Under the Southern Cross

Selling Australiana

It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Australia is probably one of the most promoted countries in the world in regards to tourism. It’s one of the things that we are famous for. So it’s no surprise to see the amount of effort that goes into advertising campaigns that companies use.

Qantas is a prime example of bringing the message of ‘Australia’ out to the masses with it’s 1998 “Still Call Australia Home” commercial that had the Australia Girls Choir and National Boys Choir in various locations around the world & home. Every so often Qantas resurrect this one because it is as captivating now as it was when it first came out.

As you will see, Aussies like to see Australian flavour.

Then there is Telstra’s remake of an old Australian song done by the Seekers. While it is purely an advertising campaign for Telstra, it again pushes home that Aussie pride, and has been effective in creating a loyalty bond with a company that they still will constantly bicker at.

Then there is the infamous Toyota “bugger” commercial.
Reuters, AP. 1 April, 2000
In a landmark decision, the Australian Commercial Practices Court today ruled that Toyota is no longer allowed to run its advertising campaign based on the word “Bugger”. Explained Court spokesman Loof Lirpa, “Some time ago Microsoft took out an injunction against the use of the word ‘Bugger’ in Toyota’s ad. It was argued that ‘Bugger’ had been associated with Windows far longer and far more deeply than with Toyota’s utes.”

Lirpa went on to suggest that every Windows user in the world uses the word at least once a day as a direct result of using Windows. “No other product has ever achieved that degree of market recognition and for Toyota to muscle in on it was clearly a breach of commercial etiquette and, ipso facto, copyright.”

australia       marketing       media       commercials       advertizing

A Taste for Tooheys

Tooheys have come out with some interesting commercials lately. We’ve seen roaving tongues (see below), dancing dryers, and now, welll…. it really depends how you interpretate the latest one. Some have said they are his seed, some say he is growing beer. In fact, the latest beed commercial is somewhat obscure. But ever so interesting to watch!

It makes you somewhat wait for the next installment from Tooheys.

I must admit though, we are a pretty talented country with a great imagination. The boundaries aren’t only being pushed in music & film. They are being pushed in all forms of media. Which is why we are starting this new section on the media in Australia. What better way to find out what we’re like than through what we buy & what we do & watch for entertainment & news. So tay tuned!

australia       commercials       beer       advertizing

“Lose Yourself” - Melbourne

I love this commercial! Congratulations to Melbourne for a first rate campaign!