CORPORATE AFFAIRS: PHOTO, VIDEO, PR
MERLIN
Over the past few years it has been a privilege to work with Merlin across a range of PR activities, videography and photography projects.
Merlin is on a mission to develop the world's first autonomous pilot that can be retro-fitted into aircraft. Merlin has recognised that globally we are heading towards a world where there are not enough pilots to service the world's freight & commercial flights.
The Merlin technology is being developed in the United States but the certification of the pilot is happening in New Zealand and as part of this, Merlin has built a hangar and operations centre in Kerikeri.
Antony & Mates has been involved with developing content and communication of the Merlin brand since their opening of operations in New Zealand.
VIDEOGRAPHY
Antony & Mates produced videos for their office and hanger opening respectively. Merlin New Zealand take great pride in their local connection to Iwi. They wanted to ensure that Māori custom and partnership was authentically portrayed to an American audience. A series of talking heads videos were also produced to introduce the Merlin Northland team while starting to share the Merlin story.
MERLIN KERIKERI, NZ HANGAR OPENING
BLESSING EVENT
WELCOME VIDEO
PHOTOGRAPHY
Merlin also had their first plane with company branding touch down in New Zealand in 2023. We were tasked with capturing photographic content for the US and NZ press articles, and also general content for future purposes.
In order to capture the plane, we had to fly in tandem with another which was a unique and thrilling experience.
HEARTS & MINDS STORIES
One challenge with developing innovative and ground-breaking technology is the work required to educate the public on the benefits of the technology and ease any fears/misconceptions they may have. Having social licence to use an AI pilot is integral to the public success and acceptance of Merlin. We assisted Merlin in developing communications content to show a connection to their community and to softly introduce the concept of an AI pilot to the New Zealand public. Most notably, we arranged for Seven Sharp to run a story about the naming of the AI pilot, Murray, as inspired by Rhys Darby's character in the television show ‘Flight of the Conchords'.
BEHIND THE SCENES
