AUCKLAND, N.Z.–Just in time for the Halloween season, a bank in New Zealand has launched a horror-inspired campaign designed to show younger consumers that credit cards don’t have to be scary.
The campaign, called “Fear-Free Credit,” is being run by Westpac NZ and challenges audiences to “face their credit fears” and introduces Westpac’s expert guidance and tools to overcome them.
Embracing the dramatic horror genre, ‘Fear-Free Credit’ spotlights common anxieties — from spiraling debt to haunting impulse buys — and offers clear solutions to help alleviate those worries.
Central to the campaign is the House of Credit Card Fears, a pop-up immersive experience where each unsettling room embodies a different credit-card fear, IBBOnline.com reported.
The End of the Journey
“At the end of the journey, visitors step into the Fear-Free Zone, where Westpac’s six steps to responsible credit help transform fear into confidence — empowering them to build a healthy credit score,” the report added. “The campaign leverages the cultural insight that Gen Z is highly engaged with the horror genre, utilizing this connection to make financial literacy feel more engaging and relevant – and providing practical tools to help young people build credit with confidence.”
Westpac NZ chief brand and marketing officer Sarah Williams told IBB Online, “Insights show young people are significantly more credit card-shy than other generations, often because they lack the confidence to manage debt responsibly or use credit to their advantage. We wanted to address these fears directly and give them the tools to turn credit from a source of worry into an opportunity.”
Also Served as Film Set
The House of Credit Card Fears also served as a film set, producing immersive, cross-platform content and offering a personalized experience for each participant, the report added.
The campaign appears in different forms across multiple media platforms.
One of the videos can be viewed here.
