Case Studies

We work with community initiatives, regional tourism, environmental programmes and business supporting positive change across Aotearoa

Helping them to:

• Strengthen funding applications

• Increase community engagement

• Ensure stakeholders understand project value

• Make complex messages easy to understand

• Elevate visibility

• Grow audiences

MediaWorks TVC | Panadol Care Collective

Purpose led storytelling that celebrates community impact

Overview

Love Media supported the Panadol Care Collective campaign by crafting a series of short documentary style videos that highlight everyday people making a meaningful difference in their communities. The campaign was designed to build emotional connection, increase brand trust, and position Panadol as a brand that genuinely supports care beyond the product. This story featured Teriria from Backpack Outreach who distribute care packages to at risk children living in the Manawatu region.

Led by Creative Director Rachael Patching, the project focused on authentic storytelling, real voices, and emotionally resonant moments that reflect Panadol’s commitment to care and wellbeing.

The Challenge

Panadol wanted to connect with audiences in a way that felt genuine, human, and values driven. The challenge was to tell real community stories with sensitivity and authenticity, while aligning with a national brand campaign and delivering content suitable for digital platforms and broadcast television.

The stories needed to feel natural, respectful, and emotionally engaging without appearing overly produced or promotional.

Our Approach

Love Media took a story first approach, working closely with contributors to create a safe, respectful filming environment that allowed people to share their experiences honestly.

Each film was carefully structured to:

• Highlight the individual behind the story

• Capture real moments of care and connection

• Balance emotional storytelling with brand alignment

• Deliver multiple edits optimised for digital platforms

The production approach drew on Rachael Patching’s background in documentary filmmaking and long form storytelling, ensuring each video felt authentic and human.

The Result

The Care Collective series delivered a set of emotionally powerful TV commercials that resonated with audiences and reinforced Panadol’s brand values of care, empathy, and support.

The videos were used across digital channels and broadcast television to build awareness, engagement, and trust, demonstrating how purpose led video storytelling can strengthen brand connection while amplifying positive community impact.

Services Provided

• Story development and creative direction

• Documentary style video production

• On location filming

• Interview direction and participant support

• Post production and editing

• Short form digital video delivery

The World Bank | Powerless

Overview

Powerless is a documentary video series created for The World Bank, exploring the human impact of limited access to electricity across the Pacific.

Filmed in the Solomon Islands, the series focuses on lived experience to help international audiences better understand the real world implications of energy access, infrastructure, and cost.

This film tells the story of Toata Molea, the owner of Didao Service Station in Honiara, and the realities of running a small business in a country with some of the highest energy costs in the world and low rates of electricity connection.

The Challenge

Communicating complex development and energy issues can be challenging, particularly when addressing international audiences who may be unfamiliar with the local context.

The Solomon Islands relies on imported fuel for nearly all of its electricity, resulting in high costs and limited access. The challenge was to translate these systemic issues into a clear, engaging story that felt personal, grounded, and accessible, without losing nuance or credibility.

Our Approach

Directed and produced by Rachael Patching, the film takes an interview led, documentary approach that prioritises trust, authenticity, and lived experience.

Filmed on location in Honiara, the production combines observational footage with candid conversation, allowing Toata’s voice to lead the narrative. Rather than relying on statistics alone, the story centres on everyday realities, using personal insight to illuminate broader development challenges.

Careful attention was given to creating a respectful and collaborative filming environment, ensuring the story was told with integrity and clarity.

The Result

The final film delivers a human centred perspective on energy access in the Pacific, helping audiences connect emotionally with a complex global issue.

The story supports The World Bank’s communications and engagement efforts by providing a compelling narrative that bridges policy, development, and lived experience. It demonstrates how documentary storytelling can build understanding, empathy, and informed conversation around critical global challenges.

Services Provided

• Story development and creative direction

• Documentary style video production

• On location filming

• Interview direction and participant support

• Post production and editing

• Short form digital video delivery

The Vintage Rail Journey | Funding Video

Overview

Purpose driven storytelling designed to support regional restoration, conservation, and sustainable tourism.

Love Media partnered with a Northland heritage rail charitable trust to create a series of documentary style funding films that communicate both the experience and the wider community value of the railway. The videos needed to go beyond promotion and clearly demonstrate environmental impact, heritage preservation, and regional economic contribution.

The Challenge

Funding organisations need more than promotional content. They need clarity of impact, credibility, and a tangible connection between investment and measurable benefit.

The project needed to:

• Communicate conservation outcomes alongside tourism appeal

• Show social and economic value to the Far North region

• Build emotional engagement while maintaining trust and accuracy

• Speak to funders, councils, and community stakeholders simultaneously

• Represent a heritage organisation authentically without feeling commercial

The story had to appeal to both decision makers and the public while remaining grounded and documentary in tone.

Our Approach

We developed a human centred narrative focused on experience and place rather than marketing claims.

By combining observational documentary filming with environmental context, the films present the railway as part of a living ecosystem including heritage, landscape, wildlife habitat, and local economy.

Visual storytelling emphasised scale and atmosphere, allowing viewers to understand both the beauty of the journey and the significance of the restoration work.

Care was taken to ensure the films felt transparent and credible so they could function as both a funding document and a public engagement piece.

The Result

This final film is now used within funding applications and stakeholder presentations to support future restoration and conservation initiatives.

The project communicates:

• Habitat protection for threatened bird species

• Restoration of historic rail infrastructure

• Sustainable visitor experiences in Northland

• Regional economic benefits through tourism

• Community led environmental stewardship

The films support fundraising for the restoration of the Whangae Tunnel and track to Opua while reinforcing the trust’s long term conservation goals.

By focusing on authenticity rather than promotion, the videos strengthen confidence for funders and partners while inspiring public support.

Services Provided

• Story development and creative direction

• Documentary video production

• On location filming

• Talent direction and participant support

• Post production and editing

• Short form digital video delivery