Hyundai delivers thank you letter from Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak in latest video via Octagon

Hyundai Motor Company Australia, one of Australia’s proudest football fans, has launched the last instalment of its Socceroos “Letters” series via Octagon, in the lead up to Socceroos taking on Denmark for the FIFA World Cup.

Socceroos captain, Mile Jedinak, is the final Socceroo in the series which launched on June 6, with an emotional thank you to an Aunt he says has inspired his journey through her consistent support and presence in his career. The Aunt is shocked and honoured to be the subject of the Socceroos captains’ thanks and much like the recipients of earlier letters from Josh Risdon, Mark Milligan, Robbie Kruse and Andrew Nabbout, finds it difficult to contain her emotional response.

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Hyundai, with the help of Football Federation Australia, sponsorship agency Octagon and production company Milkmoney, created the ‘Letters’ video series. It was designed to give Socceroos players a chance to pen a letter of thanks to the mentors who were instrumental in their journey from the Hyundai A-League to the world stage as Socceroos for the FIFA World Cup in Russia.

The series which lives on Hyundai’s website can be seen promoted via 30 second TVCs across networks and SBS, digital channels including SBS and Optus Sport, as well as through the Hyundai website.

Recently retired football legend, Archie Thompson who received a letter from first time Socceroo Andrew Nabbout believes it’s important for fans and upcoming players to see the real-life inspiration behind their favourite players.

Says Thompson: “I’ve been humbled to be recognised in Andrew’s letter. Despite being close to the boys through the system, I just wasn’t expecting to be called out as someone that made that sort of impact. It’s an amazing feeling and a reminder that these players are where they are not just because they’re talented, but also because they’ve had the support of family members and mentors who believe in them.  These letters are a great way for fans to get a glimpse into the real lives of these talented players and see the people who have been there cheering them on all the way.”

The “Letters” series is part of Hyundai’s wider “Made in the Hyundai A-League” campaign, designed to highlight and hero the growing numbers of Socceroos who have been introduced to the national team via the Hyundai A-League, with which Hyundai has proudly partnered since the beginning of the competition in 2005.

Currently out of the 23 Socceroos squad members, 18 have played locally in the Hyundai A-League in Australia, which for Hyundai was a clear indicator of the rapidly growing quality of football in this country.

Says David Parsons, sponsorship lead at Hyundai: “Hyundai is hugely proud of our relationship not just with the A-League, but of both our national teams – the Caltex Socceroos and Westfield Matilda’s. As the Hyundai A-League has matured over the years, we’re delighted to see it become a legitimate breeding ground for Socceroos to play on the biggest stage of them all, the FIFA World Cup.”

Hyundai’s “Letters” campaign represents a concerted effort by the brand to utilise their unique standing not only as a national team partner, but an official FIFA World Cup partner, to help grow the game in Australia. With the “Letters” work targeted toward the core elite football fans, providing an unseen insight into the players, the brand also has a “Have a Fling with Football” campaign running that seeks to recruit bandwagon fans who tune in when the FIFA World Cup comes around.

Research has indicated around 22% of Australian’s who don’t consider themselves football fans plan to tune in for the competition, which is a huge opportunity for the brand to make them feel welcome, hook them in to the game, and encourage their support of the Hyundai A-league.  It’s a two-pronged approach that aims to see more fans in the stands for the start of season 17/18 of the Hyundai A-League in October.

Hyundai Marketing Director: Oliver Mann

Editor: Josh Palmer