Oppppss! Now new "TOTALLY NON PC" spoof website on Tourism Australia's new campaign: "There's Nothing Like Australia" gets a LOT of press...!

At the same time the cheeky Kiwis hijacked the new Tourism Australia Social Media Campaign someone (!!??) in the US created a very NON PC parody of the "There's Nothing Like Australia" website...very very NON PC - but - VERY VERY Funny..!

Tourism Australia originally were VERY not amused and wanted the site pulled..but as it used a private 'whois' address the owner could not be found. And that begs the question, how could TA "forget" to register ALL the domain names around their campaign.. as the domain name used for the parody site is: www.NothingLikeAustralia.net - a VERY big name NOT to register!????

I guess this exercise shows everyone that uses social media that it is exactly that - social media - and it's viral..and once out of the box - it's fair game - and if you are a control freak for your brand - it can be risky..

Some of the highlights of the parody site include the late Steve Irwin holding his baby as he fed crocodlies with the caption - "There's nothing like taking your child to work".. another is a pix of a guy with 6 toes on each foot with the caption "Theres nothing Like Tasmanian family trees..(my favourite..!) - and many more really naughty captions...

New Zealand plays EXCELLENT April Fools Day Joke (??) on Tourism Australia..

In a simply BRILLIANT piece of 'friendly' "brand jacking" carried out under the auspices of it being an April Fools Day prank (hmmmm..!) The Kiwis hijacked the new (and frankly rather bland) Tourism Australia social media campaign: "There's Nothing Like Australia" with their own - albeit temporary - facebook, flickr and twitter versions - Good one guys!

Actually ticks ALL the boxes with how to use social media..and shows up in a big way the fresh, cheeky, insouciant "thumb-to-nose-not-afraid-to-take-the -mick-out-of-themselves" attitude the Kiwis have to promoting their country - as their flag carrier - Air New Zealand - also has with it's cracking videos on their 'painted on' staff uniforms..and their racy Cougar Advert - short lived - totally NON PC - but again brilliant!

And - the copy on the Facebook Page - Priceless!

"Nothing like Australia

100% Betterer

100% Pure New Zealand

It's nothing personal Australia, we love your new advertising campaign, its just that we're nothing like you.

Love from

New Zealand"

And then of course the iconic New Zealand photos in 'Nothing Like Australia' photostream..

Brits still love OZ - What Recession?!!

More than half a million British travellers travelled to Australia in the first 11 months of 2009. This figure of 564,000 represents a decline of ONLY one per cent on the same period in 2008 and ALSO was during the height of the global financial crisis.

Just in the month of November 64,200 visitors from the UK arrived in Australia, representing a 5% increase on November 2008, according to latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

And it's looking GOOD as well for 2010 - as new carriers like the multi-award winning Qatar Airways and the new giant A380 Airbusess of Emirates, Singapore Airlines and Qantas take to the skies with daily services to OZ with cheaper aircraft to fly - and MANY more seats to fill!

Tourism Australia general manager Europe Rodney Harrex said:

“Throughout the economic down-turn we continued to market actively to the British public via consumer marketing and trade campaigns, as we felt sure that there was still an appetite from Brits to holiday in Australia.

“We have promoted the Working Holiday Visa to those aged 18-30 via www.facebook.com/australianworkingholiday, we told the story of our luxury credentials to take advantage of the resilience of the high yield segment, and we partnered with airlines and tour operators to deliver a price and accessibility message to convert intention in to bookings."

“Promoting flying from your local airport and two week holidays in Australia helped us attract first time visitors.

“Our campaigns invited Brits to come and enjoy uniquely Aussie experiences, delivering messaging about our weird and wonderful wildlife, our welcoming personality and the rejuvenating power of a holiday in Australia.

“The contrast between the laidback coastal lifestyle in Oz and the climate – from an economic and a weather perspective here in the UK – certainly resonated in this market.”

Release Date: 01 February 2010

How we deal with Terrorists...LOVE the Aussies..

Received this today - its priceless! ..especially the quote on how the Aussies handle it... aveagoodweegend..!

The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent terrorist threats and have raised their security level from "Miffed" to "Peeved." Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to "Irritated" or even "A Bit Cross." The English have not been "A Bit Cross" since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies all but ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorized from "Tiresome" to a "Bloody Nuisance." The last time the British issued a "Bloody Nuisance" warning level was during the great fire of 1666.

The Scots raised their threat level from "Pissed Off" to "Let's get the Bastards" They don't have any other levels. This is the reason they have been used on the front line in the British army for the last 300 years. The Welsh just don't give a shit, and who cares about the Welsh.

The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from "Run" to "Hide". The only two higher levels in France are "Collaborate" and "Surrender." The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France's white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country's military capability.

It's not only the French who are on a heightened level of alert. Italy has increased the alert level from "Shout loudly and excitedly" to "Elaborate Military Posturing." Two more levels remain: "Ineffective Combat Operations" and "Change Sides."

The Germans also increased their alert state from "Disdainful Arrogance" to "Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs." They also have two higher levels: "Invade a Neighbour" and "Lose".

Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual, and the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels.

The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy.

Americans meanwhile and as usual are carrying out pre-emptive strikes, on all of their allies, just in case.

And in the southern hemisphere... New Zealand has also raised its security levels - from "baaa" to "BAAAA!". Due to continuing defence cutbacks (the air force being a squadron of spotty teenagers flying paper aeroplanes and the navy some toy boats in the Prime Minister's bath), New Zealand only has one more level of escalation, which is "Shit, I hope Australia will come and rescue us".

Australia , meanwhile, has raised its security level from "No worries" to "She'll be right, mate". Three more escalation levels remain: "Crikey!', "I think we'll need to cancel the barbie this weekend" and "The barbie is cancelled". So far no situation has ever warranted use of the final escalation level!