AUCKLAND, Today: Got a cat with main character energy or a dog who’s pure cartoon chaos? Southern Cross Pet Insurance wants you to nominate them for the 2025 Pawsies awards.
And they’re not stopping at pets. The Pawsies are also shining a light on the unsung heroes of the vet world—those clinic teams who show up every day for our furry mates.
“Our dogs and cats bring us so much joy, so it’s time we had a way to truly celebrate the gift they give us,” says Melodie Vickars, CMO of SCPI.
“We’ve launched The Southern Cross Pet Insurance Pawsies to help showcase New Zealand’s finest felines and precious pups,” Vickars added. “And to find the vet clinic team which is doing everything it takes to help our pets live their best lives.”
The campaign is rolling out across radio, digital, OOH and sponsored content—designed to rally Kiwi pet parents to show off their proudest purrs and top dogs.
“Our dogs and cats bring us so much joy, so it’s time we had a way to truly celebrate the gift they give us.” – Melodie Vickars
“We’re looking for the most characterful dog and cat in Aotearoa. Personality will be key to our winners’ success. So when you nominate your ngeru or kurī, pick a photo and write a description that captures their unique personality and spark.”
SCPI also wants nominations for the country’s best vet clinic team—the ones who go above and beyond to keep pets living their happiest, healthiest lives.
“We’re their biggest fans, now we want to hear their stories and celebrate their mahi,” she added.
Dog and Cat of the Year winners will score prizes including a Pickle’s Pawtrait, $500 pet store voucher, one-on-one training with Mark Vette, a billboard moment and an iconic Pawsies trophy.
The winning vet clinic team gets a kitchen upgrade for their lunchroom, award pins for staff, and their own Pawsies trophy to proudly display at their practice.
“Kate Winslet may keep her Oscar in her downstairs loo, but we reckon The Pawsies trophy will take a rather more salubrious pride of place in three lucky locations.”
The team behind the team
Supporting The Pawsies are:
Southern Cross Pet Insurance
Melodie Vickars: Chief Marketing Officer
Kristen Gernandt: Marketing Manager
Anna Holley: Marketing Manager
Christina Samosir: Digital Marketing Executive
Melanie Kozak: Engagement and Marketing Data Lead
Aidan O’Donnell: Marketing Manager
Rakesh Prasad: Lead Developer
Sue Hamilton: Communications
TBWA\New Zealand
Shane Bradnick: Chief Creative Officer
Ashley Wilding: Creative Partner
Daniel Davison: Creative Partner
Michael Gillard-Allen: Art Director
Crystal Hay: Copywriter
Simon Mills: General Manager
Monique Seil: Senior Business Director
Erin Kelly: Senior Business Manager
Rachel McClennan: Senior Business Manager
Luke Kelly: Planning Director
Mark Paisey: Senior Print Producer
Carl Moody: Director Bootleg Design (physical trophies)
Jodie Hari: Head of Production
Blair Walker: Head of Post-Production
Hayden Cook: Senior Motion Designer
Timo Lenton: 3D Motion Designer
MBM
Nureete Burnie: Business Director
Annie Shaw: Digital Director
Lauren Bezuidenhout: Search Director
Dorothy Nazareth: Digital Manager
Alex Aroa: Senior Implementation & Biddable Specialist
Bonita Pieters: Media Planner Buyer
Mia Donovan: Media Assistant
Gabe Cepe: Implementation Assistant
Sophie Martin: Senior Social Manager
Breakout Room
Kat Day: General Manager
Sophie Dawson: Account Director
Gareth McDade: Designer
Gael Lanigan: Content Producer
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