Kiwis need herpes

The New Zealand Herpes Foundation (NZHF) has teamed up with Motion Sickness, FINCH, and a host of Kiwi celebrities to create the world’s first ‘herpes destigmatisation campaign’; aiming to lower the stigma surrounding the virus and raise national pride at the same time.

by Jamie Madge on 18^th October 2024

NZHF – An Introduction

Credits

Agency Motion Sickness/Auckland
Production Company FINCH
Director Alex Roberts

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Credits

Agency Motion Sickness/Auckland
Production Company FINCH
Director Alex Roberts
Post Production Atticus
Executive Creative Director Sam Stuchbury
Creative Director Melina Fiolitakis
Senior Creative Will MacDonald
Executive Producer Corey Esse

Executive Producer Rebekah (Bex) Kelly
Producer Duncan Bernard
Production Designer Joseph Leary
DP Marty Williams
DP Devan Narsai
Editor Julian Currin
Colorist Pete Ritchie
Lead VFX Artist Stuart Bedford

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Herpes isn't most people's go-to when it comes to enticing strangers, but agency Motion Sickness wants to change all that with its new campaign for the New Zealand Herpes Foundation (NZHF).

Launching on Global Herpes Awareness Day, and targeting the virus's worst symptom - social stigma, The Best Place in the World to have Herpes is a cheeky and distinctly Kiwi addressing of issue, presenting the virus as an opportunity for national pride.

Pulling in local famous people, including Sir Ashley Bloomfield, Sir Graham Henry, Sir Buck Shelford, Angella Dravid, and Mea Motu, as celebrity presenters in the Herpes Destigmatisation Course, the hilarious videos from FINCH's Alex Roberts balance education with knowingly silly presentation.

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NZHF – Episode 1 - What is Herpes?

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NZHF – Episode 2 - Is Herpes Common

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NZHF – Episode 3 - Is Herpes Scary

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NZHF – Episode 4 - How to Not Make Herpes Awkward

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NZHF – Episode 5 - How to Fight Stigma

“In many cases the social stigma is much more damaging than the virus," explains Claire Hurst NZRN, QSM, Founding Trustee for NZHF and current Helpline Counsellor. "We have fielded thousands of calls to our support helpline, with many people having received a diagnosis in deep distress. However the reason for this psychological impact is sometimes not the medical symptoms -it’s the stigma.

"We have tried to land a stigma breaking campaign for over 20 years and have never managed to crack it. We are simply floored by this campaign and couldn’t be happier with how it has navigated this challenging topic and made it approachable, kiwi and fun.

"Thank you to Motion Sickness and the wider team, let’s claim the title.”