Why should creative agencies get all the glory?
Here’s a chance for media agencies to extend their own creativity to writing and making an actual TV ad.
Winners get their ad on TV, plus a premium Auckland staycation prize including tickets to J. Cole’s The Fall Off Tour at Spark Arena, Premium Lounge access, a night at Park Hyatt Auckland, a long lunch at The Hotel Britomart, and more.
Make a TV ad
Hopefully you’ve seen ThinkTV’s 30 second Attention ads. If not, you can watch them below. Take a look at the first section of each one. They’re made to be interesting, grab attention and get people to watch a little longer. That’s something television advertising is exceptionally good at doing.
We’d love to see what you can create, so you’re invited to write, design and make your own very short film. It’s probably the most open creative brief you’ll ever get, with no brand, product, or message required. The only limit is your imagination. And of course, 17 seconds.
To win, you’ll need attention grabbing creativity. Be surprising or suspenseful. Have fun. And keep it simple. Plan for your film to be interrupted about 17 seconds in, whether your story’s finished or not.
The ad will then freeze, cut to ThinkTV’s Sarah counting down the seconds, and then her ‘Still watching…?’ message. But don’t worry, we’ll take care of that part.
So, write yourself an ad. Then shoot it on your phone, borrow a camera, experiment with AI tools responsibly or call your Hollywood director friend, whatever works.
The winner will be the video that the judges feel best keeps viewers’ attention right to the end.
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Think TV
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Still Watching (Egg Cups)
2026
Think TV
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Still Watching (Frog)
2026
Think TV
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Still Watching (Ice Cave)
2026
Some rules
Two people can put their name on the entry and be eligible for the prize, so work in pairs. You can get anyone else to help but the project will be led and credited to two of you.
You must both be employees, in any role, within the same media agency, in New Zealand. If you’re at a multi discipline agency, you must both work in the media part of the business.
Both agencies and individuals can enter as many times as they like.
The winning entry must be of sufficient technical quality and suitable for television broadcast.
Be aware of copyrights, particularly for music, talent, brands and AI generated material. If you use anything you don’t own, make sure you have permission to use it.
How to enter
Upload your finished 17 second video to YouTube. It’s up to you whether you make it public or not. Then fill out the entry form below and include the link to your video.
Timing
Entries close 5 pm Monday 6th July 2026.
Winners notified and announced w/c 13 July 2026.
Prize experience: Sunday 6 December to Monday 7 December 2026.
Questions?
Please email: jacqueline@thinktv.nz
Open to employees of New Zealand media agencies only.
Entries are subject to full competition terms and conditions available here.