{"id":298989,"date":"2026-02-24T01:54:19","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T01:54:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/298989\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T01:54:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T01:54:19","slug":"unichem-and-life-pharmacy-make-everyday-empathy-the-hero-in-new-make-your-problems-our-problem-campaign-via-mccann-nz-campaign-brief-nz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/298989\/","title":{"rendered":"Unichem and Life Pharmacy make everyday empathy the hero in new \u2018Make Your Problems Our Problem\u2019 campaign via McCann NZ \u2013 Campaign Brief NZ"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t February 23 2026, 11:38 am | BY Ricki Green | No Comments<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Unichem<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t \tUnichem and Life Pharmacy are putting empathy front and centre in its latest brand campaign, \u2018Make Your Problems Our Problem\u2019 via McCann NZ, by celebrating the deeply human care shown by its pharmacists every day.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Proudly New Zealand owned and built on personal connection, Unichem and Life Pharmacy have long differentiated themselves through the expert advice delivered with warmth and understanding by its pharmacy and in-store teams. In a category increasingly dominated by international, big-box competitors, the brand continues to stand apart by taking the time to listen \u2013 and genuinely care \u2013 for its customers.<\/p>\n

Following the momentum of Life Pharmacy\u2019s Cannes Lions and Effie Award-winning \u2018Awkboards\u2019 campaign, Make Your Problems Our Problem continues the brand\u2019s commitment to creatively addressing healthcare with humanity and humour.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Unichem<\/p>\n

Building on this platform, the new campaign shines a light on the everyday empathy shown by Unichem and Life Pharmacy pharmacists \u2013 particularly during the summer months when minor injuries, allergies and small ailments are experienced often when away from home.<\/p>\n

The brief was simple: remind New Zealanders that Unichem and Life Pharmacy staff don\u2019t just dispense advice; they take genuine ownership of their customers\u2019 wellbeing. The result is a humorous yet deeply human expression of empathy that reinforces the pharmacies\u2019 role as trusted, people-first healthcare brands.<\/p>\n

Says Edwina Neilson, Marketing General Manager at Green Cross Health: \u201cWe\u2019ve always been about putting people first. This campaign reflects the care our pharmacists show every day \u2013 taking the time to listen, understand and genuinely help, no matter how uncomfortable or strange the issue might be.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Unichem<\/p>\n

Creative Directors at McCann NZ, Alan Jones and Angelo An, say the idea came from treating empathy as something more than a buzzword: \u201cEmpathy is one of the most powerful tools a pharmacist has. By visually dramatising that idea, we were able to show just how deeply Unichem and Life Pharmacy\u2019s people care (in a way that\u2019s completely stupid, of course).\u201d<\/p>\n

The campaign brings this idea to life through a literal and unexpected execution. Across print, out-of-home and display, we see pharmacists appearing to suffer from the exact same ailments as the customers they\u2019re helping \u2013 from dramatic allergic reactions and broken arms to pregnancy nausea.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Unichem<\/p>\n

Using a combination of historical sales data, regional events and pollen & UV forecasts, a \u2018burns, bites and bumps\u2019 algorithm was created to feed regional OOH banners with messages reminding people to take care of their allergies, skin and selves when the weather was sneezy, hot or likely to rain around festivals and coastlines.<\/p>\n

The radio execution carries the idea through sound, with a Life pharmacist rattling off a chaotic list of customer ailments as though they\u2019re experiencing them firsthand.<\/p>\n

PLAY THE RADIO:<\/p>\n

https:\/\/campaignbrief.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/02\/Green-Cross_Health-Problems-_Creatives-Version_Radio_45.mp3<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Client: Green Cross Health
Agency: McCann NZ, previously FCB Aotearoa
Media: FCB Media
Head client: Edwina Neilson
Retail Marketing Manager: Jenna Cook
Creative Director: Alan Jones, Angelo An
Art Director: Willow Whitham
Copywriter: Zac Riddell
Photographer: Mike Braid
Producer: Elizabeth Roebuck
Head of Creative Technology: James McMullan
Account Director: Jasmine Lawrence
Design: Rob Flynn, Maria Bush
Retoucher: Alex Reznick<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

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