PrintEmail

Before I define brand I would like to take you on an imaginary journey. You and your partner. Just the two of you - no family, no weekend responsibilities. Let us go to Wellington. The capital city. Even if it is a repeat visit, the beauty of the harbour and its surrounding hills still enthral you. You have booked into a suite that will give you incredible views of the harbour - a suite in the Hotel Intercontinental. You have rented a BMW Roadster from Avis for the weekend.

You enjoy the drive into the city and decide to take the slightly longer route around the bays

to your hotel. Top down, enjoying the sun and view. You have an event to go to that evening at the Westpac Stadium. David Bowie - should be an amazing concert! So you decide to go to one of Wellington's great restaurants for a pre-concert dinner. Logan Brown serves up a wonderful meal - just right. Bluff Oysters as starters which you both share, followed by mains of New Zealand lamb and Huka Falls freshwater prawns. The wine was an exquisite Chardonnay from Cloudy Bay. You decide on the cheeseboard, while your partner opts for the icecream selection - both wonderful products from Kapiti. And then to complete the fine meal you both have Supreme coffees.

You pay by American Express and jump in the taxi to the concert of the year.

The next morning, after dining at the hotel's brasserie Chameleon, you enjoy a day of shopping. You take in Kirkcaldie and Stains (Wellington's premier department store) and end up buying some Clarins perfume products, a Bunnykins bowl for some friends who have just had their first baby, a Versace blouse and a pair of Calvin Klein jeans. Lambton Quay offers some good shopping and you wend your way down to Willis Street to the Vault Design Store. There you buy a Phillipe Starke kitchen gadget (you think it's for squeezing oranges, but you are not sure!) before heading off to the Karen Walker clothing store (you have heard so much about her innovative and exciting designs) on the way to Te Papa. At the museum, you can't resist buying some Lord of the Rings gifts for the family - they'll be perfect for birthdays. Back to the hotel for a rest and to get ready for the Royal New Zealand Ballet's performance at the St. James, sponsored by Telecom. A grand finish to the day.

And tomorrow? Well a breakfast at Shed 11 on the waterfront - sounds great, doesn't it? Then have a drive around the city before heading up the coast to the Fly-By-Wire you have heard so much about - a real adrenalin rush apparently! Then over to the Wairarapa for some sightseeing, antique hunting and wine tasting.

Tired but content you board your 6 pm Air New Zealand flight for home. What a great weekend!

The fantasy that you have enjoyed contained a whole list of brands among them Wellington, BMW, Avis, the Hotel Intercontinental, Westpac Stadium, David Bowie, Logan Brown, Bluff oysters, Cloudy Bay, Kapiti Cheeses, Supreme Coffee, American Express, Kirkcaldie and Stains, Clarins, Verscae, Bunnykins, Calvin Klein, Vault Design Store, Phillipe Starke, Karen Walker, Te Papa, Lord of the Rings, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Telecom, Shed 11, Fly-By-Wire and Air New Zealand. Some you knew and some you didn't.