Challenge Accepted

Brand ambassador for Husqvarna South Africa, Tendai ‘The Beast’ Mtawarira, is taking us all to task in a powerful new brand advertisement.

As South Africans begin to emerge from one of our most challenging periods to date, Tendai ‘The Beast’ Mtawarira offers us an empowering message of our own resilience, of our strength, and our ability to triumph over adversity.

In a display of his extraordinary physical and mental grit, his story reminds us that no journey comes without rough terrain.

Similarly, perseverance, tenacity and power are words which underpin Husqvarna’s own ethos. Their range of state-of-the-art outdoor equipment has the ability to help rebuild industries, enable businesses to return to work, and nurture our relationships with our domestic spaces, where we have all been spending an unprecedented amount of time.

Creative director Maria Bronzin, from Durban’s Studio 031, had a clear objective with the visuals for Husqvarna’s very first brand advertisement.

“Because Husqvarna is all about these powerful machines, it was easy to parallel Beast’s own physical prowess, which in real-time was quite awesome to watch.”

“The production was shot at night, just after the last lifting of lockdown, with Covid-19 protocols in place, and major time constraints, not to mention some of the remarkable physical exertions required of Beast.”

The shoot posed many hurdles of its own; a fitting backdrop to Beast’s baritone voiceover, instructing us all to see “possibilities” over “problems”.

“We decided to launch the brand campaign at this particular moment since it has been such a testing time for everyone, on both a local and global scale,” explains Jenna Robinson, regional marketing manager for Husqvarna Africa. She adds, “The story we had to tell was about resilience and reliability, delivered through this visual that has such resonance for us all, not just the industries we service.”

“Husqvarna is committed to benefitting both the industries and the homeowners we support through our sustainable innovations. We have a number of programmes and products that speak to that commitment.”

Husqvarna is reminded too, of the heroic role the media has played more recently in empowering South Africans with knowledge and information, vital in navigating the unchartered road ahead to rebuilding our economies, and our spirits.

As Husqvarna South Africa launches their poignant new brand advert, let us all remind ourselves of our potential to be heroes.

Husqvarna is ready when you are.

Look out for the brand advert on Husqvarna’s digital brand channels, as well as Tendai Mtawarira’s social media.

Visit www.husqvarna.co.za