We need to feel good, not have a feel good campaign

Andrea Vance reports:

Last week, the council’s economic wellbeing manager Anna Calver announced a new billboard and t-shirt campaign, aping the 1990s Absolutely Positively Wellington promotion devised by Saatchi & Saatchi.

Calver — who does not appear on the comms and engagement staff list — said she and other staff designed the Positively Pōneke drive to “help keep people aware of all the good change under way” and bring “those absolutely positive vibes to a hoarding near you”.

In a Linkedin post, Calver said the campaign was about getting Wellingtonians “to stop grumbling about our brilliant city” and in response to “grumbling” from The Post.

Rates are looking to increase 15%, the Council says it is all needed for essential services, yet they have enough money to spend on a campaign to convince Wellingtonians that things are all great here.