Wanted: NZ's next gazillionaire

ASB is launching a nation-wide search for New Zealand’s brightest young business minds.

To coincide with the bank’s new ‘Creating Futures’ brand campaign, ASB is encouraging youngsters aged between seven and 14 to bring forth their creative ideas as the search for New Zealand’s next gazillionaire begins.

ASB’s Tony Powell fronts a special ad telling youngsters with “a crazy money-making idea” about the competition, which can be entered via www.creatingfutures.co.nz, the new digital hub for the ASB ‘Creating Futures’ campaign.

In conjunction with the search for New Zealand’s leading young entrepreneurs, the benefits of free enterprise are also extolled in a new TV ad to be screened under ASB’s ‘Creating Futures’ brand refresh.

First screening on November 24, the ad features an amusing story that takes an insightful look at how a young rural boy’s savings goal is achieved with entrepreneurial flair.

Titled ‘Mint Sauce’, the ad reveals the story of the young boy’s dream to save for a game machine. He decides to raise a lamb to eventually sell for the cash he needs.. But his attachment to the animal – and his realisation that a one-way trip to the abattoir is also a one-off income stream – causes a change of heart.

So instead, the boy sets up his own small business selling the wool from the now fully grown sheep at the farm gate thereby funding the purchase of his longed-for Nintendo.

‘Creating Futures’ marks the next stage in the evolution of ASB, bringing to life very real challenges and options faced by customers according to ASB General Manager Brand & Marketing, Deborah Simpson.

“The new campaign reflects real stories told to ASB by our customers. Mint Sauce is one of these,” says Ms Simpson.

“The stories people see are a reflection of ASB itself – human, genuine, strongly service oriented and future-focused,” Ms Simpson says.

“Our new advertising and product information is also designed to be approachable, friendly and with that touch of humour that New Zealanders have come to expect from ASB.”

The search for young New Zealand entrepreneurs features alongside the Mint Sauce TV ad, which can also be viewed on ASB’s new digital hub at www.creatingfutures.co.nz. Visitors to the site can then click through to simple, easy-to-understand product information and advice.