While insurance provides financial recovery, it does little to prevent damage in the first place.
Australia is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, with homes and communities increasingly exposed to floods, bushfires, cyclones, and extreme weather events. Suncorp identified a critical gap: resilience needs to start before disaster strikes, not after, shifting the focus from recovery to proactive protection.
Through “Haven – Building a More Resilient Australia”, Suncorp set out to redefine the role of an insurer—from payer of claims to active builder of resilience. The campaign turned insurance into a long-term public service initiative, combining education, design innovation, and policy advocacy to help Australians better prepare their homes and communities for extreme weather.
Developed by Leo Burnett Australia in collaboration with partners including OMD, Hogarth, and Le Polish Bureau, the initiative brought resilience to life through tangible tools and experiences. The One House prototype demonstrated how design and materials can withstand extreme weather conditions. Resilience Road retrofitted real homes in Rockhampton, showcasing practical upgrades such as cyclone mesh screens and ember guards. The Suncorp “Haven” digital tool allowed Australians to assess their property’s climate risks and receive tailored recommendations. Alongside these activations, Suncorp worked with the SES to deliver community education programs and advocated for systemic policy reform, including stronger building codes and infrastructure investment.
The initiative delivered both cultural and business impact, strengthening Suncorp’s position as a leader in home insurance and resilience thinking. Home policy growth increased by 75% year over year, while Resilience Road gained national visibility through mainstream media and television features such as “The Block”. Beyond commercial performance, the campaign helped shift the national conversation toward prevention, influencing industry initiatives such as “Build it Back Better” and inspiring broader policy-level action on disaster preparedness.
AWARDS
Cannes Lions 2026
– Shortlisted in the Dan Wieden Titanium category
CREDITS
Brand: Suncorp Insurance, Australia.
CEO: Steve Johnston.
Executive General Manager Brand & Customer Experience: Mim Haysom.
Marketing Manager: Travis Hughes.
Head of Brand & Content: Rapthi Thanapalasingam.
Executive Manager: Bernadette Norrie.
Creative Agency: Leo Burnett, Australia.
Chief Creative Officers: Andy Fergusson and Dave Bowman.
Chief Strategy Officer: Catherine King.
Creative Directors: Bec Johnson-Pond, Marijke Spain, and Michelle Walsh.
Art Directors: Daniel Stewart and Jim Walsh.
Copywriters: Dan O’Bey and Michael Dawson.
Creative Technologist: Chris Jovanov.
Business Director: Tash Tollo.
Senior Business Director: Shae Jones.
Group Business Director: Alex Barkworth.
Chief Client Partner: Amanda Wheeler.
Chief Delivery Officer: Gary Arnas.
Chief Executive Officer: Clare Pickens.
Media Agency: OMD Sydney.
Digital Agency: Le Polish Bureau (Poland).
Production Company / In-house Production: Hogarth Sydney.
Production Partner: Revolver.
