I really wish I could find something to like about Australia’s World Cup video.
But as ads for the country go, it leaves no cliche unturned.
Kanagaroos? Of course.
Julia Gillard demonstrating that politicians can’t do funny? Naturally.
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Crocodile Dundee. Natch.
Strategically – it’s bang on. It finds a way to tell a story that weaves in Australia’s natural and man made beauties, and showcases its sporting facilities.
But the big reveal that the bloke on the bike is Paul Hogan? The Stig he ain’t.
I suspect that unles the FIFA voters are big fans of 25-year-old comedy films, it’s not going to resonate.
It’s a good demonstration from director Phillip Noyce that film makers don’t necessarily make good ads.
The only consolation is that sport politics being sport politics, the voters minds were made up long before they saw this mess.
Tim Burrowes