By Kristy Hesom
Hosted at their Central Kitchen head office in Lorentzville, Johannesburg, COO Doug Place, invited the media into what Nando’s calls their “casa”, where after a short presentation and viewing of the advert, were taken on a tour of their South African-decorated offices. Last, but definitely not least, those present were invited to enjoy their new BEE...g meal.
The BEE...g meal consists of a Nando’s flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken burger (available in all the Nando’s flavours, from Lemon and Herb through to Extra Hot) with extra cheese and grilled onion; a portion of chips; two full PERi-PERi wings and a soft drink.
As Nando’s says; “This is a meal for people who have big appetites for life, for status and for success. Nando’s understands them, celebrates them, and invites them in for dinner.”
And the TVC, directed by Mzi Kumalo of Bouffant Productions, supports this. A blatantly obvious play on words with BEE, the ad hints at BEE…g players within the “tender” business, with their flashy watches (which they can’t pronounce) and their BEE…g boy attitudes, but also that “no matter who you are, everybody can make it BEE…g at Nando’s!”
While some would call their adverts controversial, Place pointed out that “controversy implies that there’s disagreement”.
“The space we want to be in, is where there is agreement. We’re well aware that the current president was voted for by the majority of the country. But we can all agree that if the president steals money, that it’s probably not acting in the best interests of the country.”
Nando’s doesn’t aim to be controversial; they want to be a part of conversations that matter. While celebrating their 30th birthday this year, Place said that in the past, when they were teenagers, they may have made a few adverts that were adolescent.
When talking about these ads, Place noted; “They were really funny and they put this brand on the map. We’re proud of it. But we’re not a brand that seeks controversy.”
Once the all-inclusive meal was enjoyed by everyone at the launch, Place extended an open invitation.
“You may have come here for a meal, but we hope you leave here with a lot more. An invitation to come work with us and tell us interesting stories so we can have the opportunity to do something really meaningful.”
You can check out Nandos’ new Make it BEE...g TVC
here.