Branded content in New Zealand is in its infancy. The norm is for shows to be sponsored by a brand.This is the first time in this country that a show has been created entirely by a brand: Smirnoff. What makes this even more interesting is that it is actually a show created entirely by Smirnoff's consumers.More impressive still is that alcohol advertising in New Zealand is highly regulated. No alcohol advertising can screen before 8:30pm. You can't show alcohol being transformational in any way. And you can't show alcohol being linked with open water or violence, etc.So, creating a brand new television series that features people watching Jaws whilst floating in the ocean or trying to escape flesh-eating zombies is some achievement.

Smirnoff New Zealand needed to make themselves relevant to young New Zealand drinkers and position themselves as the catalyst for a great night out.Young drinkers are increasingly resistant to big brands telling them what to think. They’ll decide on what makes a good time.Therefore, Smirnoff ran a campaign that asked New Zealanders to submit their best ideas for an extraordinary night out. They chose the best ideas, provided the budget, provided the vodka BUT gave the winners just 1 week to pull off the extraordinary. Everything was filmed (all of the unpredictable highs and lows) and turned into a brand new TV series: The Smirnoff Night Project.

30-second television commercials, street posters, Facebook advertising and radio was used for the initial call for entries stage.Once the winning ideas were chosen for 'extraordinary nights out' and the creation and filming had begun, teaser webisodes were used to create excitement, anticipation and talk.The show creators were interviewed in press and on TV and radio.The show itself was promoted as any other new TV series on channel FOUR.

The series was a critical hit and ratings hit. Sunday Star Times reviewer Kate Mead had Smirnoff Night Project as 'Pick of the Week', as did The Listener and stuff.co.nz. And it doubled FOUR's viewership when it aired.Every Smirnoff brand measure increased (brand health, consistent high quality product, “for people like me” etc). In addition, Smirnoff enjoyed a 50% increase in the ‘Brand drunk most often’ measure.