Fund Manager of the Year 2014: Advertising Campaign of the Year
Winner
Challenger 'Retirement on Paper' campaign
Finalist
CommInsure 'Flexi-linking' campaign
Challenger's 'Retirement on Paper' spot has been named advertising campaign of the year.
Pitched directly to consumers, the simple ad aimed to "disrupt retiree preconceptions" with a stop-frame animation of paper figures and a paper aeroplane.
Challenger describes it as "educational, entertaining, highly distinctive and empathetic" and
credited it with lifting the group's annuities sales to record levels.
In the six months immediately after its release (to 31 December 2013), the investment management firm saw a 38 per cent spike in retail annuity sales, to $1.46 billion, it said.
In addition to the spike in general interest, 45 per cent of the curious viewers and readers directed annuity-related questions to advisers, Marketing Pulse research showed.
Keyword searches for 'Challenger annuity/annuities' jumped 214 per cent, while direct website traffic lifted by 72 per cent, according to a four-month snapshot by Hall & Partners.
The judges applauded Challenger's ability to create a direct, cut-through campaign, with a memorable message and measurable impact.
The other finalist in the group, CommInsure's 'Flexi-linking', encouraged advisers to create personalised insurance solutions for clients by reminding them with a tangible 'flexi-link' figurine.
The integrated campaign included a microsite, event-driven marketing, trade press advertising, boardroom training sessions, webcasts and emails, each displaying the yellow flexi-man.
CommInsure said it was a "viral sensation", with staff photographing the flexi-men at various locations and showing off their flexibility with flexible poses.
Recommended for you
Despite ASIC concerns about private credit funds being accessed via the advised channel, there are questions regarding how high its usage actually is among financial advisers.
Challenger has looked to the superannuation industry for its appointment of a group chief investment officer, a newly-created role.
Perpetual has confirmed it has entered into an exclusivity agreement with a US private equity firm to progress discussions regarding the sale of its wealth management division.
Paradice Investment Management has become the latest fund manager to launch an active ETF version of its managed fund, placing greater emphasis on retail distribution.

