HSBC Rides A Wave Of Trust With Surfing Story

HSBC, one of the world’s largest banking institutions, has launched today a hero brand film ‘The Right Wave’ to bring to life its role as a trusted banking partner for its customers.

Trusted partnership between the jet ski driver and the surfer is a matter of life and death in this extreme sport and the film serves as a visceral metaphor of HSBC as the experienced and strategic growth partner that helps its customers to navigate market volatility to take the opportunities ahead of them

The cinematic hero film explores the extreme, high-pressure dynamics between a big-wave surfer, Matahi Drollet and a jet ski driver, Tahurai Henry, as they conquer overwhelming 25ft swells. Drawing on the relationship between Matahi and Tahurai, the film symbolises HSBC’s role in bringing expertise, and deep understanding of the world’s changing currents to build the right conditions for customer success.

The film was shot on Tahiti’s renowned surf break Teahupoʻo during several high-risk wave breaks. Produced by Superprime Films, the team collaborated with local Polynesian production company, We Are Ora to draw on Teahupo’o’s local and specialist knowledge to capture the best possible wave conditions. It was directed by the celebrated filmmaker Kiku Ohe alongside cinematographers Tim Lorentzen and Morgan Maassen.

The activation includes ad cutdowns across digital, social and streaming platforms, as well as inflight entertainment on flagship airlines. A documentary exploring the relationship between Matahi and Tahurai, as well as their connection with Teahupoʻo and the wave, will launch later this year.

The film, named “The Right Wave”, was developed by Team Helix, WPP’s integrated agency team for HSBC, and led by VML UK in partnership with VML Lisbon with media handled by OMG Media.

Donata Peksa, Global Head of Brand Campaigns, HSBC: "We’re excited to launch this chapter of our global brand campaign, and the powerful metaphor it’s anchored in. From the faith Matahi has in Tahurai to put him in the perfect position on the wave, to the crew’s expertise and patience in filming an extreme and unpredictable sport, the film captures an uneasy truth of the world’s unpredictability. I can't think of a better way to establish our new ambition to be the world’s most trusted bank, putting our customers at the heart of everything we do.”

Ryan McManus, Chief Creative Officer, VML UK: “If heavy water and a volatile ocean teaches you one thing, it’s that nobody can take on giant waves alone. You need a partner who helps you navigate the conditions. That's why this was such a powerful metaphor for HSBC. With over 160 years' experience, they know what it takes to realise opportunities in an ever-changing world.”

Hinatea Boosie, Founder, We Are Ora: “This production required patience, careful risk assessment, and the ability to be in the right place at exactly the right moment. But beyond all the planning, the true magic came from the connection between nature and the people involved - the humility, expertise and collective spirit everyone brought to the project. That rare alignment is what made this, for me, one of the most beautiful campaigns ever created in Tahiti.”

Credits

HSBC: The Right Wave

HSBC

John McDonald – Chief Marketing Officer

Jonathan Castleman – MD Group Brand

Donata Peksa – Head of Brand Experience

Helen Freer – Senior Marketing Manager

Nancy Sloan – Senior Brand Manager

Chloe Critchley – Marketing Manager

Jagroop Sandhu – Brand Manager

VML

Ryan McManus – CCO

Carl Lundqvist – Global Creative Director

Mike Watson – Creative Director / Copywriter

Maria Leiria – Creative Director / Art Director

Rafael Lopes – Associate Creative Director / Copywriter

Roz Lawson - Senior Producer

Ben Clarke – Senior Designer

Rob Nichol – Global Client Lead

Scott Miskie – Client Partner

Pri Sood – Business Director

Ritika Saini – Senior Account Director

Flora Woodhams – Senior Account Manager

Amy Bowshall – Senior Account Manager

Ben Worden – CSO

Joao Caputi – Strategy Director

Ruby Wyles – Senior Project Manager

Asher Guerrier Halil – Project Manager

Production company: Superprime

Director: Kiku Ohe

MD / EPs: Rebecca Skinner, Michelle Ross

UK Managing Director: Chris Barrett

EP: Francesca Roberts

HOP: Matt Sanders

Producer: Ray Leakey

DOP: Tim Lorentzen

1st AD: Sinan Saber

Underwater Camera Op: Morgan Maassen

Drone Pilot: Benoit Finck

Local service producer: We Are Ora Productions

Local producer: Hinatea Boosie

Talent agent: Sports Promotion

Talent: Matahi Drollet (Surfer) & Tahurai Henry (Jet Skier)

Photographer: Kirvan Baldassari

Offline Editor: Stephen Dunne

Offline post house: tenthree

Post Production: Electric Theatre Collective

2D Lead - Sarah Crux, Stirling Archibald

Compositor - Julie Cruette

EP - Arianna Maniscalco

Producer - Ryley King

Grade: Company 3

Colourist: Yoomin Lee

Color Producer: Jessica Sroczynski

Color Assists: Brian Chhom, Max Slusky

Head of Production: Edward Rilli

Operations: Jack Mohler, Shoko Mizuguchi

Sound & Music (Director’s Cut): IXYXI

Audio: Runamok

Sound Engineer: Jonny Platt

Executive Producer: Caroline Jemirifo

Music: Original Composition by Wake the Town

Music Supervisor: Sam MacNamara

Cameras:

FPV Drone

Inspire

Alexa

Ember

Super 8

RED

BTS:

Production company: Headstrong Films

Director: Lachlan Russell

Director / Cinematographer: Aidan Rice

Underwater DOP: Chris Bryan

Documentary:

Production company: Eyeforce

Producer: Jessica Cash

Director: Arthur Neumeier

Editor: Tim Weyer