National depression campaign wins marketing award

MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION OF NEW ZEALAND
MEDIA RELEASE

27 July 2007

National depression campaign wins prestigious NZ marketing award

The national depression campaign has been named New Zealand’s best not-for-profit marketing campaign, after winning a prestigious award at the New Zealand Marketing Magazine Marketing Awards in Auckland last night.

Launched in October last year, the campaign aims to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of depression and encourages people to seek help early. John Kirwan’s involvement in the depression campaign TV ads, which see him speak openly and honestly about his experience of depression, has been a prominent feature in raising awareness.

Judi Clements, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, who manage the campaign on behalf of the Ministry of Health, said:

“We are delighted that the national depression campaign has won this award. It is a recognition of the hard work of all those involved, and more importantly that the messages are reaching New Zealanders and that they are taking action.

“In particular we must acknowledge the invaluable work of the depression line counsellors who provide support and advice to those who call.”

Judges for the NZ Marketing Magazine awards were impressed by the way the campaign had taken a hidden issue and succeeded in changing attitudes. (www.marketingmag.co.nz)

One significant success of the campaign is the number of men who have called the depression support line for help. So much so, that the number of men and women calling the support line has been nearly equal.

The NZ Marketing Magazine Marketing Awards celebrate proven excellence in New Zealand marketing and are the premier awards benchmarking excellence across all aspects of marketing.

ENDS

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