Squarespace debuts first Trans-Tasman campaign, The Ditch

Squarespace has launched its first Trans-Tasman brand campaign, The Ditch, via its in-house creative team, led by chief creative officer, David Lee. The work comes as the website building and hosting company names Australia as one of its fastest-growing markets.

The Ditch centres around Captain Kev and his business idea, 'Hitch on the Ditch,' offering his boat as a halfway point to Aussies and Kiwis who can’t decide which country to get married in. Naturally, the wedding cake is a Pavlova.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AAsukCu5uM[/embed]

Squarespace’s senior marketing manager for Australia and New Zealand, Alex Neilson, said the brand campaign aims to challenge the standard definition of entrepreneurship, encouraging more Australians and New Zealanders to see what untapped opportunities lie in front of them.

“A good idea can come from anywhere, and at Squarespace we believe that a website can really help bring your idea to life,” said Neilson.

Ben Hodgin, Squarespace's senior creative manager, added it was a special campaign to work on as the company enters its third decade, harnessing the talent of its in-house creative team.

“While Australians and Kiwis have many similarities, there’s also a friendly rivalry that exists between the two which tends to lead to some cheeky banter," said Hodgin.

"We decided to lean into that as the core of the idea and started by looking at the halfway point between the two countries. Or, neutral territory if you will. Turns out, it’s in the middle of the Tasman Sea. We asked ourselves, who would start a business here? Enter Captain Kev.”

From today, the campaign will be rolled out across TV, online radio, digital, video and social across both Australia and New Zealand.

Earlier this year, Squarespace made headlines with its 10th Super Bowl campaign, directed by Hollywood legend Martin Scorsese, Hello Down There.

The work shows people engrossed in their screens, unaware of the aliens’ attempts to make contact. Frustrated by their lack of success, the aliens turn to Squarespace, creating a website in hopes of connecting with Earthlings for the first time.

“At my age, it’s a stretch finding a directorial debut. When Squarespace first approached me to create a spot, I thought this was my shot,” said Scorsese at the time. 

See also: Martin Scorsese makes Super Bowl debut directing ‘Hello Down There’ campaign for Squarespace

As with Squarespace's model, the number of Australian businesses establishing in-house creative agencies has seen a surge in recent years.

The In-House Agency Landscape Report, produced by the In-House Agency Council (IHAC) and Kantar Australia, revealed that 78% of marketers in Australia were working with an in-house agency, compared to 63% only two years prior.

Australia now surpasses mainland Europe in terms of the percentage of businesses with an in-house agency offering, sitting only behind the United States.

See also: Procurement ‘don’t value creativity’: TBWA, Sportsbet, and IHAC on bespoke vs in-house debate

Credits

Client / in-house creative: Squarespace
Chief creative officer: David Lee
VP, creative: Ben Hughes
Senior director, Creative: Gui Borchert 
Senior creative manager: Ben Hodgin
Staff copywriter: Adam Bailey
Staff art director: Bart Graziana
Brand designer: Jaycee Masucci
Senior motion designer: Jon Sudarkasa
Senior director, creative production and operations: Erica Kung
Staff producer: Marisa Wasser
Head of business affairs: Kiersten Bergstrom-Pavlik
Business affairs manager: Luke Richard
Staff video editor: Sarah Harvey
Senior director, creative and brand strategy: Nate Skinner
Brand and creative strategy manager: Olivia Cohen
Social media strategist: Celeste Scott
VP, international and GTM: Jacqueline Gonzales
Director, international marketing: Michael Stocks
Senior marketing manager: Alex Neilson

Production: Academy Films Bulgaria service company: B2Y Director: Gui Borchert Director of photography: Stuart Graham Production designer: Kristian Lekov Line producer: Megan Porche Executive producer: John Nguyen

Post: Blacksmith Colorist: Mikey Penanich VFX Supervisor: John Shirley Online artist: John Shirley, Louis Schacte Compositor: Dylan Nett Producer: Therese Mayer Colour producers: Adam Vevang, Dan Butler  Managing director: Meghan Lang Bice

Music: Epidemic Sound ES_Meet Me in Montmartre - The Fly Guy Five 

Mix + Sound Design: Lime Audio mixer: Jeff Malen Audio assistant: Jeremy Nichols Associate producer: Cassie Underwood  Executive producer: Susie Boyajan