NZTA funds video reminder that Shannon is still alive and kicking

An advertising campaign to help Shannon business recover from six months of traffic bypass is about to be launched.

The campaign had a budget of $12,000, funded by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, in recognising the impact the closure of State Highway 57 had on business in the town.

Little and Loud marketing advisor Nicola Johnston said it was a community-lead campaign aimed at “championing” the town on social media with photos and videos, and would also involve a radio campaign.

The campaign encouraged road users to take the ‘old way’ home through the township, highlighting Shannon locals and key stop off points and also some of the lesser known benefits to commuting through Shannon, like an electric vehicle charging station.

Shannon Four Square owner Corey MacMillan was one of several people involved in the campaign video and said he wanted to thank Waka Kotahi for acknowledging that the road closure had a significant impact on traffic coming through the town.

“People commuting through Shannon is what gives many of our hospitality and retail outlets their bread and butter. When the road closed, people started taking different routes and the traffic really dried up,” he said.

“We’re a stop on the way to and from the capital, and we have regular commuters that we’ve come to know pretty well. We want to show the faces of the people that these commuters will recognise — to remind them that we’re here and we miss them.”

Horowhenua District Councillor Sam Jennings was a key figure in helping secure the campaign funding, he said.