Double win for agencies at UnLtd: Big Clash Aotearoa

Over 250 people across the Auckland advertising industry came together on 2 March to bat and bowl for good at the inaugural UnLtd: Big Clash cricket event.

The event saw teams of media owners, tech, creatives and agencies go head-to-head on the cricket field, to raise funds for young people at risk.

The women’s final saw Agencies, captained by Alex Barlow from Dentsu, take on Media Owners, captained by Lisa Ison from Mediaworks. It was a tight game that saw the Agencies narrowly beat the Media Owners with a score of 66-65. In the Men’s game, it was Team Media Owners, captained by Stephen Old from Discovery and Team Agencies, lead by Mike Harrison from OMD that made it to the final. After an action-packed game, it was Agencies that took home the inaugural trophy with a score of 127-79. Sophie Lawson from Mediaworks and Fergus Ellis from Mindshare were named players of the day.

Alex Barlow, Captain of Women’s Agency Team said: “What a beauty! It was so much fun to team up with our usual competitors, spend the day outdoors with the rest of the industry and all for such an important cause. We’re so proud to take home the first ever trophy and can’t wait to be back next year to defend our title! Thank you UnLtd for an outstanding job.”

The event was organised by UnLtd, the social purpose organisation connecting the New Zealand media, marketing and creative industry with charities helping young people at risk. The inaugural event raised over $70,000 to support young Kiwis at risk. Brendan Muller, General Manager of UnLtd Aotearoa said:

“It was incredible to see so many people across the industry join the first ever Big Clash Aotearoa and make it such a big success! The money raised will have a huge impact and we are so grateful to everyone who supported the event. It was also a great opportunity to bring our industry and our charity partners together to learn more about the life-saving work they are doing with young people at risk.”

Nearly $7,000 was raised through the raffle and auction at Big Clash, which will go directly to Kindness Collective’s work providing practical support for families impacted by the floods and the cyclone.

Sarah Page, Founder & CEO of the Kindness Collective says: “We are so grateful for the support from UnLtd and the advertising industry. Whilst initial weather events seem to be over, there are many people struggling with the aftereffects of the floods and Cyclone Gabrielle. Our team is working with services supporting families with food, essentials, clothing and bedding to help them get by as they try to rebuild their lives. This donation will go a long way to bring hope and comfort to those families.”

The event was kindly sponsored by JCDecaux New Zealand and supported by the Commercial Communications Council, IAB New Zealand, NZME and Reel Factory. The players and spectators were treated to various sponsor activations such as face painting and ice-cream carts and were entertained with excellent commentary by The Alternative Commentary Collective.

Mike Watkins, Country Head at JCDecaux New Zealand commented: “We were so proud to support the inaugural Big Clash and what a day it was! The competition was fierce, the weather was perfect and what a fantastic result! It was great to see all sides of the industry unite and put their differences aside for this important cause – and have lots of fun whilst doing so! We can’t wait to be back next year!”

The next event in the UnLtd Aotearoa calendar is UnLtd: Dodgeball on 22 June, followed by UnLtd: Big Chat seminars in May, August and November; and the UnLtd: Open golf event in October. For more details, contact Brendan Muller.