Should Wolverine be the next face of Australia?

Gordon says:

09:37am | 16/10/12

Here we go. Round 15 of Tourism Australia’s eternal search for new ways to embarrass the crap out of us. They are picking the right time: no will dare say “died of shame”.

Mahhrat says:

09:41am | 16/10/12

Who is the market?  Everyone the world over, or just the Americans?

I would suggest he’s a perfect American demographic representative - very much all the things Americans value in their xenophobia.

Would I market him to the Europeans?  I doubt it.  I’d have it far more multicultural - including indigenous Australians, experiences of wide-open spaces, and so on.  As my mum said to me (she’s English) - the sky seems bigger in Australia.  Market that space.

Asia, I would perhaps focus on rural and opportunity themes unique to Australia - the slightly more ‘80s “cultural backwater” thing.  I think that would work well there.

Gregg says:

10:12am | 16/10/12

” Hogan was comical in the roll your eyes kind of way. He was all scratchy voice, pair of thongs and singlet with an ocker accent. That might have been something to proud of back in the 1980s – we were younger then - but it’s a pretty outdated image now. “

Hoges may be aged and had his issues with the ATO but the image created assisted by Crocodile Dundee was certainly more of the good times and that is still what ought to be pursued, just another Hoges to be found.

I suppose we could always use Julia and Wayne!, maybe using that Lodge series and having a sequel on Julia and Tim off on a grey nomads style holiday….......just kidding.

Then again, maybe Eric Banner is more whom we could use, perhaps throwing in that other Saint connection and he is known as the Sheik of Tweak amongst other things and certainly has the topic of the moment down to a fine art, that of texting and would also appeal to the english and a few other cricketing nations.
Chuck Brett Lee in for the Indians in particular and roll them all together with the chasers and what a team you could have.

Tubesteak says:

10:27am | 16/10/12

Wolverine is Canadian so might not be a good idea. People might go to the wrong country.

I think Jackman would put a few bums on planes. He seems like a thoroughly nice guy and I am sick to death of the “big brown land with dancing indigenes” that gets sold to the rest of the world. Australians don’t live that and there’s a lot more to offer in this country for those who are willing to look.

joshgtv says:

11:30am | 16/10/12

I’d wait until he’s made at least one semi-decent film, and then consider it.

j says:

12:47pm | 16/10/12

he’s pretty damn popular in japan

PJ says:

12:57pm | 16/10/12

Hugh Jackman kissed Gillard for $15 million dollars.

I guess the old adage is true; “Every man has his price.”

Not suitable any longer.

marley says:

06:23pm | 16/10/12

OK, I’m a new Aussie, who’s lived in a lot of places, travelled a fair bit, and seen what works and what doesnt.

Australia has enormous disadvantanges as a tourist destination. It’s a helluva long way from the countries with money, and it’s bloody expensive to get here, never mind travel inside the country.  So, we start at a disadvantage.  I mean, why would a European or an American come here if they can go to Canada, the US or Europe?

Try and take an outback tour (and I’ve done a few) and you’re shelling out really big bucks.  Take the Ghan, and you’re paying a lot for a nice train, pleasant staff and incredible disorganisation.  Airline prices are high.  So are rental cars. Hotels? Pffft.

Focus on the cities? Overpriced hotels and restaurants, and shops you would see in every city on the planet.  Multicultural?  Sure, but so are Singapore, Vancouver, Hong Kong, Buenos Aires and Amsterdam. 

The beaches are great;  the outback is very special (but very expensive);  the vineyards and wine tours are among the best deals I’ve found;  and everyone loves a koala. 

Focus on what’s unique about Australia - space, time, beaches, climate, adventure, animals.  No one is going to fly 20 hours because Melbourne has good cafes or Sydney has a Chinatown.

Hrrmmmphh.