CHiPS characters encourage elder New Zealanders to be ‘on patrol’ for potential scammers
A new awareness campaign brings back the show’s iconic officer duo, Ponch and Jon, but this time, they’re chasing down fraudsters instead of speeders.
Age Concern New Zealand, a charity dedicated to promoting the wellbeing of older people, and ANZ, one of the country’s premier banks, have jointly launched a nostalgic and innovative scam prevention campaign featuring the return of the iconic American crime drama series CHiPs.
CHiPs, which originally aired from 1977 to 1983, became a cultural phenomenon known for its action-packed storylines, memorable characters, and the charismatic duo of Erik Estrada and Larry Wilcox as motorcycle officers. The show’s exciting chases and sunny California setting made it a beloved staple of 80s television.
This new campaign reimagines the series to resonate with older audiences, who are increasingly targeted by scammers, and provides them with the tools and confidence to protect themselves from fraud.
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A recent ANZ survey found that 80% of New Zealanders over 65 believe that older people are often too kind and trusting, making them vulnerable to scams. The campaign emphasizes that it’s OK to hang up, say no and reject unsolicited calls, texts and emails.
The campaign was ideated and developed by TBWA\NZ, a creative agency in New Zealand.
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“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,” said Shane Bradnick, chief creative officer of TBWA\NZ. “With ANZ’s partnership with Age Concern, our goal was to use humor and nostalgia to engage, entertain, and empower seniors to be ‘on patrol’ against scams.”
The campaign includes a standout 60-second hero trailer and a series of 30 and 15-second spots that will be shown on TV, in Age Concern centers and rest homes across New Zealand via TV, print, radio, online and earned channels.
The work also includes a broader digital literacy program comprising a new ANZ Scam Academy website, scam awareness training guides and educational toolkits for community distribution.
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