KFC New Zealand, in partnership with Stanley St and FilmThreeSixty, has launched a fresh new brand campaign called ‘The Power of KFC’, celebrating Kiwi adventurousness and the undeniable appeal of the iconic menu.

Directed by the acclaimed Justin McMillan, this cinematic journey follows two friends on their epic mission to deliver a feast of KFC to their friend in the farthest reaches of the South Island.

This flagship campaign, KFC’s first major brand campaign in over three years, taps into Kiwis’ deep-rooted love for their favourite chicken, combining the thrill of an adventure with the simple joy of sharing a meal with friends. The result is a heartwarming story that shows just how far people will go for the love of hot, crispy chicken.

The story begins with a cheeky KFC selfie in a group chat, prompting a young man, miles from civilisation, to half-jokingly ask for his favourite Zinger burger. What follows is an epic quest where his two pals plan to surprise him. Their journey, full of unexpected challenges and delightful encounters, demonstrates the willingness of Kiwis to help each other out – with a delicious KFC as a reward, of course.

The campaign will launch with a 60-second TV commercial with a 30-second snippet that will air on leading channels. Cinemas across the country will screen the 90-second film in full, while META and TikTok will feature interactive posts designed to encourage engagement and shareability.

Following months of collaboration between Stanley St, FilmThreeSixty and KFC, the campaign celebrates KFC’s place in New Zealand culture and showcases the brand’s talent for bringing people together around its delicious menu. Featuring the iconic tagline “It’s Finger Lickin’ Good”, this campaign proves the power of storytelling and the timeless appeal of KFC’s offerings.

Leane Too, KFC’s Head of Marketing, says: “KFC has always been about bringing people together over good food and this campaign captures that perfectly. We’re excited to see how this story of camaraderie and KFC’s iconic taste resonates with Kiwis. The team’s creativity and energy shines through in every image.”

Anna Yates, Executive Creative Director at Stanley St, says: “This campaign was a huge team effort. KFC is one of those brands with endless possibilities and we don’t take that for granted. We’re delighted to be working with a client who cares so much about producing outstanding work. This project is definitely one of my absolute favourites.”

Known for his compelling storytelling and stunning imagery, McMillan brings a wealth of experience to the project, having worked in Australia, New Zealand and the United States. McMillan’s notable works include the award-winning documentary Storm Surfers 3D and the psychological thriller Sweet River, now a Netflix original.

The “Power of KFC” campaign starts on August 20, 2024.

Customer: KFC
KFC Marketing Director: Leanne Too
GM Marketing (Restaurant Brands): Clark Wilson
Senior Brand Manager KFC: Holly Knowles
Senior Brand Manager KFC: Sarah Clarke

Agency: Stanley St
Executive Creative Director: Anna Yates
Artistic Director: Stan Lee
Lyrics: Slade MacDonald
Head of Design: Nathan Chambers
Managing Director: Karlie Lloyd
Senior Account Manager: Olivia Jackson
Managing Director: James McHoull

Production company: FilmThreeSixty
Head of FilmThreeSixty: Sage Haggart
Director: Justin McMillan
Lead Producer: Renate Tauetau
Camera: Rob Marsh
Offline editor: Martin Spencer
Colorist: Ben Marshall
Sound design: Zed Williams

Media agency: PHD
Head of Creative Integration: Amanda Palenski
Deputy Managing Director: Ella MacDonald
Deputy Digital Director: Lily McCallum