Chief Storyteller and Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey leveraged the magic of technology via video call to personally speak to these individuals to have a yarn about the inspirational tales he had heard from across the world.
McConaughey, on behalf of Wild Turkey, lent his distinctive voice to record a message for all Australians, inspired by the Local Legends stories, advocating for the nation to get out and explore all corners of our country while reconnecting with the great outdoors.
To support the launch, the brand also created and launched the Wild Turkey Local Legends website – where the nation can discover new places to visit and support, hear from the Local Legends themselves, alongside how to get involved in volunteering programs to help with bush regeneration.
The integrated campaign, launched via PR, is being amplified through digital and social media.
McConaughey said this year’s initiative started with With Thanks but has since evolved to thank Local Legends to support bushfire regeneration efforts:
“I’ve been Wild Turkey’s Creative Director for over four years and here at Wild Turkey we want to thank and shine a light on people who are unapologetically committed to their craft, like the Russell family has been for nearly 100 years,” noted McConaughey. “This year, we are giving thanks and support to Australia’s Local Legends, because they gave their all to their communities. They did it not just for themselves, but for each and every one of us. They helped restore their communities and the wilderness that ultimately restores us all.”
Campari Australia and New Zealand marketing director Paolo Marinoni said: “The Wild Turkey Local Legends platform identifies a hallmark in what it means to be truly Australian. These Local Legends have stories of resilience and strength and this year for With Thanks, we wanted to create an initiative that raised a glass and thanked those who have been a pillar of their community. As part of our work on With Thanks, we’ll continue to support our charity partner the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife on their mission to protect and preserve the wilderness for future generations. We hope through this initiative that Australians will celebrate our bushfire-affected regions and unique wilderness.”
Eleven’s Creative team of Edwin Concubierta and Ekin Gunes continued: “It’s in our national DNA to help our fellow neighbours during tough times. Yet, the combined crises of 2020 are like nothing we’ve seen before. To have Wild Turkey and Matthew McConaughey not only recognise these resilient locals, but also rally all Aussies to visit and support the regeneration of these regions, gave us the opportunity to get people actively participating in the wilderness rebuild efforts through With Thanks”.
The stories of uncompromising conviction include Dana and Sam Mitchell rescuing over 600 koalas on Kangaroo Island (South Australia), Linda and Matthew Rudd saving their 100-year-old pub from the bushfires while being the lifeline for the town of Batlow (New South Wales), and Lin Baird navigating a difficult year to once again help Australians reconnect with the wilderness on horseback in Mount Bogong (Victoria).
Dana and Sam Mitchell, South Australia
Dana and Sam Mitchell took over the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park seven years ago and have been renovating the site over the years. They now have an animal rescue centre there. During the peak of the fires on the island they were receiving upwards of 60 animals a day in need of urgent care. A humble couple, Dana and Sam are extremely passionate about protecting the native flora and fauna. They are determined to protect and preserve the native species to ensure they are there for future generations.
Linda and Matthew Rudd, New South Wales
Matthew and Linda Rudd are the owners of the only pub in Batlow, a small town in regional NSW. During the fires, Matthew made Linda flee town at the last moment when the fires were about to sweep through. She was chased out of town by the flames but made it through safely. Matthew stayed to single-handedly defend the 100-year-old pub from the fires, successfully. Matthew fed and protected frontline workers at the pub and tirelessly put out spot fires in his endeavours.
Latest News
Sydney Comedy Festival: Taking The City & Social Media By Storm
Sydney Comedy Festival 2024 is live and ready to rumble, showing the best of international and homegrown talent at a host of venues around town. As usual, it’s hot on the heels of its big sister, the giant that is the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, picking up some acts as they continue on their own […]
Global Marketers Descend For AANA’s RESET For Growth
The Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) has announced the final epic lineup of local and global marketing powerhouses for RESET for Growth 2024. Lead image: Josh Faulks, chief executive officer, AANA Back in 2000, a woman with no business experience opened her first juice bar in Adelaide. The idea was brilliantly simple: make healthy […]
Is Meta’s New AI Chatbot Too Left-Wing?
Meta's chatbot accused of being left-wing after being caught wearing a Che Guevara T-shirt & listening to Billy Bragg.
TV Ratings (23/04/2024): Why Did No One Tell Angela That Farmer Wants A Wife Is Set On A Farm?
As wonderful as this headline is, let's face it, we all know an 'Angela', don't we?
PubMatic Unveils New AI Partnership To Turn Social Posts Into Ads For Any Digital Channel
Here's some nifty tech for turning social posts into ads. Assuming said posts aren't one-star character assassinations.
Intuit Mailchimp Makes A Splash With Its First Australian Brand Campaign
Ever laugh along at a gag you didn't get so as not to appear dumb? Get ready for more feigning with this new work.
GumGum’s Rob Hall: Advertisers Can No Longer “Rely On Binary Descriptions” Of Consumers
If anyone's got their finger on adtech's pulse, it's Rob Hall. He also avoids using the good paper in the office printer
Mastercard Nabs Florencia Aimo From Marriott International
Marriott International's Florencia Aimo jumps from the hotel business to the exploitative credit card one.
Bastion Agency Appoints Cheuk Chiang As New ANZ CEO
Cheuk Chiang takes the reins over at Bastion Agency. But not the rains down in Africa.
Spotlight On Sponsors: Major Sponsorship Wins After A Disappointing Week In Sport
B&T continuing our deep dive into local sport sponsorships & that's despite not a single offer of a free ticket as yet.
Macca’s Marketing Director, Samantha McLeod On Big Mac Chant: “What Was Once Old Is Now Cool Again”
Macca's using the power of nostalgia in latest Big Mac campaign. Well, only for those who've ever eaten one sober.
World Premiere Of Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line To Open Sydney Film Festival 2024
Oil's biopic to open Sydney Film Festival. Here's hoping Molly Meldrum will take his pants down at the premiere.
Entries Are Now Open For The 2024 Brandies, IntelligenceBank’s Annual Brand Marketing Awards
The Brandies are, of course, a prestigious marketing gong and not the mystery tipple favoured by nannas everywhere.
The Fred Hollows Foundation Appoints Ardent For PR
Yes, we all like to have a joke at PR's expense. But sometimes it does important work, like this.
AI, eCommerce & Marketing Specialists Are In Increased Demand By Businesses, New Data From Fiverr Shows
Has your philosophy & anthropology degree left you with nothing but a huge HECS debt? Here's what you should've studied.
Perth’s First 3D Anamorphic Billboard Arrives Courtesy Of oOh!media
Do you love a buzzword? Now you can add anamorphic to the list as it relates to billboards, not a colleague's ears.
MasterChef Australia & Crown Resorts Launch Unique Dining Experience With ALUMNI
A pop-up restaurant staffed by MasterChef contestants! That's fine dining prices for first-year apprentice chef cuisine!
Amanda Laing Announces Resignation From Foxtel Group
Foxtel's chief commercial & content officer heads for the exits. Read nice things the bosses said about her right here.
The Lost Letters From Our Diggers: News Corp Unveils ANZAC Day Special
It's nice when brands respectfully acknowledge ANZAC Day.
Howatson+Company Acquires Akkomplice
Large indie acquires a slightly smaller indie. Much like a shark eating a tuna, just with less thrashing and blood.
Google Delays Third-Party Cookie Deprecation Again
In good news for the sale of picture library biscuit photos, Google continues to tease over the end of cookies.
Education A Low Priority For Aussies More Concerned With Cost Of Living Forethought Study Reveals
Study finds Aussies cutting back on education due to cost of living. Booze & Uber Eats sales remain largely unaffected.
“I’m Still The Same Person That I Was”: Rikki Stern Says “Fucc It” To Cancer Stereotypes
B&T always happy to promote the anti-cancer cause. Even brands that massively overdo it with the hot pink.
The Unapproved Climate Certification Allegedly Causing Mass Greenwashing
Are you left flummoxed in the canned tuna & free range eggs aisle? Just wait till this green certification gets up.
TV Ratings (22/04/2024): Fans Mock “Over The Top” Reaction To New MasterChef Judges
MasterChef returns for its 2024 season. B&T stands by putting peppercorns in Gravox & no one will be any the wiser.
Dentsu Restructure: Muddle, Harvey & Johnston Take Leadership Baton As Bass & Yurisich Exit
A large broom has swept through Dentsu's local ops this morning, taking with it some big names & the air con's cobwebs.
Industry Shares Trends Shaping The Industry This International Creators Day
B&T's asking adland creators to reveal their top trends. And it's not good news for your Jenny Kee cardigan collection.
Mable Extends HOYTS Sensory Screenings Partnership
Mable has extended its HOYTS sensory screening partnership. Vigorously defends its two-star Oppenheimer review.
Orphan Launches ‘They Need Our Help. We Need Yours’ For Children’s Cancer Institute
Anything to do with childhood cancers has B&T's 110% support. That said, we do ignore the red meat & alcohol warnings.
Smile Team Orthodontics & Keep Left Collaborate On Smile-Inducing Campaign
As parents would attest, given the cost of orthodontics you'd expect this campaign to be a lavish production indeed.
Opinion: How Video Calls Neglect Learning Diversity
Need an excuse to duck out of a video call this arvo? Show this to your boss.
DoubleVerify Achieves First-Of-Its-Kind Responsible AI Certification From TrustArc
DoubleVerify receives responsible AI certification. However, not its robotic vacuum that's been seen menacing the cat.
Smile For A Good Cause: The Social Media Campaign Giving Back To The Community
Are you known as the office Austin Powers? More for you teeth than shagability? Get snappy new fangs with this news.
Elon Musk Mocks Albo After ESafety Wins Court Injunction Against X
Albo's 2024 from hell continues - Rabbitohs in crisis, down in the polls and now feuding with world's richest man.
Real Estate Developer In Hot Water Over “Sexually Exploitative” OOH Campaign
Real estate agents again tops in the 'least trusted profession' polls, nudging used car salesmen & ad creatives.
Epsilon’s Shane Hanby: Post-Cookie Era Relies On “Teamwork” Between Brands, Marketers & Tech
This pro predicts more "teamwork" in a post-cookie era. Which spells bad news for the uncooperative or plain stubborn.