This Australian Bank Ad Is a Heartwarming Homage to Love, Loss…and Mustaches

As far as advertising constructs go, the long-established life timeline execution usually turns out pretty well. Where it can go from good to great is in the creative choices and nuance that keep a viewer engaged from beginning to end. When done well, it can be a marvelous bit of creativity. In the case of a new ad from Australian bank Westpac, created by DDB in Sydney, all of the boxes are ticked, creating a 60-second emotional ride. We begin with the first moment of lifelong love then, throughout the spot, the focus is mainly on the husband. This dapper, memorably mustached man is of service to his family and community consistently whether it’s helping rein in a wayward horse on his wedding day, giving a teammate an open rugby try, teaching music or saving a child in a sandstorm. It’s easy to be enamored by his charm and kindness no matter the moment or situation. [kickout id="1"] Sadly, at the end of the spot, we are taken to the man’s funeral. Though his wife is mourning the loss, she sees a church filled with people wearing his signature mustache and, again, find the reward and joy of a life lived well with someone she loved so dearly. Where this spot truly shines is in the creative choices made. It’s beautifully shot and edited, and the remake of “I Know I’ll Never Find Another You” by The Seekers is an inspired choice and weaves nicely throughout the 60 seconds. The work, touting the bank’s estate products, fits within the Australian narrative of lending a hand, something that is ingrained in the country’s culture and part of an earlier campaign from the brand. [kickout id="2"] What’s interesting as well is that, strategically, the focus is on an older audience instead of the usual path of seeking new, younger homebuyers. Even in light of a tough time for the industry in Australia due to an ongoing banking inquiry, this commercial is a good reminder of the issues people face in their lives and the more human side of finance. CREDITS: Westpac Head of Consumer Marketing: Adrian McCaffrey Head of Brand, Advertising & Media: Jenny Melhuish Head of Westpac Advertising: Andrew Howie Senior Manager Advertising: Loren Elsegood Senior Manager Advertising: Amber Joyce DDB CCO: Ben Welsh ECD: Tara Ford Head of Art: Noah Regan Creative Partner: Matt Chandler Senior Art Director: Tristan Cornelius Senior Copywriter: Guy Lemberg Head of Integrated Content: Sevda Cemo Senior Producer: Tash Johnson Managing Partner: Chiquita King Group Business Director: Topher Jones Business Manager: Bianca Cohn Planning Partner: Dom Hickey Senior Planner: Joseph Smeaton Production Company: Finch Company Director: Christopher Riggert DOP: Dimitri Karakatsanis Corey Esse: Managing Director Executive Producer: Karen Bryson Producer: Camilla Mazzaferro Edit Facility: The Editors Editor/s: Stewart Reeves & Bernard Garry Ase Executive Producer: Nicoletta Rousianos Grade: Nakatomi Colourist: Billy Wychgel Producer: Kani Saib VFX/Online: BlackBird VFX Supervisor: Nick Ponzont VFX Producer: Bonnie Wilkonson-Smith Music Supervisor: Karl Richter – Level Two Music Track: I’ll Never Find Another You (Originally by The Seekers) Re-record: Julia Jacklin Sound Design: Song Zu Engineer: Abigail Sie Producer: Jess Bonney