Throw another ad on the barbie, says Hogan
A Report by Garry Maddox in The Age says that Paul Hogan, who once promoted the country with the popular “shrimp on the barbie” commercials, is no fan of the new $40 million tourism campaign.
The “go walkabout” ads, which piggyback on Baz Luhrmann’s soon-to-be released film Australia, depict the country as a place to get away from the stresses of city life.
Two commercials by Luhrmann’s company are part of the campaign in 23 countries.
Asked about the campaign yesterday, Hogan said he was “not crazy” about it.
The Crocodile Dundee star said he thought Australia was still best promoted as it was in the 1980s, with focus on the friendly and laid-back people.
“If I go to your house for a visit and I want to come back, it’s because I enjoyed your company, not your furniture,” Hogan said. “We were advertising the furniture — beaches and buildings and the outback and all that sort of thing. I felt we should be saying that this is a wonderful country and the people here are laid-back and friendly.”
Tourism chiefs have had to defend the new advertising campaign after a marketing authority said it targeted city-dwelling, white-collar professionals to the exclusion of older tourists, families and singles.
Luhrmann, who is finishing Australia, was not available.
At a news conference to launch a new film, Charlie & Boots, Hogan renewed his attack on the Australian Tax Office, accusing it of harassment and bullying behaviour during its investigation of his finances.
“It’s been going on for three years and they haven’t arrested me or anyone else,” he said. “I’m just waiting for the big apology.”
Hogan said he had paid more than his fair share of tax. He joked that he would be laundering the money he earned from the new film.
A Report by The Mole
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