Kiwis aged 18-29 think drinking in moderation is cool   4 Feb 2016

Sobering research reveals Kiwis aged 18-29 think drinking in moderation is cool

Heineken launches campaign promoting restrained consumption

Auckland, February 4th 2016 – New local research into the drinking attitudes of millennial consumers in New Zealand (aged 18-29) has revealed some interesting insights into the motivating factors for moderating[1] alcohol consumption, and suggests drinking moderately during nights out is considered ‘cool’.

For Kiwi millennials, the key to a great night out is spending time with friends, and 82% say they look to limit the amount of alcohol they drink on nights out. The majority of Kiwis surveyed think that moderating drinking is cool (67%) and respect others when they moderate their drinking (80%). One in two millennials claimed to have looked after a friend that was too drunk. Having a night ruined by someone who was too drunk was also not uncommon (43%).

Millennial Kiwis also do not find drunkenness attractive in themselves or others. 54% said they were turned off by drunken people and 19% said they have stayed sober specifically to impress someone they are attracted to.

The popularity and reach of social media among this age group means that control of their self-image is paramount, with about one in three (31%) admitting that they had suffered from ‘social shaming’ caused by appearing to be drunk in a photo on social media.

The local research[2] was conducted on behalf of HEINEKEN to supplement global research that polled 5,000 21-35 year-old premium beer drinkers in five countries[3]. It was commissioned to provide insight into the company’s latest ‘Enjoy Heineken® Responsibly’ campaign, called ‘Moderate Drinkers Wanted’ - aimed at boosting the trend of responsible consumption.

Maud Meijboom, DB New Zealand’s Director of Marketing, said; “This study shows moderation is becoming an active choice for an image-conscious generation of Kiwis who want to stay in control on nights out and find drunkenness a general turn-off. The Moderate Drinkers Wanted campaign aims to add momentum to this trend by encouraging people to moderate their drinking, in a light hearted way.

“18-29 year olds have grown up in a world that is sharply different to previous generations, with social media and technology fueling increased awareness of self-image and putting an emphasis on healthy living as desirable. Drinking in moderation is one aspect of this, taking matters into their own hands, making positive lifestyle choices and attempting to make the best of every opportunity that is thrown at them.”

Against this backdrop, HEINEKEN has launched a new Heineken® brand-led campaign entitled “Moderate Drinkers Wanted”. For the first time, the hero of the ad directly says no to another drink, and the ad suggests he is more attractive because of this. By showing positive behaviour HEINEKEN believes it can help change consumer attitudes to alcohol consumption.

The new campaign builds on HEINEKEN’s long standing commitment to use its flagship brand to convey the ‘Enjoy Responsibly’ message. In addition to investing 10% of the brand’s media spend in dedicated responsible consumption campaigns, the message is also delivered through sponsorship platforms such as UEFA Champions League, Rugby World Cup and hundreds of music events around the world. The messaging also appeared on more than 8 billion bottles and cans in 2015.

The ‘Moderate Drinkers Wanted’ ad will first air on Friday 5th February on FOUR at 8:40pm.

About ‘Enjoy Heineken Responsibly’:

‘Moderate Drinkers Wanted’ is part of ‘Enjoy Heineken® Responsibly (EHR),’ our global brand-led approach to promote responsible consumption, first launched in 2004. Whilst the Enjoy Heineken® Responsibly is the flagship of our commitments, we are of course promoting responsible consumption throughout our brand portfolio. As an industry leader, we believe we should lead by example, playing an active role in promoting responsible and moderate consumption of alcohol.

HEINEKEN employees are ambassadors for our responsible consumption agenda and, around the world, many markets have developed tailored activations to spread the message locally. We also work in partnership with many stakeholders to encourage responsible attitudes and to understand and address alcohol misuse.

About Moderate Drinkers Wanted;

The new TV commercial is the work of Emmy award-winning director Nicolai Fuglisg, and was shot in Los Angeles bars and the subway. The voices of the female stars in the campaign are used to sing the track.

[1] Definition of moderation, for survey purposes: “Moderate drinking is when alcohol consumption does not hinder personal control.”

[2] The research was conducted by TNS in December 2015. 150 interviews were completed by male and female millennials aged 18-29 years old who drink alcohol at least occasionally

[3] USA, UK, The Netherlands, Brazil, Mexico

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