Over the weekend, CommBank, via M&C Saatchi Group Australia, unveiled a non-traditional experiential campaign to celebrate the launch of Travel Booking, available via the CommBank app, Australia’s best banking app^, 15 years in a row.
Taking place in Melbourne’s Flinders Street, the campaign centered on an immersive walk-through billboard bringing New York City closer than ever, with wider integrated comms across social, influencer, PR, Out of Home (OOH) and digital media running nationally.
Running 28 February – 2 March 2025 CommBank’s ‘Out of Here Out of Home’ campaign invited visitors to step through a larger-than-life billboard and into a walk-in NYC themed activation.
At the heart of the experience was ‘Johnny G’ of John’s Famous Hot Dogs, Times Square’s own legendary street food vendor, in Australia for the first time who served 2,000+ NYC-style hot dogs for free.
Johnny has been a beloved fixture in Times Square for over 46 years, earning the admiration of the US media, street food lovers - locals and tourists alike - not through a flashy social media presence, but by serving up unforgettable hot dogs with his signature charm.
The campaign is for the launch of Travel Booking, available via the CommBank app. The platform simplifies travel planning for Australians, offering access to thousands of airlines and hotels around the globe and provides seamless booking options along with exclusive features like Price Prediction tool and, for a limited time, 10% back in travel credits on all flight and hotel bookings.
CommBank Executive General Manager Consumer Finance Marcos Meneguzzi said CommBank customers consistently list holidays as one of their top savings goals.
“CommBank iQ’s latest Cost of Living Insights Report revealed Australians are spending 22% more on online travel.
Travel Booking via the CommBank app helps make planning a trip easier with access to thousands of flights and hotels across the globe and the ability to pay using CommBank Awards points,”
Mr Meneguzzi said.
Daniel Borghesi, Creative Director at M&C Saatchi, explains:
“When CommBank asked us to help showcase the new Travel Booking service available via the app, the obvious answer was to bring NY’s greatest hot dog vendor to Australia to serve hot dogs from inside a billboard.
But it’s about much more than Johnny G’s signature recipe leaving the States for the first time, it’s about bringing the world closer than ever - to all Aussies with a travel bug.”
For more information, visit Travel Booking and CommBank’s Social Media channels.
^ Canstar 2024 Digital Banking Bank of the Year
CREDITS
Client: CommBank
Creative Agency: M&C Saatchi Group Australia
PR, Activation & Influencer: M&C Saatchi Sports & Entertainment Australia
Production: Lenzo
Content: Monster & Bear
About Johnny G and John’s Famous Hot Dogs
Johnny G, also known as “Johnny Hot Dog,” is a true New York institution. For over four decades, he has been serving his iconic hot dogs at Times Square’s bustling corner of Broadway and West 46th Street. Johnny is celebrated for his dedication to authentic NYC flavours, from his perfectly spiced franks to the classic toppings of sauerkraut, red onions, and relish. This Melbourne pop-up marks Johnny G’s first-ever appearance in Australia, bringing an authentic taste of Times Square Down Under.
Further information on Johnny’s back story can be found here
About Travel Booking
Travel Booking, provided by Hopper, is now available via the CommBank app, and commbank.com.au/travelbooking which makes planning trips easier than ever with:
Access to thousands of flights and hotels across the globe.
Price predictions to help give guidance on the best times to fly and buy.
Pay with points option for customers with a CommBank Awards credit card.
For a limited time, CommBank Yello Everyday Plus and Homeowner customers get 10% bonus travel credits back on all flight and hotel bookings, making holidays more affordable. [Terms and conditions apply].
Travel Booking can be accessed via the CommBank app by searching Travel Booking in the search bar, or by visiting commbank.com.au/travelbooking. It is available to all CommBank app and NetBank users 18 years or older with an eligible CommBank credit card, debit card, Travel Money card or StepPay account.
Things You Should Know
For more information about the CommBank Yello program, visit commbank.com.au/commbankyello. Travel credits are a form of payment issued by Travel Booking that you can use on future purchases on the Travel Booking site. Travel credits are issued in specific scenarios. For full terms and conditions go to travelbooking.hopper.com/terms
Travel Booking is provided by Hopper Inc (Hopper). Hopper is not part of the CBA Group. CommBank will receive a portion of the revenue generated from the Travel Booking platform. CommBank is not responsible for the content on this portal, nor the provision of any of the services that are offered through this portal. The services offered are subject to the Travel Booking terms and conditions. CommBank does not guarantee the obligations or performance of Hopper, or the services it offers. CommBank Awards customers can choose to use part or all of their Awards points for payment of their booking.
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