‘Some things shouldn’t be for sale’: Agencies stand against Sydney Opera House ads
Is the Opera House Australia’s biggest untapped billboard, or is it an iconic landmark which should remain unattainable for brands? Senior industry executives have their say on whether or not brands should be able to advertise on one of the world’s most famous landmarks.
After the New South Wales Government announced it would be running ads for the upcoming Everest horse race on the sails of the Sydney Opera House, Australia is divided over whether or not brands should have access to the iconic landmark.
The news has sent Australia into meltdown with contrasting opinions on whether the world-renowned landmark should be left alone.
Mumbrella reached out to senior agency executives to get their take on the debate, and the message was loud and clear: “Some things shouldn’t be for sale”.
Please stop. Greenie voters that are appalled but happy to also exist off the same industry that plasters billboards, screens and everything else that moves with ads. Duplicity at its worst.
If you can’t see the difference between the two then you’re being naive.
I don’t work in advertising and I’m no fan of capitalism and commodification of everything, but in this case the advertisers and marketing people are at least aware of need to differeniate between spaces and how to distinguish significance of them. Whereas you don’t seem to be aware that there concepts such as appropriate, inappropriate uses and abuses and that is what most arguments are about in our culture. I assume you think it’s fine to turn the Opera House into a billboard? Besides the cultural question there’s also the priceless goodwill it (the OH) brings in tourism, reputation and of not advertising there. Or are those concepts also too tricky for you?
I am a lover of music and I have attended some concerts and plays there. To associate the Australian icon for The Arts with horse racing and gambling is something I think no-one should accept. It is abhorrent. Alan Jones is the one to lose his job. He is quite disgusting!!!!!!
I won’t be surprised if a drone hovers in front of the projection tonight.
There are definitely protests planned.
This kind of thing is the reason “that look” happens at a party when you say you work in advertising.
THIS.
We should remember the Opera House belongs to the people of Australia…NOT government, NOT advertising agencies and definitely NOT advertisers.OR Alan Jones and his cronies.
Gamling is likely Australia’s biggest social burden.
To even contemplate this on Gambling Awareness Week shows the disrespect for one of the nation’s largest problems.
Let’s empower some new thinking young Libs before this lot puts a Lottoland sign up at the Capital Hill and change the name to Puntralia.
Firstly the Opera House would not exist with out gambling. Check out the Lottery that financed it. Secondly all you protesters have given the event organisers more publicity than they could ever wished for – well done. Thirdly – there’s got to be more important stuff happening in the world !!
Says Pete, someone who patently knows the cost of everything and the value of nothing.
Do we know the agency that booked the space?
Good question. Just let me get my pitchfork and burning torch.
The thing I find interesting is the lens that people view this issue through.
People like Our Glad, ScoMo, Jones etc. look through a purely financial lens. If there is money to be made then it is a good thing.
Others who say that this is not a good idea look through a social lens. If it is for the common good then that is OK.
Unfortunately we’re led by a bunch of accountants with little or no social conscience – it is all about the money. Bugger the climate. Forget the environment and the Great Barrier Reef. Strip back hospitals and schools but build footy stadiums. Cut the real value of the pension and Newstart but hand out corporate tax cuts.
This is just another example of accountants deciding our future. Name me one success story that is accountant led. You can’t.
Seems to me this straight out of the Wicked Vans marketing handbook. Well played Jones and you’re rich mates. News coverage? Tick. Outraged people ironically spreading the news? You bet. Seems too easy sometimes.
In 1925, Citroen hired the Eiffel Tower out as one giant billboard. During this time, the Tower was lit up each night with the word ‘Citroen’ emblazoned on its Seine-facing side.
And it ran for nine entire years, involving 250,000 lightbulbs and 600km of cable. By comparison, the planned Everest promotion will be a mere light projection lasting just one hour.
Get a life people!
So your argument is that the public of Sydney 2018 should emulate the non-action of the public in Paris 1925?
Please rationalise that for us.
My comment is directed at contributors to this and other comment boards that the French would never consider advertising on an icon such as the Eiffel Tower.
How quickly you forget. The old coat hanger is the cultural icon of Sydney, and one of the great symbols of Australia; it serves as backdrop for a million fireworks and a massive light show every year, and we love it. The opera house is iconic, it is also beautiful in my opinion, though it has had a lock of flack and negative comment over the years.
Many of those who say “leave it alone” have probably never been inside it, and even more of them would avoid Opera like the plague.
It costs a huge amount of money to stage opera, and the opera house uses advertising in as many ways possible to promote its great art form. If there is a good income from allowing the use of the great white sails for tasteful* advertising, and the income benefits the opera companies, then “let it roll” I say.
* I would draw a line at hard retail “Be there” and Bronco type ads.
I don’t mind the Sydney Opera House being used to promote a big horse race, i also think it should be used to promote men’s rights issues aswell. Where were the protesters when back in 2015 the sails of the Sydney Opera House were used to promote Australia rugby, and rugby, like horseracing, is a sport people over 18 years old can gamble on?.