Global head of Saatchi sends message to Whangarei

New York-based global Executive Chairman of Saatchi & Saatchi has spoken to the residents of Whangarei via his blog, urging them to vote 'B' for the Hundertwasser Wairau Maori Art Centre in the current referendum.

Saatchi global head Kevin Roberts urges Whangarei to vote Option B in referendum

In his widely read blog published today, Roberts says “City branding does not generally happen overnight, and artistic and economic opportunities like this are rare. This referendum vote is a no-brainer from my perspective. Residents and ratepayers of Whangarei: Say yes to Hundertwasser!”

New Zealander Kevin Roberts, recognised as a world-wide expert on branding, has no doubts about the value of the opportunity.

“The Hundertwasser Wairau Maori Art Center would give New Zealand’s Northland region a way of distinguishing itself on the world stage—in the process instantly transforming the locale into a tourism magnet.”

Whangarei resident Liane Blair, involved in both arts and commercial development in the city, says attention from the renowned Saatchi head shows how how much potential the project has to generate international interest.

“I see the same small number of people writing to the paper every week saying the Hundertwasser name won’t attract visitors and yet here is someone who really knows about the power of names and branding – his word carries a lot more weight in my book.

“Whangarei needs a lifeline and this is our last chance for this opportunity. It’s selfish to vote based on personal taste and not get informed on the facts. We turned down Kelly Tarlton and there will be nothing to top Hundertwasser.”

Residents should have received their referendum voting documents and have until midday 5 June to return their postal ballots.

Amended to add (12.35pm):  Tristan Tuckey, head of successful Whangarei-based creative agency Big Fish Creative, who is currently out of the country running a half marathon on the Great Wall of China, said via text “Roberts is absolutely right, of course. The alignment with an international brand like Hundertwasser is invaluable for Whangarei. Something you could never buy, no matter the budget. My current location is a prime example, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t another famous structure to tick off the bucket list.”

END

More information:

Kevin Roberts blog here.
Saatchi & Saatchi media kit here.

WDC webpage on referendum details here.
PNT-produced Referendum Fact Sheet here (pdf)
HWMAC backers Prosper Northland Trust website here.
Deloitte Feasibility Study on HWMAC pdf here.
WDC Referendum Brochure (comparing projects) here (pdf)
Hundertwasser project Facebook page here.
Colour Our City (Whangarei community artivisim in support of HWMAC) images here (Flickr)
The Story of the Hundertwasser project here.
Frequently Asked Questions here.
Professor Jonathan Mane-Wheoki presented video about the proposed project here.

For any further information please email yeswhangarei@gmail.com