Iconic 80s TV Show ‘Chips’ Is Back, Encouraging Older New Zealanders to Get ‘On Patrol’ in New Anti-scams Campaign - From TBWA\NZ

Age Concern New Zealand, the leading charity dedicated to promoting the care, wellbeing and security of older people, in partnership with ANZ, one of the country’s premier banks, has launched an innovative scam prevention campaign by TBWA\NZ.

A mainstay on New Zealand TV screens in the late 70s and 80s, CHiPs became iconic for its action-packed storylines and unforgettable characters. Now, more than 40 years since the original series last aired, the unit is back with a new mission: To put the elderly on patrol for the ever-evolving threat of scams in the real world. 

According to a recent ANZ survey*, 80% of Kiwis aged over 65 believe that older people can be too kind and trusting for their own good. This campaign aims to give New Zealanders confidence and remind them that they have the right to hang up, say no, and reject calls, texts, and emails from people they don’t know.

Scams can leave victims feeling vulnerable and embarrassed so it was important the learning was empowering, fun and engaging - and never scary or overwhelming. Rebooting CHiPs created an entertaining, nostalgic and familiar series that resonates with older New Zealanders, while helping them recognise and avoid the types of scams currently targeting them.

“While scams and fraud are challenges faced by all Kiwis, we wanted to focus on how we could uniquely support the older people of New Zealand first,” says Shane Bradnick, CCO of TBWA\NZ. “With ANZ’s partnership with Age Concern, our goal was to use humour and nostalgia to engage, entertain, and empower seniors to be 'on patrol' against scams.”

In addition to a standout 60-second hero trailer, TBWA\NZ has developed a series of targeted 30 and 15-second spots designed to raise awareness and educate viewers on the essential behaviours needed to protect against the most common scams.

Shane explains, “Making this unique mini series meant a long production process. We chose to re-edit and rework the original footage into brand-new micro storylines that deliver a clear and concise message about modern-day scams. We reviewed over a hundred episodes across all six seasons, carefully piecing together moments that could effectively convey key messages of scam prevention—or, as we like to say, bringing old-school justice to today’s scams. We worked with Warner Brothers to secure licensing of the show, the specific footage, actors, music and gain permissions from the Californian Highway patrol. We also worked with show star Erik Estrada to help launch the campaign in PR in New Zealand.”

Alongside a broad reach campaign the series also features on screens in all Age Concern centres across New Zealand and rest homes. Enhancing the campaign's impact is a comprehensive partnership that includes the rollout of digital literacy programs aimed at boosting online confidence. Additionally, the campaign features a scam awareness training guide, the launch of the ANZ Scam Academy website, and practical toolkits. To further extend its reach, posters and guides will be distributed to libraries and community centres nationwide.

“It's been a great process to work with Age Concern on a programme that can help make a real difference. At the heart of this scam awareness programme is educating and empowering in an engaging way,” says ANZ general manager of marketing, Matt Pickering,

“This is just one aspect of the work we are doing with Age Concern around digital literacy and one aspect of the work we are doing to help battle fraudsters targeting New Zealanders”

The campaign will be encouraging New Zealanders to 'be on patrol' when it comes to scams. The campaign launched nationally across Age Concern centres, TV, print, radio and online, earned.