In the latest campaign by Ogilvy Sydney for Nestle's Anticol MAX anaesthetic throat lozenges, the old W.C. Fields adage about not working with animals flew straight out the window.

New Zealand-based photographer Mat Baker teamed up with the agency to produce the first new work in five years for Anticol MAX, which features a combination of human and white lion talent.

Originally scheduled to be shot near Auckland, production was re-routed at the 11th hour, due to the recent volcanic ash cloud which caused air travel chaos in the southern hemisphere. The live animal photo shoot was relocated to Mogo Zoo, a private wildlife reserve just south of Bateman's Bay on the NSW coast.

Ogilvy Account Manager Jed McMillan said the agency and client team had identified huge future opportunities for the brand. "We're excited about claiming a position of strength for Anticol MAX in such competitive and cluttered category," he said.

The campaign is active in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne from August 1.