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New Aussie tourism campaign - bit controversial....
- Thread starter Chundles
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I saw this on the news tonight as well. 
I don't understand how a country that uses "bloody" all the bloody time could possibly ban it. As I mentioned earlier "bloody" is even used in the Harry Potter movies, so what the big bloody deal?
Bloody Poms! j/k (just the ones that decided to ban it)
I don't understand how a country that uses "bloody" all the bloody time could possibly ban it. As I mentioned earlier "bloody" is even used in the Harry Potter movies, so what the big bloody deal?
Bloody Poms! j/k (just the ones that decided to ban it)
max_altitude said:I saw this on the news tonight as well.
I don't understand how a country that uses "bloody" all the bloody time could possibly ban it. As I mentioned earlier "bloody" is even used in the Harry Potter movies, so what the big bloody deal?
The problem is that the Harry Potter movies are rated PG13 in the USA, and for a generic broadcast television commercial, advertising at the PG or PG13 level is a cultural no-no, regardless of what the element is that pushes it up to such a rating (violence, sex, language, etc).
And having worked with both Aussies and Brits, I've become sensitive to their respective cultural idioms and what's considered the limits of acceptability. In this regards, the USA is closer to the Brits perceptions of acceptability than the folks from Oz.
Overall, perhaps a better question is how much does the commercial's intended message really change if the "bloody hell" phrase hadn't been used? To this question, I think the answer is "Not Much". YMMV.
Of course, I am setting aside any cynical observations as to how one might purposefully chooose to create controversy in order to get some additional free advertising mileage.
-hh
-hh said:The problem is that the Harry Potter movies are rated PG13 in the USA, and for a generic broadcast television commercial, advertising at the PG or PG13 level is a cultural no-no, regardless of what the element is that pushes it up to such a rating (violence, sex, language, etc).
And having worked with both Aussies and Brits, I've become sensitive to their respective cultural idioms and what's considered the limits of acceptability. In this regards, the USA is closer to the Brits perceptions of acceptability than the folks from Oz.
Overall, perhaps a better question is how much does the commercial's intended message really change if the "bloody hell" phrase hadn't been used? To this question, I think the answer is "Not Much". YMMV.
Of course, I am setting aside any cynical observations as to how one might purposefully chooose to create controversy in order to get some additional free advertising mileage.
-hh
You make very good points, and I particularly agree with your last one. I just think it's a shame that it can't be seen as humour, but I suppose it's not really that big of a deal.
I like the ad! Makes me excited to go, actually.
I'm getting married in late October 2006, and we are now about 95% sure that we'll be going to Australia on our honeymoon. Looks to have finally passed South Africa in the running.
It's about are far away as we can go in either direction and seems like it has lots to offer. Right now we're thinking 4 or so days to relax & snorkel around the Great Barrier Reef, and then a couple weeks to explore other parts of the country.
I do plan to hit up on all you Aussies here at MR for advise once we get moving on the planning.
I'm getting married in late October 2006, and we are now about 95% sure that we'll be going to Australia on our honeymoon. Looks to have finally passed South Africa in the running.
It's about are far away as we can go in either direction and seems like it has lots to offer. Right now we're thinking 4 or so days to relax & snorkel around the Great Barrier Reef, and then a couple weeks to explore other parts of the country.
I do plan to hit up on all you Aussies here at MR for advise once we get moving on the planning.
It's worth mentioning that it isn't a complete ban – it's just the TV ads have been pulled. Us poor, sensitive Brits will still be subjected to this terrible, uncouth antipodean language at the cinema, in print ads and online. Who I ask, just who will protect us from this outrageous behaviour?!
I watched the ad. I liked it and wasn't offended.
However....
...as a non-native, the ad would have lost nothing to me had the tagline been "so where are you?"
So, I can certainly see some people's objections and as someone who just finished a marketing class, agree with them.
However....
...as a non-native, the ad would have lost nothing to me had the tagline been "so where are you?"
So, I can certainly see some people's objections and as someone who just finished a marketing class, agree with them.
Don M. said:
When you think about it, wouldn't there be a lot of conversations where the actual meaning really wouldn't be lost if the profanity was removed?
They bleep out all the curse words in those Divorce Court shows and I can still completely understand what is going on. Yet, people think that the words still make their language more colorful and poignant.
lem0n said:great ad... now I want to move back to Gold Coast and hone my Australian accent...
What do you mean "if I have skin cancer" You spent an extended period of time here without sun-screen? Get burnt? More than once?? Yup, you've probably got it.
Keep getting checked.
lem0n said:nope, I never got burn
Ah, OK, you'll be fine.
But yeah, to all those thinking of visiting, you can and will still get sunburnt in winter - even when it's cloudy.